2016 Lee County Water Festival (Lee 2016): Along with Mid-South RC&D, many other organizations/individuals contributed to the success of the water festival, held at the Beard Eaves Coliseum at Auburn University. Over 1350 students, 20 teachers, and 120 volunteers attended. The focus was on conservation and preservation of natural resources & stewardship ethics to all aspects of surface water, groundwater, wetlands, forestry, and wildlife, including Mini-Filtration system, H20 Cycle bracelet, Edible Aquifer, and a Conservation Educational Magic Show.
4-H Bob White Quail Project (Elmore 2016): Mid-South RC&D Council, Inc. partnered with Alabama Covey Rise Chapter of Quail Forever in support of the pilot grant program – 4-H Bob White Quail Project. Incubator, water reserve system for incubator, plastic quail egg trays, signage and quail eggs were budget items requested. Diminishing Bob White Quail in Alabama has created the need for program development in education awareness in repopulation and habitat conservation. Elmore County Extension 4-H youth, with professional and volunteer supervision, hatched, brooded and released quail onto protected quail habitat property. Mid-South RC&D was there!
4-H Bob White Quail Project (Elmore 2016): Mid-South RC&D partnered with Alabama Covey Rise Chapter of Quail Forever to fund an incubator, water reserve system for incubator, plastic quail egg trays, signage, and quail eggs. Diminishing Bob White Quail in Alabama has created a need for repopulation and education on conservation of the species. Elmore County Extension 4-H youth with supervision hatched, brooded, and released quail onto protected quail habitat property.
After School/Summer Academic and Enrichment Program (Lowndes 2016): Purchase three computers, printer, & supplies. STEP (Student Tutoring and Enrichment Program) provides tutoring, homework assistance, computer, and internet use for students performing below grade level focusing on reading & math.
Almeria Volunteer Fire Department Equipment Replacement (Bullock 2016): Purchase 8 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus and a Thermal Imaging Camera.
Autauga County Friends of the Forest (Autauga 2016): The Friends of the Forest (FOTF) is an educational program designed to teach the importance of private forest land and private forest landowners regarding multiple use management of our forests’ natural resources. The 10th Annual FOTF event was held on the property of private landowner in Autauga County. Approximately 300 students from area schools attended the event. An outdoor classroom environment included, but not limited to, multiple stations with presenters sharing education in water quality of water basins (rivers, streams), tree identification, timber growth and usage, homeostasis environment for wildlife and plant growth. Awareness in understanding -“that forests are renewable, natural resources that provide jobs, clean air, shelter and more. Mid-South RC&D was there!
Autauga County Water Festival 2016 (Autauga 2016): Autauga County hosted its annual event to teach the importance of conserving and protecting our natural resources-LIKE WATER! Attendance of 850 (Fourth- graders and 130 volunteers with outreach circulation including public, private, and homeschooled children). The highlight of the festival was a magic show by the Fishing Magician.
Building Resources Through the Library Improvements (Lowndes 2016): Purchase computers for the Hayneville/Lowndes County Public Library to benefit patrons completing research, resume building, download of job applications, and other needed areas.
Calhoun Fire Department (Lowndes 2016): A fire hydrant was purchased and installed to secure the need for protection of residents in the community.
Chef in the Schools (Autauga 2016): Purchase supplies for a healthy cooking class for youth. Students between 4th & 8th grade were introduced to food sanitation, preparation, cooking, decorating, and nutrition through educational activities. Classes included Gingerbread House Decorating, Tasty Roots, and Smoothies.
Communications Enhancement Program (Lowndes 2016): Purchase of 4 mobile radios for the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department to provide communication coverage county-wide for patrol unit and the E-911 Communication center.
Conversion of Storage Area Training/Break Room (Bullock 2016): Grant funds provided the Union Springs Fire Department the opportunity to convert a storage room into a training/meeting room and to purchase a television, computer, printer, air conditioner, video camera, and dry erase boards for first responders. They now have a place and the equipment for proper training.
Cool Room for the Elderly and Disabled (Montgomery 2016): Mid-South partnered with South Central Alabama Development Commission-Area on Aging to help sixteen senior citizens in Bullock, Butler, Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery Counties. Citizens needed fans or air conditioners in their homes due to the extreme heat being experienced this summer in Alabama.
Correcting Drainage Problems (Lowndes 2016): Purchase and installation of new pipes which replaced damaged pipes. The area services over 800 citizens.
