AEC is grateful to all of the talented musicians who have helped spread the word about our work and for helping us to raise funds to carry out our mission.
Steve Masterson and Vassar Clements at Acoustic Cafe
Movies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX40RsSLwF4
Books
Right now we're reading Green Collar Economy by Van Jones.
It ROCKS!
Heroes
Alabama Environmental Council: A History of Victory
“If it weren’t for the Alabama Conservancy there would be no concept of Eastern Wilderness.”
Senator Haskell, Colorado
When AEC was born in 1967 there was no one to monitor water supplies, air quality or hazardous waste dumping. Recycling was limited to professional scrap dealers. On the federal level, there was no National Environmental Policy Act, Environmental Protection Agency, no effective Clean Air, Water or strip mining regulations, and no Endangered Species protection. Earth Day hadn’t yet been created. Birmingham’s particulate matter air pollution was second in the nation and fish kills were a common occurrence in our waterways.
We’ve come a long way since then. With the help of the Council:
• More than 100 environmental organizations have been created to work on more specific, localized issues.
• Oak Mountain State Park Teaching Facility, Ruffner Mountain Nature Center and the Alabama Wildlife Center were created.
• The Eastern Wilderness movement was created, and Sipsey Wilderness was established in Alabama’s oldest national forest—the Bankhead National Forest.
• The Bartram Trail was established creating a multi-state hiking path to follow William Bartram’s 18th century journey through the southeast.
• The Environmental Bill of Rights was presented to the Alabama Constitutional Revisions Commission.
• Informed citizens and legislators resulting in the passage of Alabama’s Air and Water Pollution Control Acts.
• The Federal Strip Mining and Alabama’s Strip Mining laws were passed.
• The first non-profit Recycling Center was opened in Birmingham in addition to curbside programs statewide. The AEC alone is responsible for diverting thousands of tons of recyclable material from the solid waste stream.
• Efforts were halted to channelize the Buttahatchee, Luxapalilla and Noxubee Rivers and the West Fork Sipsey and the Escatawpa were designated as Wild and Scenic Rivers.
• Groundwork for the creation of an endowment fund to ensure sound fiscal management.
• Landmark legislation was passed for the acquisition of land to increase the size of the Talladega National Forest was approved.
• Dugger Mountain Wilderness was designated in the Talladega National Wilderness.
• Little River Canyon National Preserve was established.
• Forever-Wild Constitutional Amendment preserved thousands of acres for future generations.
• AEC nominated Natural Wonders have been recognized celebrated and enjoyed by thousands of citizens.
• A Rails to Trails initiative was inspired.
• State News has been published quarterly educating hundreds of citizens statewide—often calling them to action.
• Endangered Species and Habitat protection have become an important focus of the movement.
• Coastal Areas have been recognized for their ecological significance as well as their role in providing natural barriers and flood protection.
• The Solar Test House has served as a model to Alabamians interested in living “off the grid.”
• Hundreds of citizens were empowered to solve environmental problems such as illegal dumps through the Watchdog Program.
• Litigation has proved effective against perpetual “bad actors.”
• The ADEM Reform Coalition has made significant progress in reforming a broken state agency.
The Alabama Environmental Council Citizen Action Network (AEC CAN!)
AEC CAN! (Citizen Action Network) Our network approach is simple and proactive. AEC CAN! is a dedicated group of volunteers who work as individuals, through partnerships and in committees. AEC CAN! acts as a citizen network, collecting information, providing outreach, fundraising, and encouraging others to be engaged.AEC CAN! is comprised of movers and shakers, they are the “street soldiers” of AEC that will help carry out the new mission and program goals of the organization.
About me: From the low and gentle mountains of the north to the pure white sands of the coast, we breathe Alabama's air, drink Alabama's water and depend on Alabama's land. We recognize the positive link between a strong economy, a clean environment and a healthy, proactive citizenry.
The Alabama Environmental Council works for a healthy environment with an emphasis on clean air, efficient and renewable energy, and improved waste reduction practices. We provide a voice for Alabama now and for the future.
For a clean and healthy Alabama...
Save The World - One Click At A Time!
On each of these websites, you can click a button to support the cause -- each click creates funding, and costs you nothing! Bookmark these sites, and click once a day!
Who I'd like to meet: People who are interested in helping support the AEC's important work for Alabama and people that would like to know more about why.
