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June 2008

 

Note from the Executive Director
Summer is more than a date on the calendar here on the Gulf Coast: it's afternoon thunderstorms rolling in from the South every afternoon, it's the moment right before the skies open that the humidity drops and the air gets just a little cooler; it's trips to the beach and family fishing excursions.

At ACF, summer is a time to reflect on the projects of the past several months and to make plans for the coming year. It's been an exciting year for us: we gave away over $6000 in scholarship money to local 5th graders in the Coastal Kids Quiz, we taught over 700 elementary school children basic conservation principles through the Bay Buddy Program, we participated in several habitat restoration projects and we celebrated conservation with a huge party at the Crawfish Craze in May.

As we plan our projects and programs for the coming months, we want to hear your input about what issues we should be working on. Is stormwater close to your heart? Is there an area on the Gulf Coast you think needs attention? If so, let us know! ACF is YOUR organization and we want to work on the issues that are important to you and your family. Call our office at 990-6002 or e-mail us at info@joinacf.org with your thoughts and ideas.


First Graders at Tanner Williams Elementary Plant a Rain Garden

This May, 60 students from Tanner Williams Elementary worked alongside volunteers from ACF, the Mobile County School Board, Mobile County Commission, Master Gardener's Association and Mobile Area Water and Sewer Service to plant a rain garden demonstration site at the school. The project is funded by the EPA 5 Restoration Program with each of the organization's listed above acting as project partners. In addition to the garden site, the grant includes the development of a brochure that will provide citizens in Mobile County with infromation about how to plant a rain garden.

What is a rain garden? Rain gardens function in much the same way as traditional wetlands- providing bio-retention of run-off and reducing pollutant transport into nearby-waterbodies by increasing infiltration. They also trap sediment and reduce the velocity of runoff from impervious surfaces. By increasing infiltration, rain gardens improve the quality of stormwater runoff and reduce the potential for localized flooding. From a long-term perspective, rain gardens can help prevent landscape and streambank erosion.

Be sure to check out the July issue of Mobile Bay Monthly for an article featuring this project!

 

 

 

June Photo Contest Winner:
J. Buford King
Click Here to Enter July Contest

 

 

 

Stay Green Summer Tips
Check the weather- if the forecast calls for rain, don't turn on your sprinklers.

Fill your gas tank in the morning or evening.

Start a compost pile and reduce the amount of waste you send to the landfill.

Use native plants in landscaping: it will cut down on watering and maintenance and provide habitat for critters.

Turn up the temp:set your thermostat to 75 to stay cool and cut your electric bill.

Donate your time or expertise as a volunteer for ACF

Ever wondered what makes a nonprofit organization successful? You! We are always looking for help around the office with data entry and other office work, folks who have skills in graphic design and web site development, or those who want to get their hands dirty at a tree planting or other outdoor project. Be a part of the solution- if interested in volunteering, call the office at 990-6002 or e-mail us.

ACF volunteer Mary Keller

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACF on the Web

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After planting, students became Bay Buddies!