BEN - Bama Environmental News

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Latest Birmingham News Commentary - Earth Day Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:47:00 +0000

From the Sunday Birmingham News - April 18, 2010

Written by: Pat Byington

On the grounds of one of the world's largest cathedrals, St. John the Divine Episcopal Cathedral in New York City, is a simple piece of art: seven human-shaped arches, each representing a generation, lined up in a row.

Next to this graceful sculpture is a gray footstone topped by a plaque with this inscription: "In all our deliberations we must be mindful of the impact of our decisions on the SEVEN GENERATIONS to follow ours." -- from the Great Law of the Six Nations of the Iroquois

Most folks count a generation as 20 years, so the total would be 140 years, or two lifetimes.

What a mission statement. When we confront difficult environmental issues, the Great Law of the Six Nations of the Iroquois offers us the best path. And if there were ever a state that should adopt such a law, it would be Alabama, because we have the most to lose.

In 2002, The Nature Conservancy released a report called "States of the Union: Ranking America's Biodiversity." In that report, Alabama was ranked fifth nationally for the most species. Digging deeper into the numbers, Alabama came up first nationally in the number of different kinds of freshwater fish, mussels, snails and turtles. Also, to the dismay of many Louisiana citizens, Alabama ranked first in the number of different kinds of crayfish.

According to the longtime environmental writer and Nature Conservancy staffer Bill Finch, Alabama has played a critical role in maintaining the biological richness of the entire Eastern forest, from New England to the Gulf of Mexico.

For example, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, often described as the most diverse national park, has just more than 100 different tree species and 12 different kinds of oak trees over a 500,000-acre area. In southwestern Alabama's Red Hills near Monroeville, Finch said he has identified more than 130 varieties of trees and 20 kinds of oak trees in an area one-tenth the size of the Smokies.

Finch said it's not hard to find similar diversity in dozens of native forests throughout the state, from the Paint Rock Valley in northeast Alabama near Huntsville, to the forests along the Cahaba River, to the coastal forests along the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.

These Alabama forests have likely played a critical role in nourishing North American forest diversity through hundreds of thousands of years, and they'll likely be called on to share their wealth in the future. Alabama is home to one of nature's largest libraries. We must think in terms of protecting our special places and the environment for "generations."

This year marks my 20th year, a generation, working for groups such as the Alabama Environmental Council, the Wilderness Society, the Alabama Environmental Management Commission and the Forever Wild Board of Trustees. There was one special moment in my memory the Great Law of the Six Nations of the Iroquois -- Seven Generations -- was followed. That was when a very diverse group of people convened in 1992 to write the Forever Wild constitutional amendment.

For nearly 20 years since its passage, Forever Wild has protected more than 200,000 acres across the state and is one of the most successful conservation laws in Alabama's history. More important, even today, that diverse group of people on opposite sides of the political spectrum continues to work together to make Forever Wild succeed for generations to come. On reflection, we were all working together for future generations. Forever.

Gaylord Nelson, the founder of Earth Day, which is 40 years old Thursday, may have summed it up best when he said on the original Earth Day on April 22, 1970, two generations ago:

"Our goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty. The objective is an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures."

Solar Power in Alabama? Yes!

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:22:00 +0000

My sister in-law's house in Seattle

Latest op-ed in the Birmingham News - Solar Power

Mary Burk's Inducted Into the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:48:00 +0000

"One gave life to many and one found life in the wilderness," the Rev. Henry Parsley, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, said during his invocation at Judson College - talking about the two inductees Midwife Margaret Charles Smith and Mary Burks.

Check out the article about Mary Burk's induction into the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame in today's Montgomery Advertiser

Here are articles I wrote about Mary shortly after her passing.

http://www.bamanews.com/2007/03/mary-burks.html

http://www.bamanews.com/2008/11/birmingham-news-commentary-11-30-2008.html

Eastern Forest Partnership FY 11 Priorities

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:08:00 +0000

Eastern Forest Partnership FY 11 Priorities - Check it out here - EFP_layout_2.5.pdf

Legacy on the Land Events in Birmingham

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:42:00 +0000

Two great events were held in Birmingham on Tuesday, February 23rd with Frank and Audrey Peterman, authors of the book Legacy on the Land. The couple met with a group organized by Regional Planning Commission director Charles Ball for lunch. In the evening, they held a book-signing at the Little Professor Bookstore in Homewood.

Frank and Audrey spoke about the Keeping it Wild conservation organization in Atlanta, and their many adventured exploring our nation's wild places.

Frank & Audrey Peterman on FOX 6 Good Day Alabama

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:01:00 +0000

Frank & Audrey Peterman and Fox 6's Rick Journey

The Wilderness Society's Frank Peterman and his wife Audrey Peterman appeared today on FOX 6 - Good Day Alabama promoting their new book Legacy on the Land.

Check out a clip of their interview here. Fox 6 Good Day Alabama & the Peterman's

Frank and Audrey were also profiled in the Birmingham Weekly last week.

Check out that article here

BEN - February 11, 2010 #330

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Bama Environmental News - BEN

http://www.Bamanews.com

February 11, 2010

Links/Publications/Op-ed

Forever Wild 1992-2009 - Check out this colorful and information packed 40 page document about the Forever Wild Program

http://www.outdoorsalabama.com/public-lands/stateLands/foreverWild/ForeverWildReport.pdf

Birmingham News Op-ed "Recalling Alabama's Natural History" by BEN Publisher Pat Byington

http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2009/12/viewpoints_recalling_alabamas.html

Birmingham Weekly Op-ed "Light Rail in Birmingham" by BEN Publisher Pat Byington

http://www.bamanews.com/2010/01/birmingham-weekly-commentary-transit.html

Mississippi-Alabama Habitats Tools

http://habitats.disl.org/

News

The 2009 Green Report - The Green Resource Center for Alabama released their Annual Green Report highlighting this year's important developments toward making Alabama a greener place to live.

