The University of Alabama Environmental Council

Earth Week

2011-04-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody!

Earth week went pretty well for us. The story about the BP oil spill really put the word out.

Here are some pictures from the swap we had on Friday.

Help the Earth

2011-04-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

About two weeks ago, Mallory gave a moving Story of Self. Her speech made the point that we often tend to see a problem but expect that someone else will take the initiative to solve it. The problem is, the solution isn't always so easy. If we have the time and resources to help, then why not?

Here are a few simple ways to help the Earth:

1. Donate your old clothes
2. Bring reusable bags to the grocery store and the mall
3. Conserve home energy: close doors, unplug appliances, turn off lights, and shut down computers. Use a toaster oven instead of the full oven when cooking smaller meals.
4. Use less gas: lighten your car (maybe you should take out those boxes that have been sitting around in your trunk), drive smoothly, and stay under 60 mph. Also follow the well-voiced routine of carpooling and keeping your tire pressure in check.
5. Cancel catalog subscriptions
6. Skip bottled water and take shorter showers
7. Borrow books instead of buying
8. Repurpose things: you can turn a wine bottle into a vase, redesign clothing, make jewelry and headbands. P.S.-I made this is an amazing site showcasing do-it-yourself handiwork.
9. Buy local produce and try being vegetarian at least one day a week
10. Recycle! It’s a no-brainer and you’ve been hearing it all your life.

April 10, 2011 Week in Review

2011-04-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

If you missed the meeting this week, you missed a good one. Sorry to rub it in your face, but it was truly amazing passing around snap peas and lettuce that Daniel brought from the garden. Being the farthest thing from a hippy, I still find there’s no better way to describe each member drawing the peas out of the cup as anything but “groovy”. The satisfied crunches echoing around was the coup de grace.

The Story of Self portion was even more incredible, but I’ll address that in a later post. Here’s what you missed:

Notes:

• UAEC was able to raise quite a bit of funds for Powershift 2011. The proceeds were as follows:
- $53 from the Bake Sale
- $275 from the benefit concert
- $165 from selling t-shirts at DCAF
- Other generous provisions from New College, FAC, and more

• Powershifters: Make sure to confirm your schedules on the Powershift website . Make sure to choose your schedules by going to the “Conference” tab and picking your sessions under agenda.
- E-mail Robert your selections
- Give Caitlyn your emergency contact
There are so many selections, so happy choosing! Select workshops that fit your interests and will hopefully be of use for future projects at UA.

• In other Powershift news, the group is leaving from the Bus Hub Friday morning very at 2am! You may not even want to go to sleep, but if you choose to do so, Mallory, Robert, Olivia and a few others have graciously offered on campus housing. This might be a good option if you tend not to hear your alarm go off. Watch for the packing list of items you’ll probably need. This includes, but is definitely not limited to, a toothbrush, underwear, deodorant (please!), cell phone charger, yada yada yada. Basically, if you need it here, you might need it there but pack light. To those who have volunteered their GPS system, make sure to bring the device and charger.

• Not to wax on about Powershift (hey, it’s important!) but here’s another tidbit. Caitlyn thought it would be great to buy group groceries- everyone gives some cash and snacks and goodies can be bought for the trip. It’s 12+ hours people, you’re going to get hungry!

Calendar:

Here are a few things to look forward to over the next weeks:
• Tonight, April 11, Apwonjo is showing FLOW: For Love of Water at 8pm in Lloyd Hall room 202. There’s still time to make it, so make the trip and watch the “award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century - The World Water Crisis.”

• At 4pm on Tuesday, April 12, there will be a campus trash pick-up in the Blount/Paty/Pond area. I’m sure many of you are aware that we do not live with the most hygienic student body, so come de-trash the campus!
• This Monday-Wednesday (11-13) UAEC is tabling at the Ferg. Make sure to get involved and work on the doodling that Caitlyn sent out. The culmination of tabling will be a BAKE SALE on Wednesday. Bring what you can; see the No-Bake cookies mentioned in my earlier post.
• If you aren’t going to Powershift this weekend, consider helping with the Cahaba river clean-up on Saturday, April 16.

• Tuesday, April 19 is Sustainability Day!

• Wednesday, April 20 the Community Service Center is holding a Black Warrior River clean-up. Students will meet at the Ferg at 3pm and will return at 5pm. Find more information and register under projects on Service Learning Pro .
- Also, Nelson Brooks will be speaking on the Black Warrior River and the issues it currently faces. Invite your friends for a riveting presentation and discussion.

• Getting ready to move out for the summer? Not sure what to do with all that old clothing that is totally last season? Bring it to the Spring Cleaning Swap! On Friday, April 22 UAEC is celebrating the close of Green Week with an Earth Day swap. Recycle all those old items like clothing, posters, lamps, etc that you won’t be bringing home for summer break and get something in exchange. Contact Robert Cayaban if you want to get involved.

• If things go according to plan, there will be another YES party on Saturday, April 23. The theme will be YES (to the Earth) and will be a culmination of all our efforts in the Environmental Council (Read: end-of-year party). If you have ideas for decorations or music, etc, contact Daniel Marbury.

A Week in Review 04/03/2011

2011-04-05T15:30:00.000-07:00

Despite the absence of some of our club leaders this week (they’re in Atlanta training to be Powershift leaders!), this week’s meeting went pretty smoothly. In case you missed it, here are some of the highlights and notes on this past week.

• UAEC had a Bake Sale this past week. Profits were around $50, but it was only a trial run so we still have the potential to make more. If you want to participate in upcoming sales, make sure to get to your ovens and bake away. Actually, you don’t even have to trudge to the oven. No-bake cookies anyone? No-Bake Cookies
• Saturday, April 2 we had a fundraiser, Power to the People Party UAEC Benefit, at Green Bar. The Michael Battito Band, Kadesh and the Perfect Strangers, and Edifice Wrecks all generously played for us without pay and we gained over $250 in profit.
• Caitlin handed out bumper stickers for the “Stop the Strip Mining” effort at the meeting. If you didn’t get any, she has a lot more that need to be given out so make sure to ask for some. We accepted donations for these at the Green Bar event and are continuing to request donations. This is helping your Powershift trip so get out there! You don’t need to be asking for $5 per sticker but the smallest donations help. They are like window stickies, so you don’t have to worry about them damaging your car.
• Listen up! This Thursday, April 7 from 8:30-10:30pm a Progressive Potluck Dinner will be held in the New College Student Lounge on the 2nd floor of Lloyd Hall. “This casual potluck dinner seeks to foster greater communication and unity between advocacy groups, special interest groups, and other change-oriented coordinating bodies on this campus.” Come learn about other organizations and help foster integration over a fun dinner. Learn more about it on the “Unite! Progressive Potluck!” Facebook page. It’s open to all, so bring a dish.
• At the end of April, Nelson Brooks is scheduled to come give a talk. I don’t have full details on what his speech is on, but I know he’ll be here for Green Week. More will come on that, so stay tuned.
• On that note, what is Green Week? It officially kicks off Feb. 7-11 but schools can pick any week from Feb. 7-April 22 to hold their own event-filled week. We have chosen the last week in order to center it around Earth Day. A lot of events are in the works so we’ll make sure to keep you informed about those.
• One of those events that we do know about is the Clothing/Stuff Swap. In efforts to recycle our clothing (and gain new ones) we will be having a clothing swap during Green Week. We’re trying to get guys involved on this one too, so we might have a gear swap going on simultaneously. As Daniel put it, “It’s like McDonald’s girl toy and boy toy prize.” Start putting together the items you no longer want (but are still useable please!).

This week we’ll continue our usual events. Don’t forget that leadership meetings are held in Lloyd lounge on Tuesdays at 6:30 if you are interested in attending. Happy Earth Loving!

Interview in Sustainability

2011-04-05T15:22:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody!

With the end of the semester quickly approaching, it’s kind of easy to start slacking off. Procrastinating may be getting easier and grades may seem less important but hang in there! Spring is here and with it has come an exciting involvement opportunity in sustainability. Mallory Flowers interviewed Ellie, a recent UA graduate involved in a project that is making a part of Panama the ultimate “living community model”.

Ellie graduated in May 2010 with a major in Public Relations and a minor in General Business. She was hardly the GO-Earth! Powershifter that many of you are, frankly “as aware as the average student.” She felt her life needed some excitement- spontaneity away from the South- and got her chance by pure luck at the 2009 Alabama-Virginia Tech game in Atlanta. There, she met Jimmy Stice, founder of Kalu Yala- a conservation movement based on “Naked Development” (find more info at kaluyala.com).

She started talking to Jimmy and, after learning of his meaningful project in Panama, Ellie was ready to get on board. Unfortunately, he was not hiring at the time. She stayed in touch anyway and received her reward when, shortly thereafter, she received an amazing involvement opportunity after another team member dropped out.

While Kalu Yala offers a variety of positions, Ellie started as an intern with the job of creating a “general overview report for Panama”. She then became the Rush Director for the intern program (a position she still holds). The job entails getting people energized for the project by answering questions and getting them on site. Using her Public Relations skills, she attracts the best helpers and ensures they have an incredible learning experience to take away.

Of course, her adventure has not been without shock. Though the city economy is booming with such luxuries as fine restaurants and 5-star hotels, they still lack a mailing/address system and only recently acquired stoplights, breathalyzers, and radar guns!

Ellie does not foresee a return to the States any time soon and hopes to one day see a greater world exposure in her hometown of New Orleans. Maybe you, too, can describe an experience like this one day. It all starts with heightened perception. As Kalu Yala founder Jimmy Stice put it: you are “capable of deciding whether to help or harm [the environment]. This always starts when awareness awakes a person’s inner passion.” You won’t get very far if you aren’t even interested or aware of the issues out there.

