o utdoo R s Share the Beach’s training for sea turtle monitoring coming up

By David Rainer Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

For those who love sea turtles, and who doesn’t, training to be a volunteer for the Share the Beach initiative is coming up later this month. The training session for Dauphin Island is set for 6 p.m. March 21 at the Shelby Auditorium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, while the training meeting at Gulf Shores is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 23 at Erie Meyer Civic Center.

Sara Johnson, Share the Beach Director, said the volunteer training meetings are used to teach people how to become a volunteer and what can be expected from those who commit to the program. The volunteer recruitment is only open briefly before teams are organized and trained for the monitoring season, which starts on May 1.

Share the Beach was formed in 2005 by the Friends of the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge in Gulf Shores. In 2018, the Bon Secour group asked the Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) to oversee the program, abiding by protocols set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the federal endangered species recovery permit, which allows volunteers to help protect the nesting sea turtles and their habitat.

That same year, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) and the Natural Resources Damage Assessment Alabama Trustee Implementation Group provid- ed the program $1,000,000, distributed over 3 years.

Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship is the Lead Trustee for Alabama. The funding allows the continued operation, expansion, and enhancement of Alabama’s Share the Beach program by educating the public about the conservation of sea turtles in the wild and by identifying and helping to minimize human threats. The funding also improves the effectiveness and efficiency of sea turtle nesting data collection. These data are made available to local governments, the state, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to support their work in actively reducing threats to nesting sea turtles, nests, and hatchlings. This funding helps ensure the Alabama program operates on a similar level with other programs throughout the southeastern United States and increases Alabama’s contribution to overall efforts to support sea turtle restoration in the Gulf of Mexico.

The sea turtles, which have estimated lifespans of 50 to 100 years, utilize Alabama’s coastline to start nesting activity in May and finish in August, according to Johnson

“We monitor through October 31,” she said. “Any eggs laid in late August will incubate into October. The incubation period averages 55 to 60 days.”

The Southeast Regional Sea Turtle Meeting was held recently at Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, and I hung out with a large group of sea turtle biologists after a day of meetings. One of the presenters, Matt Ware, performed research for his doctorate from Florida State by monitoring nesting activity on the Fort Morgan peninsula.

“The research I was doing on Fort Morgan was looking at the effects of nest relocation, how much we were doing it, did we need to do it, and how do we identify those nests that are truly at risk against those nests that would be best left in place,” said Ware, now a coastal ecologist and researcher with the University of North Carolina Wilmington Center for Marine Science.

“We were looking at nest exposure for predation and how do we identify those nests really at risk, how we move those to safer locations, and are there consequences if we guess wrong.

“We were able to identify factors like beach elevation, which is much more important than the distance to the water. The Alabama beaches are nice and flat, so when a storm comes, most of the beach is going underwater. So, elevation is much more important. One thing we also found was that it varies depending on the time of year. Anyone who spends any time on the coast knows we see a lot of our hurricanes and tropical storms later in the season. So, those September-October storms are affecting those nests that are coming in around August. The earlier season nests are doing well. The later season nests not so much.”

The good news found in Ware’s research is that those nests that might be inundated by water at some point are still producing hatchlings.

“The water doesn’t mean that nest is lost,” he said. “We do see a reduction in hatchling success compared to a nest that is otherwise not washed over or predated. We get about an 80- to 85-percent success out of those nests, while a washed-over nest may have about half that. But those washed-over nests are cooler and take longer to incubate, so you may be seeing more males. A lot of research shows that those nests that take longer may produce more fit hatchlings. They’re larger. They crawl faster.”

Ware is optimistic about the sea turtle activity along Alabama’s relatively short coastline of only 53 miles.

“Alabama is still producing tons of hatchlings,” he said. “We’re still seeing plenty of nesting coming in. Some of the management concerns, in addition to the nest inundation, are things like lighting. There’s a holistic view we need to take when we’re looking at beach management and sea turtle management.

“All the volunteers with Share the Beach do a fantastic job. They record the nests as they come in. They protect the nests and put in thousands of hours each year.”

Ware has been doing research in Alabama for the past 12 years, and he said, in that time, 1,350 nests have been recorded and 1,325 have been the loggerhead turtle, which can weigh as much as 375 pounds with a length of 3.5 feet.

“That shows how dominant the loggerhead nesting is here in Alabama,” he said. “In that same time frame, we’ve had 20 Kemp’s Ridley and 5 green sea turtles. The greens are really exciting because they don’t typically nest here, but we’ve seen more of them lately, which is exciting.”

