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 & Pauline Berkeley [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]

Ken Fisher, one of the leading outings leaders of the Northeast Florida Group, has been awarded the Otter award which honors a Group member who has done an outstanding job for the Group's outings program.

Congratulations to Ken!

November 15 at Sea Walk Pavilion, Jacksonville Beach 10 am to 4 pm - Free Admission - Come early and spend the day!

The Festival is fun for all ages. Enjoy live music, food, art and photography, water recreation displays and more while learning about the right whale. Be a part of the sixth annual celebration of the return of the right whales to their vital calving grounds along the northeast coast of Florida.

 

For further information please go to:

www.rightwhalefestival.com

 

Join Us Election Night

 

 

WHEN: Tuesday, November 4th, election night at 6:00pm

 

WHERE: Vino's Pizza & Grill Restaurant at 1430 San Marco Blvd where the Amendment 1 campaign kicked off in February.  

 

WHY: To celebrate our success!

Do you like working with kids? Inner City Outings (ICO) could be for you! ICO is a community outreach program of the Sierra Club that provides youth who have little opportunity to experience nature with trips to area locations. ICO works with local schools and organizations to plan and conduct six to nine outings per year.

With the guidance of ICO volunteer leaders, kids discover the beauty of wild lands and how to enjoy these places without harming them. Interpersonal skills and self-esteem grow as a natural result of teamwork and an active relationship with the outdoors.

Calling all folks who enjoy a good conversation and would like to share what Sierra Club does with people of all ages. We will have a table at JAX Arboretum Festival on Nov 8 from 9am-12pm and The Right Whale Festival at Jax Beach Seawalk Pavillion on Nov 15th. There's always great weather (because we are outside!) at these two nice locations. We can't have a presence in the community without you!

If you have a few hours and can help us out, please contact Janet Larson, 

[email protected] or 247-1876.

Ponte Vedra Program- The Spread of Mangroves in Northern FL

PGA Meeting Room

Adena Springs Ranch, renamed Sleepy Creek Lands, is a massive cattle operation located in the watershed of the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers and the springshed of Silver and Salt Springs near Ocala. The incredible, convoluted ups and downs of the water management permits for the Adena Springs/ Sleepy Creek Lands beef cattle operation finally culminated in an administrative hearing the last week of August. Sierra Club Florida, along with environmental allies the St. Johns Riverkeeper, and the Florida Defenders of the Environment, and two individual petitioners, challenged the first permit for three phases of a 30,000 acre beef operation that could ultimately withdraw 5.3 million gallons of water per day (mgd) from an already over-tapped aquifer.

 

The hearing was possibly the most technical hearing I personally ever attended. Geohydrologists, nutrient management specialists, springs experts, water modeling experts, and District permitting staff all gave hours of information to Judge Gary Early. The hearings which were held in the Palatka board room of the water management district started at 9:00 and went until after 6:00 every day. Our three attorneys representing us and our allies were there throughout, as well as the majority of our technical experts.

 

Early in the process, Sierra Club had to prove standing to bring the case. We reached out to our members throughout the state who have enjoyed the outdoors on the Silver River, Silver Springs, Ocklawaha, and St. Johns Rivers. What a gratifying response! Hundreds of current members from everywhere in the state responded that they were willing to drive to Palatka and be a sworn witness to the importance of these waters to them personally, and as Sierra Club members. I heard some wonderful stories from those of you who replied to our alert. Even today, I get goosebumps thinking of your courage and passion for our beautiful springs and rivers. We were granted standing, and only those of us representing our organizations in official roles had to speak before the judge.

 

On the fourth day of the hearing, the judge allowed the petitioners to have an evening public comment period. People came from Jacksonville, Ocala, Gainesville, around north Florida, filling the auditorium to capacity. Folksingers like Dale Crider, canoe club members, well-known writers, next door landowners with dramatic photos of pollution streaming into nearby creeks, many of our own members like Tom Larson and Whitey Markle, who have led many outings on these rivers - all spoke. It was a moving experience to many in the room.