So light those fires, people! I’m sure Powershift 2011 won’t be too shabby of a start.

thing to dig this week + election results

2009-05-06T06:09:00.000-07:00

THING TO DIG THIS WEEK:

THURSDAY, May 7
3pm - 6pm
Homegrown Alabama will be hosting its first FARMERS MARKET of the season on the Canterbury Episcopal Chapel lawn between Hackberry and 9th Street.

A SWAP MEET may be occurring at this event, so bring anything to trade!

Earthfest T-Shirts will also be available at the Farmers Market for $9 plus a $1 carbon offset fee. Proceeds benefit an on-campus organic farming project. Make checks payable to UA Environmental Council.

ELECTION RESULTS:

2009/2010 OFFICERS
President - Daniel Marbury
Vice President - Bruce Benik
Treasurer - Hanna Welch
Secretary - Brett Hannan

things to dig this week +$10 EF 2009 T-shirts

2009-04-28T22:47:00.001-07:00

EARTHFEST 2009 T-shirts still available - $10
S, M, L, XL organic cotton
Call Emily – 256/797.2999

WEDNESDAY, 4/29
1:30pm-4:00pm Free Store Swap Meet on the quad near the Capstone
7:00pm- UA Vegetarians, Vegans, and Allied Community Potluck at Maxwell Hall
8:00pm-SGA Department of Environmental Concerns Meeting in 204A Ferguson

THURSDAY, 4/30
“This Column is 100% Recyclable” runs in The Crimson White

FRIDAY, 5/1
11:00am-2:00pm GLASS RECYCLING DRIVE on 5th Ave. near the Student Recreation Center

SUNDAY, 5/3
4:00pm UA Environmental Council Meeting/Elections in 109 Carmichael Hall

things to dig this week

2009-04-21T18:56:00.000-07:00

Earthfest was a blast
Even with the long downpour
Appreciation!

THINGS TO DIG THIS WEEK:

Earthfest 2009 T-Shirts are still available
11-2pm in the Ferg every day this week
*stop by to help sell them and receive a discount*
Contact: Emily Roberson - etroberson@gmail.com

Wednesday, 4/22 - Earth Day

Friday, 4/24 - Arbor Day
*8am-2pm: Commuter Recycling Drive
UA Recycles and UAEC members will be collecting recyclablematerial at six parking lots at The University of Alabama
Sign up to volunteer: http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=60343695915&h=mnhOc&u=A91wi
Contact: Elizabeth Gilbert - eagilbert@bama.ua.edu

*1pm-4 pm: UA Outdoor Recreation Gear Swap/SALE in UAOR office at Student Rec

Saturday, 4/25 -
*9am: Hurricane Creek Clean-UP at Watsons Bend
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=88592186440&ref=mf
Contact: Matthew Smith - emailmehere.ms@gmail.com

Sunday, 4/26
*4pm: UA Environmental Council Meeting/
Earthfest Evaluation in 109 Carmichael Hall

Send your feedback about Earthfest 2009
and suggestions for Earthfest 2010
to uaenvironmentalcouncil@gmail.com

Want Vegetarian/Vegan options on campus? Take this survey: http://www.eSurveysPro.com/Survey.aspx?id=2a11e68e-c39e-45a2-9da2-caa9ae96e222

things to dig + next week is GREEN WEEK

2009-04-07T19:48:00.000-07:00

Hey Environmental Enthusiasts,

Green Week and Earthfest are upon us! As such, we are collecting items for the events that are planned. If you have any large appliance-sized cardboard boxes, wooden palettes, tie-dye, face paint, or art supplies to spare, please drop them off in the lobby of Carmichael Hall. We'll take care of the rest.

Here's what you can dig this week and next:

WEDNESDAY - 4/8
3pm- Serendipitous FREE STORE Swap Meet on the quad. Bring anything (clothes, sports equipment, books, etc.) to trade.
8pm-SGA Departmental of Environmental Concerns meeting in the Ferg Plaza to pass out fliers for GREEN WEEK

SUNDAY – 4/12
4pm – UAEC Earthfest Planning Meeting in 109 Carmichael Hall

*Check out http://www.bama.ua.edu/~uaec/ for more events and forms to register organizations for the pre-Earth Day event that will take place April 19 on The University of Alabama’s Quad.*

*Are you an artist who would like to display your art at Earthfest 2009 (April 19 on the quad)? Contact Andrea Mabry (akmabry@gmail.com).*

*Submit to the Food for Thought Foto Project. Students for Sustainability wants to you to show how far your food has traveled. Take pictures of the foods in your fridge, pantry, cabinet, tables and plates and email them to sustain@ua.edu with as much information as possible on the origins of the food.*

*******SGA's "GREEN WEEK" IS NEXT WEEK*********

Monday, April 13- "Food for Thought" Photography Exhibit and POTLUCK
Location: Maxwell Hall (across from Bruno Business Library)
Time: 7 PM

Tuesday, April 14- Tie Dyeing
Location: Ferg Plaza
Time: 11 AM- 2 PM
*Bring your own shirt or buy one for a small fee!

Tuesday, April 14- Tee-Time Goes Green
Location: Lawn of Doster Hall
Time: 7 PM
*Fashion students are creating clothes and accessories that must be made of 20% reused or recycled material. There will be a runway show and a silent auction for their creations.

Wednesday, April 15- Wall-E Screening
Location: Quad near Carmichael (rain event- in Ferg Theater)
Time: 7 PM

Thursday, April 16- Green Themed Critical Mass
Location: Meet at Denny Chimes
Time: 4 PM

Friday, April 17- Green Themed Step Tease at Ferg Plaza with performances by NPHC sororities and fraternities, Rip Tide dancers, and D- Sharp.
Time: 12 PM- 2 PM

Saturday, April 18- Go Green Guerrilla Theater
Location: Parking lot in front of Morgan Hall
Time: 11 PM

Sunday, April 19- UAEC'S Earthfest
Location: Quad
Time: 10 AM

things to dig this week

2009-03-31T21:42:00.000-07:00

Purchase your Earthfest T-shirts for $15 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Ferguson Center any day this week, or send a size request (S, M, L, or XL) to uaenvironmentalcouncil@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY – April 1
8:15am - School Group Visit at UA Arboretum. Contact eearboretum@gmail.com to join.
7 pm – Commuter Recycling Drive meeting in basement of Carmichael Hall (go through the lobby and pass through the first doorway. The stairs to the basement will be under the stairway to your left).
8pm –SGA Department of Environmental Concerns meeting in 204A Ferguson.

THURSDAY – 4/2
6:30pm - 9:30pm –Alabama Environmental Council Green Tie Affair at Flower Stems Loft - 213 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd South, Birmingham. Tickets still available at www.aeconline.org. Contact April Hall (bamagreengirl@gmail.com) for volunteer opportunities.

FRIDAY – 4/3
Commuter Parking Lot Recycling Drive at six locations on campus. Sign up to volunteer: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=plPnWTvn6CaR2_JCcdIYsDA. Contact
Elizabeth Gilbert (eagilbert@bama.ua.edu) for more info.

SUNDAY – 4/5
4pm – UAEC Earthfest Planning Meeting in 109 Carmichael Hall

Check out http://www.bama.ua.edu/~uaec/ for more events and forms to register organizations for the pre-Earth Day event that will take place April 19 on The University of Alabama’s Quad.

Are you an artist who would like to display your art at Earthfest 2009 (April 19 on the quad)? Contact Andrea Mabry (akmabry@gmail.com).

Win $1000 by building a miniature golf hole out of recycled materials. Register by sending an E-mail with your team’s contact info to uacreativecampus@gmail.com. http://www.creativecampus.poxmedia.com/planetlovinputtputt

Submit to the Food for Thought Foto Project. Students for Sustainability wants to you to show how far your food has traveled. Take pictures of the foods in your fridge, pantry, cabinet, tables and plates and email them to sustain@ua.edu with as much information as possible on the origins of the food.

MONDAY – 4/6
11am-3pm – Environmental Health Fair in the Ferguson Plaza

more to dig

2009-03-22T20:49:00.001-07:00

Welcome back from Spring Break! There's so much to dig this week at The University of Alabama:

Monday, 3/23
Great American Meat Out - Join UA Vegetarians, Vegans, and Allied Community to promote the Great American Meat Out in the Ferguson Center: http://www.meatout.org/

Wednesday, 3/25
8 p.m. - SGA Department of Environmental Concerns will be discussing GREEN WEEK (April 13-April 18) in 204 A Ferg on the other side of Starbucks.

Friday, 3/27
Commuter Parking Lot Recycling Drive at six locations on campus. Sign up to volunteer: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=plPnWTvn6CaR2_JCcdIYsDA. Contact
Elizabeth Gilbert (eagilbert@bama.ua.edu) for more info.

Saturday, 3/28
Turn off your lights and electronics at 8:30 p.m. and go out on the quad for Earth Hour: www.earthhour.org

Sunday, 3/29
4 p.m. - UAEC Earthfest Planning Meeting in 109 Carmichael Hall. Come pitch your ideas to make the event to take place April 19 the biggest pre-Earth Day celebration to ever grace UA's quad! Are you an artist who would like to display your art at Earthfest 2009 (April 19 on the quad)? Contact Andrea Mabry (akmabry@gmail.com).

Win $1000 by building a miniature golf hole out of recycled materials. April 1 is the deadline to register: http://www.creativecampus.poxmedia.com/planetlovinputtputt

Submit to Food for Thought Foto Project. Students for Sustainability wants to you to show how far your food has traveled. Take pictures of the foods in your fridge, pantry, cabinet, tables and plates and email them to sustain@ua.edu with as much information as possible on the origins of the food.