Elmore County Volunteer Fire Department Handheld Thermal Imaging Camera (Elmore 2016): Purchase an ISG x 380 Handheld Thermal Imaging Camera to locate trapped persons, hot spots in house/building, lost elderly or impaired persons.
Emergency Preparedness for Older Individuals & Persons with Disabilities (Montgomery 2016): Purchase emergency preparedness survivor kits for at-risk seniors, persons with disabilities & caregivers. Over 500 individuals got kits.
Experiencing History Phase I (Lee 2016): Mid-South RC&D and Lee County Historical Society partnered to complete this project. Educational signage and displays were purchased for a circa 1830 Creek Indian Log Home. The Creek Indian Log Home is located at the Pioneer Park in Loachapoka, Alabama.
Experiencing History Phase I & II (Lee 2016): Preserving history through restoration is part of the Mid-South RC&D Council, Inc. mission and vision. Lee County Historical Society (LCHS) owns and operates the Pioneer Park located in Loachapoka, Alabama. A renovated circa 1830 Creek Indian Log Home had been restored and moved to the park. To complete the project for general public access, needs included signage, displays, and handicap ramps. The Society hosts 12 Second Saturday Events, school field trips and a fall festival annually. Completion of the LCHS project enhanced the opportunities for additional access needs, created and expanded exhibits for educational awareness to the customs and lifestyle of the Creek in a historical museum for school age students and general public.
Fain Senior Center Renovation (Elmore 2016): Purchase and install items for renovation, including ceiling fans, shelving, doors for front entrance, exit door, four internal doors, room petitions, and refinish of floors for entire center.
Fitness Fun (Bullock 2016): Purchase playground equipment for Union Springs.
Friends of the Forest (Autauga 2016): Classroom presentation and field day on the importance of forests & wildlife habitats. Over 800 students & 60 volunteers attended the event at Jimmy & Martha Hughes’ TEASRURE Forest property.
Funtastic Fort Park and Carrville Skate Park (Elmore 2016): Supplies to repair park fence and replace woodchips. Repair of fence provided a safer play area for children. New woodchips added to the visual and environmental presence.
Healthy Living Families (Butler 2016): Purchased industrial equipment to train youth, grades 9-12, in healthy cooking, food preparation, canning, food preservation, and food safety. Equipment included refrigerator, freezer, and hand mixers.
Hydrants in Mosses (Lowndes 2016): Purchase a fire hydrant for The Mosses Water and Sewer Board to install.
Importance of Bees (Autauga 2016): In school, after school programs, and community events provided youth and adults an educational venue to learn why honeybees are important to humans and the role of bees in agriculture and how to protect bees and other pollinators from ecological threats. Videos, models, handouts, and beekeeper tools, including a Teaching Hive Bee-Ginner’s Kit, were purchased.
Industry Community Center (Butler 2016): Purchase and install 32 new windows in the Industry Community/ Club Center located in Georgiana.
Kindles for Kids (Bullock 2016): Kindles were purchased for the media center at South Highlands Middle School in Union Springs. Kindles will be used to improve students’ reading comprehension skills, critical thinking skills, and test scores. Kindles will be placed in the library, student population of 600.
Kowaliga Volunteer Fire Department (Elmore 2016): Fire department needed an onsite ice machine to provide cold water during extreme heat for fire fighters.
Macon County Safety Day (Macon 2016): Macon County City Park was the location site for Progressive Ag Safety Day event 11 May 2016. The Safety Day included eight outdoor education stations-Internet Safety, Bus Safety, Firearm Safety, Drug Safety, Health Rock and Food Safety. What a great day for180 students and 30 volunteers sharing and learning at the Macon County Progressive Ag Safety Day!! Mid-South RC&D was there!!
Mobile Community Garden (TULIP) (Macon 2016): Purchase a portable storage structure and supplies to create the mobile community garden.
Old Time Farm Day (Butler 2016): This outdoor event hosts educational awareness on the importance of pollinators! The theme was Pollinators: Our Hardworking Heroes. Held on two scheduled dates, one day was for KIDS and one day for general public. Total outreach: 500-800 children and 1000-1500 general public.
Old Time Farm Day- October 2016 (Butler 2016): It’s a Family Affair! Greenville, Alabama was the location for Butler County’s Annual Old Time Farm Day. The two day weekend event features a Kid’s Day on Friday and general public on Saturday. Butler County Soil and Water Conservation District set up a booth. This year’s theme was POLLINATORS – OUR HARDWORKING HEROES. Hands on outdoor education activities included making bee and butterfly pollinators. Each child then “pollinated” a flower with “glitter” pollen. There were approximately 400 children present on Friday and 2,000 attendees on Saturday. Beautiful weather helped in making this another successful outreach opportunity in sharing conservation education for all ages! Mid-South RC&D was there!
