Category Archives: environmental

Green Tie Affair celebrates 16 years, highlights AEC initiatives

The Green Tie Affair celebrates sixteen years of serving as the Alabama Environmental Council‘s major fundraising event on Saturday evening. This time it will take place at the Good People Brewing Company tap room beginning at 6:30 p.m. We took a few moments to talk with the organization’s executive director, Michael Churchman, earlier in the week about the event and some of AEC’s current initiatives.

[youtube http://youtu.be/lxp6c_r9Fl0?hd=1]

While online ticket sales have closed, you may still want to go to the website and see the all of the things you’ll be able to bid on during the event. You’ll also be able to learn some more about Recycle Alabama as well as donate to support the renovation project underway  at the organization’s downtown recycling center.

Go shopping for the AEC

Alabama Environmental Council logoIt’s almost lunchtime, so you may be considering where to go for lunch or if you have some time to run some errands. Well if you happen to find yourself at the Whole Foods Market in Mountain Brook (or you’re not sure where to go for lunch, dinner or groceries), 5% of all sales made today out there will go to benefit the Alabama Environmental Council (this also gives you a chance to check out their new website).

Staff and volunteers from the AEC will be on hand to distribute materials (including their brand new stickers) and selling t-shirts among other things. Plus, if you get out there before 3 p.m. you’ll have a chance to drop of e-waste for recycling thanks to the folks at Technical Knock Out.

Community input sought for conservation plan

Freshwater Land Trust logoDo you have any suggestions for what should be included in a community conservation plan for metro Birmingham?

The Freshwater Land Trust would love to hear from you this afternoon, October 19, (beginning at 4 p.m.) at Vulcan Park.

While we’re thinking of it, now may be a good time to make sure you’re aware of the Land Trust’s ARTSCAPE event, taking place in one month at the Avon Theater in Birmingham’s Lakeview district.

Random Shots: The city’s new wheels

Larry Langford examines new Honda Civic - Alagasco

Photo: Bob Farley/f8Photo

Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford looks over the city’s new natural gas powered Honda Civic yesterday at a press coinference in front of City Hall. The City of Birmingham announced Monday it will purchase 70 natural gas-fueled refuse and brush trucks. These new trucks will be the largest fleet of natural gas-fueled refuse trucks in the Southeast. By using natural gas-fueled refuse trucks, the city will be able to eliminate 220,000 gallons of diesel fuel usage each year.

Don’t forget to turn out the lights

Vote earth adGranted, if you’re reading this tonight (Saturday) between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m., this becomes pointless, but hopefully we’ll catch you beforehand. This evening marks the second year for the recognition of Earth Hour internationally. The World Wildlife Fund hopes that more than 1 billion people will participate in voluntarily to raise awareness about the issue of climate change. It’s already happened in Malaysia as it’s based on local time. Here in Alabama, the city of Huntsville will be participating; you can find other cities participating listed here. For those of you trying to think of things to do during Earth Hour, here are seven suggestions courtesy of care2.com

Have any more? Click here and share them.

It’s easy to be green this weekend

It’s a full month before Earth Day is celebrated, but Birmingham’s already providing a couple of opportunities to be “green” this weekend.

Tomorrow the Green Resource Center for Alabama will be hosting its second annual Clover Crawl, being held this year at Vulcan Park. This year’s event will include a Green Home & Garden Expo and serve as the drop-off point for this year’s Ecycling Day activities, courtesy of TechBirmingham. You’ll be able to drop off items in the lower parking lot at the site (no TVs please).

For those wanting to partake in the warm weather and take in some greenery, there’s the Japanese Gardens Cherry Blossom Viewing at the Birmingham Botancial Gardens tomorrow starting at 11 a.m.

Looking for other more general options, let Jason be your guide over on Timetable.

Dig for plants tomorrow

It’s time for the annual (FREE!) Plant Dig presented by the Keep Birmingham Beautiful Commission. I’d try to write a really cool description of the event, but Christina probably did it best when she wrote up last year’s event – including (basic) directions. It’ll be warmer too. The fun’s from 12-4 p.m. at the New Georgia landfill.