Bama Environmental News - BEN
October 13, 1998
1) Locate Your Favorite Watershed on the Web
2) AEC's Next Natural Wonder
3) Eco-Fashion Show in Birmingham
4) What's in the State Parks Bond Referendum?
5) GREEN"S New Biodiversity Regional Coordinator
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1. EPA's "Surf Your Watershed" Website - The
EPA has created the ultimate
website for the activist who cares about watershed protection
and water
quality. It's called "EPA Surf Your Watershed", and
by entering your zip
code or stream's name, you will be sent to the "Index of
Watershed
Indicators" page. A remarkable site, you will be given an
"indicator" score
about your watershed's current condition and future vulnerability,
information on toxics, and 14 seperate watershed health catagories
ranging
from wetland loss to urban runoff. Please consider bookmarking
(a computer
term for saving) and using this valuable water protection tool.
The website
address is:
www.epa.gov/surf/index2.html
2. Talladega Mountains' Named a Natural Wonder - The
Alabama Environmental
Council will be dedicating Alabama's 4th Natural Wonder, the Talladega
Mountains, on October 30th, in Cheaha State Park at 1:00. The
Talladega
Mountains will be joining Monte Sano Mountain, the Sipsey RIver,
and the
Cahaba River as dedicated (an official ceremony with a coalition
of
supporters) "Natural Wonders" by the Council. The Mobile
Delta,
Choctawhattchee River, Bartram Trail, Bon Secour, Bankhead Forest,
and Little
River Canyon have also been "named" as Natural Wonders.
The AEC will be
looking for supporters in these areas to build grassroots support
and
coalitions. For more information about this exciting campaign
and volunteer
opportunities, contact Ken Wills at 205-322-3126.
3. EcoFashion Show Planned For B'ham - Ever wanted attend
a real fashion show
for enviros? If your answer is, Yes! - Please mark your calendars
for the
October 29th "Green is the Color of Style Ecological Fashion
Show and
Luncheon", to be held on the Birmingham Southern College
Campus. Starting at
11:00 with a tour of the Southern Environmental Center and concluding
with a
luncheon and fashion show at 12:00, this show will be a first
of its kind
event in Alabama. The show and luncheon is $20 a plate with proceeds
benefiting the Ecoscape Garden. Alan Hunter of "MTV VJ fame"
will be the
master of ceremonies. Our host is Leslie Stephens. For more information
about this event, contact the Southern Environmental Center's
Roald
Hazelhoff at 205-226-4934.
4. State Parks Bond Issue On the Ballot - On the November
3rd election ballot
is an important amendment aimed at renovating and improving Alabama's
State
Park facilities. Amendment No.2 on the ballot, the Alabama State
Parks Bond
Issue will provide (if passed) $104 million for renovation of
cabins,
campgrounds, day use areas, marinas, lodges and other modernization
projects
at all 24 Alabama State Parks. An additional $6 million will be
dedicated to
renovating local Historical Parks and Sites. This measure does
not require a
tax increase. State Senator Doug Ghee of Anniston was one of the
chief
architects of this legislation. Please consider supporting this
amendment on
November 3rd.
5. GREEN Hires Regional Biodiversity Coordinator - The
Grassroots
Environmental Effectiveness Network - GREEN (the folks that produce
the
eletronic newsletter Greenlines) has hired Erin Englebrecht to
be the
Southeastern coordinator of GREEN's new State Biodiversity Project.
This
GREEN regional project will help disseminate model laws protecting
biodiversity and facilitate coalition style efforts for state
based
campaigns. The Southeast office will also be a clearinghouse for
information
and resources on biodiversity.
Please welcome Erin to the region, and take full advantage
of this new and
exciting project. GREEN's new office is located in Atlanta at
934 Ponce de
Leon Ave. #1B Atlanta Ga. 30306. Her phone number and e-mail are
404-685-0771 and gcein@mindspring.com
Please share BEN with friends and fellow conservationists.
If you have any questions about BEN, contact Pat Byington at
205-226-7739 or pkbyington@aol.com
