North Alabama Monthly Social
Mon, April 7, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Our monthly social get together to simply meet and greet other North Alabama members and leadership! First Mondays; drop in, no set agenda, although we may have a few short speaking programs from time to time and we will discuss upcoming events and event wish list (i.e. tell us what you want to see scheduled!). We will meet at the Stovehouse so everyone can grab a favorite drink or bite to eat from one of the great places there. We'll meet inside (common dining area) if it's raining or cold, and outside whenever we can. Just look for the Sierra Club logo placard on the table in the central food court area. Come join us! If you miss us in April, we will be meeting the first Monday evening of every month.
Stovehouse, 3414 Governors Drive, Huntsville AL 35805
Earth Day Activities
There are lots of opportunities to celebrate Earth Day all across North Alabama so make sure to pick a date, or several, and come join the fun! All events are free and family friendly.
Huntsville
Earth Day
Saturday, April 12, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Hays Nature Preserve, 7153 U.S. 431, Owens Cross Roads, AL
There will be a Science for Everyone show by Michael Green the Science Machine at 11:00am, music by radio personality Lashay B at 10 and 11:45am, and an educational bat show by Vicky the Bat Lady from 1:00-2:00pm. In addition to these highlights, attendees can enjoy Rise Raptor demonstrations, interactive displays, and a variety of earth-friendly exhibitors. There will also be a vegetable plant giveaway, face painting, hot dogs, snow cones, cotton candy and more.
Parking may be limited at Hays Nature Preserve during Earth Day festivities, but parking is available at the Mark Russell Recreational Center (429 Taylor Road). Huntsville Transit will pick up attendees from the Mark Russell Center and take them to Hays Nature Preserve. Signs will note drop off/pickup locations.
Athens
Earth Day and Outdoor Expo
Saturday, April 15, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Athens State University 300N Beaty St., Athens, AL
Come join Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day. Steve Trash, The Science Guys and Rise Raptors will be there to educate and entertain. There will be vendors, food trucks, crafts, face painting, insects, reptiles and tree tours.
The Shoals
Shoals Earth Day Fest
Saturday, May 3, 11:00am - 5:00pm
400 block of Montgomery Avenue, Sheffield AL
The 14th annual Shoals Earth Day Fest 2025 will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3 at the 400 block of Montgomery Avenue in historic downtown Sheffield. The festival includes live music - 3 bands, drumming, earth-friendly displays, local arts and crafts vendors, and children's activities including a children's art tent. The City of Florence and Shoals Solid Waste Authority will have a recycling drop off and display, and educational displays by TVA and the UNA Chemistry and Physics departments. Steve Trash will perform 12-3:30pm at Montgomery Place, 406 N. Montgomery Ave., Sheffield. Event is free. Rain location to be determined.
Dekalb County
Earth Fest 2025
Saturday, April 12, 10:00am - 2:00pm
JSU Field School at the Little River Canyon Center, 4322 Little River Trail NE, Fort Payne, AL
Come celebrate nature, enjoy great music, and explore Alabama’s wildlife! There will be live music by Jordan Gillis & Chris Roberts, free yoga & family yoga, live animal presentations, including reptiles, amphibians & venomous snakes! Other activities include a Sidewalk Chalk Art Competition and an EV Showcase with Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition. Environmental nonprofit booths, local vendors and food trucks.
Outings
Tuesday Night Hikes are Back!
Starting Tuesday, March 25 at 5:15pm. Meet at the Hiker's Parking Lot starting at 5:00pm to sign in; hikes begin PROMPTLY at 5:15pm so we can get back well before sunset.
Starting April 22, the hikes will begin at 5:45 since we have more time to hike with the later sunset.
Rated as strenuous because these are fast hikes; distance covered will depend on amount of daylight remaining. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, snacks, hiking poles if you use them, and bug repellent/sun block as needed.
The park charges an $5 entry fee, but there is no cost for the hike itself. Any rain cancels.
Hike leaders are Anne Marie Choup - choup91@hotmail.com, and Bob Locklear - boblocklear@mac.com
The first hike will be March 25. And put a reminder on your calendar for the following Tuesday nights:
- Hikes begin at 5:15: April 1, 8, 15
- Hikes begin at 5:45:
April 22, 29
May 6, 13, 20, 27
June 3, 10, 17, 24
Tuesday night hikes will continue until September 9.
Sewanee Wildflower Hike
Saturday, April 12, 10:00pm - 5:00pm
We will hike into Shakerag Hollow on the University of the South campus in Sewanee, TN. This is an area packed with wildflowers, and trillium and many other early flowers will be at their peak. We will first visit Piney Point, a side spur along the way. We'll then hike down down a somewhat steep section into the wildflower area. We will hike slowly through the wildflower area to give everyone a chance to take lots of photos. At the end of the Shakerag trail we'll scramble up a steep incline to go back up to the top of the plateau. We'll hike back to our vehicles via a section of the Perimeter trail. The total mileage for this hike is about 5 miles with a 900 foot elevation gain. After hiking, we can also visit the Sewanee campus.
The buildings are mostly made from sandstone mined from the Sewanee area and it's a gorgeous campus. The University limits the number of people per group to ten, so email Jennifer to sign up and she'll send you the registration information, waiver, and when/where to meet. If you end up not being able to go, please let Jennifer know as soon as possible so someone else can fill the spot. If it is raining we will reschedule.
Level: Moderate
Cost: Free
Signup Instructions: Email Jennifer for signup instructions - pinkleyj@gmail.com
Follow the North Alabama Sierra Club Online
On our website: https://www.sierraclub.org/alabama/north-alabama
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/254833822112
On Meetup: Sierra Club Alabama Chapter