http://www.bamanews.com/GreenReport09.pdf

Mary Burks Named to the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame - An incredible honor. Two years ago, Mary Burks, the "mother of the Sipsey Wilderness" and founder of the Alabama Conservancy passed away. On March 4th, at Judson College, she will be inducted into the Women's Hall of Fame. Here is the story about this special and well deserved honor. http://blog.al.com/live/2010/02/mary_ivy_burks_of_birmingham_m.html

Environmental Groups Ask EPA to Remove State Water Program - Fourteen Alabama environmental groups have called upon the EPA to revoke the Alabama Department of Environmental Management's water program. Here is the story from the Mobile Press-Register:

http://blog.al.com/live/2010/01/groups_want_epa_to_revoke_adem.html

Here is the 77 page petition to EPA:

http://www.alabamarivers.org/epa-petition

Southern Environmental Law Center Names Black Warrior River "Endangered Place" in 2010 - The Southern Environmental Center has released their annual report on the South's "Endangered Places." This year Alabama's Black Warrior River made the group's 2010 "Endangered" list. Here is a link to the SELC list: http://www.southernenvironment.org/about/top_10_2010/

Forever Wild Adds Two New Tracts in Barbour County and Tallapoosa River - According to recent Department of Conservation press releases, Forever Wild has completed the purchase of more than 6800 acres in Barbour County and along the Tallapoosa River. Here is a description of the two newest additions to the Forever Wild Program:

http://www.outdoorsalabama.com/news/release.cfm?ID=767

http://www.outdoorsalabama.com/news/release.cfm?ID=771

Mobile Bay Loses Over 1300 Acres of Seagrasses - According to aerial surveys conducted by the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, Alabama lost 1371 acres of seagrasses between 2002 and 2009. That leaves the state with 5,248 acres of underwater vegetation, about 66 percent of it in the Mobile -Tensaw Delta. Check out the entire Mobile Press-Register story here:

http://blog.al.com/live/2010/02/1300_acres_of_grass_beds_lost.html

Events

Friends of Shades Creek - Learn more about the re-authorization of the Forever Wild Program at the Friends of Shades Creek - February 11th, 7:00 at the Homewood Library

Alabama River Alliance's Watershed Leadership Conference Deadline February 12th - Don't miss the February 12th deadline to register for this year's Watershed Leadership Conference. Author Janisse Ray will be speaking at the event, along with several numerous events during the week. Go to http://www.alabamarivers.org for details.

Wild About Chocolate - The Alabama Wildlife Center will be holding their annual "Wild About Chocolate" fundraiser on February 13th at the Harbert Center in downtown Birmingham. Check out the details at : http://www.awrc.org

Smart Coast & the Bay Bears Host Sustainability Session - On February 23rd (Noon to 2:00) Smart Coast and the Mobile Bay Bears Baseball team will be hosting the "3Es of Sustainability Green Initiatives Session. Visit http://www.smartcoast.org for registration details.

Frank and Audrey Peterman Booksigning - Frank & Audrey Peterman will be having a Booksigning at the Little Professor Bookstore in Homewood on February 23rd, 6:30. They will be discussing and signing their book "Legacy on the Land." For details about the book visit http://www.legacyontheland.org

Environmental Education Association of Alabama Conference - Please register for EEAA's annual conference to be held March 4-5 in Guntersville, Alabama. For registration info, visit: http://www.eeaa.us//content/view/89/1/

Alabama Hiking Annual Conference - The Alabama Hiking Trails Society will be holding their 8th Annual conference on March 19-21 at Camp McDowell. For details, visit http://www.hikealabama.org

BEN Publisher Pat Byington to Speak about Forever Wild

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:59:00 +0000

Shoal Creek Preserve Forever Wild Tract in St. Florian, Alabama

FRIENDS OF SHADES CREEK

Thursday, February 11, 2010

7:00 P.M.

Homewood Library, Room 101 (downstairs)

Topic: Forever Wild and Alabama's environmental future

Presentation by Pat Byington, Publisher of the Bama Environmental News and Senior Associate at The WIlderness Society

This presentation is important for understanding preservation of lands in Alabama for the future!

This affects, hikers, canoeing enthusiasts, hunters and fishermen and also groups like ours that are interested in preserving special lands with unique features.

Birmingham Weekly Commentary - Transit Needed

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:55:00 +0000

My latest commentary in the Birmingham Weekly about transit and Light Rail.

http://www.bhamweekly.com/2010/01/14/moving-ahead-or-stuck-in-traffic/

BEN Exclusive: Green Report 2009 by the Green Resource Center for Alabama

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 01:55:00 +0000

Here is Green Report 2009 released by the Green Resource Center for Alabama

GreenReport09.pdf

Below is last year's Green Report 2008

Green_Report_2008_UPDATED.pdf

BEN - December 4, 2009 #329

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:32:00 +0000

BEN Holiday Appeal

http://www.bamanews.com/donation.html

News

(Links - Depending on your program, you may need to cut and paste links)

Wild South and Wildlaw Protect 71,043 of National Forests - As a result of a formal protest by Wild South and Wild Law, a proposal to lease for oil and gas development 148 parcels covering 71,043 acres in the National Forests in Alabama has been withdrawn. Particular places protected as a result of this decision: The Pinhoti Trail, viewshed of the Cheaha and Dugger Wilderness Areas, and several rivers including the Cahaba River and Blackwater River. For details read - http://www.wildlaw.org/news/12032009.htm

Gardeners Grow 45,000 Oysters for Restoration - Volunteers throughout the Mobile Bay region have helped grow more than 45,000 oysters this year, at 44 gardening sites on Mobile Bay reefs. Check out the entire story at: http://www.masgc.org/page.asp?id=3

Critical Habitat Proposed for the Vermilion Darter - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to designate 13 stream miles as critical habitat for the Vermilion Darter in the Turkey Creek watershed of Jefferson County. For details, visit: http://www.fws.gov/southeast/news/2009/r09-062.html