MEETING TOMORROW + things to dig this week

2009-03-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

Sunday, March 21, 4 p.m. – 109 Carmichael
UAEC/Earthfest Planning Meeting. Come help make the event that will be held on the quad on April 19 the biggest pre-Earth Day celebration yet. Get involved in inviting local businesses, organizations, faculty and entertainers to participate and throw out ideas for kids' activities, miniature golf, and food that will be at the event.

Friday, March 27, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. - UAEC Commuter Recycling Drive
Sign up ONLINE to be at one of six locations where UAEC members will be collecting aluminum, plastic, and paper in parking lots on campus: http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=60343695915&h=mnhOc&u=A91wi

Thursday, April 2, 6:30 p.m. – AEC sponsors the Green Tie Affair in Birmingham – Tickets $50. Excellent chance to represent UA at a statewide benefit. For more details and a list of bands, see http://www.aeconline.org/?sn=297

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Earth Creations, a clothing company that runs out of Bessemer (they're the creators of the Alabama Dirt Shirt), is seeking students who want experience in graphic design, advertising, public relations and marketing.
For more information about interning,
CONTACT:
Kirsten Bryant
205/426.2302 ex. 115
kirsten@earthcreations.net

Due to the lack of an efficient means of recycling glass, UAEC will not be holding Glass Recycling Drives until further notice.

FOR MORE EVENTS, Check out the UAEC CALENDAR: http://www.google.com/calendar/render?tab=oc&gsessionid=kP6Mm41sl1mUVtGSEGEuAQ

THINGS TO DIG THIS WEEK

2009-02-17T17:03:00.001-08:00

Tuesday, February 17
7:30 PM, 127 Biology
Alabama Perspectives on Sustainability and Climate Change:
Dr. Brian Norton - "Strategy Amid Uncertainty: Learning to Think Like a Planet"

Thursday, February 19
3 PM, 109 Carmichael
Teaching presentation: Dr. Ellen Spears
"Is Sustainability Enough?: A Critical Look at Sustainability"

This Column is 100% Recyclable Published in The Crimson White

Friday, February 20
10-11 AM, 109 Carmichael
Research Presentation: Dr. Ellen Spears
"'Renovated Hopes': Remedies for Environmental Injustice in a Changing Racial Landscape"

10-3 PM, 5th Ave. in front of Student Recreation Center
Glass Recycling Drive. Volunteers needed to drive glass to Birmingham
Contact Mika Carpenter: carpe002@bama.ua.edu

Sunday, February 22
12 PM in 109 Carmichael
UAEC Earthfest (4/19 on the quad) Planning Meeting

1 PM in 109 Carmichael
Dr. John Ackerman, Alabama Sierra Club Chapter
President and Assistant Professor of National Security Studies at the
Air Command and Staff College (ACSC Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama),
will be presenting a lecture on Climate Change and National Security

Contact Justinn Trott, Director of SGA Dept. of Environmental Concerns to help out with GREEN WEEK (4/13-4/19): justinn.trott@gmail.com

WIN $1000 for building a PUTT-PUTT HOLE OUT OF RECYCLED MATERIALS: http://www.creativecampus.poxmedia.com/planetlovinputtputt
Deadline to register a team: April 1

THINGS TO DIG THIS WEEK

2009-02-10T19:19:00.000-08:00

THINGS TO DIG THIS WEEK:
http://www.bama.ua.edu/~uaec/aeccalendar.html

WEDNESDAY
7 pm – Nott Hall Computer Lab - PowerShift Meeting
8 pm— 204 A Ferguson—SGA Dept. of Environmental Concerns Meeting

SUNDAY
4 pm – 109 Carmichael UAEC/Earthfest Planning meeting

WIN $1000 IN PUTT-PUTT HOLE DESIGN CONTEST
$1000 is up for grabs in this Creative Campus' Planet Lovin' Putt-Putt Hole Design Contest—just form a team and make a miniature golf hole out of recycled materials. Download a contest guide from http://www.creativecampus.poxmedia.com/planetlovinputtputt. Pick up a hard copy from Creative Campus' office, which is across the street from Bruno Business Library on Stadium Drive.

CONTACT:
Emily Roberson – etroberson@gmail.com

SUMMER TRIP TO NATIVE AMERICAN RESERVE IN CANADA
The Community Service Center is planning an adventure to a Blackfoot Indian reserve May 18-27 where travelers will be learning Blackfoot language and participating in a conservation project. The cost will be around $1000 including airfare.

CONTACT:
Josh Burford - Program Director
burfo003@sa.ua.edu
205/348-5586

UA HYBRID TEAM WANTS YOU
The UA Hybrid Team is now recruiting students from every major to create a hybrid vehicle for a competition to take place in May.
CONTACT:
Dustin Thomson— UA.Hybrid.Team@gmail.com

SEND PHOTOS FOR "FOOD FOR THOUGHT" DISPLAY
Submit your photos of your food supply for "Food for Thought," an exhibit that will the week of April 13 (GREEN WEEK) and they want YOUR PHOTOS. See the "Food for Thought" event on Facebook.
CONTACT:
Nicole Ortega—nicolesemailaddress@gmail.com

ALABAMA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY EXHIBITS CRIMSON GREEN
The Alabama Museum of Natural History would like to announce the opening of its newest exhibit, Crimson Green. This exhibit explores the different facets of our environment and how we affect them. The four main focuses of the exhibit are water, land, air, and global changes. Crimson Green not only shows us how we've adversely impacted the environment, but it also shows what we can do make changes for the better.

The exhibit will run for about 6 months, and it is located in the first floor Atrium Gallery of Smith Hall. Each paid adult visitor will also receive a free cloth shopping bag while supplies last. And don't forget to become a fan of the Alabama Museum of Natural History on Facebook. The Facebook page will keep you updated as to what is going on at the museum.

SIGN UP FOR POWERSHIFT2009 (www.powershift09.org)
The cost is $40 to register. A meeting regarding the Feb. 27-Mar. 2 trip to Washington, D.C., will be held this Wednesday at 7 p.m. the Nott Hall computer lab.
CONTACT:
Daniel Marbury— drmarbury@bama.ua.edu

Earthfest Planning is in full force, so come get in on the celebration that will take place on UA's quad on April 19. The next meeting will be this Sunday in at 4 p.m. in 109 Carmichael. If you have ideas for Earthfest, send them to the appropriate director:

General: uaec@bama.ua.edu
Local Businesses/Raffle: Davide Powe – ddpowe@bama.ua.edu
Organizations: Brett Hannan – brhannan@bama.ua.edu
Arts & Crafts: Andrea Mabry - akmabry@gmail.com
Kids' Activities: Matthew Smith - masmith9@ua.edu
Outdoor Swap Meet: McKenzie Jett – pishmargan@gmail.com
Food: Kerri Harding - klharding@bama.ua.edu
Publicity: Kelly Williams - eagle64jkw@yahoo.com

2009-02-06T07:38:00.000-08:00

WATERSHED LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE - MARCH 20-22 - CAMP MCDOWELL

On the weekend of March 20th-22nd, Alabama Rivers Alliance will bring together experts in conservation, environmental policy, and grassroots river protection for the annual Watershed Leadership Conference. Held at beautiful Camp McDowell, the 11th WLC will feature speakers from the Southern Environmental Law Center, River Network, the Nature Conservancy, Alabama Environmental Council, and Empower Alabama.

For more info, contact:
Jake Rudulph
Program Assistant
Alabama Rivers Alliance
205.322.6395
www.alabamarivers.org

Things to Dig This Week

2009-02-03T10:08:00.000-08:00

WEDNESDAY
6 p.m. – steps in front of Gorgas Library - SGA Department of Environmental Concerns will meet to chalk for National Teach-In

THURSDAY
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Climate Dialogue: National Teach-In (hourly sessions) – 205 Gorgas

4 p.m. – Internship info for Student Conservation Association – 205 Gorgas

5 p.m. – Students for Fair Trade Justice Speaker – 205 Gorgas

“This Column is 100 Percent Recyclable” featured in The Crimson White

SUNDAY
11 a.m. Sack lunch & break up soil for Spring Organic Garden at UA Arboretum

4 p.m. UAEC/Earthfest planning meeting in 109 Carmichael

5:30 p.m. UA Vegetarians, Vegans, and Allied Community Potluck in 109 Carmichael

CLIMATE DIALOGUE: NATIONAL TEACH-IN featuring hourly sessions of faculty perspectives on the effects of Climate Change and Global Warming will take place on Thursday, Feb. 5., from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. A list of speakers can be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=44803761823&ref=ts. Please forward the word about this event.

STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION RECRUITER TO VISIT UA - A Recruiter for SCA will be giving information about internships at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, in 205 Gorgas. http://www.thesca.org/

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS TO PLANT SPRING ORGANIC GARDEN AT UA ARBORETUM this Sunday, Feb. 8., at 11 a.m. Anyone can come to socialize and help break up the soil. Bring a sack lunch and be prepared to get dirty. Directions: http://www.arboretum.ua.edu/visit/visit.htm

PLANNING FOR EARTHFEST 2009 HAS BEGUN. UAEC’s annual celebration of the planet will take place on Sunday, Apr. 19 on the University of Alabama Quad. To pitch ideas for the event, come to the Earthfest Planning meeting this Sunday, Feb. 8, at 4 p.m. in 109 Carmichael Hall, or contact an EF chair member: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfqckzp8_14d7x4b4fn

UA VEGANS, VEGETARIANS, AND ALLIED COMMUNITY INVITE YOU TO A POTLUCK this Sunday, Feb. 8 at 5:30 P.M. in 109 Carmichael Hall. Bring a meatless dish! Contact Jennifer Collins (jlcollins@bama.ua.edu) for more information.

