March 29, 2005
#244
Dear BEN Readers,
My nephew Warren Brewer, who is a Marine, has been serving the past 10 months in Fallujah, Iraq. Last week, Warren and his fellow soldiers arrived back home in Chattanooga. My entire family and I are very proud of Warren and overjoyed that he is safe and home. Here are some pictures of the homecoming.
Best Wishes, Pat Byington - BEN Publisher
According to the magazine "Conservation in Practice" - In 1999, China had a fleet of 12.8 million vehicles. By 2015, if private and commercial vehicle sales continue apace, analysts expect 150 million cars to jam China's streets. The U.S. alone had 213.5 million cars in 1999.
1) Hunting Lands Increase Under Forever Wild Program
2) Alabama Cooperative Extension Service Spotlight
3) WRATT Launches Waste Trade Program
4) Hurricane Ivan Harms Coastal Habitats
5) BEN Notes: Southern Hiker Magazine, Sustainable Development Summit, Birth of Hummingbird Website, ACF's Marsh Planting, Cocktails with the Critters, Jefferson County Household Hazardous Waste Day
1. Hunting Lands Increase Under Forever Wild Program
The Forever Wild Land Trust Program will soon be adding 3,600 acres to public hunting areas in Colbert County. The new acquisition will compliment an innovative 2001 transaction between Mississippi-based Southern Ventures Corporation and Forever Wild which secured 31,414 acres in Colbert and Lauderdale counties.
The acquisitions in Northwest Alabama are important because state Wildlife Management Areas (WMA's) have been experiencing declines in hunting land as private landowners terminate leases to the state to pursue more profitable options. Learn more about Alabama's Forever Wild Land Trust and its successful land acquisition program.
2. Alabama Cooperative Extension System Spotlight
Alabama has one the most successful and effective Extension System's in the country. Here is a brief list of accomplishments from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System's (ACES) recently released 2004 annual report titled "Changing and Remaining."
* In 2004, an additional 61 loggers joined the ranks of Alabama's almost 2400 certified loggers when they completed the Professional Logging Manager Training Program, teaching safety, water quality and stream protection.
* In North Alabama, farmers are going "biodiesel", blending farm generated renewable resources, such as soybean and corn oils and chicken fat with diesel fuel.
* Since 1987, six (6) Alabama 4-H Wildlife Teams have won national titles and some 8000 youth have learned about Alabama habitats through wildlife education.
* Extension led the creation of Alabama's new AgriTourism Trail to promote tourism through agricultural sites. Their new website is http://www.alabamaagritourism.com
* ACES Urban Forestry Program has helped distribute forestry grants to more than 150 cities and towns - funding 325 forestry related projects totaling $3.2 million.
This is just a brief sampling of Extension's many achievements. To read the entire report, download it at: http://www.aces.edu/aboutACES/.
3. WRATT Launches Waste Trade Program
Regional manufacturers, businesses, schools and hospitals will soon be able to reduce their waste disposal costs and improve their operations by the creation of Waste Trade, a project of the Waste Reduction and Technology Transfer Foundation (WRATT) based in Sheffield, Alabama.
Materials landfilled or incinerated in the past may now be traded in a new "virtual market". The idea is based on the belief that waste or surplus materials of one organization may often be reused by other organizations. The exchange, which is free, confidential and is available throughout Alabama can be accessed at http://www.wastetrade.org
The Waste Trade exchange is an outgrowth of WRATT's experience in providing waste reduction services for more than 1300 Alabama businesses, industries and institutions over the past 15 years. To learn more about this program and WRATT, contact them at 256-248-0191.
4. Hurricane Ivan Harms Coastal Habitats
Alabama's coastal habitats took a real "beating" last fall as a result of Hurricane Ivan. According to a recent story in the Montgomery Advertiser, biologists and coastal experts made the following estimates:
• Approximately 80% of the oysters were wiped out, mainly the Cedar Point area near Dauphin Island (Alabama and Gulf region will be receiving $4 million from the federal government for the reseeding and regeneration of oyster plots thanks to Rep. Jo Bonner of Mobile).
• About 50% of the beach mice population was destroyed.
• 11 of 53 sea turtle nests were lost due to Ivan.
To learn how you can help volunteer and support bringing back sea turtles and overall cleanup activities, go to http://www.alabamaseaturtles.com or call 251-540-7720.
5. BEN Notes: Southern Hiker Magazine, Sustainable Development Summit, Birth of Hummingbird Website, ACF's Marsh Planting, Cocktails with the Critters, Jefferson County Household Hazardous Waste Day
Southern Hiker Magazine - Check out the March 2005 edition of Southern Hiker Magazine at http://www.SouthernHiker.com. The colorful 48 page magazine is a "must" for folks who love the outdoors and enjoy walking the South's most beautiful trails. To subscribe call - 251-533-1812.
Sustainable Development Summit - Congressman Artur Davis will be holding the first Sustainable Development Summit - "Building the Dream, Keeping the Promise" - on April 1 - 2 in Tuscaloosa at Stillman College. For more information about the event and the agenda, call 205-254-1960.
Birth of Hummingbird Website - BEN reader Dinah Sisson shared with us this wonderful website, detailing the birth of a hummingbird. It is a great site. Go to http://community-2.webtv.net/hotmail.com/verle33/HummingBirdNest/
ACF's Marsh Planting - The Alabama Coastal Foundation has scheduled its long awaited marsh planting for April 1st and 2nd beginning at 9:00 on Friday and Saturday. Interested volunteers are asked to contact and get directions from the ACF office at 251-990-6002. You can also visit http://www.joinacf.org for details.
Cocktails With the Critters - Help support the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation by attending the "Cocktail with the Critters" event, scheduled April 1st at Mobile's Museum of Art. Special guests include Dr. E.O. Wilson, Pulitzer Prize Winning Scientist and noted Gulf Coast Artist Stig Marcussen. Tickets are $75. For more info call 251-463-4311.
Jefferson County Household Hazardous Waste Day - April 23rd will be Jefferson County Household Hazardous Waste Day from 8:00 AM until Noon. Drop off sites include the Alabama State Fairgrounds, Hoover Met, Bessemer Civic Center and the Center Point Courthouse. Call 205-325-8712 for further details. Proof of Jefferson County residency will be required.