Alabama's Dangerous Streets - Transportation for America recently released a report titled "Dangerous By Design" looking at pedestrian deaths in American cities. The Birmingham Metro area ranked 8th worst nationally for the top 50 U.S. Metro areas, according to their "Danger index." Also in the report, other large Alabama Metro areas were scored, including Mobile, which had a pedestrian danger index nearly double that of Birmingham. To access the report visit: http://t4america.org/resources/dangerousbydesign/

Renew Our Rivers Recognized By Keep America Beautiful - For the seventh straight year Alabama Power's Renew Our Rivers program has been recognized by Keep America Beautiful. This year more than 5,500 volunteers participated removing more than 200 tons of trash and debris fro the state's lakes and rivers. For details visit: http://www.alabamapower.com/news/iframe_pressroom.asp?WT.svl=body_pressroom

Events

Alabama Wildlife Center 17th Annual Craft and Bake Sale - Saturday, December 5th, 9am to 2pm at Oak Mountain State Park - Call 205-6633-7930 for details.

Cahaba River Society Day at Nabeel's Cafe - Wednesday, December 9th, 10:30am to 9:30pm - 10% of sales from the day is contributed to CRS, when patrons mention they support CRS at checkout.

ADEM Nonpoint Conference - January 20th in Montgomery - Details - http://www.adem.state.al.us/Education%20Div/Conference/2010/10NPSConference.htm

Alabama Rivers Alliance Watershed Leadership Conference

http://www.alabamarivers.org/

EEAA Conference

http://www.eeaa.us/content/view/89/1/

Christmas/Holiday Gift Ideas

Check out Green Teacher magazine. If you order the magazine, 20% of your new subscription will be rebated to the Environmental Education Association of Alabama. Call them at 888-804-1486 or visit http://www.greenteacher.com

Weeks Bay Foundation - http://www.weeksbay.org/shopping_cart.htm

Alabama Wildlife Federation - http://www.alabamawildlife.org/news/?newsID=18

Alabama Coastal Foundation - http://www.joinacf.org/merchandise.html

Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama - http://landtrust-hsv.org/?p=561

Black Warrior Riverkeepers - http://blackwarriorriver.org/shop.html

Higher Ground Roasters - http://www.highergroundroasters.com/

Legacy - http://www.legacyenved.org/products/products_main.htm

Department of Conservation -

http://www.outdooralabama.com/outdoor-alabama/shop/

Alabama Museum of Natural History

http://www.ua.edu/academic/museums/history/wordpress/?page_id=152

Ruffner Mountain (use Goodshop.com or Goodsearch.com to raise monies for Ruffner)

http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/ruffner-mountain-nature-center

Links/Publications

Leading Scientific Organizations Position on Climate Change Letter

http://www.ametsoc.org/sss/documents/climateletter.pdf

A Green Mayoral Candidate in Birmingham - Scott Douglas

http://www.douglasformayor.org/

*****************************************

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 Thanksgiving Special 2009 : Inspirational Passages & Holiday Appeal

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:31:00 +0000

Janisse Ray & BEN Publisher Pat Byington

Dear BEN Readers:

I want to thank you for your readership and your support for Alabama's environment. Please make

sure to read the special "Thankgiving Passages" (this from Alabamians Rep. John Lewis, Chuck Leavell (pianist for the Rolling Stones) and Janisse Ray) after our annual Holiday appeal supporting BEN charities.

Today is Cyber Monday (description here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber_monday ), and in the spirit of making gifts during e-commerce's "Black Friday" the Bama Environmental News (http://www.BamaNews.com), asks it’s readers and friends to make tax-deductible contributions to the following BEN's charities this holiday season:

The Wilderness Society - https://donate.wilderness.org/05/donatetws

Southern Environmental Center- http://www.bsc.edu/sec/donate.htm

Visit our donations webpage at http://www.bamanews.com/donation.html for details about our three additional charities:

Sheffield High School Foundation – Environmental Public Service Scholarship

Camp McDowell – Byington Scholarship

University of Washington – Rose Scholarship

As you can see on the BEN donation page, these charities each have a special connection to me and my family. For over 10 years, we have asked people to contribute to the BEN charities in lieu of a BEN subscription. We have raised over $10,000 from 1998 to 2008. Please consider giving to one of these very special organizations.

Best Wishes,

Pat Byington

BEN Publisher

Thanksgiving Passages 2009

"... Praise Thee, wondrous God for the blessed watershed that is Alabama, pliant to man's needs, gracious to his questing spirit. May her sons and daughters not forget Thy bounty, nor fail to deserve Thy benediction through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen"

From the state of Alabama Prayer at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.

****************************************

Walking through fields smelling the wildflowers, touching the ancient oaks, poplars and pines, I learned wonder. Drinking from a fresh water spring, I learned purity. Fishing with a simple cane pole, I learned contemplation and patience. Feeling the dirt and pine straw between my toes, I learned the wilderness is part of me - I cannot and never will seperate myself from its beauty and peacefulness...

Part of the problem we have in our society, particularly in urban centers, is that we don't lose ourselves to what is natural. In our rush to progress technologically and to grow economically, we sometimes forget about the things that give people a sense of fulfillment and happiness. People have busy lives and difficult priorities- raising families, educationg their children, trying hard to get ahead. But it shouldn't be an either/or choice when it comes to protecting wilderness. We must be willing to move beyond our selves and our problems and consider the larger impact of our actions and legacy we leave for our children. If we don't, we will lose part of our humanity we can't replace...

- Alabama native and civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis commenting in the The Wilderness Society publication, "Why Wilderness: What the Last Remaining Wild Lands of the Southern Appalachians mean to the People of the Southeast."