However, nesting success doesn’t necessarily translate into a significant increase in the number of hatchlings that survive until adulthood. Ware said the odds are not in favor of the hatchlings.

“Optimistically, the survival rate is 1 in 1,000,” he said. “Pessimistically, it’s 1 in 10,000. Turtle eggs and hatchlings are the main source of nutrients for the beach ecosystem. Protecting those hatchlings that make it to adulthood by reducing bycatch in the fisheries industry is important. Those individuals who have survived the most harrowing part of their journey are more important from a conservation perspective.”

Johnson shares Ware’s excitement about the increase in the number of green sea turtle nests in Alabama.

“Up until last year, I would have said green sea turtles were even more rare than Kemp’s Ridleys,” Johnson said. “But last year, we had six green sea turtle nests, which is unheard of for our area. That was a very special year.”

Gulf State Park and the State Park Pier are among the facilities outfitted with turtle friendly lighting. The lighting guidelines include mounting the fixtures as low as possible with low wattage. The lights should be shielded and project a long wavelength light that is typically red, amber, or orange.

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“We are making progress,” Johnson said of the transition to turtle friendly lighting along the Alabama coast. “Every little change helps. We’ve gotten The Hangout completely retrofitted, and it is in full compliance during the nesting season. We had several large condos retrofit their lights to meet the turtle friendly standards. It’s a slow process, but we’re getting there. We’re getting better at finding nests. We’re getting better at monitoring nests, so we’re having more success with hatchlings surviving to the water.

“The program was started because of hatchlings being disoriented by beachfront lighting. Hatchlings that were being lost to the dunes or being found out in the road are now making their way to water where they belong. We’re definitely seeing progress on that front.”

Share the Beach’s volunteers typically number around 450. They are organized into teams, and the tasks include patrolling the beach, educating the public and school groups, conducting late-night nest observations and assisting with supply and equipment preparations.

“We ask our volunteers for a minimum of two hours a week during patrol season,” Johnson said. “Once we have nest hatchings in July, we bump it up and ask for six hours per week. We manage 48 miles of beachfront, so we really do need that many volunteers.”

This column has been shortened for space. To read the full column, visit www. trussvilletribune.com.

PREQUALIFICATION PROPOSALS will be received digitally, as described in the official prequalification proposal requirements, on behalf of the Owner by TURNERBATSON Architects at 1950 Stonegate Drive, Suite 200, Birmingham, AL 35242, for the below referenced project, until 5:00 PM Local Time, March 17, 2023. Faxed or late submittals will not be accepted. The prequalification procedure is intended to identify responsible and competent bidders relative to the requirements of the Project. Prequalification proposal requirements may be obtained from the Architect by contacting Wil Bradford, wbradford@turnerbatson.com, 205.403.6201. Additional qualifications and requirements for Bidders are indicated in the Bid and Contract Documents. In reviewing the submittals, emphasis will be placed on your firm’s experience with projects similar in size and type to this project.

A written list of Contractors receiving prequalification will be issued to all who requested consideration by 5:00 PM Local Time, March 20, 2023.

PRE-BID CONFERENCE will be held at 9:00 am Local Time, Wednesday, March 22, 2023 in the City of Trussville Conference Room located at 131 Main Street Trussville, AL 35173. Attendance by all Prequalified Bidders is mandatory in order to avoid disqualification.

SEALED PROPOSALS will be received only from previously PRE-QUALIFIED Contractors by the City of Trussville, AL, located at 131 Main Street Trussville, AL 35173 until 2:00 PM Local Time, Thursday, March 30, 2023 for this project:

Site Development Package for TRUSSVILLE FIRE STATION NO. 4 5540 Trussville-Clay Road Trussville, Alabama 35173 for The City of Trussville, AL at which time and place they will be publicly opened and read.

A cashier’s check or bid bond payable to the City of Trussville, AL in an amount not less than five (5) percent of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000, must accompany the bidder's proposal. Performance and statutory Labor and Material Payment Bonds, and insurance in compliance with requirements, will be required at the signing of the Contract. Final bid documents (Plans, Specifications, and Addenda) will be sent to prequalified Contractors only from TURNERBATSON electronically with no deposit on March 20, 2023. Drawings and Specifications may be examined at local plan rooms. Subcontractors should contact a Contractor or plan room for documents.