 

So, over 6 weeks have passed and the next important thing to happen is written arguments from our attorneys to the judge, and a final decision by Judge Early probably in mid- November. I really hope we can have a very happy Thanksgiving.

 

P.S. Please be aware that an experience like this, a legal challenge to a state permit, comes with an incredible amount of work, much of it from hardworking attorneys and highly credentialed experts. Your donations now are very important to helping us continue to fight for Florida's abused and fragile environment. Please remember us in your holiday giving and end of the year donations.

 

Contributions and gifts to the Sierra Club Foundation are tax-deductible as charitable contributions, as they support grants for public education, research, and public interest litigation necessary to further the Sierra Club's conservation goals. Checks should be made payable to The Sierra Club Foundation, Northeast Florida Group.

 

Checks may be mailed to:
Sierra Club, Northeast Florida Group
6028 Chester Ave. Suite 103
Jacksonville, FL 32217

Fall is the perfect time of year to bring your kids (or just yourself) to your local farm, and learn all about the origin of food! It is so important to keep the agricultural world alive in the midst of a society filled with processed foods, and long lists of unpronounceable ingredients. It is obvious to the conscious individual that eating whole foods in their natural state is the most nutritious type of eating. Processing whole foods into the artificial, boxed snacks that line your typical grocery store shelves leads to degradation, bleaching, and stripping of any nutrients and vitamins the food possessed in its original state. 

Take a trip to your local farm to learn where real food comes from, meet the people who grow it, and take some yummy treats home with you! In warmer months, some farmers offer "pick your own" deals where you and your family can pick fresh produce (usually blueberries and grapes in the NE FL area) by the pound for a lot cheaper than you'd get at the grocery store. Plus, think of all the memories you can create! During this time of year, farms are filled with pumpkin patches and hayrides for additional autumn fun! 

  

WJCT First Coast Forum, November 13 8-9:00pm, will host a panel discussion on Jaxport Dredging. You can participate as an audience member or tune in to Channel 7. Lisa Rinaman (Riverkeeper), Dr. David Jaffee (UNF professor of Sociology), and Dr. Quint White (JU Marine Science Institute) will speak against; and Brian Taylor (Jaxport), Dan Davis (Jacksonville Chamber), and Eric Bush (Army Corps of Engineers), and Mayor Alvin Brown will speak in favor. 

 

The core of our position is that the environmental harm is being under-estimated while jobs and economic benefits are over-stated. "An American Heritage River is a terrible thing to waste." 

 

If you want to attend in person, tickets are free, but space is limited. Reserve your seat now! To learn more or reserve tickets click here. It should be an informative discussion. 

With more than five miles of beautiful, white sandy beaches, Little Talbot Island is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands in Northeast Florida. Maritime forests, desert-like dunes and undisturbed salt marshes on the western side of the island allow for hours of nature study and relaxation. The diverse habitats in the park host a wealth of wildlife for viewing, including river otters, marsh rabbits, bobcats and a variety of native and migratory birds.
Surrounding surf and tidal streams present excellent fishing for bluefish, striped bass, redfish, flounder, mullet and sheepshead. Other popular park activities include kayaking, beachcombing, surfing and picnicking. Beachside picnic pavilions are available for use by park visitors and can be reserved in advance for a fee. A full-facility campground is located along the eastern salt marshes of Myrtle Creek. Kayak rentals and guided paddle tours are available. RSVP on Meetup.com (Sierra Club Northeast Florida) or with outing leader Ken Fisher at 904-210-7765 / [email protected].

 

Saturday, November 15, 10:00 a.m.: Hike the Jacksonville Arboretum

Enjoy the beautiful trails at the Jacksonville Arboretum. We'll hike all the trails - about 3 miles - through various ecosystems. The trails are interesting and easy. Bring bug spray and water. No pets, please. Children capable of long hikes are welcome. The Arboretum is close to I-295/East Beltway and Monument Road. When you get off I-295, go east for only one block and then go left on Millcoe. The Arboretum entrance is on your right about 1/4 mile, 1445 Millcoe Rd. 32225. RSVP on Meetup or to Outing Leader Bill Armstrong, [email protected].