*************************************************

"Trees are like music. It's fun and soothes the soul to play an instrument alone and express oneself. Many an hour, I've poured out my emotions on the piano instead of on a psychiatrist's couch. But it's a lot of fun to share the tune, to take the sounds from others--to be surprised by the richness of each other's sound-- muscial heritages blending together, if you will. Each instrument so different, but all so important to the song.

... Each tree-- each forest -- has its own song and we must listen. And while we are listening and unraveling the mysteries and gifts of the trees, we should always take a monent to sit under a tree, look up and be thankful."

--Chuck Leavell, Alabama native, conservationist and pianist for the Rolling Stones.

***********************************

Let us put our minds together and give thanks

for the life we've been given,

for the chance to dream and wake and go out

among the meadow beauty, raising its many

velvet faces toward the sun.

For the cypress standing in sleepy congregations

like cloaked women in prayer.

For cubbyholes and cavities, grass beds and hollow

tupelos, for branch forks and underbanks.

For the open throats of pitcher plants

singing like bog frogs in the dusk.

For wild persimmon and huckleberry and hickory nut,

cattail and Ogeechee lime.

For reefs of flowers sweetly exhaling.

For beakers of rain poured liberally

from an archangel sky, the alchemy of rivers and bogs.

And thank the lightning that sparks heaven's love for earth,

conductor of fire.

Let us put our minds together and give thabks

for all the two leggeds and four-leggeds and six-leggeds,

the many leggeds and the no-leggeds,

near to far.

Let us especially thank the two who gave us life.

And thank Mother Earth, Elder Brother Sun,

Grandmother Moon, Sister Star, Families, Safe Journeys.

Let us put our minds together and give thanks.

-Poem by Janisse Ray, From Pinhook, Finding Wholeness in a Fragmented Land

Bama Environmental News - #328

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:43:00 +0000

News

New York Times Features Alabama's War on Cogongrass - In September, the New York Times featured a story on state of Alabama's "war on cogongrass" an invasive weed that threatens forestry and agriculture in the state. Check out the story here

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/21/us/21land.html

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/09/21/us/20090921-LAND_index.html

Forever Wild and Wildlife Management Areas - For people who care about wildlife management areas and public hunting lands, the latest edition has some interesting figures about Forever Wild and WMA's. Here is an excerpt:

"Since 1992, Forever Wild has secured 183,603 acres of public hunting lands that are part of the Alabama WMA system. These lands are distributed within 13 WMA's in 12 counties."

Some of the Forever Wild WMA's include:

Barbour WMA (26% owned by Forever WIld)

Cahaba WMA - (79% owned by Forever WIld)

Coosa WMA - (26% owned by Forever Wild)

Crow Creek WMA (8% owned by Forever Wild)

Freedom Hills WMA (75% owned by Forever Wild)

Laudedale WMA (31% owned by Forever Wild)

Lowndes WMA (15% owned by Forever WIld)

Mobile-Tensaw Delta & W.L. Holland WMA (11% owned by Forever Wild)

Mulberry Fork WMA (100% owned by Forever Wild)

Perdido River WMA (100% owned by Forever Wild)

Riverton WMA (100% owned by Forever Wild)

Skyline (James D. Martin) WMA (39% owned by Forever Wild)

Upper Delta WMA (100% owned by Forever Wild)

Recycling Grants - ADEM & Governor Riley have awarded eight recycling grants totaling $1.1 million.

http://www.adem.state.al.us/PressReleases/2009/GovRileyHighlightRecycling.pdf

Perry County Coal Ash Landfill Challenged - Environmental attorney David Ludder has filed suit to halt the coal ash shipments to Perry County.

http://blog.locustfork.net/2009/11/21/attorney-demands-halt-to-tva-coal-ash-shipments/#comments

A Tagged Manatee Named BAMA - Here is a great Mobile Register story about Alabama's first "tagged" manatee and the new Mobile Manatees Sighting Network program at Dauphin Island.

http://blog.al.com/live/2009/11/rescued_manatee_named_bama_hea.html

http://manatee.disl.org/

Events

ADEM Nonpoint Conference - January 20th in Montgomery - Details - http://www.adem.state.al.us/Education%20Div/Conference/2010/10NPSConference.htm

Alabama Rivers Alliance Watershed Leadership Conference

http://www.alabamarivers.org/

EEAA Conference

http://www.eeaa.us/content/view/89/1/

Christmas/Holiday Gift Ideas

Weeks Bay Foundation - http://www.weeksbay.org/shopping_cart.htm

Alabama Wildlife Federation - http://www.alabamawildlife.org/news/?newsID=18

Alabama Coastal Foundation - http://www.joinacf.org/merchandise.html

Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama - http://landtrust-hsv.org/?p=561

Black Warrior Riverkeepers - http://blackwarriorriver.org/shop.html

Higher Ground Roasters - http://www.highergroundroasters.com/

Legacy - http://www.legacyenved.org/products/products_main.htm

Department of Conservation -

https://www.alabamainteractive.org/shoppingcart/cgi-bin/shopdcnr.cgi?store=2

Alabama Museum of Natural History

http://www.ua.edu/academic/museums/history/wordpress/?page_id=152

Links/Publications

Leading Scientific Organizations Position on Climate Change Letter

http://www.ametsoc.org/sss/documents/climateletter.pdf

BEN - November 2, 2009 #327

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:42:00 +0000

News

Good news for Land Conservation in Alabama. Last week, Congress passed the Interior Appropriations bill appropriating $2 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to expand the Little River Canyon National Preserve and Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. An additional $640,000 was appropriated for the Cumberland Mountains Forest Legacy project in Jackson County. http://www.bamanews.com/2009/11/alabama-scores-lwcf-victory.html

