Forever Wild Under Attack Again

The latest attacks on Forever Wild are attempts to take money from the Forever Wild fund by claiming that local governments lose tax money when land is purchased by Forever Wild. House bills HB473 and H502 would require the Forever Wild Land Trust to pay counties for any lost ad valorem taxes on lands purchased through the program. It also does not specify how these tax payments are calculated, allowing counties to determine how much is owed. When Forever Wild was put on the ballot in 2012, 75% of Alabamians voted to continue supporting it. Contact your legislators about these bills.

For more information on these bills, see the sites:

https://legiscan.com/AL/bill/HB473/2017

https://legiscan.com/AL/bill/HB502/2017

The following link will give you contact information for your elected officials:

https://capwiz.com/nra/dbq/officials/

Follow the North Alabama Sierra Club Online

On our website:  http://alabama.sierraclub.org/na.html

On Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/254833822112/

Outings 
Hike Ratings 
Easy - Less than 5 miles, no serious elevation changes, no trail obstacles. 
Moderate - 5 to 10 miles, some elevation changes or rough trail (rock hopping), or trail obstacles such as creek crossings. 
Strenuous - Over 10 miles, substantial elevation change, rocky, obstructed or nonexistent trail. 
Exploratory - any event where the leader has not experienced the event; may fit any class above. 
Note. Participants of Sierra Club outings are required to sign a waiver. 

Tuesday, May 2 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.

Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a small fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and during the hike. Though not strenuous, hikes may be vigorous and range from 3 to 5 miles. For directions or questions contact Suzanne Cawthon at atirawolf@yahoo.com

Sunday, May 7 - McKay Hollow Hike/Rockhop. Moderate-Strenuous. 

Hike down Monte Sano into McKay Hollow on standard trails, then go off trail for a one-hour rockhop.  Total time about 4.5 hours. Rated moderate-strenuous due to off trail and nearly 900 ft. elevation gain. Bring snack and water. Meet at 1:30pm at Sam Denham's house, 4333 Chickasaw Dr. SE.  Questions call Sam Denham (256) 539-1033.

Tuesday, May 9 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.

Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a small fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and during the hike. Though not strenuous, hikes may be vigorous and range from 3 to 5 miles. For directions or questions contact Richard Williams at rbwilliams67@gmail.com  

Saturday, May 13 - Monte Sano Hike. Moderate.

Enjoy springtime on Huntsville’s Jewel.  Experience the beauty of Monte Sano in spring on a 5-6 mile hike exploring trails in the State Park. Dress for the weather, including sturdy shoes. Bring a camera, water, snacks and some cash for the park entrance. Meet at the Hikers Parking Lot at 8:30am. The hike leaves at 9:00am sharp.  Leashed dogs welcome.  Rain cancels this hike.  Questions, contact Patricia at pwales77@gmail.com                       

Tuesday, May 16 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.

Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a small fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and during the hike. Though not strenuous, hikes may be vigorous and range from 3 to 5 miles. For directions or questions contact Aaron Lesky at sctrailevents@gmail.com

Tuesday, May 23 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.

Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a small fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and during the hike. Though not strenuous, hikes may be vigorous and range from 3 to 5 miles. For directions or questions contact Sue Ghaneei  at sierraboot@yahoo.com

Saturday, May 27 June 24 - Keel and Calloway Sinks Hike. Strenuous. (NOTE DATE CHANGE) 

New Date: Saturday June 24. We will hike half of this trip off trail so expect uneven terrain. Boots are recommended. The hike will have an initial steep assent. We will visit a waterfall, a cave and then the Sinks on Nature Conservancy property. We will be hiking to a remote location that will have little or no cell coverage most of the time. Approximately 9 mile hike with 2500 feet elevation gain and 2500 decent. Meet at Publix on Winchester Road at 8:45am and we will drive from there to the trailhead in Sharps Cove - about a 25 minute drive. Bring water (there will be water sources to filter) and lunch. Hike leader approval is required and the trip is limited to 12 hikers. Contact Steve at 256 337- 9702 or covecrawler@gmail.com