Conservation	Volunteer for this position! Call 247-1876
Environmental Education	Volunteer for this position! Call 247-1876
Outings	Brian Paradise [email protected]
Inner City Outings	D. Westman  [email protected]
Programs, Ponte Vedra	Larry Lickenbrock [email protected]
Programs, Duval	Janet Larson [email protected]
Membership	Volunteer for this position! Call 247-1876
Newsletter	Julianne Mammana [email protected]
Legal	Volunteer for this position! Call 247-1876
Publicity	Volunteer for this position! Call 247-1876
Legislative	Gabe Hanson [email protected]
Website	Bill Armstrong [email protected]

 

Call or email Melinda Eckert @ [email protected]

 

Jacksonville Program 

7000 Imeson Road, Jacksonville

Photo: Richard Stephenson

 

 

Think back to how you spent your summers as a child. Most likely, you picture something like swinging on a tire swing in your friend's backyard, or fishing with your dad at a nearby lake. Ask a child today how they plan to spend their summer, and you will get a wildly different answer. Most of America's youth will be spending the summer indoors with technology as their only entertainment. Netflix, iPhones, and tablets have become the new bicycles, swings, and swimming pools. Technological advances often consume people's lives these days, from the constant communication of cell phones to the explosion of social media, humanity is always connected through technology in some way. Inactivity has plagued both children and adults. Currently, only one in five Americans live within half a mile of a park. This is a problem especially in low income communities and communities of color, which are far more likely to be "recreational deserts."

 

 The responsibility for getting outdoors and staying active rests with all of us. One of Sierra Club's major focuses has been to prioritize the protection of natural places that are accessible to urban areas. These natural areas are close enough to be reached by foot, rather than by car or bus. City planners should work towards converting those innumerable vacant lots to parks and outdoor recreational areas for children. Outdoor Alliance for Kids (OAK) is another great organization working to connect children and families back to nature. The health of current and future generations, as well as the health of the planet, depends on fostering personal, direct, and lifelong relationships between human beings and nature. It is important that today's youth have empathy for multiple perspectives, both human and nonhuman. This is becoming a more pressing issue in light of growing environmental concerns, like the disappearance of natural areas, and the rapid increase of global warming, while those with the power to change the earth for the better are sitting idly on their iPads. We must attempt to inspire our young people to rethink the status quo of the planet, by spending less time on their cell phones, and more time exploring nature.

 

 Technology is not the answer to everything; once the trees are gone, they are gone forever. Everyday problems and stresses may be resolved through time spent in nature, with human beings returning to their daily, technologically driven lives with a clearer head and a clearer sense of empathy to become environmentally conscious. So next time you or your children want to spend these final summer days in the cool confines of air-conditioned bliss, take a look at the palm trees and the sunshine, grab some sunscreen, and hit the beach! You never know how much longer it will be there for you to enjoy.

Moving from the largest state that requires recycling by law, I was stunned to realize that Florida was not only lacking a recycling mandate, but it was greatly lacking the resources and facilities to allow for recycling growth in the future. Currently, traditional recycling rates are at 38 percent in 2013, this is a three percent increase since 2012. Though there is an increase, we have a long way to go to reach state wide goals of 75 percent by 2020.

In my personal experience, I was unable to locate my nearest recycling facility at my previous apartment in Orange Park, and my current place of residence in Fleming Island recently removed their recycling bins! It is crucial that steps are taken forward, not backwards, in the realm of recycling. Glass recycling continues to be an area of much debate as there is a demand for products of glass recycling, such as beach sand, but no systems mandated to ensure proper recycling of glass. For example, many single stream recycling facilities do not have the means to separate colored glass. However simple this may seem, it is not being done. There is ample room for improvement and progress in the area of recycling in Florida. Contact your local representatives to let them know we are concerned.

The endangered Northern Right Whale

You can help stop seismic testing off our coast! On July 18, the Obama Administration released a "record of decision" that will allow seismic testing in an area off the East Coast, including the coast of Florida, twice the size of California. This seismic testing will consist of dynamite-like blasts that are predicted, by the Administration's own estimates, to injure and possibly kill up to 138,200 marine mammals including the endangered Northern Right Whale which breeds in the winter off the Florida and Georgia coasts. The seismic testing will also harm tourism and coastal recreation, and commercial and recreational fisheries, putting more than 730,000 jobs in the blast zone at risk. Additionally any subsequent oil drilling which also cause the above-described adverse effects including a degradation of our quality of life resulting from oil spills and the sight of oil derricks off our coasts.

Saturday, August 9, 10:00 a.m.: Hike Princess Place Preserve

 

At the confluence of Pellicer Creek and the Matanzas River, Princess Place Preserve is a Flagler County park protecting the oldest homestead in the county: Cherokee Grove. We will hike approximately five miles through a lush canopy of live oaks with an abundance of indigenous plants and animals. Princess Place Preserve is south of St. Augustine and north of Palm Coast. From exit 298 on I-95, take US 1 south for 1.4 and turn left onto Old Kings Road (you'll see a sign for the park). From there, turn left in 1.5 miles at the sign for Princess Place Preserve. Once you enter the park you will come to a sign/gate in 1.2 miles. Turn right where the sign indicates Hominy Branch Trail and also look for the Sierra Club Meetup sign. We will meet at the trailhead of the Hominy Branch Trail. There is no fee to enter the park. Suggest bringing bug spray and plenty of water, but please no children or pets. For those who desire, bring a picnic lunch for after the hike; there are plenty of tables in the shade with awesome views of the Matanzas River!

