BEN - March 23, 2007 #281

1) Alabama Undisputed Crawfish King
2) Alabama's EPA Performance Track Members
3) Fort Morgan On Endangered List
4) Tennessee Valley Sets 117 Year Drought Record
5) BEN Notes: Position Open At 4H Center, Spring Burst Hike Series, Alabama Rivers Alliance Ongoing Online Auction, AEC Green Tie Affair, Earth Fest Run for the Crest, Discovery Day at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Tallapoosa State of the Watershed, Earth Day at the Hays Nature Preserve

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1. Alabama Undisputed Crawfish King - Here is a story that can be used to tout Alabama's abundant biodiversity.

Last month, according to the Mobile Register, nationally recognized crawfish scientists identified the state of Alabama as the "most biologically diverse" in the number of crawfish species in the country. Here are some of the findings:

* Alabama has 83 species of crawfish, six (6) more than Tennessee, the next most diverse state.

* Some creeks in Alabama have more than twice as many species of crawfish as are known in all of Europe.

* 2/3 of the world's species of crawfish are found in the U.S. and 95% of those are in the Southeast.

* Alabama has 46 more species of crawfish than mudbug farming Louisiana.

Interest in crawfish diversity, especially in Alabama, has grown since 2004 when Press Register reporters captured a thought to be extinct crawfish species called the "rusty gravedigger". Steve Rider, aquatic resources coordinator with the Department of Conservation has also been instrumental for securing funding to do a crawfish survey in the state. According to Rider, there may be an additional 10-12 species of crawfish that have never been identified.

2. Alabama's EPA Performance Track Members - Earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Environmental Performance Track Program had reached the 470 member mark. This innovative partnership program recognizes facilities that set three year goals for continuous improvements in environmental performance beyond their legal requirements, have internal systems in place to manage their environmental impacts, engage in local outreach about their performance and publicly report results.

The following Alabama companies and one governmental agency are members:

3M Decatur - Decatur, Alabama
3M Guin - Guin, Alabama
Aaron Oil Company - Saraland, Alabama
BF Goodrich Tire Manufacturing - Opelika, Alabama
BF Goodrich Tire Manufacturing - Tuscaloosa, Alabama
International Paper Courtland Mill - Courtland, Alabama
JJefferson County Commission General Services Department
Louisiana - Pacific, Hanceville OSB - Hanceville, Alabama
Michelin North America, Inc - US4 Dothan AL - Midland City, Alabama
Tate & Lyle Sucralose. Inc. - McIntosh, Alabama
Washington Group International - ANCDF - Anniston, Alabama

Since it's inception in 2000 Performance Track members nationally have collectively reduced their water use by 3.5 billion gallons, reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 88,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent and conserved more than 14,000 acres of land. For more info about EPA's Performance Track Program visit, http://www.epa.gov/performancetrack

3. Fort Morgan On Endangered List - Last week, the Civil War Preservation Trust ranked Fort Morgan as one of the nation's top 10 most endangered battle sites for the second straight year.

The group cited neglect, storm damage, staff shortages, insufficient maintenance and concerns that the 173 year old installation has fallen into significant disrepair as it's reasons for the rankings. The owner of the facility, the Alabama Historical Commission is also facing potential budget cuts, but may see some relief with $3.3 million in one-time money for repairs and construction resulting from a potential state bond. Despite that one time shot in the arm, the master plan adopted two years ago by the Commission recommended some $21 million in work on Fort Morgan over the next decade.

For more information about top ten ranking go to http://www.civilwar.org

4. Tennessee Valley Sets 117 Year Drought Record - According to the Tennessee Valley Authority, the time span between December, January and February in the Tennessee Valley has been the driest in the 117 years of record keeping. Beyond the Tennessee Valley region, National Weather Service hydrologist Brian stated in the Birmingham News that northeast Alabama and the southern Cumberland Plateau counties in Tennessee are even drier and are in a severe drought.