UA SAIL CLUB NOW ACCEPTING NEW MEMBERS
Check them out on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=44999758802&ref=share
Contact Katherine Smith at uasailclub@gmail.com to join.

UA WILL BE AT POWERSHIFT 2009 IN D.C. FEB. 27-MAR. 2 UAEC still has room for one person to go for FREE. Contact UAEC President Daniel Marbury (drmarbury@bama.ua.edu) to register. http://www.powershift09.org/

CREATIVE CAMPUS HOSTS PLANET LOVIN' PUTT-PUTT HOLE DESIGN CONTEST. Awards amount to over $1000. Registration deadline is April 1. See http://www.creativecampus.poxmedia.com/Planetlovinputtputt to download a contest guide.

THINGS TO DIG THIS WEEK

2009-01-27T17:54:00.000-08:00

WEDNESDAY:
SGA Dept. of Environmental Concerns meeting 8 p.m. in 204A Ferguson

THURSDAY:
Cahaba River Society Meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Birmingham Botanical Gardens
UAEC film screening of FLOW at 9:30 p.m. in 173 Nott Hall

FRIDAY:
Glass Recycling Drive from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help collect clean, unbroken glass on 5th Ave. in front of the Student Recreation Center.
Critical Mass BIKE RIDE meets at 3:30 p.m. in front of Denny Chimes.

SUNDAY:
UAEC/Earthfest planning meeting at 4:00 p.m. in 109 Carmichael Hall

Don’t forget to register for PowerShift 2009 (www.powershift09.org)! Send an E-mail with your contact information to uaec@bama.ua.edu if you’d like to join UAEC’s carpool to D.C.

WIN $1000 - CREATIVE CAMPUS is hosting a Planet Lovin’ Putt-Putt Hole Design Contest. See form for details: http://www.bama.ua.edu/~uaec/PLANETLOVINPUTTPUTTwebview.pdf

resolve to be active in the UAEC

2009-01-12T22:25:00.000-08:00

Hey UAEC Member,

Happy 2009! There is much to dig this year as a member of the University of Alabama Environmental Council, so resolve to make it to more of our weekly meetings, which are Sundays at 4 p.m. in 109 Carmichael.

We’ve revamped our website (http://www.bama.ua.edu/~uaec) complete with a Google calendar (http://www.bama.ua.edu/~uaec/aeccalendar.html) so you won’t have any excuses for not knowing what’s the happs among the environmentally enthused at The University of Alabama. You can also keep up with the UAEC by joining our Facebook group (search for “University of Alabama Environmental Council”).

Here's what you can look forward to this semester:

- Movies will be shown Thursdays in 173 Nott Hall at 9 p.m.

- Faculty speakers will be giving their spiel on the environment at UAEC meetings throughout the semester.

- The National Teach-In (http://www.nationalteachin.org/) — a day for you be enlightened about current environmental issues—will be held Feb. 5.

- We’ll be carpooling to PowerShift (http://powershift09.org), which will occur in D.C. between Feb. 27 – Mar. 2. Send an E-mail to uaec@bama.ua.edu to sign up!

- We’re crossing our fingers that April showers won’t impede on Green Week (4/13-4/18) and EarthFest (4/19).

- As always, we will be hosting Glass Recycling Drives in front of the Student Rec Center on the last Friday of every month.

Hope you’ll be joining our quest for a Greener Way for UA!

Cheers,

UAEC Officers

THINGS TO DIG THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY – JAN. 14
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Get on Board Day in the Ferguson Ballroom. Come sit at the University of Alabama Environmental Council’s table and invite others to join our organization.

8 p.m.: SGA Department of Environmental Concerns meeting in 204A Ferguson Center

THURSDAY – JAN. 15
9 p.m.: Screening of “Planet Earth” at 9 p.m. in 173 Nott Hall.

SUNDAY – JAN. 18
4 p.m.: UAEC Meeting in 109 Carmichael Hall.
Deadline to sign up for PowerShift 2009.

LATER THIS MONTH:

FRIDAY, JAN 30
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Glass Recycling Drive on 5th Ave. in front of the Student Recreation Center. Drivers needed to transport glass to Birmingham. Contact Glass Recycling Coordinator Mika Carpenter: mikacarpenter@aol.com.

CONFERENCES:

JAN. 21 – 24: Southern Sustainable Agricultural Working Group (SSAWG) Conference at Chattanooga Convention Center
http://www.ssawg.org/

FEB. 13-15: Southeast Youth Activist Food Summit (YAFS) at UNC in Chapel Hill, N.C.
www.syfas.org

FEB. 27- MAR. 1: Real Food, Real Medicine Conference at UNC Friday Center.
http://www.realfoodrealmedicine.com/

FEB. 27 – MAR. 2: PowerShift 2009 in Washington, D.C. Scholarships available. Email your contact information to uaec@bama.ua.edu to sign up for the carpool.
http://powershift09.org

The Coal Truth Rears Its Ugly Head

2009-01-12T18:56:00.000-08:00

Waste Spills at Another T.V.A. Power Plant

By SHAILA DEWAN

Published: January 10, 2009 NY Times

"An accident in Alabama occurred weeks after a rupture in a similar pond at another Tennessee Valley Authority plant that spilled more than a billion gallons of coal ash in East Tennessee."
Our very own creek keeper John Wathen makes honorable mention with a speedy response.

2008-12-09T21:28:00.001-08:00

Hey UAEC members,

Thanks to everyone who showed up to the UAEC's Holly Jolly Plant Swap on Sunday. Mint plants were bountiful.

Hopefully good grades on finals will be bountiful, too. Take a breather from all that last-minute studying/grading to write down the following dates for the environmental projects and events coming up next semester:

National Teach-In (www.nationalteachin.org) on Global Warming Solutions will be held on campus Feb. 4-5. Anyone seeking to get involved--including faculty members--should contact Justinn Trott: justin.trott@gmail.com.

PowerShift will be held in Washington, D.C., Feb. 27 - Mar. 2. The conference teaches how to influence environmental policies on and off campus. See www.powershift09.org for more details. Funding for PowerShift is available for a limited number of attendants from the UAEC. Send an E-mail to UAEC Glass Recycling Coordinator Mika Carpenter mikacarpenter@aol.com if you're interested in going.

SGA Department of Environmental Concerns Energy Conservation Campaign, which is part of A GREENER WAY FOR UA, will start at the beginning of next semester. To earn a highly valuable role as Energy Conservation Coordinator in your residential hall, contact Justinn Trott at justinn.trott@gmail.com.

Help get a COMPOSTING PROJECT going at UA Arboretum. Contact Kristina Hopkins-Jones for more information: khjones@fa.ua.edu.

Apr. 13-Apr. 18 - GREEN WEEK - The SGA's week-long series of events with environmental themes.
A tentative list of happenings:
Mon. - Green Fashion Show
Tues. - Tie-De in Ferguson Plaza
Wed. - Screening of Wall-E with Fair Trade Coffee
Thurs. - Critical Mass Bike Ride
Fri. - "Green"-themed Step Show
Sat. - "Green" Guerrilla Theater

To get involved in GREEN WEEK, contact Justinn Trott: justinn.trott@gmail.com

Apr. 19 - EARTHFEST, a celebration of the planet hosted by the UAEC, will be held on the quad.

The next UAEC meeting will be held Sunday, Jan. 11, at 4 p.m. in 109 Carmichael Hall. The meeting will be followed by dinner at Maharaja.

Do you have suggestions on how The University of Alabama can introduce policies regarding sustainability? Send your ideas to uaec@bama.ua.edu.

Happy Holidays!

♥ Emily

UAEC Vice President

things to dig this week

2008-12-02T23:03:00.000-08:00

Hey Environmental Enthusiasts,

Check out the video from America Recycles Day on the University of Alabama Environmental Council Facebook group if you haven't yet!

Here are some things to dig this week:

Wednesday
8 p.m. SGA Department of Environmental Concerns meeting
in 204A Ferguson Center

Friday
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Glass Recycling Drive
5th Ave. in front of Student Rec
*Stop by for an hour to help collect glass!*

Sunday
1 p.m. DC/DC Craft Show at UA Arboretum
4 p.m. UAEC meeting in 109 Carmichael Hall
7 p.m. UAEC Holly Jolly Holiday Plant Swap (see event invitation on Facebook for details!)

Hope you can make it to the final UAEC meeting of 2008.

Good luck with finals, and best wishes for the holidays!

♥ Emily

UAEC Vice President

Organic Farm Benefit + Hurricane Creek Clean Up & Camp Out

2008-11-21T22:24:00.001-08:00

Anyone planning to volunteer at Fig Leaf Farm this weekend for the bonfire benefiting the organic garden needs to RSVP with Dr. Joe Brown (joebrown@bama.ua.edu). Make sure you get in touch with him BEFORE showing up so he is able to accommodate!

I'm taking a carload to Hurricane Creek tomorrow to tidy up at Hurricane Creek (no, we won't be wading around in it--we'll basically be weeding the area around the creek). John Wathen, the creek's keeper, will be there to speak about the landmark. Devouring of potluck delicacies begins around NOON THIRTY. Call me (Emily) before 11:30 a.m. if you want to ride with--256/797.2999.

Here are directions if you'd like to drive to Hurricane Creek yourself:

Click on "HC Cleanup": http://www.imrivers.com/hurricane

>From the campus area: Take Jack Warner Parkway N. to Crescent Ridge Road. Turn Left then immediately turn right at the first stop sign. Follow Alabama Ave. to the fork in the road. Take the right fork. Follow Holt Peterson Rd to the bridge. There will be lots of signs and boats at the staging area. Can't miss it.

