15th Annual Shoals Earth Day Fest
The 15th Annual Shoals Earth Day Fest 2026 will host day-long presentations as a component of the festival. While activities will be held outside surrounding the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Visitor Center, the presentations will take place inside the small theatre-style gallery.
11:00 am: Martie Behel, District Administrative Coordinator, Lauderdale County Conservation District: "Lauderdale Soil & Water Conservation District Presents RUBY RAINDROP!"
The KIDS won't want to miss the FUN with RUBY RAINDROP! Martie Behel, along with Hannah Deasy, will tell a few stories, provide the KIDS with little surprises and great information on taking care of our soil and water! The KIDS may experience the special "MILKING COW" at the outside NRCS display table! Since 1992, the charecter of Ruby Raindrop has been a popular teaching tool in schools around the country. Through school activity books, puppets, and costumes, Ruby helps school children learn about the many different aspects conservation. She has evolved from a dream into a national symbol for soil and water conservation. https://www.tntech.edu/
11:30 am: Film screening hosted by the Shoals Citizen's Climate Lobby and the American Association of University Women Shoals Branch: Sallie's Ashes
Sallie’s Ashes (2025), is a 40-minute documentary
which directed by Brennan Robideaux about Alabama grandmother, Sallie Smith, who organizes a group of local women to fight a 21-million-ton toxic coal ash pit threatening Mobile Bay. The film, which details the fight against Alabama Power for full, safe removal of the waste, focuses on community resilience, environmental justice, and the power of older generations. The film highlights how "unlikely voices" can lead significant environmental battles.
The documentary follows a team of grandmothers rallying against toxic waste storage at the Barry Steam Plant in Alabama and features environmental activist, Sallie Smith. The advocacy centers on moving coal ash from an unlined pit into safe storage to prevent contamination of groundwater and Mobile Bay. The film has gained recognition on the festival circuit, including a nomination for Best Short Documentary at theCritics' Choice Documentary Awards and featured screenings by community organizations. https://www.salliesashes.com
1 pm: TJ Johnson, Programs Manager, Tennessee RiverLine: "Tennessee RiverLine in the Shoals"
TJ and other program leaders will facilitate a discussion and will invite attendees to share the ways they experience and/or would like to experience and improve their realtionships with the river. The Tennessee RiverLine is a 1.2 million-acre, regional trail system inititative comprised of a 652-mile continuaous paddle-hike-bike trail long the Tennessee River. TJ will share the vision of the program and will focus on the North Alabama section of the trail which provides multiple opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of our wild and natural areas along the mighty Tennessee River. TJ will also share various ways for public engagement in stewardship efforts to protect these natural systems. This intitiative is led by the University of Tennessee Extension and TVA, partnering with local entites such as the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and the Shoals RiverTowns Program. Interactive community engagement props will be placed around the room. https://www.tnriverline.org/
1:45 pm: Jeannie Martin Rogers: "The life and legacy of Shoals Pioneer, Betty Martin"
Jeannie Martin Rogers, daughter of Shoals resident and "Friend of the Earth," the late Betty Martin, will share recollections of her mother. Friend to many, Betty was an active member of the community promoting cultural programs, was a leader in Shoals-area garden clubs and was a member of the Shoals League of Women Voters. Betty is fondly remembered and celebrated as an environmental pioneer and advocate in the Shoals area, who led the way and advocated for litter clean-ups and was also instrumental in starting up the effort for the curb-side recycling program implemented and still in place by the City of Florence. Her early communications with Reynolds Aluminum and the City of Florence Mayor and Council were key in recycling efforts which brought together both public and private entities. Come and learn how Betty's life has left a lasting impact on the enhanced quality of life in the Shoals!
2:15 pm: Sheree Martin, Deputy Director & General Counsel, Energy Alabama: Agrivoltaics: "How Solar Farms and Food Farming Can Go Hand in Hand"
Energy Alabama is happy to share some good news about how solar farms and food farms may coexist! Sheree will define and describe agrivoltaics and how these practices enable and support continued dual, and even multi-purpose, use of agricultural land. Agrivoltaics allow farmers and ranchers to continue farming operations, expand into new crops and livestock production, and use regenerative practices to enhance soil health and pollinator habitat. She will include examples of research by faculty and extension programs at grant universities demonstrating the real world and practical benefits of agrivoltaics in agricultural production. https://energyalabama.org https://www.energy.gov/cmei/