Forever Wild saves more than 61,000 acres in Metro Birmingham's "Backyard." Last week, Forever Wild announced that they had closed a deal to protect more than 61,000 acres of Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Lands in Bibb, Tuscaloosa, Walker and Shelby counties for the next 93 years. The agreement will preserve the public hunting, fishing, hiking and recreational rights within an hour's drive of nearly a quarter of Alabama's population. Details about this monumental conservation agreement can be found at: Bham News - http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2009/10/post_43.html Mike Bolton's Column - http://blog.al.com/outdoors-alabama/2009/11/bolton_forever_wild_deal_guara.html

Ducks Unlimited - Fundraising and Protecting Land. In the next few weeks, Ducks Unlimited will be holding fundraising events/banquets across Alabama. These efforts have resulted in the protection of 18,726 acres of waterfowl habitat statewide. The events starts this Tuesday. Check out the event in neighborhood at http://www.ducks.org/states/31//index.html

Energy Efficient Buildings Save Money. Here is a great story from the "Auburn Sustainability" website about the Gorrie Center, a new LEED Gold Certified building on campus. According to the story, the Gorrie Center uses 59.8% of the average amount of electricity when compared to nine similar-use building on the Auburn University campus. The building can also save more than $400,000 in electricity costs a year. For more details: http://www.auburn.edu/projects/sustainability/website/newsletter/043009.html#anchor_11

ADEM & ALDOT Team Up. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Alabama Department of Transportation have been awarded a grant to retrofit approximately 184 diesel vehicles to reduce particulate pollution. To learn more: http://www.adem.state.al.us/PressReleases/2009/DieselRetrofits.pdf

More than 5000 houses will be weatherized in Alabama over the next 2 years saving money and energy. Check out how some Alabama Power Service Organization volunteers are helping out in Montgomery - http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20091031/NEWS01/910310326/Grants-help-ensure-warm-winter-for-area-residents

BEN Notes:

Grants

Birmingham Audubon Mini-Grants - The deadline for the Birmingham Audubon Society's Mini-Grant program is fast approaching. Visit http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/grantscholar/minigrantprog for details

Events

Nabeel's Cafe in Homewood (1706 Oxmoor Rd.) is donating 10% of their sales to the Cahaba River Society on November 4th. Make sure to mention your support of CRS when you checkout.

Moss Rock Festival - November 7th & 8th, Hoover, Alabama - http://www.mossrockfestival.com/

Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama - 09 Autumn Ramble Guided Hike Schedule- http://landtrust-hsv.org/?p=40

Lecture Series - "Dauphin Island, Alabama: America's Birdiest City and Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries" - November 10th, 7:00, 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center

Cahaba River Huckraiser - an Ultimate Frisbee Hat Tournament - November 14th, 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, at George Ward Park in Birmingham - Details call 32-CLEAN

6th Annual Alabama Renewable Energy Conference, November 17-18 at Auburn University - http://www.nrmdi.auburn.edu/bio/ADECA/conference/2009/

ARTSCAPE an Event will benefit the Freshwater Land Trust - November 19, 6:30-9:00pm - Details: call the Land Trust at 205-226-7900.

Technical Knockout will be holding an e-cycle event on November 21st, 9am to 4pm at Whole Foods in Birmingham.

ADEM Nonpoint Conference - January 20th in Montgomery - Details - http://www.adem.state.al.us/Education%20Div/Conference/2010/10NPSConference.htm

Links/Publications

Energy Reliant States - http://www.newrules.org/sites/newrules.org/files/ESRS.pdf

Balch and Bingham's Southeast Endangered Species Update http://www.balch.com/files/Publication/2a9e0041-7d4c-411a-b50d-0423124c1305/Presentation/PublicationAttachment/843147ac-4fd6-4ecc-b567-050b5e70a4af/BB%20Southeast%20Endangered%20Species%20Update%20Fall%202009.pdf

Gulf Alliance Education - http://www.gulfallianceeducation.org/

Shoals Earth http://www.shoalsearth.com

Alabama Scores LWCF Victory

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:44:00 +0000

Good news for Land Conservation in Alabama. Last week, Congress passed the Interior Appropriations bill bringing in $2 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to expand the Little River Canyon National Preserve and Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. An additional $640,000 was appropriated for the Cumberland Mountains Forest Legacy project in Jackson County.

BEN - October 23, 2009 #326

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:35:00 +0000

News

American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy ranks Alabama 48th in the country in the implementation of energy efficient programs and policies. Scoring lower than Alabama (worse) were Mississippi, North Dakota, Wyoming and the District of Columbia.

Here is the report: http://www.aceee.org/press/e097pr.htm

Birmingham News Story - http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/10/alabama_ranks_48th_in_energy_e.html

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management assessed $286,100 for water pollution violations in the 2009 fiscal year compared to more than $1.2 million in each the proceeding two years according to the ADEM Reform Coalition.

Mobile Register Story - http://blog.al.com/live/2009/10/adem_penalties_for_water_pollu.html

According to a new Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) report, the Birmingham Metro Area ranks #1 for the worst soot pollution of any urban region in the South, with levels high enough to put more than 400,000 children and adults directly at risk for heart and lung disease.

The SELC Report - http://www.southernenvironment.org/newsroom/press_releases/2009_10_20_bham_press_release/

A settlement has been reached between Mobile Baykeeper and the Alabama Department of Transportation in the US 98 lawsuit. The settlement will require the agency to deliver several environmental improvements demanded by Mobile Baykeeper to the very controversial project that was dubbed by the Mobile Register "Muddy 98."

Mobile Register Story - http://blog.al.com/live/2009/10/mobile_baykeeper_settles_muddy.html

Mobile Register Series 'Muddy 98" - http://blog.al.com/pr/2007/09/muddy_98.html

SweetWater Brewing Company's 2nd Annual "Save the Black Warrior River Campaign" raised $13,000 throughout the Birmingham/Tuscaloosa Region.

http://blackwarriorriver.org/news/save-the-black-warrior-2009-recap.html

Alabama Coastal Cleanup 2009 - More than 4400 volunteers participated and 93,000 pounds of litter collected.