>From Alberta City area: Take University Blvd to intersection at 15th street and hwy 216. Take 216 toward Brookwood. After you cross Hurricane Creek take the third paved road to the left. This will be County Rd 88. Follow 88 to the stop sign and turn left. Follow Holt Peterson Rd. to the bridge. Can't miss it!

things to dig this week + news

2008-11-18T21:35:00.000-08:00

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 19
*Orangutan Outreach Benefit Concert
8 p.m-2 a.m. @ Mellow Mushroom (ages 19+)
Proceeds go to Orangutan Outreach, www.redapes.org.

*SGA Department of Environmental Concerns Meeting
8 p.m. – 204 A Ferguson Center (the other side of Starbucks)
Come hear students’ experiences speaking with the LEED specialist of Alabama Power Company and attending the AASHE Conference,

THURSDAY, Nov. 20
*Protest Drummond Coal!
3:30 p.m. @ Linn Park in Downtown Birmingham, Alabama
A demonstration at the Drummond Inc. home base in Birmingham, Alabama.

Drummond is a major supplier of United States coal, the majority of which comes from one of the world's largest open-pit mines in La Loma, Colombia. The corporation has been accused of serious human rights abuses of Colombian workers, including the deaths of three union leaders.

FRIDAY, Nov. 21
*Student for Sustainability Meeting
4 p.m. in Oliver Bernard (brick building next to Gorgas Library)

*Organic Garden Benefit
Volunteers needed for a benefit for the organic garden that will (hopefully) be built on The University of Alabama’s campus. The shindig will be at Fig Leaf Farm THIS WEEKEND and entails a bon fire and campout. Delicious, local foods will be served along with beer from Good Guys Brewery. VOLUNTEERS GET IN FREE.

People are needed to:
-cook sweet potatoes this Friday evening
-help set up on Friday
-serve food and assist on Saturday

Contact Dr. Joe Brown for directions and more info: joebrown@bama.ua.edu

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, Nov. 22-23
*Hurricane Creek Clean Up & Camp Out

Beginning Saturday at 9 a.m., volunteers from New College and UAEC will be removing debris from Hurricane Creek and chowing down on a potluck feast. By night, they’ll be camping out under the stars. They’ll wake up Sunday and repeat.

You’re invited. Bring your own camping gear or rent from the Outdoor Rec in the Student Recreation Center. For those who can’t stay the entire weekend, come spend a few hours by the creek and learn its history from the creek’s keeper, John Wathen.

If you’d like in on the UAEC carpool, send a message to uaec@bama.ua.edu
For directions, contact Blake Harnage: (205)243-5909, bharnage@gmail.com

SUNDAY, Nov. 23*UAEC Meeting – 4 p.m. in 109 Carmichael Hall

NEWS

Environmental Stewardship Committee forms at UA
A new standing committee, named the Environmental Stewardship Committee, recently formed to advise administration on institutional practices and policies that promote environmental stewardship at The University of Alabama. Committee members were appointed by Provost Bonner and President Witt. Dr. David Francko, Dean of the Graduate School, is the Chair of the ESC. See attached document for a description of the committee.

A representative from the UAEC plans to attend a future meeting. If there are any suggestions, questions, comments or concerns that you feel should be addressed by the Environmental Stewardship Committee, send them to uaec@bama.ua.edu.

UAEC observes America Recycles Day with display
Pictures and video of UAEC’s set up for America Recycles Day can be viewed on the University of Alabama Environmental Council Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1009793717485&f=1&e=-12#/group.php?gid=26284131089

things to dig this week & next

2008-11-11T14:02:00.001-08:00

THINGS TO DIG THIS WEEK & NEXT:

The UA arboretum needs volunteers this Wednesday and Friday. For more information, call (205)553-3278.

*WEDNESDAY, NOV. 12*
Wilderness Survival Clinic
7 p.m. at the Student REC center
Learn how to make a fire, secure safe drinking water
Cost: $5

*THURSDAY, NOV. 13*
Stormwater Management and Water Pollution Lecture
in Smith Hall 205 @ 2:30 p.m.

Pre-America Recycles Day Advocation Blitz
Meet at Denny Chimes @ 8 p.m. to chalk

*FRIDAY, NOV. 14*
"Coal Truth" by John Wathen
3 p.m. in Maxwell Hall (across from the Bruno Business Library)
Hear a local environmental activist speak about the atrocities caused by
mountain-top removal

*SATURDAY, NOV. 15*
America Recycles Day

*SUNDAY, NOV. 16*
UAEC Meeting @ 4 p.m.
in 109 Carmichael Hall

*WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19*
Orangutan Outreach Benefit Concert
8 p.m.-2 a.m.
at The Mellow Mushroom Bar
2230 University Blvd
Tuscaloosa, AL
$5 cover, 19+ to enter. Bring your friends.
Free Pizza & Free Beer for the first guests.

11/2 - Meeting Notes & Announcements

2008-11-03T05:38:00.000-08:00

Hey University of Alabama Environmental Council Members,

There’s plenty going on among the environmentally aware on campus these days. Check out the events and announcements below to see how you can educate yourself about environmental issues and get involved.

Don’t forget to sign up for the camping trip this week!

- UAEC Officers

ELECTION DAY – NOV. 4

SGA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS MEETING – NOV. 5
Get involved in campus policy. SGA Department of Environmental Concerns meets 8 p.m. on Wednesday in room 204 A of the Ferguson Center (on the other side of Starbucks).

WILD & SCENIC ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL – NOV. 6
Alabama Rivers Alliance and the Alabama Environmental Council will be hosting a Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival featuring the film Oil and Water at the McWane Science Center in Birmingham. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Get information and tickets at www.alabamarivers.org/wild.

GLASS RECYCLING DRIVE - NOV. 7 – DRIVERS NEEDED
A Glass Recycling Drive will be held between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on 5th Ave. in front of the Student Recreation Center. Please bring your clean glass in bags or boxes so that it can be transported with ease. If you can take a load of glass to Birmingham this Friday, E-mail UAEC Glass Recycling Coordinator Mika Carpenter at mikacarpenter@aol.com.

NEW COLLEGE/UAEC CAMPING TRIP – NOV. 8 - 9
UAEC members (even you who just read our E-mails) are invited to be part of the annual New College retreat, which entails a weekend of camping and sailing at Lake Tuscaloosa. The trip will take place Nov. 8-9. Bring camping gear or rent discounted supplies from University of Alabama Outdoor Recreation at the Student Rec Center.

If you’re interested in going and want more information, send an E-mail with “TRIP” as the subject line to uaec@bama.ua.edu. Please include your contact information. Also, be sure to stop by the New College office in Carmichael Hall to pay the trip’s $10 fee, which includes dinner Saturday and breakfast Sunday.

JOHN WATHEN’S PRESENTATION OF “COAL TRUTH” – NOV. 14
To observe the Rainforest Action Network’s National Day of Action against the coal industry and its financiers, local environmental activist and Hurricane Creek’s keeper John Wathen will present “Coal Truth,” a presentation about mountaintop removal and the coal industry, on Friday, Nov. 14, at 3 p.m. at Maxwell Hall on Stadium Drive (across from the Bruno Business library).

Attached is a flier for the “Coal Truth.” Please help get the word out about it.

See www.dirtymoney.org for more details on about RAN’s National Day of Action.

AMERICA RECYCLES DAY - NOV. 15

NEXT UAEC MEETING – NOV. 16
Weekly UAEC meetings will resume Sunday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. in 109 Carmichael Hall.

HURRICANE CREEK CLEAN UP & CAMP OUT - NOV. 22-23
Come learn about a treasured Tuscaloosa creek and help remove debris. There will also be a Thanksgiving potluck at this overnight event. For more information, contact Blake Harnage: (205) 243-5909, bharnage@gmail.com

STUDENTS FOR SUSTAINABILITY SEEKS MEMBERS
If you’re interested in projects such planting an organic garden on campus, contact Nicole Ortega at nicolesemailaddress@gmail.com.

SUSTAINABLE IDEAS WANTED
The UAEC wants to hear your ideas of how The University of Alabama can create a more sustainable campus (one that is able to conserve/give back the resources it takes from the Earth in order to operate). E-mail them to uaec@bama.ua.edu.

Things to Dig This Week & Month

2008-10-28T03:00:00.000-07:00

THINGS TO DIG THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY (10/29) Al Gore Power Vote Webcast - 8 p.m. in 173 Nott Hall (FREE PIZZA!)
FRIDAY (10/31) Veloween – costumed group bike ride - 7:00 p.m. at Denny Chimes
SUNDAY (11/2) – UAEC Meeting - 4 p.m. in 109 Carmichael Hall

WILD & SCENIC ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL – NOV. 6
Alabama Rivers Alliance and the Alabama Environmental Council will be hosting a Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival featuring three hours of films by independent filmmakers at the McWane Science Center in Birmingham. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 on site. Get information and tickets at www.alabamarivers.org/wild.

GLASS RECYCLING NOV. 7

Glass Recycling Drive will be held Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on 5th Avenue in front of the Student Recreation Center. Vehicles and drivers are needed to take the collected glass to a recycling facility in Birmingham. If you will be driving to Birmingham on Friday, Nov. 7, please contact Glass Recycling Coordinator Mika Carpenter at mikacarpenter@aol.com.

FALL CAMPING RETREAT – NOV. 8 & 9 – LAKE TUSCALOOSA

Come camp and enjoy sailing and kayaking. Reply to this message with your contact information if you are interested and sign up in the New College office in Carmichael Hall and bring a check for the $10 registration fee that includes lunch on Saturday, snacks and breakfast on Sunday. Mentions the trip and receive discounts on camping equipment rental at UA’s Outdoor Recreation Center located in the Student Rec building.

UAEC will likely provide a carpool to the sailing club. Directions are at http://www.tuscaloosasailingclub.com/Directions/Directions.html

For more information, contact Katherine Smith (khsmith@bama.ua.edu).