Moving South, in the Birmingham region, January and February were the driest since 1986 and is 7 inches below normal rainfall, according to Scott Unger, a meteorologist for the Weather Service. The dry weather has resulted in a number of wildfires. Since the beginning of wildfire season on March 1, there have been 780 fires that have burned over 18,500 acres according to the Forestry Commission.

5. BEN Notes: Position Open At 4H Center, Spring Burst Hike Series, Alabama Rivers Alliance Ongoing Online Auction, AEC Green Tie Affair, Earth Fest Run for the Crest, Discovery Day at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Tallapoosa State of the Watershed, Earth Day at the Hays Nature Preserve

Positions Open At 4H Center - There are a number of seasonal and full-time positions open at the Alabama 4-H Center. Visit for details - http://www.aces.edu/4hcenter/JobOpportunities.php

Spring Burst Hike Series - The Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama recently launched their annual "Spring Burst" Hike Series. Check out their scheduled hikes at
http://www.landtrust-hsv.org/calendar_of_events.htm

Alabama Rivers Alliance Ongoing Online Auction - The Alabama Rivers Alliance has been holding an innovative online auction this month to support their efforts. One of their auction items includes an Toyota Prius. Check it out at http://www.cmarket.com/catalog/landingPage.do?vhost=alabamarivers

AEC Green Tie Affair - The Alabama Environmental Council will be holding its 11th Annual Green Tie Affair Dinner and Party on April 13th, 6:00 at the B&A Warehouse in Birmingham. For details about this exciting event go to - http://www.aeconline.ws .

Earth Fest "Run for the Crest" - Alabama Earth Fest will be holding "Run for the Crest" and Music Festival on April 14th at Oak Mountain State Park. For information on how to register for the event go to: http://www.AlabamaEarthFest.org

Discovery Day at Dauphin Island Sea Lab - Come celebrate Discovery Day - Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Annual Open House - and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 200th year of programs on April 14th, 9:00 AM at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, North Campus. For information about the day's activities visit, http://www.disl.org .

Tallapoosa State of the Watershed - The Tallapoosa Watershed Project will be holding their 3rd Annual State of Our Watershed Conference on April 20th at the Oscar C. Dunn Rotary Environmental Education Center, Camp ASCCA, Jackson Gap, Alabama. For complete conference information and registration go to http://www.twp.auburn.edu

Earth Day at the Hays Nature Preserve - Celebrate Earth Day at the Hays Nature Preserve on the Flint River in Huntsville, Alabama, 10:00 AM to 3: 00 PM on April 21st. This family friendly event will include eco-hikes, lectures and exhibitors. For more information, including maps and directions, call Soos Weber at 256-427-5116 or visit http://www.huntsvillepreserves.com

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The Bama Environmental News is edited and published by Pat Byington. To receive back copies of BEN go to http://www.BamaNews.com . If you would like to be removed from this e-mail listserve contact BEN at pkbyington@aol.com .

BEN - February 22, 2007 #279

1) Alabama Coastal Cleanup 2006 Numbers
2) Alabama Land Trust Protects Nearly 8500 Acres in 2006
3) JSU Field Schools: Over 100 Programs for 2007
4) Southern Research Institute "Clean-Up Facts" Website
5) BEN Notes: UA Seeking Museum Naturalist, WWF Report on the Tennessee, Cumberland and Mobile Basins, Mulberry Race and Festival, The Undersea Adventures of Mike deGruy, Brookside Greenway Festival, Alabama Rivers Alliance 10th Anniversary Celebration

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1. Alabama Coastal Cleanup 2006 Numbers - This year's 19th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup numbers are in, and once again there are some pretty impressive numbers, good and bad.

"The Good" - Within a four hour morning on September 16, 2006, within 24 cleanup zones along the Gulf Coast in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, as well in Covington and Conecuh Counties, 3000 volunteers removed debris from 200 miles of coastline. Since the program began in 1987, 44,946 volunteers have participated in Alabama, cleaning 2,773 miles of coastline.

"The Bad" - In 2006, volunteers removed a stunning 80,000 pounds of debris. Since the program began a total of 923,710 pounds of debris has been removed from Alabama's coastline.

