AlaLEAVs is a non-partisan, political advocacy group and the political arm of Alabama's growing environmental movement.  AlaLEAVs stands ready to connect elected and government officials at all levels to our state's growing number of groups and individuals who are involved in the protection and enhancement of Alabama's environment.

AlaLEAVs is being organized by a number of political leaders who are affiliated with a wide range of organizations in Alabama.  Political leader and longtime businessman, Joe Turnham, will serve as the Founding Executive Director

Today there are over 117 statewide and grassroots organizations that are directly involved in conservation and environmental issues, yet no entity has fully directed and focused the energy of these groups in an on-going and daily political exercise.  AlaLEAVs hopes to become the catalyst and political arm of Alabama's environmental movement uniting voters and communities around key issues, candidates, and elections that affect the quality of our environment.  AlaLEAVs also plans to continually take the political perspectives of environmental and resource management issues directly to the voters by working closely with Alabama's print and broadcast media.

AlaLEAVs understands the costs of elections, use of modern campaign technology and methods as well as the need to develop political grassroots networks.  Also, a system of paid and earned communications to reach voters with our message is a top goal.  AlaLEAVs also plans to survey and poll voters on a frequent basis in order to determine the public sentiment on issues affecting Alabama's natural resources and environment.

Knowing that political success ultimately means recruiting members and necessary funds to operate, AlaLEAVs plans to aggressively recruit members, donors, and to develop a strong financial base.  By using state and federal political action accounts to financially support issues and candidates, AlaLEAVS hopes not only to improve our environment and quality of life, but to establish our organization and its issues as a strong political fixture in Alabama politics.  AlaLEAVs also plans to advocate meaningful and significant campaign finance reform which will bring political processes in line with the masses of voters and lessen the unfair influence of any single group or source of money in Alabama's electoral process.

AlaLEAVs wants to reach across all political, regional, and partisan boundaries to create and organization that provides information, resources, legislative, and policy input into the laws and policies that govern the use of Alabama's resources and general environmental protection.

The environment is clearly an issue where the public is far ahead of public policy in their desires and wishes.  In a January Mobile Press Register poll, over 66% of all Alabama voters polled said passing laws to protect Alabama's environment was "Very Important."  Another 27% said it was "Somewhat Important."  In fact, protecting Alabama's environment ranked ahead of tort reform, a lottery, rewriting Alabama's constitution, and showing ID's at the polls.

In another survey by a statewide organization, two-thirds of Alabama voters surveyed said they wanted to protect the environment even if it burdened industry or put pressure on jobs.  They also believe that business and environmental need can both be met without a tradeoff.

Even elected officials were supportive of the formation of AlaLEAVs.  In an April 3rd, 1999 edition of The Auburn Bulletin, State Senator George Clay is quoted as saying..."this group would be very important because while businesses, labor unions, and trial lawyers have a strong presence in Alabama politics, environmental groups are more or less voiceless.  There are so many things before a legislator -- if someone doesn't make you focus on something, you don't focus on it.  AlaLEAVs will certainly serve a useful purpose."

A Word From Executive Director Jeff Martin

People joining forces and fighting a united cause can demonstrate remarkable results. Development on Lake Purdy, a landfill in Macon County, a port in Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and a Rock Quarry in Lee County. What do these four situations have in common? They were all proposals defeated by concerned citizens and watchdog groups who unified to make a difference in their community.

It is AlaLEAVS aspiration to unify all environmentally concerned citizens in Alabama to make a difference when it comes to the officials we elect and the laws that our state legislature passes. To be effective in this endeavor and to become one of the strong lobbying forces in the state AlaLEAVS needs your support. If you are not a member of AlaLEAVS please consider writing a check today. Talk to your friends and neighbors about the importance of protecting Alabama’s natural resources. Get involved in your local and state politics and demand that candidates address your environmental concerns. When we all come together, we can make a difference. The state legislature starts the 2001 session in February and AlaLEAVS will be walking the halls of the Statehouse representing you. Together our voices will be heard. If I can ever be of assistance please call or come by the AlaLEAVS office.