NATIONAL DAYS OF ACTION AGAINSTS COAL AND COAL FINANCE - NOV. 14 & 15

Greenpeace, Rainforest Action Network and friends are calling for National Days of Action against Coal and Coal Finance on Nov.14 & 15 that entail a push for no new coal plants because of their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and the ending of mountaintop removal, which poisons water, land, and communities. The organizations are asking you to educate yourself about the coal industry and its financiers. Because the coal industry is largely supported by CitiBank and Bank of America, the aforementioned organizations encourage pressuring these financial institutions to end their ties with furthering coal’s use as an energy source by closing accounts held with these banks and expressing discontent to banking executives.

More information about the National Days of Action can be found at www.dirtymoney.org.

HURRICANE CREEK CLEAN UP & CAMP OUT - NOV. 22-23
Learn about a treasured Tuscaloosa creek and help remove debris. There will also be a Thanksgiving potluck at this overnight event. For more information, contact Blake Harnage: (205) 243-5909, bharnage@gmail.com

WANTED: YOUR IDEAS REGARDING A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS

What measures can The University of Alabama to become a sustainable campus (i.e., a campus that has a limited impact on the environment and makes efficient use of its resources)? If you have any suggestions on this matter, type them up and send them to uaec@bama.ua.edu with “Sustainability” as the subject line. Please include your contact information.

THINGS TO DIG THIS MONTH

2008-10-20T21:31:00.000-07:00

AL GORE POWER VOTE LIVE WEBCAST – OCT. 29
On Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 8 p.m. in room 173 of Nott Hall, the UAEC will be holding a screening of a live webcast of Al Gore endorsing Power Vote, an organization that seeks to educate voters about environmental issues within politics. For more information, see www.powervote.org.

VELOWEEN – OCT. 31
Critical Mass Tuscaloosa, which seeks to raise awareness of bicycling as a form of transportation, will be hosting a group bike ride that will begin at Denny Chimes on The University of Alabama's quad at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31. Bring a bicycle decked out with lights and wear a costume.

WILD & SCENIC ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL – NOV. 6
Alabama Rivers Alliance and the Alabama Environmental Council will be hosting a Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival featuring the film Oil and Water at the McWane Science Center in Birmingham. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Get information and tickets at www.alabamarivers.org/wild.

GLASS RECYCLING POSTPONED UNTIL NOV. 7 – DRIVERS NEEDED
The monthly glass recycling drive has been pushed back to Friday, Nov. 7 due to lack of volunteers to drive the collected glass to a facility in Birmingham. If you can take a load of glass to Birmingham on Nov. 7, E-mail UAEC Glass Recycling Coordinator Mika Carpenter at mikacarpenter@aol.com.

CAMPING TRIP – NOV. 8 - 9
UAEC members (even you who just read our E-mails) are invited to be part of the annual New College retreat, which entails a weekend of camping and sailing at Lake Tuscaloosa. The trip will take place Nov. 8-9. Bring camping gear or rent from University of Alabama Outdoor Recreation. Cost: $10. If you’re interested in going and want more information, send an E-mail with “TRIP” as the subject line to uaec@bama.ua.edu.

NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST COAL INDUSTRY ITS FINANCIERS – NOV. 14 – FERG PLAZA
Please bring any ideas for a rally to future UAEC meetings. See www.dirtymoney.org for more details.

HURRICANE CREEK CLEAN UP & CAMP OUT - NOV. 22-23
Come learn about a treasured Tuscaloosa creek and help remove debris. There will also be a Thanksgiving potluck at this overnight event. For more information, contact Blake Harnage: (205) 243-5909, bharnage@gmail.com

COSTA RICA TRIP CANCELLED – NEW SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE TBD
The Community Service Center will no longer be planning a trip to Costa Rica over Winter Break. Instead, CSC is planning a trip to Canada during the summer of 2009.

SGA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS MEETS THIS WEDNESDAY AT 8 P.M. in 204A FERGUSON CENTER (on the other side of Starbucks)

NEXT UAEC MEETING - 6 P.M. SUNDAY
The UAEC will meet 6 p.m. on Sunday in 109 Carmichael Hall, as the Alexander String Quartet will be playing at Moody Music Hall at the usual 4 p.m. meeting time (go enjoy the world-renowned ensemble—it’s free!).

THIS WEEK in UA ENVIRONMENTALISM

2008-10-16T14:29:00.001-07:00

Yours truly is in a bout of lazy, so here's a copy and pasted E-mail:

Hey UAEC Members,

For those of you who cannot make tonight's showing of The 11th Hour in
173 Nott Hall at 8 p.m., consider watching Liquid Assets: The Story Of
Our Water Infrastructure on PBS, which will air at the same time as the
UAEC's film screening. The documentary will provide an
investigative look on what it will take to maintain U.S. water and
wastewater systems. Visit the Liquid Assets Website at
liquidassets.psu.edu to learn more about this project.

On Monday Oct 20, 10 - 11pm, on PBS, check out FUELING OUR FUTURE: A
FRED FRIENDLY SEMINAR--CNN's Frank Sesno will stand before a panel of s
of scientists, business leaders, politicians and journalists who assume
roles within the America's energy crisis.

On Nov. 5-6, there will be a "Going Green: Strategies for Sustainable
Economic Development" conference at a 4H camp in Columbiana,AL. For more
information, see the attached flier.

Electric scooter for sale- $850 - price negotiable
Contact: Jordy Baer (nkbaer@cba.ua.edu)

National Day(s) of Action against the coal industry and its financiers
will take place on Nov. 14 and 15. Look over www.dirtymoney.org to find
out more about the cause and to brainstorm ways to raise awareness about
the issues on campus.

Be prepared to toss your ideas at the next UAEC meeting, which will
occur at 4 p.m. this Sunday in room 109 Carmichael Hall. We hope to see
you there!

-University of Environmental Council Officers

Fall breakin'

2008-10-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

The UA Green Fair was quite a viridescent success. Thanks to those who organized and participated. To see Tuscaloosa News' coverage of the event, go to http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20081002/VIDEO/810020341.

It's FALL BREAK. Hope you're enjoying it. There won't be a UAEC meeting this week, but there will be one next Sunday, Oct. 19, at 4 p.m. in 109 Carmichael.

A few items up for discussion will be New College's Hurricane Creek clean up and a possible sailing excursion.

There may be a film screening in 173 Nott Hall this Thursday at 8 p.m. The movie is TBD.

Don't forget about the WRITE-AN-ARTICLE-TO-BE-ELIGIBLE-FOR-A-TRIP-TO-COSTA-RICA thing. The deadline is Oct. 23. If you've questions regarding it, bring them to the next meeting.

Want an organic garden on campus? Help make it happen by taking this survey: http://bama.ua.edu/~alorganic/.

This month's Critical Mass (a group bike ride to raise awareness about biking) will likely meet at Denny Chimes at 7 p.m. on Halloween. Join the Facebook group if you want to receive updates: http://www.facebook.com/inbox/#/group.php?gid=5839860957.

Show your support for a campaign to reduce your university's environmental impact. A GREENER WAY FOR UA T-shirts are available for $10. E-mail uaec@bama.ua.edu if you want to buy one. Please specify a size: small, medium or large.

Finally, check this out: http://www.climateaction.net/southeastpowervote.

UAEC Meeting: September 28, 2008

2008-09-29T21:23:00.000-07:00

THINGS TO DIG THIS WEEK:
TUESDAY (9/30): Last day to apply to be an Environmental Ambassador
WEDNESDAY (10/3): Bake-a-thon @ 8 p.m.
THURSDAY (10/2): UA GREEN FAIR from + Film: The Power of Community (FREE FOOD!!) @ 8 p.m.
SUNDAY(10/5): UAEC Meeting @ 4 p.m.

The UAEC will host a table at the UA Green Fair that will take place in the Ferguson Plaza from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m THIS THURSDAY.

So far, table volunteers include:
9 a.m.: (set up) Jenny and Daniel
10 a.m.-12 p.m.: Stephen
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Michael, Shannon
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Brett, Shannon
1:30 p.m.-? Joseph, Shannon

You're welcome to join.

We'll be selling "A GREENER WAY FOR UA" T-shirts for $10, and we'll have baked goods as well. Tablers will also be handing out information about the UAEC and talking about our organization's goals. Hopefully, our infamous earth ball will be out on display for a paint job as well.

You're welcome to contribute to the bake sale that's being coordinated by UAEC secretary Hanna Welch (hkwelch@bama.ua.edu)--just drop off baked goods at the UAEC table on Thursday morning.

If you'd like to participate in a bake-a-thon with the members of the SGA Department of Environmental Concerns, they'll be cooking it up at 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Justinn Trott's place, which is located at 1320 Paul Bryant Drive Apt 4 on the side of the building facing the PARADE gas station (Mapquest it or call Justinn for more info: 205/288.7112).

There will be a free screening of The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil this Thursday, October 2, at 8 p.m. in Nott Hall room 173. Come be enlightened and snack on a few SALAD ROLLS provided by Ruan Thai (a wonderful restaurant in a quaint white house next to the BP on University Boulevard).

See attached scholarship form for details regarding the reforestation project in Costa Rica that will take place Dec. 28-Jan. 6. The form and an accompanying article are due to a UAEC officer by Oct. 23.

The last day to apply to be an Environmental Ambassador is next TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th AT 4 PM. If you are interested in getting into home football games for free and getting paid $7 an hour, please apply online at www.sga.ua.edu (click on "forms" tab) or pick up an application in the SGA office (Ferguson 231).

Don't forget about our Sunday meeting at 4 p.m. in room 109 of Carmichael Hall!