Pine Level Marbury Park Playground (Autauga 2016): Playground equipment was purchased and installed in the community. Site location is the Pine Level Recreational Park with outreach opportunity for 20,000 residents.
Progressive Ag Safety Day (Macon 2016): Macon County City Park was the outdoor venue for the event. Secure materials to enhance and provide a safe location for the 150 students and 30 volunteers. Checkpoint stations included GEM Safety, Bus Safety, Gun Safety, Drug Safety, Health Safety, Food Safety and Internet Safety.
Project Educate Conservate (Montgomery 2016): Purchase fish, tents, rods, reels, bait, & tackle for outdoor youth fishing & conservation classes. The annual youth fishing rodeo included a conservation awareness program by “Leave No Trace” trainer Skip Essman. Youth learned to plan fishing outings, proper waste disposal during camping & fishing trips, & learned the importance of wildlife. Rumbling Waters BASS Club taught casting, knot tying & proper bait/lure selection.
Protect-Educate-Conservate (Montgomery 2016): June is a month that “lures” many to the great outdoors, especially for Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department. Kicking off their annual fishing rodeo with over 300 youth in attendance, ponds had been stocked with 1600 pounds of catfish! Grant also supported the development and hosting of a premier youth fishing and conservation class. Items of need included tents, rods, reels, bait, hooks, insect repellent and more. Rumblin’ Waters BASS Club in Wetumpka, Alabama assisted with the hands-on outdoor classroom instruction which included casting, knot tying, and proper bait/lure selection. Master Trainer, Skip Essman, Leave No Trace, provided educational awareness in conservation, how to plan fishing outings, to properly dispose of waste during camping and fishing trips and the importance of respecting wildlife. Mid-South RC&D was there!
Putting the Pieces Together (Montgomery 2016): Mid-South partnered with South Central Alabama Development Commission Area on Aging to provide jigsaw puzzles, scrabble, word search books, and bingo games for residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and senior centers in Bullock, Butler, Elmore, Lowndes, Montgomery, and Macon Counties. The purpose of this project is to engage senior citizens in learning skills that will keep them alert and highly engaged in activities that will stimulate their brain neurons and physical health. This project is on-going and will continue.
Restoration of Brush Truck in Collirene (Lowndes 2016): Repair the water pump on the Collirene VFD brush truck, to purchase wildland firefighting equipment and wildland Fire Personal Protection Equipment (turnout gear).
Restoration of Lowndes County Brush Truck (Lowndes 2016): Collierene Volunteer Fire Department’s mission is “to suppress fires; to save lives; and to protect property.” Our council supported their mission of service with a grant for the Restoration of Brush Truck and Wildland Equipment and Turn out Gear. Mid-South RC&D was there!
Supporting Our Students (Lowndes 2016): Purchase book bags for At Risk Students to offset “back to school” expenses. 225 students received book bags.
TAP Computer Training Center (Bullock 2016): Purchase a security system with eight cameras and install steel bars around the safe that stores 33 computers. Over 500 people are serviced in Midway and surrounding communities.
Tuskegee Women’s Agriculture Project (Macon 2016): Purchase two wheel tractor (BCS 739), a 26” tiller & bedder attachment. The project trains women in farm equipment use, teaches crop production strategies, and develops mentors. Equipment overview, hands on demos & soil management training provided by a BCS Representative & field conservationist. Six farms have equipment access.
Union Springs Volunteer Fire Department Training Room (Bullock 2016): When the siren sounds, we are there. The Union Springs Volunteer Fire Department has dual responsibility to their citizens in Union Springs and areas of their community-protection from fire and operates the Bullock County Rescue service which handles automobile accidents involving entrapment. Limited training site location and educational training equipment have been primary needs for volunteers. Grant award “planted the seed” to convert a storage/breakroom into a training/break room furnished with educational training equipment. Mid-South RC&D was there!
Wingard Park in Grady Improvements (Montgomery 2016): Purchase and install outdoor fitness equipment (leg press, hand cycle machine and chest press machine) for Wingard Park in Grady. Outdoor adult fitness equipment is currently in need for upgrades to promote health awareness for general public.