The Southern Environmental Law Center celebrates 15 years of environmental advocacy and partnership in Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.– For 15 years, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) has supported nonprofits and communities across the state protecting our basic right to clean air and water and helped preserve Alabama’s natural heritage and rich biodiversity for generations to come. To celebrate 15 years of partnership, advocacy, and conservation, SELC is hosting an open house on Thursday, November 13, from 4:00-6:00pm at SELC’s Birmingham office located in Pepper Place (2829 2nd Ave S Suite 282).

“Alabama is home to world-class biodiversity, resilient communities, and a conservation community that gets things done,” said SELC president and executive director DJ Gerken. “SELC is proud to stand with them, results-driven, community-rooted, and focused on protecting what makes this state such a remarkable place to live.”

The event will pay tribute to SELC’s partnership with conservation and environmental advocacy leaders. Some of SELC’s most notable Alabama work will be highlighted, including:

• Working alongside Cahaba River Coalition to protect 7,000 acres of forested land in the Cahaba Watershed from development that could impact Birmingham’s drinking water. 
• On behalf of GASP, we helped secure a $1 million dollar penalty against Bluestone Coke for air pollution.
• Securing the cleanup of the abandoned Maxine Mine site on behalf of Black Warrior Riverkeeper. That victory also resulted in the conservation of 366 acres along the Mulberry Fork.
• Pushing for the safe, legal disposal of toxic coal ash along Alabama’s Rivers, including ongoing litigation to protect communities along the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta and Neely Henry Lake on behalf of Mobile Baykeeper and Coosa Riverkeeper.
• Empowering communities enduring outsized pollution impacts with training programs to take on polluting industries when regulators won’t step in.

“Alabama is a wonder of nature, with remarkable biodiversity and unrivaled scenic places. No state in the country is more deserving of the full power of SELC’s resources and expertise than Alabama,” said Barry Brock, director of SELC’s Alabama office. “It is a privilege to serve my home state and reflect on the tremendous progress made by this office and our partners in protecting the natural world we’ve been blessed with. I can’t wait to see how many lives are improved and landscapes are protected after another 15 years of good work.”

“For many communities, taking legal action is the only way to protect their vital water resources, but hiring private lawyers is often out of reach for them. When SELC came to Alabama, it was a game changer for our entire river protection movement,” said Cindy Lowry, executive director of the Alabama Rivers Alliance. “They raised the bar for what is possible and within reach, helping us to better protect our waterways and communities from unchecked pollution, habitat destruction and the myriad of other threats we see in Alabama.”   

SELC is grateful to Sloss Real Estate and the Pepper Place Farmers Market for their shared resources and collaborative nature. Their partnership reflects a true commitment to community and growth in Birmingham. Refreshments, including fare from Pepper Place neighbors like Son of A Butcher, Farmstand, Back Forty Brewing, will be provided.