9.21 meeting notes

2008-09-21T18:30:00.000-07:00

THINGS TO DIG THIS WEEK:

MONDAY: Critical Mass Dinner @ 6 p.m. at Ruan Thai
WEDNESDAY: SGA DEC meeting @ 8 p.m.in 204A Ferg
THURSDAY: UA Green Fair Campus Clean-up @ 6 p.m. on Ferg Plaza
FRIDAY: Glass Recycling Drive 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on 5th Ave. near Student Rec
SUNDAY: UAEC Meeting @ 4 p.m. in 109 Carmichael Hall

-----------*GLASS RECYCLING DRIVE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED------------
Drop off your CLEAN glass or help collect it this Friday (Sept. 26) between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the upper parking lot of the Student Recreation Center (on 5th Avenue, across the street from the softball fields--look for the sign). Be sure to bring your CLEAN glass in a container that will not rip.

If you've ever been turned away from a UAEC glass recycling drive because the truck was full, consider taking a load to Birmingham yourself. The four people who have volunteered their vehicles to transport glass may not be enough to carry all that is collected this Friday, so if you happen to be driving to Birmingham this weekend and would like to carpool a few bags of glass along with you, please contact Mika Carpenter at mikacarpenter@aol.com.

Directions to the Glass Recycling facility in Birmingham:

From Tuscaloosa, take I-20/59 NORTH to Birmingham
When you reach Birmingham, take the CARAWAY BLVD. exit
Turn LEFT on Caraway Blvd.
Turn RIGHT onto 2ND AVE. N.
The AEC recycling center is straight ahead, on your left on the corner of 25th St. and 2nd Ave.

---------------*ATTENTION FACULTY MEMBERS*------------------
----------------HELP BRING GARDENS BACK TO UA---------------
There is currently an intense effort in the works to provide a garden space for faculty and student use on campus. If you are a faculty member who could potentially use a garden for research and academic purposes, send an E-mail with "GARDENS" in the subject line to Dr. Joe Brown, an instructor from New College and the Department of Biological Sciences, at joebrown@bama.ua.edu.

--------*REFORESTATION PROJECT IN COSTA RICA*-------
The Community Service Center is hosting an Alternative Winter Break trip to Costa Rica that will involve a reforestation project. The trip is scheduled for Dec. 28 until Jan. 6. The cost of the trip is around $1700 with airfare included. A $200 deposit is due by September 29. Call Josh Burford at 348-5586 or burfo003@sa.ua.edu for more info. See attached form for a scholarship opportunity.

---------UA GREEN FAIR BAKE SALE-------------------
-----------*CALLING ALL COOKS*---------------------
The UAEC will host a table at the UA Green Fair on Oct. 2. If you'd like to provide baked goods, contact UAEC secretary Hanna Welch at hkwelch@bama.ua.edu or post something on the discussion board on the University of Alabama Environmental Council's Facebook page: http://www.new.facebook.com/inbox/#/group.php?gid=26284131089&ref=ts

-----------*CRITICAL MASS DINNER TOMORROW @ RUAN THAI*----------------
Critical Mass Tuscaloosa will host a dinner Ruan Thai on University Boulevard @ 6 p.m. RSVP by contacting Joseph Wright (josephonboard@yahoo.com).

---------------*UA GREEN FAIR KICKOFF EVENT*---------------
-------------*THURSDAY @ 6 p.m. in the Ferguson Plaza*-------
Meet at the Ferguson Plaza to assist in a clean-up of the campus to promote the UA Green Fair, which will showcase coursework and research relative to environmentalism, alternative transportation, and art featuring works inspired by nature on Oct. 2 in the Ferg Plaza.

Some attendants of this kickoff event on Thursday will be painting themselves blue and green to draw attention to the cause. You can dip your skin into the dye, too.

For more information about the UA Green Fair, E-mail Dr. Fran Oneal (foneal@ua.edu).

------*DEADLINE FOR UA GREEN FAIR ART CONTEST & AUCTION EXTENDED TO SEPT. 29*------
There's still time to submit to the UA Art Contest & Auction. You can win up to $150 to the SUPe Store! See http://creativecampus.ua.edu/greenfair.htm for details.

-------*The SGA WANTS YOU to promote recycling*-------
Get paid to be an Environmental Ambassador at UA home football games.
Forms are available on the SGA website: http://www.sga.ua.edu/forms.cfm.

An SGA Department of Environmental Concerns Meeting will be held this Wednesday @ 8 p.m. in room 204 A Ferguson Center (close to Starbucks). Come!

----*UAEC will meet weekly @ 4 p.m. on Sundays in 109 Carmichael*------

---* Film screenings will be held in Nott Hall @ 8 p.m. every other Thursday beginning Oct. 2*------

A Greener Way for UA and such.

2008-09-18T22:58:00.000-07:00

A GREENER WAY FOR UA is a mantra towards a campus that is more sustainable.
Check back for more information about the campaign.

----------*ORGANIC GARDEN INTEREST MEETING*------------------
-----------TODAY @ 2 p.m. in Oliver Barnard----------------

For anyone who wants to get his or her hands in the not-yet-dirt that MAY be part of an organic garden on campus, try to attend a meeting at 2 p.m. tomorrow in Oliver Barnard (brick building next to Gorgas). You'll get the lowdown on the PLOT to bring a green space where fruits and veggies can be grown without the use of pesticides. Other uses for the garden--including its research function and the possibilities of incorporating a display and/or performance space--will also be discussed.

-----------*GET PAID TO PROMOTE RECYCLING*-------------------

SGA is currently hiring ENVIRONMENTAL AMBASSADORS who will work to increase the visibility of the new stadium recycling program among University of Alabama fans during home football games. Ambassadors will be provided t-shirts and monitor recycling receptacles to prevent fans from filling them with trash.

Workers will be PAID $7 per hour and are expected to work 5 hours (kick-off until one hour after the conclusion of the game). Game times will vary. By applying you are stating you WILL work regardless of the game's start time. Employment WILL BEGIN OCTOBER 4TH.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY SEPTEMBER 30 BY 4:00 PM.

If you are interested in applying for the position, stop by the SGA office (230 Ferguson Center) or visit the SGA website.

--------------*POSSIBLE HURRICANE CREEK CLEAN-UP TBA*-------------------

-------------*UA GREEN FAIR - Oct. 2 @FergPlaza/Promenade)*---------

Contact Dr. Fran Oneal (foneal@ua.edu) if you want to be part of the event that will showcase faculty research, alternative transportation, local food sources, and student organizations.

Submissions are still being accepted for the Art Contest & Auction. Win up to $150 for showing off your love of the planet in a work of art.

http://www.creativecampus.ua.edu/greenfairartcontest.pdf

E-mail Hanna Welch at hkwlech@bama.ua.edu if you want to make treats for the UAEC's bake sale that will take place at the event.

---*READ "THIS COLUMN IS 100% RECYCLABLE"*-----

The second article was published yesterday. The column appears on the opinions page of The Crimson White every other Thursday. If you'd like to be a guest writer, contact Emily Roberson at etroberson@bama.ua.edu.

----*SGA Dept. of Environmental Concerns meets @ 8 p.m. every Wednesday in 204A Ferguson Center---*

----*UAEC meeting THIS SUNDAY @ 4 p.m. in 109 Carmichael Hall*------

If you haven't it to a meeting yet, it would be a travesty to miss this one!

Send QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS, COMMENTS, & CONCERNS to uaec@bama.ua.edu.

Meeting THIS SUNDAY

2008-09-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

My apologies for the mass flooding of news, but there's a great wave of Green going on these days.
*
I hope you all had the opportunity to attend Homegrown Alabama's Weekly Farmers Market this evening. Remember that Tuscaloosa farmers will be selling produce at Canterbury Chapel every Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.on the corner of Hackberry Lane and Ninth Street.
*
A Critical Mass, or a bike ride of many riders that intends to raise awareness about biking as a means of transportation, will begin at Denny Chimes this Friday (TOMORROW) at 4:30 p.m. Come with your bicycle to ride along with others on two-wheeled non-motorized vehicles. A few riders will even have portable sounds systems to draw attention to the pedaling pack.
*
UA Recycles and the SGA Department of Environmental Concerns will be passing out blue bags to tailgaters on the quad on Saturday to collect aluminum and plastic. Come help promote recycling between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m.
*
The next UAEC meeting will take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday in room 109 Carmichael Hall, which is located on Colonial Drive.

Some items up for discussion:
- what to do with UAEC funds
- possible fundraisers
- film screenings
- UA Green Fair briefing

*
Finally, take a moment to grin for GOING GREEN championing over SPRING BREAK on last night's episode of Lewis Black's Root of All Evil, which airs on Comedy Central.

UA Green Fair

2008-09-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

PARTICIPATE IN THE UA GREEN FAIR
Oct. 2
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ferg Plaza

Any FACULTY MEMBER who would like to display research or course information that pertains to an aspect of environmentalism should contact Karissa Bursch at kabursch@bama.ua.edu and include a brief statement of what will be presented. If you're a student and like what your professors are doing, encourage them to participate!

Any ORGANIZATION that wants to host a BAKE SALE or a table needs to contact Luke Hanson at heyitstheluke@gmail.com.

Hope you plan to enter the Art Contest & Auction, which has a Sept. 28 deadline.

http://creativecampus.ua.edu/greenfairartcontest.pdf

For those of you who desire to be published, consider this:
http://www.ucsusa.org/americanstories/.

*

Black Warrior Environmental Association will have their first Fall 2008 meeting TOMORROW (9/11) at 6PM in 340 H. M. Comer.

The guest speaker is William Garrett the Manager of Environmental Research & Accounting at Alabama Power Environmental Affairs Department. He is looking for an Intern and Co-op student to work with Alabama Power's Environmental Research and Engineering Group.