 

Here are some helpful links:

Link to map location of park 

Link to information about park 

 

RSVP on Meetup.com or with outing leader Ken Fisher at 904-210-7765 or [email protected] 

 

 

Saturday, August 16, 10:00 a.m.: Hike in Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

 

Enjoy a walk through history in the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. We will hike along the Spanish Pond boardwalk and trail which cuts through pine flat woods, oak hammock and tidal marsh. The trailhead is located across from the entrance to Fort Caroline National memorial 12713 Fort Caroline Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225. Bring bug spray, suntan lotion and a reusable water bottle. No pets. This hike has a limited number of available spots, please RSVP on Meetup or to Outing Leader James Taylor, [email protected] 386-795-3670 

 

 

Saturday, August 23, 9.00 a.m.: Kayak outing. Up the River Downtown. 10 k paddle.

 

We'll put in at the Arlington Road Boat Ramp and go in flotilla with long-distance swimmers and kayaks / canoes to the Riverside Arts Market. Launch likely at 0930 and arrive at RAM likely at noon (with some more fun to follow there). We'll make arrangements for getting back to our cars. Details are still being established and will be posted on Meetup as they become available, in early August. We'll launch as a party, with assigned buddies--there will be other groups and individual. Organized by JumpingFish. Partners and Escorts include: St. Johns Riverkeeper, First Coast Outfitters, Special Olympics-Florida, Jacksonville Firefighters Assn., Riverside Arts Market, Resident News, RAM Ride Bicycle Club, Dragon Boat Club, North Florida Land Trust. Proceeds of the event will benefit Special Olympics. 

 

RSVP via Meetup or contact Outing Leader Tom Larson at [email protected] or 904-247-1876.

 

Saturday, September 6, 10:00 a.m.: Hike in the Sawmill Slough Preserve

 

Join us on an enjoyable hike through the Sawmill Slough Preserve, a 382-acre protected area on the University of North Florida campus. On the hike we will pass through upland pines, turkey-oak woodlands and cypress swamps. The entrance to the trail is conveniently located off UNF's I-295 entrance. After entering the campus from I-295 or St. Johns Bluff, turn right into the Parking Services building, which is where we will be meeting. Bring bug spray and a reusable water bottle. No pets. This hike has a limited number of available spots, please RSVP on Meetup or to Outing Leader James Taylor, [email protected] 386-795-3670

 

Saturday, September 13, 10:00 a.m.: Kayak Pellicer Creek - Faver Dykes State Park

 

Noted for its pristine condition, tranquil Faver Dykes State Park borders Pellicer Creek as it winds along Florida's east coast highways down to the Matanzas River. Pellicer Creek is a designated state canoe trail and visitors can rent canoes at the park; however, they do not have kayaks available. To rent a canoe call 904-794-0997 weekdays between 8:30 am - 3:30 pm.

We will kayak approximately four miles in about two hours. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch as there is a picnic area overlooking the creek in the shade. This will be a great place for us to enjoy lunch once we complete the paddle. To get to the park situated south of St Augustine, take I-95 south to exit 298 and go north (left) on US 1. In � mile turn right at the sign for the entrance to Faver Dykes State Park. Once you pay the $5.00 entrance fee at the unmanned pay station, drive 1.1 miles to the boat launch. The road is well marked with signs, and also look for the Sierra Club Meetup sign! For your safety, you must bring and wear a personal flotation device and a whistle. Strongly suggest bringing a hat, sunglasses, bug spray and plenty of water.

Here are some of helpful links:

• Link to map location of park
• Link to information about park

 

RSVP on Meetup.com or with outing leader Ken Fisher at 904-210-7765 or [email protected] 

 

Coming up in December. Campground reservations needed now

 

Saturday and Sunday, December 20-21, 2014. Blue Springs State Park Hiking and Kayaking Weekend Getaway

 

Blue Springs State Park is a manatee refuge from mid-November to mid-March. In addition to seeing a lot of manatee up close, we will hike 4-5 miles of the parks trail system at 1:00 pm Saturday and kayak a 4-5 mile portion of the St John's River at 10:00 am Sunday. Saturday night will be a great time for fellowship around a fire pit while making smores!

 

NOTE: This outing is only for people with a camping reservation: tent, travel trailer, or RV. The park fills up very quickly on weekends. While people with camping reservations are guaranteed entry, if you come without a reservation you run the risk of not be admitted in the park. Unfortunately the park's cabins are already reserved for weekends throughout the winter.

Don't delay; make your reservation today, as the campground will sell out! This link will take you to the park's website. On the right side of the page is a link to make an online reservation. You can also call the park at 386-775-3663. The rate is $24 per night, plus you might be eligible for a posted discount. The address of the park is 2100 W. French Ave, Orange City, FL, 32763. From Jacksonville it is about a two-hour drive. Take I-95 south to Daytona Beach and then get on I-4 west. Take exit 114 to FL-472 W towards Deland. After three miles take the ramp to US-17 South. In two miles turn right onto W. French Ave. The park is ahead on the left in two miles. This link will take you to a map of the park's location.

 

For each outing we will meet in the parking lot at the very end of the park road. You must wear a life jacket/PFD and whistle on the kayak trip. Suggest also bringing a hat and sunglasses. Also, don't forget your camping supplies and food!! RSVP on Meetup.com or with outing leader Ken Fisher at 904-210-7765 or [email protected] 

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