Alabama Environmental Council's Friend Space (Top 23)
Birmingham's awesome new Rogue Tavern is hosting 2 great concert fundraisers for 2 collaborative environmental organizations:
Wednesday, August 12: Frankie Velvet and the Mighty Veltones concert benefiting Alabama Environmental Council's recycling center. 7pm.
Thursday, September 3rd: Sponsored by SweetWater Brewing Company: Rollin in the Hay concert benefiting Black Warrior Riverkeeper. 9pm. Special guest: Earthbound!
One of Alabama's oldest and most respected environmental organizations, Alabama Environmental Council chose Black Warrior Riverkeeper as their 2007 Conservation Group of the Year. Learn more about Black Warrior Riverkeeper in our latest newsletter, now featuring clickable links: http://blackwarriorriver.org/news/latest-newsletter-covers-1st-half-of-2009.html
Texas beaches need your help Last week state Rep. Wayne Christian pulled a sly move in the legislature and created an exception to the Texas Open Beaches Act that allows him and his neighbors on Bolivar Peninsula to build houses on the PUBLIC BEACH. This is bad news. We have a campaign to convince Texas Governor Rick Perry to veto this bad bill. This is very simple and your email could make the difference. All you have to do is send an email--- to: greg.davidson@governor.state.tx.us subject: Veto HB770 text: "Governor Perry, please veto HB770" It's as simple as that. For more info: http://blogs.chron.com/nickanderson/archives/texas_toons/ http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ike/galveston/6457063.html http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/falkenberg/6469750.html
Even more effective - make a phone call too. 512-463-2000 - Leave a message, "Governor Perry, please veto HB770"<font size="undefined" .."f
We wanted to announce some really exciting news : Courtney is now working with Powerhouse Entertainment in Nashville. She will be at CMAfest performing at Tootsie's June 10-14. We hope that you will be in Nashville for CMAfest and will visit her at Tootsie's at 11:30 and 3:00 each day of CMAfest. Courtney will also be performing in Chicago in the Pre-show at Big & Rich's Concert on July 26 at Pheasant Run Resort.The pre-show will be a B-day Celebration and BBQ in honor of Big & Rich's Friend, 2 Ft. Fred . Courtney just completed work on a Cd at Ocean Way Studios in Nashville and will release her Debut Cd at CMAfest.She has been very busy in the past few months in an Artist Development Program and writing. She has co-written several songs and you will be able to hear them on her new Cd.
Waterkeeper Alliance connects and supports local Waterkeeper programs to provide a voice for waterways and their communities worldwide. To champion clean water and strong communities, Waterkeeper Alliance:
1. Supports and empowers member Waterkeeper organizations to protect communities, ecosystems and water quality; 2. Promotes the Waterkeeper model for watershed protection worldwide; and 3. Advocates for issues common to Waterkeeper programs.
Sunday, April 19, Earthbound will play a free outdoor concert called “Earthbound’s Earthfest” to help raise funds and awareness for Black Warrior Riverkeeper.
Sunday April 19, 2009 - 1pm to sundown in Bessie Estelle Park, BIRMINGHAM (Directions) - All Ages - FREE
Its fixin 2 really start poppin over this way! We got some new songz comin up sooner than u think and ya boy gettin fire on them beatz so watch out! Holla at me
Aug 25, 2008 8:29 AM GET THE DIRT OUT TUSCALOOSA!!!!!
Mark your calendars for the first ever Get The Dirt Out Tuscaloosa citizen training and erosion control workshop. There will be much more press on this but I wanted you on the list to begin spreading the message throughout your neighborhoods. Get your garden clubs or neighborhood watch or association to spread the word as well
On Sept. 20 at the McAbee Center on Veterans Pkwy beginning at 09:30 A.M. until 01:00 P.M. We planned it for a Saturday to allow more working folks a chance to participate. Only 50 places available so reply to this and sign up for a seat in this historic class for the people. It's free to anyone who wants to take charge of their environmental destiny. We, the people, can and will make change.
For the last several years the building and development industry has been out of control and out of compliance with Federal, State, and local requirements of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Also for the last several years there has been no diligent enforcement of any of these laws by city or state regulators. The end result is the consistent degradation of nearly every stream in the city of Tuscaloosa. (It's time to GET THE DIRT OUT)
Have you ever wondered when it's raining "where is all that mud coming from?" In most cases it comes from developers and builders who skirt or even ignore environmental regulations. Who is supposed to be monitoring this? Who do I report this to? When I report it, nothing happens, what do I do next? We will answer all of these questions and more. What does a failing site look like? Are there any that pass inspection?
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