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/metro.ssf?/base/news/1253438173105170.xml&coll=3

BEN Notes:

Jobs

Ruffner Mountain Executive Director Position - http://www.bamanews.com/2009/10/ruffner-mountain-seeking-executive.html

Dauphin Island Sea Lab is seeking an Aquarist & Research Associate - go to http://press.disl.org/jobs.htm

Grants

Birmingham Audubon Mini-Grants - The deadline for the Birmingham Audubon Society's Mini-Grant program is fast approaching.

Visit http://www.birminghamaudubon.org/grantscholar/minigrantprog for details

Events

International Day of Climate Action - Saturday, October 24th - events Across Alabama

http://www.350.org/

http://www.bsc.edu/communications/news/2009/20091015-enact.htm

http://www.aeconline.org/blog/2009/10/350org-climate-action-day-in-alabama.html

Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama - 09 Autumn Ramble Guided Hike Schedule- http://landtrust-hsv.org/?p=406

Mobile Baykeeper Bay Bash - October 29, 6:00 to 8:00 at the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center -

Additional Details at: http://www.mobilebaykeeper.org/events/bay-bash

Hulsey Little River Land Trust Annual Meeting, October 29th, 6:00 at ROJO, 2921 Highland Ave. S. Birmingham, Alabama 35205

Workshops & Events at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center - Visit http://www.Alabama5Rivers.com

Lecture Series - "Dauphin Island, Alabama: America's Birdiest City and Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries" - November 10th, 7:00, 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center

The registration deadline for EEAA's Excellence in EE Guidelines training (on November 10th at McWane Center) is approaching fast. Get your registrations in by this coming Tuesday! It is easy at: https://www.regonline.com/ee_guidelines_training

Cahaba River Huckraiser - an Ultimate Frisbee Hat Tournament - November 14th, 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, at George Ward Park in Birmingham - Details call 32-CLEAN

ARTSCAPE an Event will benefit the Freshwater Land Trust - November 19, 6:30-9:00pm - Details: call the Land Trust at 205-226-7900.

Links

OXFAM Climate Change Map - The Southeast Impacts

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/10/climate-change-going-to-hurt-southeast-united-states.php

Comprehensive Data Portal for Global Climate Information

http://gosic.org

Gulf Coast Chapter of the Hiking Trail Society -

http://lahiker.blogspot.com/

Gulf Alliance Education -

http://www.gulfeallianceeducation.org

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Ruffner Mountain Seeking Executive Director

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:57:00 +0000

Nature Center Executive Director

Ruffner Mountain Nature Center seeks experienced ED. The successful candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) with minimum of 7 years experience in a field of natural science, environmental education, natural resource management, or related field. A minimum 5 years in a leadership and supervisory capacity in nature center or similar organization is required. Must also exhibit a broad knowledge of natural science, finances, land management and public relations. Fundraising and supervision of staff required. Interested applicants should respond via email with the following limited information: name, mailing address, phone numbers and email address to info@ruffnermountain.org by October 31, 2009. A detailed position description and application instructions will be sent via return email. Ruffner Mountain Nature Center is an equal opportunity employer.

2nd Largest Tulip Tree in the Nantahala Pisgah NF

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:30:00 +0000

From my Friend Brent Martin.

BEN - September 15, 2009 #325

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:11:00 +0000

News

Alabama recieves a D+ water quality protection grade from the Alabama Rivers Alliance - Check out the report at http://www.healthygulf.org

Manatee Sighting Network "Tags" It's First Manatee - From the Daulphin Island Sea Lab http://press.disl.org/9_9_09manatee.htm

Land Trust of Hunsville and North Alabama Protects 69 Acres in Havest, Alabama -http://landtrust-hsv.org/?p=317

ADEM Reform Coalition releases report on critical of Alabama Department of Environmental Management compliance. The report can be found here: http://www.enviro-lawyer.com/NPDESReport.pdf

New York Times is running a series of articles on lax and worsening enforcement of the Clean Water Act nationwide. Here is an interactive map from the Times about Alabama's violations.http://projects.nytimes.com/toxic-waters/polluters/alabama . Here is the article:http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/us/13water.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=water%20quality&st=cse

EPA to be holding a Public Forum on Coal Ash Landfill in Perry County - Details -http://blog.locustfork.net/2009/09/14/epa-to-hold-public-hearing-on-coal-ash-landfill/

PBS News Hour Features Birmingham's Northern Beltline in Transportation Series -

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/zombie-highways/video-full-report/778/

BEN Notes:

Jobs

Green Resource Center for Alabama Seeking Director - Full Job Description -http://www.bamanews.com/2009/09/green-resources-center-for-alabama.html

Grants

Events

Save the Black Warrior Campaign by Sweetwater for the entire month of September. Check out all the venues at http://www.savetheblackwarrior.com/

Freshwater Land Trust Whole Foods 5% Day - Today! September 15th Whole Foods Market is donating 5% of their net sales to the Freshwater Land Trust. Check out the details at http://www.freshwaterlandtrust.org

AWF Wild Game Cook-off in Birmingham - September 17th, 6:00pm at the Birmingham Zoo - Details: http://www.alabamawildlife.org/events/?eventID=48&date=09/17/2009

Sierra Club's "Alabama Heritage, Wild and Rural" - September 19th at the Red Dot Gallery in Homewood, Alabama - For more info call 205-870-7608.