 

Saturday, November 29, 10.00 a.m.: 13th annual John Muir Family Walk. Yulee and Ralph Simmons State Park

Come explore western Nassau County with us! We'll meet firstly at 10 a.m. in Yulee at the John Muir Ecological Park to see this lovely site visited by naturalist John Muir in 1867 (463039 SR200, Yulee 32297). From Jacksonville take I95 north to Exit 373, go East on SR200/A1A towards Fernandina for 2.4 miles, parking at the Park or the post office next door. (Be careful regarding road construction that may be ongoing). Then we will take a pretty 40-minute drive (30 miles) into west Nassau County to the Ralph Simmons State Forest. We will enjoy a talk from a park naturalist, Ranger Les Stokes, take a 3-mile walk in the woods, picnic together at the St. Mary's River, and return to Yulee by 3pm. Hiking is easy on a flat but uneven, unpaved trail. Fee: None. All ages & dogs welcome. Pack a bag lunch & beverage.

The John Muir Family Walk is co-sponsored by the Yulee Historic Council, the Sierra Club of Northeast Florida, and the Sierra Club of Nassau County.

Directions to Ralph Simmons State Forest

From the John Muir Park, drive west on SR200/A1A to the junction of US 301/23 in Callahan, drive north 18.2 miles on US 301/23/1/CR 15 through Hilliard to Boulogne. Turn right on Lake Hampton Rd. Go approx. 1 mile to the Forest gate and large parking area on the left to access the Yellow & Red Trails (see map below). If you cross the state line at the St Mary's River, you missed the turn for the Lake Hampton Rd. Ralph E. Simmons Forest consists of more than 3,000 acres along nearly 7 miles of the St. Marys River in northern Nassau County. In the area are excellent examples of a number of natural communities, including longleaf pine, wiregrass, seepage slopes, herb bogs and ravine forests. These communities contain a variety of rare plants, including orchids and pitcher plants, and are home to white-tailed deer, wild turkey, bobcat, gopher tortoise, and otter. RSVP on Meetup or to Todd Sack (Jacksonville) [email protected], 904-403-6446, or to Carl Anderson (Fernandina) 904-753-2873.

 

Saturday, December 6, 2014, 10:00 a.m.: Historic Walking Tour of St Augustine

This walking tour will take us on an approximate 3.5-mile journey and cover a great deal of St Augustine's most significant historic facts. Everything from St Augustine's discovery by Ponce de Leon, to its first settlement by Don Pedro de Menendez, to the role Henry Flagler played in making it a tourist destination, to the huge role St Augustine played in the Civil Rights movement of 1964, and more, will be discussed. Don't miss this great--and free--opportunity to explore one of America's most unique destinations! Since this is a walking tour there is a limit of 20 people. If this proves popular I will add more outings. To maximize attendance, please only RSVP if you will definitely attend; also, cancel your RSVP if you cannot make it. There is an optional lunch at beautiful Cafe Alcazar at approximately 12:00 pm. Please let me know if you will attend so I can plan accordingly. This restaurant is literally inside what used to be the world's largest indoor swimming pool; it's a must-see! The tour begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. from the gazebo at Plaza Constitution. Parking is usually a bit of a challenge in St Augustine, so please plan your travels accordingly. It is not fair to people who are on time to wait for people who are late. Park where you desire. A parking garage is located at 1565 Cordova Street. To get there from Jacksonville, take I-95 south to exit 318 and turn left on SR-16 east. After five miles turn right on US 1 (N. Ponce de Leon Blvd). After just over a mile turn left on West Castillo and the parking garage will be ahead on the right. It is about a 15-minute walk from the parking garage to the gazebo at Plaza Constitution. RSVP on Meetup.com (Sierra Club Northeast Florida) or with outing leader Ken Fisher at 904-210-7765 / [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 (Sierra Club Northeast Florida) or with outing leader Ken Fisher at 904-210-7765 or [email protected].

"How glorious a meeting the sun gives to the mountains." 

- John Muir