Only Contractors who have completed the prequalification process within the stated time limits, and which are properly licensed in accordance with criteria established by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors under the Provision of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, will be considered for prequalification for the work of this project. For questions regarding this project, please contact TURNERBATSON Project Manager, Wil Bradford, at wbradford@turnerbatson.com.

Per the Owner and the Alabama Department of Revenue (ADOR), Act 2013-205, the project will be bid EXCLUDING TAXES.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive technical errors and/or abandon the prequalification and bid process if, in their judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted.

City of Trussville, AL

113 North Chalkville Road

Trussville, AL 35173

TURNERBATSON Architects

1950 Stonegate Drive, Suite 200 Birmingham, AL 35242 Phone: (205) 403-6201

c a L enda R

Coffee & Crafts: Coffee Art

March 15 @ 10:00 am11:30 am

Pinson Public Library

(RSMC), 4509 Pinson Boulevard

Pinson, AL 35126 United States ety of selections, both fiction and nonfiction. Specific titles will be announced for each month. Description

Join us for Adult Book Club!

Connect with your community and share your thoughts about the books you’ve read. Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 2PM. Contact the Adult Dept (205-655-2022 or tr.adult@ jclc.org) if you need assistance in obtaining books.

2023 meeting dates are Jan 18, Feb 15, Mar 15, Apr 19, May 17, June 14, July 19, Aug 16, Sept 20, Oct 18, Nov 15.

Children’s Storytime

Thursday, March 16: 10:30am - 11:30am

Trussville - LBK Auditorium

Pinson Public Library (RSMC), 4509 Pinson Boulevard

Pinson, AL 35126 United States

(All ages)

Join us for Storytime for Growin’ Beans with Ms. Allison on Friday, March 17th at 10 AM. Our theme is dinosaurs. We’ll read books, have fun, do a craft, & have a snack.

Storytime is designed for pre-K children, but all ages are welcome.

Ferus Presents: The Rowdy Creek Band

March 17 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Trussville Entertainment District, 101 Beech Street Trussville, AL 35173 United States

(Adults)

Coffee & Crafts is our bi-monthly craft event for adults! Join us on Wednesday, March 15th at 10 AM to enjoy coffee & design your own coffee art. All supplies will be provided.

Preschoolers at Play

Wednesday, March 15: 10:30am - 11:30am

Trussville - LBK Auditorium

AGE GROUP: EARLY

LEARNERS (BIRTHPRE-K)

EVENT TYPE: CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

AGE GROUP: EARLY LEARNERS (BIRTHPRE-K)

EVENT TYPE: STORYTIME, CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

Free Event – All Ages

The Rowdy Creek Band is an up-and-coming band from Walker county, Alabama that knows how to get rowdy. They play originals, covers from classic country and rock to new hits, and everything in between.

Join Ms. Alicia for stories, songs, bubble time, and lots of fun! The event will be held in the library auditorium every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

All ages. Every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Trussville Job Fair - with the Trussville Chamber of Commerce

Five Points South’s 39th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 18 @ 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Five Points South, 20th St S at 11th Ave Birmingham, AL 35205 United States

Join Ms. Alicia for special playtime program for preschool-aged children. A guided sensory time will begin at 10:30, followed by free play at several stations set up around the large auditorium with various toys. We will briefly highlight an activity to help your child with reading and school readiness that you can also use at home. Parents are asked to stay with their children and travel with them as they play with the different selections of toys.

Ages 2-5 years old. Held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 10:30 am. No Registration is Needed.

Adult Book Club

Wednesday, March 15: 2:00pm - 3:00pm Trussville - Parkway Room

AGE GROUP: ADULT (AGES 18+)

EVENT TYPE: BOOK GROUP, ADULT PROGRAM

Thursday, March 16: 1:30pm - 5:30pm Trussville AGE GROUP: ADULT (AGES 18+)

EVENT TYPE: ADULT PROGRAM learn more, call 866-475-1014 (M-F 8am-6pm ET).

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GARAGE SALE March 18, 2023, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: 6601 Hemlock Street Trussville, Al 35173

Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 2PM. We will read a vari-

Are you job hunting or hiring?

If so, the Trussville Job Fair is for you.

This is a free event for job-seekers and vendor tables are available. For more information, contact the Trussville Chamber at 205655-7535, email melissa. walker@trussvillechamber. com or visit www.trussvillechamber.com. To download the registration form, click Job Fair vendor app 2023.