22nd Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup - September 19th, 8:00AM - Join Alabamians in our state's largest litter cleanup - Details: http://www.alcoastalcleanup.org

Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama's Moon Over Three Caves Dance - September 19th, 7:00 to 11:00pm at Historic Three Caves in Huntsville, Alabama. For additional info call 256-534-5263 or visit http://www.landtrust-hsv.org

Preview Ken Burn's new PBS Special about America's National Parks - Sept. 19th & 26th at the JSU Canyon Center , Fort Payne, Alabama - Details - http://www.jsunews.com/news/?newsID=181

Green U in Huntsville - September 26th, 10AM to 4PM - Hosted by the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, a day full of workshops and events. Details: http://www.hsvbg.org/events/greenu.htm

Solar Home Tour in Blount County - October 4th and 5th,10-2PM - Register by calling 205-919-6231. Additional details: http://www.alabamarivers.org/events/special-events/blount-county-solar-home-tour/

Ecofest 11 Benefit the Southern Environmental Center - October 8th at WorkPlay in Birmingham - Details: http://www.bsc.edu/sec/EcoFest%2011%20Invite.pdf

Energy Forum 2009 - October 13-14 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens - Hosted by the Interfaith Environmental Initiative of Alabama - Details: http://www.interfaithenvironmental.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/IEIAFLYER.pdf

5th Annual John Borom Coastal Bird Fest - October 16-19 at Faulker State Community College, Fairhope, and various venues around coastal Alabama - Details: http://www.alabamacoastalbirdfest.com

Workshops & Events at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center - Visit http://www.Alabama5Rivers.com

ARTSCAPE an Event will benefit the Freshwater Land Trust - November 19, 6:30-9:00pm - Details: callthe Land Trust at 205-226-7900.

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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

Green Resources Center for Alabama Executive Director Job Description

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:09:00 +0000

Green Resource Center for Alabama

Executive Director Job Description

Part-time

The Green Resource Center for Alabama, a Birmingham-based nonprofit, is seeking an Executive Director to manage this newly formed organization and assist in the development of funding for the organization.

The mission of the Green Resource Center for Alabama (GRCA) is to share wise social, economic and environmental practices - inspiring people to action!

Candidate Qualifications:

The candidate must have exceptional interpersonal, management and communication skills with a proven history of fund-raising, grant-writing and foundation relations experience. It will be considered preferable to have experience with developing a startup organization. Nonprofit experience with a background in human resources, financial and volunteer management will be considered a plus. Candidates must be self-motivated, able to work independently, and show creativity and initiative in creating new programs for the organization.

Position Responsibilities:

Fund Development

1. Provide fundraising leadership and drive the development of new funding sources.

2. Oversee a grant-seeking program, including grant maker identification, cultivation, grant writing and grant reporting.

3. Foster relationships with current and past funders to the organization.

4. Oversee and ensure all development record-keeping.

Marketing and Community Relations

1. Increase the visibility, public perception and public awareness of all aspects of GRCA’s mission, goals, activities and achievements.

2. Maintain and cultivate cooperative relationships with the community; maintain an interest in local civic affairs and foster participation when appropriate.

3. Serve as an effective spokesperson for the organization and represent GRCA in a broad range of public and community settings.

4. Maintain communication with donors, members, volunteers, community leaders and other appropriate individuals, organizations, and government officials.

5. Oversee website management and update information on a regular basis

Administrative and Human Resource Management

1. Supervise the organization’s staff and operations.

2. Develop an annual budget in conjunction with the Board Treasurer and Finance Committee for review and approval by the Board of Directors in advance of each fiscal year.

3. Oversee the organization’s accounting functions including systems for recording revenue and expenses; managing funds awarded through grants; generation and review of monthly income statements; preparation of annual tax return and ensure that the agency operates within budget.

4. Oversee the agency’s volunteer program.

5. Oversee the agency’s membership program.

6. Provide support to board committees.

7. Provide regular reports to the Board of Directors and GRCA President to assure that the board is fully informed on the condition of the organization.

8. Prepare goals and objectives for the organization with the Board of Directors.

9. Develop job descriptions for needed staff with the HR Committee.

10. Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

Salary:

Executive Director will be initially responsible for raising dollars to fund his/her own salary as well as securing program and project dollars. Once stable funding sources for GRCA are secured, and money is deemed available for traditional salary, a specific amount will be negotiated between the GRCA board and the Executive Director. Hours are negotiable. Employee benefits may be added in the future as funding allows.

How to Apply:

Interested Applicants should send a resume, cover letter and three references no later than September 30, 2009 to:
Email: kelley@sandrewwalton.com or via mail to

Green Resource Center for Alabama –ED Search
ATTN: Scott Walton
2564 18th Street South
Homewood, AL 35209
No phone calls please.

Solar Power in Seattle - Why Not In Alabama?

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:16:00 +0000

Scott and Carolyn Sherwood's Home - Founders of http://www.solarpie.org

My sister in-law Linda Nelson's home

Back from my Seattle, Washington vacation. Above are pictures of homes being powered by Solar Energy in Seattle. Each house was producing more energy via solar energy, on the cloudy day I was there, than they were actually using. These pictures beg the question. If solar power is viable in cloudy/rainy Seattle, Washington - why can't it work in Alabama?

BEN - July 23, 2009 #323

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:48:00 +0000

The FDR Monument in DC - TVA Celebrated

Breaking News: Cahaba River Featured in Smithsonian Magazine

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/River-of-Riches.html

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Breaking News: Alabama Wins Water War Lawsuit

http://governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/pr-2009-07-17-02-water_wars.asp

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Map: NRDC Map details number of jobs created by the American Clean Energy and Security Act

http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/paltman/media/Job%20creation%20map1.pdf

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1. Attalla Tire Dump Cleanup Finished - Last week, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the city of Attalla announced that they had completed the cleanup of a dumpsite that contained 40,000 tons of scrap tire material and more than 4 million tires.

The Attalla tire cleanup was made possible by the passage of the Scrap Tire Environmental Quality Act in 2003. The project took nearly 3 years to complete at a cost less than the anticipated $3.7 million. More than 80% of the tires were recycled.

2. Jefferson and Tuscaloosa Counties Make Top 20 Airborne Cancer Risk List - According to a study released by the Environmental Protection Agency and reported in the Birmingham News, Tuscaloosa and Jefferson ranked 12th and 18th among 3223 counties for cancer from airborne pollutants.

