Flint River Conservation Association

With support from the Huntsville Canoe Club, FRCA will participate in the American Rivers National River Clean Up along with hundreds of groups across the country.  Volunteers must register by May 25th to reserve a spot on the roster and a canoe if needed at $20 per canoe.  Volunteers must have canoeing/kayaking experience.  We will meet at 9 am and are done around 2 pm.  The meeting location and river section will be announced soon.  Please call Susan Weber at 256-509-1219 to sign up and if you have any questions.

The Flint River Conservation Association invites you to the 42^nd Earth Day Celebration  at Monte Sano State Park.  

“Green Fire “ a film is about the legendary conservationist, Aldo Leopold will be shown in the Dogwood room of the State Park Lodge at 11:30 a.m.   The film shares highlights from Leopold’s life and extraordinary career, explaining how he shaped conservation in the 20th century and still inspires people today.  He  also wrote the book “A Sand County Almanac.”

At 1 p.m, the ribbon cutting for the newly renovated CCC Gatehouse will take place.  Roxanne Paul from the Virginia office of the National Wildlife Federation will be on hand to speak about our effort as a mountain community, to be the first that is certified in Alabama as a Community Wildlife Habitat!  This will be our official certification date, and everyone on Monte Sano is invited.  Everyone can have a slice of Papa Murphy’s Pizza and non-alcoholic beverages.  The renovation was possible in part by a grant from Legacy Partners in Environmental Education.

April 21:  Earth Day Celebration at the Hays Nature Preserve

April 22:  Earth Day & Grand Opening of the CCC Gatehouse

May 1:  Reservation deadline for float trip

May 5-6:  Historic Flint River float & camping trip

May 22:  Hartselle Waterworks Education Center Tour

May 25:  Last day to reserve spot for Flint River Clean-Up!

June 2:  Flint River Splash for Trash aka River Clean Up 9 am

June 19:  Public Meeting with Scott Hughes of ADEM

Master Gardener Herb Lewis will give a workshop on the enjoyment and benefits of gardening for birds and other wildlife, at the Monte Sano State Park Lodge. Techniques for turning your yard into a thriving wildlife habitat include methods for feeding, providing shelter and housing, and incorporating water features into the garden. Handouts will be available to help turn your yard into a critter wonderland, and to possibly Certify it through the National Wildlife Federation. More information can be found at 256-509-1219. Cost: $5 per family for materials.

Note if there is a threat of rain, we will still continue if it happens before or after this time window)

 On Saturday, March 3rd from 2-4, we will be tackling at least 4 species of invasive plants in the Monte Sano State Park on Bankhead Parkway—an old park road closed to vehicles. Participants can meet at the Scenic Overlook, which is also Site #29 on the North Alabama Birding Trail. Tools such as long handled loppers, weedeaters with brush blades, some grubbing hoes, and of course gloves, will be needed. The species we are targeting are Royal Paulownia, Multiflora Rose, Bush Honeysuckle, and Chinese Wisteria. Kids 10 years and older are welcome! Contact Soos Weber for more information: 256-509-1219cell, or 256-539-3747 Home.

The City of Huntsville is recognizing the problems with invasive plant species management by holding a workshop on Saturday, March 3, from 9 a.m. to Noon. The workshop is open to homeowners and land managers alike, and will be held at the Public Services Building at 320 Fountain Circle (the old library). The first part of the morning will deal with identification and control of Madison County’s worst invasive plants, and will be followed by a field practicum at Maple Hill Park. Participants should wear long pants, gloves, and bring long handled loppers, pruning saws, or weed eaters with brush blades. For more information, call Soos at 256-564-8084.

Harvey Cotten, Chief Horticulturist Huntsville Botanical Garden, and co-author of  

Easy Gardens For the South will speak at the Monte Sano State Park Lodge on Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 28th. Harvey is the past president of the Alabama Invasive Plant Council, and has a commanding grasp on the problems with invasive plants usurping our natural environment. Harvey will bring some of his Easy Garden’s book for anyone to purchase and have autographed.

Join us at 6:30 pm in the Monte Sano Lodge to hear Denise Woodring  give her “Grow Wild With Native Plants” presentation.  Denise will discuss the benefits of using plants native to our region and how to use them in our yards and landscapes.

We are inviting FRCA members to join fellow citizens from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at the Alabama A&M University campus ARC auditorium on Akimbo Road near the intersection of Chase and Melody Roads. ADEM has partnered with AAMU to provide an opportunity to receive training on how to obtain information related to environmental issues within their community.  Topics to be discussed:  e-Complaint -  Allows citizens to file an environmental complaint electronically and track the complaint.  e-File – Allows  citizens to access environmental files for industries and businesses that operate under ADEM permits.  What’s Happening in your County – Allows citizens to access environmental activities that are occurring within a specific county.

Due to rain, the invasive species round up in Monte Sano State Park will be postponed one week to Saturday, Feb. 11^th from 1-4.