Free Seedlings, River Cleanup, Earth Day, and MORE!

Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful eNewsletter

Greetings!

It may be cold outside, but here at KALB we're thinking Spring. We have a variety of events scheduled throughout the spring months and they are featured in this newsletter.

We hope you enjoy our eNewsletters. Please forward this one on to someone who may not have received it.

Lynne Hart

Executive Coordinator

2nd Annual Seedling Giveaway

for Limestone Residents - Feb 15th

2013 Seedling Giveaway

Get ready for KALB's second annual seedling giveaway. This event is made possible through the Alabama Forestry Commission - North Region.

Tree seedlings will be distributed on Saturday, February 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. or until they are gone.

This year, there will be just over 1,000 seedlings available; therefore, we will have to limit the number of trees requested to 6. If there are any seedlings left over, they will be available on a first-come, first-served basis from 11:00-11:30 a.m. the day of the give-away, or the following Monday at the KALB office.

Pre-Order Opportunity - Special Consideration for KALB Members:

Just by being on KALB's eNewsletter mailing list, you have the opportunity to pre-order seedlings. We'll have them packaged up and ready for you to pick up on event day. Are you also a KALB member? If so, you will get first pick of the seedlings available! It will all be first-come first-served, so get your order form to us as soon as you can!

Remember: Limit your order to a maximum of 6 seedlings. The number and types of seedlings may change and availability cannot be guaranteed.

SEEDLING ORDER FORM

Elk River Canoe & Kayak Trail Cleanup

Saturday, March 8th

Last March, over 40 volunteers of all ages worked to remove nearly 2.5 tons of trash from the water and adjacent land.

Our 3rd annual river cleanup will take place on March 8th at 8:00 a.m. and volunteers are needed.

Thanks to Fort Hampton Outfitters in Elkmont, we will have some kayaks and possibly canoes available.

If you would like to be kept informed regarding the final plans for this year's river cleanup, just reply to us with your name and contact information. You may also call us at 256-233-8728 if you have questions or would like to help sponsor this event.

Watch for information about possible group competitions!

Our volunteers DO make a difference.

Earth Day and Outdoor Celebration

April 26th

KALB will host the 5th Annual Earth Day Celebration in April at Big Spring Memorial Park in Athens.

We are so pleased to bring this quality event to the community. Information is the key to helping youth and adults alike make better decisions regarding local and global environmental issues!

And the best part is that the event remains FREE to the public!

EXHIBITOR PARTICIPATION

KALB welcomes any business, organization, student group, or individual with environmentally-friendly products and/or services, environmental education, healthy-living products, services, or information on outdoor Lowe's Earth Day Booth

activities to join us.

We are, once again, able to offer exhibitor space at no charge. KALB does ask that a door prize be provided to be given away at the event where you will be recognized for your donation.

Complete the Exhibitor Registration form and send it to us. Once it has received committee approval, you will be notified. If you have questions, reply to this email or call us at 256-233-8728.

Exhibitor Registration Form

PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

KALB is always looking for partners willing to help us put on this event. Our ability to bring quality educational programs to our Earth Day Celebration depends on it.

Click on the link below for information on how you can participate.

Partnership Information

Earth Day Celebration - Student Contests

Prizes sponsored by STEELCASE

Students in grades K through 8th grade will have opportunities to enter competitions geared toward Earth Day. Judging will take place as stated in the contest guidelines and winners announced at the Earth Day Celebration on April 26th.

Kindergarden - 2nd Grade:

A coloring contest will be offered with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes of $35, $25, and $10 respectively to be awarded.

K-2 Coloring Contest

3rd Grade - 5th Grade:

Students will show their creativity as they create posters with the theme "Remember the 4 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Respect". Cash prizes of $35, $25, and $10 will be awarded to the top three winners. The winning poster will also be displayed on the digital billboard on Hwy. 72 in Athens!