The study, which was based on EPA's 2002 National Air Toxics Assessment gives an assessment of potential risks and possible problem spots associated with air toxics. The main cause of the high rankings according to local health officials are a number of coke ovens located within the two counties. In Tuscaloosa County, the one coke oven that helped put the county on EPA's top 20 list has since closed.

3. Two New Oyster Reefs to be Built in South Mobile County - According to the Mobile Register, as part of the federal economic stimulus program aimed at restoring the nation's coastlines, a plan to build two oyster reefs that would block waves and create fish habitat in South Mobile County has been granted $2.9 million by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.

This ambitious project will be carried out by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) of Alabama in partnership with the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and the Alabama State Lands Division. TNC plans to build nearly a mile of underwater reefs in two locations: near Front Park in Mobile Bay and in Portersville Bay near Bayou La Batre. Along with its environmental importance, the goal of the project is to employ between 35-40 out of work oystermen and seafood workers in the area.

4. BEN Notes: Five Rivers Free Saturday Classes, Take Pride Statewide 2009 Conference, Green Building Focus Conference, Shoals Environmental Alliance To Meet About TVA, AWF Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards, 2009 Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama's Moon Over Three Caves Dance

Five Rivers Free Saturday Classes - The 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center has announced a Saturday environmental education series of free classes for students between grades 3-5. The first class on "Wind Energy" is scheduled for July 25th, 11:30 to 2:30. To register for the classes call Shonda or Kellie at 251-625-0814.

Take Pride Statewide 2009 Conference - The 2009 Take Pride Statewide Conference will be held on July 28-29 in Birmingham at Samford University. Ed BegleyJr., be the keynote speaker. For registration info visit http://www.auntielitter.org/takepridestatwide.html or call 205-879-3009.

Green Building Focus Conference - Birmingham will be hosting the Southeast Regional - Green Building Focus Conference & Expo on July 28-29 in Birmingham, Alabama. For details visit: http://greenbuildingfocus.com

Shoals Environmental Alliance To Meet About TVA - The Shoals Environmental Alliance will be hosting a public meeting to discuss the TVA Muscle Shoals Redevelopment. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 28th, 5:00pm at the Florence Library. For details call 256-366-1937.

AWF Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards - The Alabama Wildlife Federation will be holding the Annual Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards banquet on August 7th, 6:00pm at Marriott Legends at Capitol Hill in Prattville. To register, call 1-800-822-9453 or visit http:// www.alabamawildlife.org .

2009 Wild & Scenic Film Festival - Mark your calendars: the 2009 Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival will be coming to Birmingham - August 21st, 5-9pm at the Harbert Center. Call the Alabama Rivers Alliance for details - 205-322-6395 or visit http://www.alabamarivers.org

Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama's Moon Over Three Caves Dance - The Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama will be holding their annual "Moon Over Three Caves Dance" on September 19th, 7:00 to 11:00pm at Historic Three Caves in Huntsville, Alabama. For additional info call 256-534-5263 or visit http://www.landtrust-hsv.org

Whole Foods 'Giving Grill" This Saturday June 27th

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:28:00 +0000

Dear BEN Readers:

This Saturday, June 27, 2009 at Whole Foods in Birmingham - 3100 Cahaba Village off Hwy. 280

Please join me for lunch to benefit The Wilderness Society. Here are the details:

The Good Grille

It's Summer Madness and that means it's time to fire up the grille! We'll show you how it's done as we host the Wilderness Society for a fundraiser. $5 per plate gets you a sandwich of your choice (hamburger, hotdog or Portobello), a bag of chips and a drink. 100% of proceeds will benefit The Wilderness Society.

Giving Grille: Good Food for a Good Cause
11 am - 3 pm

$5 per plate benefits the Wilderness Society

I will be there all day, to meet BEN readers and to discuss the latest "environmental news".

I do hope to see you there!

Best Wishes,

Pat Byington

BEN Publisher & Senior Associate at The Wilderness Society

http://www.wilderness.org

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Power of Place

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Byington) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:59:00 +0000

From the San Francisco Chronicle: Winner of the Outdoor Writers Association of America - Wilderness Writing Category sponsored by The Wilderness Society.

POWER OF PLACE

Wilderness areas offer cleansing treks that are the perfect antidote to the routine of everyday life

Tom Stienstra

Thursday, July 24, 2008

(07-23) 20:30 PDT -- Regardless of why we venture into the wild, we all are in search of the same thing: what I call the power of place.

There are thousands of miles in wilderness, but they all lead to one truth: It makes you feel clean inside. It transcends everything, and stays with you for years.

It starts at dawn, often with the sweet calls of songbirds that sound like a mountain symphony. You emerge halfway from your sleeping bag and see the swirls of rising trout on a pristine lake. The smell of pine duff is in the air. Suddenly, unlike your life at home, you become aware of all your senses, as if every pore has opened to your surroundings.

You are a visitor in a wild land, but while you are out there, you share in the wild places and creatures that surround you.

Some people trick themselves into an ambitious trip with a goal. It can be the chance to cast for trout that have not seen a hook, hike to a view that seems to extend to forever, climb a famous peak, find trophy-class deer and other animals that know nothing of roads, or to challenge your body across many miles of wildlands.

But in the process, time in the wilderness can transform how you feel. Accomplishments become meaningless. Many pledge to stop wasting time on the extraneous, and to keep their bodies in good condition.

California has 137 federally designated wilderness areas. These are places where you share in the power of place, and then leave. The adjacent capsules list four of the best treks for two days to a week, for newcomers or experienced mountaineers, with the chance to expand the trips for weeks.

There's a saying that every step on a wilderness hike seems to call with a thousand voices. But as the days progress, especially on expeditions, the voices eventually become muted to one. The most complex thoughts become clear.

All the outside noise, conflict and stimulus has been quieted.

That single voice you hear - that's the real you.