The Nickajack Naturalist

Grant Awarded for Cumberland Trail Work

  Wild Trails has awarded a $2000 grant to the Cumberland Trail Conference.  It will be used to support the 2011 Spring BreakAway event, which will be involved in work on the North Chickamauga Gorge segment of the Cumberland Trail.  Read more.     

Potential Land Addition to Walls of Jericho

  Alabama's Forever Wild Land Trust, established by the state in 1992 for the purpose of acquiring land for public recreation and nature preserves, recently authorized the purchase of 2,125 acres to add to the Walls of Jericho tract.  The Walls of Jericho, on the Tennessee line in Jackson County, currently consists of 13,047 acres and adjoins the Skyline Wildlife Management Area as well as the Walls of Jericho State Natural Area and the Bear Hollow Mountain WMA on the Tennessee side.  In recent years, it has become a popular destination for hikers and horseback riders.

  Click here for more about the Forever Wild program and various places they've preserved, or here to learn more about the Walls of Jericho tract.    

Recommended Blog: Bama Environmental News

  I was recently informed of the existence of a great source of news about environmental issues in Alabama.  Environmental consultant and Birmingham resident, Pat Byington, publishes a blog called BEN-Bama Environmental News.  He produces several new posts a month, primarily consisting of headlines with links to articles on other websites.  Categories include op-eds, links, videos, BEN calendar, and jobs available.  The blog also occasionally features poetry.

  Archived posts are available going back to 1998.  The sidebar contains a great links list featuring links to numerous environmental organizations, news sources, government agencies, etc.  If you're interested in nature and environmental issues anywhere in Alabama, I suggest you check out this site at http://bamanews2.blogspot.com.

The Nickajack Naturalist

 

Scenic Views at Gorham's Bluff

 
  Gorham's Bluff is a unique planned community atop Sand Mountain.  It overlooks Lake Guntersville on the Tennessee River and the Raccoon Creek Gulf.  It's also Site #45 on the North Alabama Birding Trail. 
  The overlook is located behind the imposing white bed and breakfast lodge.  I consider this to be one of the best views in the South Cumberland region and a good spot to observe migrating hawks in the Fall. 
  To learn more about the Gorham's Bluff community and the lodge, visit www.gorhamsbluff.com.   

 
  Directions from South Pittsburg:  Take U.S. 72 West to Stevenson, AL, then turn left on AL Hwy. 117, crossing the Tennessee River and climbing to the top of Sand Mountain.  At Flat Rock, turn right on AL Hwy. 71, then right on county road 58 at Rosalie. Follow the signs for Gorham's Bluff.

  For directions from Scottsboro and a site description on a downloadable guide for the North Alabama Birding Trail, visit www.northalabamabirdingtrail.com.