3rd-5th Poster Contest

6th Grade - 8th Grade:

Teams of 4 are invited to create a video related to the theme "Remember the 4 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Respect". More than 4 people may appear in the video, but all must be in 6th to 8th grade and only 4 members of the team will be awarded prizes. 1st place team members (max 4) will receive $25 each, 2nd place $15 each, and 3rd place $10 each. The winning video will be shown at the Earth Day Celebration and will be featured on the KALB Facebook page and other electronic media.

6th-8th Video Contest

Video Judging Criteria

Contact KALB if you have additional questions about these contests.

January-February 2014

In This Issue

Seedling Giveaway in February

River Cleanup in March

Earth Day & Outdoor Celebration

Student Contest Opportunities

What's Happening

New Cardboard Collection Trailers in Limestone County

Craft and Vendor Fair

Feb 1st

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at American Legion 124 on Cloverleaf Drive in Athens. Crafters and vendors with special deals will be under one roof to help you shop for Valentine's Day. Door prizes. For information: 256-698-8127

Youth Education and Awareness Conference - Feb 8th

Athens State University Carter

Gymnasium on Pryor Street. Seminar hosted by Dr. Quanda Stevenson sets to impact the youth of Limestone County and surrounding counties. Topics include bullying, nutrition, college prep, and sex education. Visit the YEA page for details and registration information.

Spirit of Athens Chocolate Walk - Feb 8th

Noon to 5:00 p.m. in downtown Athens, AL. Join participating retailers and sample a variety of chocolate goodies. Visit all locations and be entered into a drawing for one of five $25 "Love Bucks". Fee to participate. Information 256-232-9040 or trishablack@charter.net

6th Annual Jessica Elkins

Memorial Pageant - Feb 8th

5:00PM at the Athens Middle School Auditorium 601 South Clinton Street, Athens, Al. All proceeds will beneft the Limestone Area Community Foundation's Jessica Elkin Live, Laugh, Love Fund for promoting meningitis awareness and a scholarship fund to benefit a graduating Athens High School Senior. Open to girls of all ages and boys/men for the "Ugly Walk". For more information www.missmodelamerica.com. Or contact Theresa by calling 256-777-8949 or by emailing theresa@missmodelamerica.com.

Great Backyard Bird Count -

Feb 14th-17th

Join the Citizen Scientist Movement

and help Cornell Lab or Ornithology gather data and learn more about the birds populating Limestone County. It's free, fun and helps birds! All it takes is 15 minutes just one day in your backyard, city or county park or along one of the Athens-Limestone's 17 trails. Trail brochures are available at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center, 100 N. Beaty Street in Athens, AL. Visit The Great Backyard Bird Count page for information on how to participate, bird ID tools, activities for the kids, count sheets, homeschool and classroom activities.

Four Seasons Glow Golf Disc Tournament - Feb 15th

Join the Young Alumni Advisory Council of Athens State University at Carter Gymnasium on Pryor Street from 5-7:30 p.m. for registration. $30 entry fee includes CRF Champion Glo Disc, LED Light and batteries for 3 disc, hiking socks, snacks and beverages. For more information or to register contact Bill Bullington 256-990-1254 or bill_bullington@yahoo.com

Elk River Canoe & Kayak Trail Cleanup - Mar 8th

Volunteers needed to help with KALB's 3rd river cleanup. Volunteers will meet at 8:00 a.m. Trash will be removed from the Elk River and surrounding land areas. Trash bags, lunch, and bottled water will be provided. Canoes and flat-bottom boats welcomed. Call 256-233-8728 or email KALBCares@gmail.com if you would like more information about volunteering.

Aluminum Can Bash -

Mar 24th-28th

Receive special pricing on aluminum cans from Metal Exchange - located at the Athens-Limestone Recycling Center. Information: Dewayne Purser 256-585-0976.

Earth Day Celebration and Outdoor Expo- April 26th

10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Big Spring Memorial Park in Athens. Event is free to the public. Activities, exhibitors, information, door prizes, food, presentations, live critters, and lots of fun! See article in this newsletter for details or call 256-233-8728.

They Have Arrived!!

Additional Cardboard

Collection Trailers

in Place in County