A very effective program, to learn more about the Alabama Coastal Cleanup, and how to participate for 2007, visit http://www.AlabamaCoastalCleanup.com

2. Alabama Land Trust Protects Nearly 8500 Acres in 2006 - According to the Alabama Land Trust's (ALT) latest newsletter, the group protected more than nearly 8500 acres throughout Alabama in 2006.

Working with nineteen different landowners, ALT secured conservation easements ranging from 20 acres to 2000 acres. Land was protected in nearly every region in the state, including the Florence area, the Tallapoosa River Area, the Black Belt Region and the Northeast corner of Alabama.In total, ALT has protected 30,953 acres in Alabama, including 9,769 acres of Black Belt Prairie Ecosystem lands.

To learn more about the Alabama Land Trust and their many programs, visit their website at http://www.allandtrust.org

3. JSU Field Schools: Over 100 Programs for 2007 - The Jacksonville State University (JSU) Field Schools just released their 2007 Calendar of Events and Programs. This year, there are over 100 programs scheduled.

Since 1989, the JSU Field Schools, through their various partners have reached out to more than 200,000 people. Along with their programs, construction of the $6 million Little River Center will be begin in 2007. The new center, which will include innovative Green Building standards, will be home to the National Park Service, a conference center and multiple environmental education displays and programs. To access the 2007 program calendar and learn more about the JSU Field Schools, visit http://fieldschool.jsu.edu

4. Southern Research Institute "Clean-Up Facts" Website - Here is a good story about a proactive voluntary cleanup effort.

In 1941, the Southern Research Institute (SRI) was founded in Birmingham as a not for profit scientific research center. In 1952, the Institute purchased approximately 200 acres in North Shelby County near Chelsea. Approximately 0.8 of an acre of this property was used to dispose of lab waste from the 1950s to 1979. At the time, in the 50s, there were no regulations or guidelines for disposal of lab wastes. Of course that changed in the late 70s and the early 80s.

Presently, Southern Research has taken significant and proactive strides to voluntarily cleanup the site, and recently secured approval from ADEM to enact a cleanup plan. SRI has even created a website to educate and update the community about the cleanup. That link can be found here http://www.cleanupfacts.org

5. BEN Notes: UA Seeking Museum Naturalist, WWF Report on the Tennessee, Cumberland and Mobile Basins, Mulberry Race and Festival, The Undersea Adventures of Mike deGruy, Brookside Greenway Festival, Alabama Rivers Alliance 10th Anniversary Celebration

UA Seeking Museum Naturalist - The University of Alabama Museums is seeking a Museum Naturalist. For more information and how to apply go to http://www.jobs.ua.edu

WWF Report on the Tennessee, Cumberland and Mobile Basins - The World Wildlife Fund has released a report on aquatic species and habitat information for 29 watersheds within the Tennessee, Cumberland and Mobile Basins. You can read the report at: http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildplaces/sers/projects.cfm

Mulberry Race and Festival - Check out one of Alabama's best whitewater races and events, the Mulberry Race and Festival, March 3 & 4. For more information visit the Friends of Locust Fork website at http://www.flfr.org . To volunteer, contact Sam Howell at 205-684-4751 or showell@brescoinc.com

The Undersea Adventures of Mike deGruy - Don't miss "The Undersea Adventures of Mike deGruy" on Tuesday, March 6th, 7:00pm at the Saenger Theater in Mobile. There will also be a special pre-reception between 5:30-6:45pm. Order your tickets today through the Alabama Coastal Foundation at 251-990-6002. For additional details visit http://www.brooksidealabama.com or contact Francesca Gross at 205-264-8464.

Alabama Rivers Alliance 10th Anniversary Celebration - The Alabama Rivers Alliance will be holding their 10th Anniversary Celebration/Watershed Leadership Conference on March 16-18 at Camp McDowell. National Wildlife Federation's Chair Jerome Ringo will be among the impressive list of speakers and guests. For more information about this event go to http://www.alabamarivers.org or call 205-322-6395. Scholarships are still available.