Storytime for Growin’ Beans with Ms. Allison: Dinosaurs

March 17 @ 10:00 am11:00 am

Eat, Drink & Be GREEN for Birmingham’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in Five Points South on Saturday, March 18 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Organized by the Five Points Alliance and the Birmingham Irish Cultural Society, the procession will start at Southern Research Institute on 9th Avenue South, make its way through Five Points South and end at 13th Avenue South. The parade grand marshal will be Birmingam Stallions Head Coach Skip Holtz, coach of the reigning U.S. Football League Champions. Some of the groups participating in the parade include the Westwood Academy Dancers, the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, Magic City Disco and more. Spend the day in Five Points and enjoy the festivities ALL DAY from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. with live music and Irishthemed food and drink specials at participating Five Points South restaurants and bars along the parade route. Participating businesses include 5 Points Public House & Oyster Bar, Black Market Bar & Grill, Dave’s Pub, Filter Coffee Parlor, Iron City Pizza Co., Little Italy’s Pizza and Pints, Mellow Mushroom, Sanpeggio’s Pizza, Sleek Sports Bar and The Original Pancake House. Irish-themed food and drink specials include everything from Corned Beef and Cabbage, Shepherd’s Pie and Cheese Curds, to Lucky

Charms Cereal Milk Lattes, Irish Mules and Irish Car Bombs. Guinness, Tullamore Dew Shots and green beer provided by Gulf Distributing Co. will also be available. Open containers will be allowed in the Five Points area as the district is an official Entertainment District. Immediately following the parade, the outdoor celebration will continue on the Tower on Tenth Entertainment Stage in front of Highlands United Methodist Church. Performers will include the Westwood Irish dancers from 11 to 11:30 a.m., Hooley from noon to 1:30 p.m., and from 2:30 to 4 p.m., The Pine Hill Haints will headline the stage. The Kids’ Lucky Zone will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with fun activities like face painting and balloon twisting by Starshine Faces, mini animals from Wendy’s Mini, Caricature drawings by Kevin and more. The Lucky Zone will be located on the corner in front of Filter Coffee Parlor and The Original Pancake House. Parking is available in the Five Points parking deck at 2012 Magnolia Ave. for a $4 day rate.

Sponsors and Supporters of the Five Points South St. Patrick’s celebration include: The City of Birmingham, District Six City Councilor Crystal N. Smitherman, Gulf Distributing Company of Alabama, Guinness, Tullamore Dew, Tower on Tenth, Five Points South Neighborhood Association,

Birmingham Mountain Radio and Style Advertising. The Five Points South St. Patrick’s celebration is presented by the Five Points Alliance.

For more information about the Five Points South St. Patrick’s celebration and parade, including a listing of events, restaurant specials, parade map and more, visit https://stpatsfivepoints.com. If you and your crew want to strut your stuff in the parade, just click on the “Join the Parade” tab on the website!

Ferus Presents: Rebirth Brass Band March 18 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Trussville Entertainment District, 101 Beech Street Trussville, AL 35173 United States

– Flea, Red Hot Chili Peppers

For almost 4 decades, the Grammy winning Rebirth Brass Band has been “stunning” fans with a fiery live show and a rich musical catalog. Their trademark sound pays homage to the New Orleans brass band tradition while weaving a tapestry that combines elements of jazz, funk, soul, R&B and the sounds from the streets they grew up on. From their legendary 25+ year run of Tuesday nights at the Maple Leaf to stages all over the world, Rebirth is the soundtrack of the Crescent City and her premier musical ambassador.

Founded by brothers Phil and Keith Frazier over 35 years ago, Rebirth began their career playing on the sidewalks of the French Quarter, and quickly landed gigs at second line parades. Those auspicious beginnings have led to thousands of shows to music aficionados everywhere, including heads of state and royalty.

Rebirth Brass Band is coming back to Trussville! Free Event

– All Ages “just saw THE REBIRTH BRASS BAND, unbelievable. hard as hell, free as a ray of light, there is not a band on earth that is better. stunning.”

The bands unique “soundtrack of New Orleans” has also garnered admiration from artists of all genres. They’ve shared the stage and collaborated with everyone from the Grateful Dead to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Maceo Parker, Green Day, U2, James Brown, 311, G-Love, MuteMath, Juvenile, Train, Big Freedia, Ani Difranco, Galactic, Allen Touisant, Neville Brothers, Quincy Jones and Trombone Shorty.