9/7 Meeting Highlights

2008-09-07T20:02:00.000-07:00

A few highlights of the University of Alabama Environmental Council's first meeting:

Many students expressed interest in the formation of an organic garden on campus, which may include a compost bin.

A representative from the Tuscaloosa Chapter of the Sierra Club shared a concern about how pollutants from herbicides and pesticides used on university grounds wash into the Warrior River. This is an issue that can be amended by advocating for manual weeding methods over chemical treatment of campus lawns.

Efforts to promote recycling on the quad before and after all home football games are going well. It has been mentioned that finding additional means of informing visitors and/or emphasizing that the blue bins and bags are meant for depositing aluminum and plastic may be necessary to prevent the mixing of trash and recyclable materials. Anyone who wants to help out with Game Day recycling efforts should look for the blue UA RECYCLING tent on the quad THIS SATURDAY.

Issues regarding glass-recycling drives were discussed. The UAEC still needs help transporting glass to Birmingham on a monthly basis. Anyone who makes a regular commute to Birmingham is encouraged to contact Mika Carpenter, UAEC glass recycling coordinator, at mikacarpenter@aol.com.

Promoting advocacy of environmental issues in elementary schools was mentioned as something UAEC members could pursue.

Many students residing in dorms noted that they have not received a white box to store recyclable materials. It has been suggested that they take the issue up with their housing directors.

The GREENER WAY FOR UA Campaign was introduced. Part of the campaign entailed the anonymous adhering of mini-signs (www.bama.ua.edu/~uaec/agreenerwayforua/PUT_ABOVE_TRASHCAN.pdf) above trashcans and wastebaskets at UA (NOTE: USE STICKY-TACK or something similar).

The UAEC may be planning a hiking and/or camping adventure with UA Outdoor Rec. The trip will be discussed at future meetings.

One member is researching claims regarding Kimberly-Clark's poor environmental performance and is looking into a movement that seeks to eliminate the supply of its products to major institutions such as UA. For more information, see http://www.kleercut.net/en/.

Other things to dig:

Volunteers and visitors to UA's Arboretum (http://www.bama.ua.edu/~arboretum/) are always welcome. Check out the cobbing project that makes the use of natural building methods.

Creative Campus is sponsoring an Art Contest & Auction featuring works inspired by nature and/or created from recycled material. The display will be featured at the UA Green Fair. Contest winners can receive up to $150 in book and supply scholarships from the SUPe Store. Deadline for submissions is Sept. 28. See www.bama.ua.edu/~uaec/uagreenfair/uagreenfairartcontest.pdf for more details.

Volunteers for the UA Green Fair (Oct. 2 – Ferg Plaza) are still needed. Contact Dr. Fran Oneal (foneal@ua.edu) for more information. The next meeting for UA Green Fair coordinators is THIS FRIDAY (Sept. 12) in the Student Lounge on the second floor of Nott Hall.
*

The SGA Department of Environmental Concerns will be meeting THIS WEDNESDAY, Sept. 10, at 8 p.m. in room 204 A of the Ferguson Center. Anyone is welcome to attend.

Don’t forget to join the University of Alabama Environmental Council group on Facebook!

Meeting of the Environmentally Aware HIGHLIGHTS

2008-08-29T08:07:00.000-07:00

The SGA Department of Environmental Concerns will meet on Tuesday (9/2) at 6:15p in Room 204A of the Ferguson Center.

UA Green Fair will be on Oct. 2 in the Ferg Plaza. Dr. Fran Oneal is organizing the event, which will feature faculty research, an alternative transportation exhibit, and an art contest/auction, among other displays. She needs help putting it together. Contact her at foneal@bama.ua.edu.

Michael Dressler from UA Museums plans to host a Green exhibit in the Museum of Natural History. He needs ideas! Call him at 348-5625, or E-mail mdressler@bama.ua.edu.

The first UAEC meeting will be held on Sunday, 9/7, at 4 p.m. in 109 Carmichael.

General Announcements/Gathering of the Environmentally Aware Agenda

2008-08-26T15:46:00.000-07:00

Get On Board Day will now be held tomorrow from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the Ferguson Plaza instead of the quad. We have fliers to distribute, and we may have some treats.

The UAEC is also trying to obtain status as a coordinating body at UA.

Here's a proposed agenda for the Gathering of the Environmentally Aware, which will be held Thursday at 4 p.m. in 313 Ferg:

Announce Dates/write on board
SGA Meeting: Sept. 2 6:15pm in Room 204 A of the Ferguson Center (Justinn or Kendra will speak)
Green Fair: Oct. 2 (Dr. Oneal will)
America Recycles Day: Nov. 15
EarthFest: Apr. 19
Earth Day: Apr. 22

Ask for other dates.

Introduce groups
-have attendants raise hand if affiliated/representative of a group
-write group names and contact info on board
-write group on nametag

Introduce environmental issues
-have attendants call out the facet that concerns them
-write issues on board

Introduce environmental issues specific to UA
-write issues on board
-write issues on nametag

Have people mingle based on issue and discuss how they can pursue resolving it.

Pass around E-mail list for sign ups.

Offer the UAEC E-mail address/Facebook group as a place to go to seek information about groups in attendance.

Gathering of the Environmentally Aware

2008-08-24T14:48:00.000-07:00

A "Gathering of the Environmentally Aware" will be held in the Anderson Room (313) of the Ferguson Center THIS THURSDAY (Aug. 28) at 4 p.m. It is attended to unite UA students and faculty who are concerned with environmental issues. The meeting is meant to be a networking opportunity and a brainstorm session for ways that we can contribute to UA's ecological sustainability.

Get On Board Day

2008-08-24T14:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who helped us prepare for Get On Board Day (WEDNESDAY - On the QUAD)!

For the people who signed up to sit at the table at Get On Board Day (the University of Alabama Environmental Council table will be located near the UA Drum Circle table), don't forget when you are scheduled:

SETUP/9:30 am - 11 am: Mika/Daniel
11am-12pm - Emily/Stephen/Katie
12pm-1pm: Mika/Daniel
2pm-3pm: Michael/Christina
3pm-4pm: Leah/Hannah

Thanks to all who can be there! We'll be distributing information about UAEC and taking addresses for our E-mail list. We'll also be letting people know that they can join our Facebook group to find out when our first meeting will be.

If you missed today's meeting and still want to be at the table on Get On Board Day on Wednesday, shoot an E-mail to etroberson@bama.ua.edu.

Glass Recycling UP IN THE AIR

2008-08-21T19:51:00.000-07:00

The UAEC has a dilemma; due to the lack of a sufficient vehicle, our organization cannot host a glass recycling drive this month.

We are currently seeking someone who can transport a mass amount of glass to a recycling facility in Birmingham on a monthly basis.

Responses to this post and suggestions are welcome.

Ed Passerini visits

2008-08-06T12:55:00.002-07:00

On July 16, I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Ed Passerini, a former professor from New College at The University of Alabama. Passerini coordinated the first environmental group on campus in 1970. This group, which was known as Students for Environmental Action, had ties with like-minded lobbyists in Washington, D.C. The SEA had a triple foci that stressed informing members about environmental sustainability, spreading the word about such issues to others, and raising money for other ecologically focused groups.

Many members of the SEA were interested in the concept of zero population growth, which emphasizes birth control methods that allow for adequate resource allocation among earth's inhabitants. The group eventually morphed into the Alabama Nature Conservatory, and then they affiliated with the Alabama Environmental Council. As the story goes, the affiliation diminished in the early 2000s.

Passerini also shared the story of how he installed solar panels on the roof of Carmichael Hall in the 1970s; however, he was forced to take them down because they were said to be a danger. He divulged his role in developing the first solar car as well.

He gave me a book he wrote titled "The Curve of the Future," which presents many angles of the earth's ability to sustain life. It's scattered, but in a good way. I recommend it to anyone who would like to get a grasp on what "sustainability" is about.

-Emily

Congrats to the SGA DEC

2008-08-06T12:55:00.001-07:00

The SGA Department of Environmental Concerns has accomplished much this past year, including securing a grant to buy recycling bins for use in residential halls.

This summer, members of the branch of The University of Alabama Student Government Association also secured white boxes for each dorm room so students living on campus can have a place to store plastic, paper, and aluminum material that can be recycled.

Additionally, the group produced a GREEN GUIDE to UA that will be distributed to all freshman. The publication includes information about outdoor recreation, alternate transportation, locally grown food, and campus involvement.

The SGA DEC is currently seeking any other issues it can pursue at your university. Respond to this post and let your thoughts be known!

Initial Post

2008-06-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

Bah bah bah...

Welcome to the blog of the organization formerly
known as The University of Alabama Chapter of the Alabama Environmental
Council. The first thing to announce about what is now known as The
University of Alabama Environmental Council is the name change and its
accompanying acronym--UAEC. Our justification for this change is that it differentiates us from the state AEC, and it's less of a mouthful.

During the fall semester, the UAEC would like to focus on connecting with other ecologically focused organizations on campus. The UAEC's members, which from here on out shall be referred to as the collective pronouns "us" and "we" with the accompanying possessive pronoun "our," would like to help connect students to these
organizations and be a hub among them. We also want to continue seeking
knowledge about environmental issues and communicating that knowledge
to others. In order to do so, we plan to host presentations at our
meetings that cover a slew of topics that relate to environmentalism.

So you're recognize us, we've made a logo:

We want to have a bit of fun outside of UA, too, so we're planning a retreat to (INSERT LOCATION NAME HERE ;) ).

Our meetings day and time is undecisively 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

We're open to any questions and suggestions. Click "comment," type 'em up, and we'll make it a point to respond.

Ta-ta for now,
We of the UAEC