Alabama Environmental Council

The AEC has been dedicated to the protection and preservation of Alabama's natural heritage for 40 years. We are one of the oldest environmental advocacy and education organizations in the state.
*protecting Alabama's special natural areas
*promoting sustainable forestry practices and balanced natural resource management
*preserving wilderness areas and protecting endangered species
*advocating for clean air and clean water
*providing environmental solutions through our toll-free Watchdog telephone hotline
*working to reform the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and policy in the state
History

Alabama Environmental Council: A History of Victory
“If it weren’t for the Alabama Conservancy there would be no concept of Eastern Wilderness.” Senator Haskell, Colorado
When AEC was born in 1967 there was no one to monitor water supplies, air quality or hazardous waste dumping. Recycling was limited to professional scrap dealers. On the federal level, there was no National Environmental Policy Act, Environmental Protection Agency, no effective Clean Air, Water or strip mining regulations, and no Endangered Species protection. Earth Day hadn’t yet been created. Birmingham’s particulate matter air pollution was second in the nation and fish kills were a common occurrence in our waterways.
We’ve come a long way since then. With the help of the Council:
• More than 100 environmental organizations have been created to work on more specific, localized issues.
• Oak Mountain State Park Teaching Facility, Ruffner Mountain Nature Center and the Alabama Wildlife Center were created.
• The Eastern Wilderness movement was created, and Sipsey Wilderness was established in Alabama’s oldest national forest—the Bankhead National Forest.
• The Bartram Trail was established creating a multi-state hiking path to follow William Bartram’s 18th century journey through the southeast.
• The Environmental Bill of Rights was presented to the Alabama Constitutional Revisions Commission.
• Informed citizens and legislators resulting in the passage of Alabama’s Air and Water Pollution Control Acts. • The Federal Strip Mining and Alabama’s Strip Mining laws were passed.
• The first non-profit Recycling Center was opened in Birmingham in addition to curbside programs statewide. The AEC alone is responsible for diverting thousands of tons of recyclable material from the solid waste stream.
• Efforts were halted to channelize the Buttahatchee, Luxapalilla and Noxubee Rivers and the West Fork Sipsey and the Escatawpa were designated as Wild and Scenic Rivers.
• Groundwork for the creation of an endowment fund to ensure sound fiscal management.
• Landmark legislation was passed for the acquisition of land to increase the size of the Talladega National Forest was approved.
• Dugger Mountain Wilderness was designated in the Talladega National Wilderness.
• Little River Canyon National Preserve was established.
• Forever-Wild Constitutional Amendment preserved thousands of acres for future generations.
• AEC nominated Natural Wonders have been recognized celebrated and enjoyed by thousands of citizens.
• A Rails to Trails initiative was inspired.
• State News has been published quarterly educating hundreds of citizens statewide—often calling them to action.
• Endangered Species and Habitat protection have become an important focus of the movement.
• Coastal Areas have been recognized for their ecological significance as well as their role in providing natural barriers and flood protection.
• The Solar Test House has served as a model to Alabamians interested in living “off the grid.”
• Hundreds of citizens were empowered to solve environmental problems such as illegal dumps through the Watchdog Program.
• Litigation has proved effective against perpetual “bad actors.”
• The ADEM Reform Coalition has made significant progress in reforming a broken state agency.
The Alabama Environmental Council Citizen Action Network (AEC CAN!)
AEC CAN! (Citizen Action Network) Our network approach is simple and proactive. AEC CAN! is a dedicated group of volunteers who work as individuals, through partnerships and in committees. AEC CAN! acts as a citizen network, collecting information, providing outreach, fundraising, and encouraging others to be engaged.AEC CAN! is comprised of movers and shakers, they are the “street soldiers” of AEC that will help carry out the new mission and program goals of the organization.Save The World - One Click At A Time!

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