In honor of the watercress darter, a fish that is unique to our city, several folks from the Southern Environmental Center, Fresh Water Land Trust, and Ruffner Mountain got together at Railroad Park for the first annual Watercress Darter Festival. Kite-making kits were for sale as well as painting of sails for the four places that this fish was found, Pinson, Roebuck Springs, Powderly, and Bessemer. Birmingham City School children's art work was displayed, while many kids and kids at heart (Ms. Leslie Anderson, Ms. Beth Sanders and company) decorated and flew kites for a fine Sunday afternoon in downtown Birmingham. Sans Pointe dance troupe added to the festivities by dancing throughout the park, while Bob Marston kicked us off with some fresh, acoustic tunes. It was a great time for all, and one to hopefully become an annual event. Thank you to SEC's director, Roald Hazelhoff, and our up and running Junior Board: Michael Duffy, Phil Amthor, Catie Yeilding, Christina Schutt, and myself for being the coolest youth board in town.
Tarrant students read information about the fish, collaborated in Ms. Love's art class to submit a painted kite to sell at the park, and designed one of the sails that is hanging in the picture with the James Audobon quote, "A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children." Thank you all for your participation and happy, safe spring break!
Look forward to upcoming Earth Day activities, Real Life Poets and UAB's Youth Poetry Slam from 4-6, April 22nd.
