Executive Committee
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Janet Stanko, Chair
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208-1341
janestan@bellsouth.net
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Gabe Hanson,
Vice-Chair
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992-9743
gabehanson@yahoo.com
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Tom Larson
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247-1876
TCLarson168@msn.com
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Ed Schlessinger, Treasurer
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730-8148
eds.greenmail@gmail.com
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| James Taylor |
386-795-3670
tayj0016@gmail.com
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| Ken Wright |
ken@jacobsonwright.com |
| Carolyn Cooper |
ckcooper51@gmail.com |
| Jake Fitzroy |
jake.fitzroy@gmail.com |
| Lisa Williams |
388-6357
LisaOW@gmail.com |
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Committee Chairs
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Conservation
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Volunteer for this position! Call 247-1876
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Environmental Education
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Volunteer for this position! Call 247-1876
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Outings
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Bill Armstrong
armsfam@yahoo.com
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Website
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Bill Armstrong
armsfam@yahoo.com
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Programs, Ponte Vedra
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Larry Lickenbrock
larr2604@hotmail.com
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Programs,
Duval
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Janet Larson & Pauline Berkeley
JCLarson168@msn.com
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Membership
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Volunteer for this position! Call 247-1876
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| Newsletter |
Julianne Mammana
jmm094@bucknell.edu
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Legal
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Volunteer for this position! Call 247-1876
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Publicity
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Volunteer for this position! Call 247-1876
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| Legislative |
Gabe Hanson
gabehanson@yahoo.com
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Recycle Your Greeting Cards
Year-round the St. Jude's Ranch for Children happily accepts all-occ
asion greeting cards subject to the following:
- Only the card front can be used (please check that the backside of the front of the card is free of any writing or marks)
- Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards cannot be accepted
- 5" x 7" size or smaller is preferred
- To mail large quantities the least expensive way use a United States Post Office Flat Rate Box (available at your local Post Office) which holds up to 70 pounds
Please mail donations to:
St. Jude's Ranch for Children
Recycled Card Program
100 St. Jude's Street
Boulder City
NV
89005
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James Taylor Awarded 2015 Volunteer of the Year
Congratulations to our very own, James Taylor, who has been recognized as the St. Johns Riverkeeper 2015 Volunteer of the Year. This prestigious honor has been rightfully earned through Mr. Taylor's unyielding passion and perseverance in all of his endeavors. In addition to his Executive committee leadership role in the Sierra Club, James also dedicates countless hours to the Rising Tides, a group of young professionals of St. Johns Riverkeeper. We are happy to work with such inspiring and enthusiastic environmentalists. To read more about James' outstanding achievements, see the Riverkeeper's blog.
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10 leading states in renewable energy production
1. Maine
2. Rhode Island
3. Idaho
4. Delaware
5. Hawaii
6. Oregon
7. Nevada
8. South Dakota
9. Washington
10. Iowa
Source Energy Information Administration at www.eia.gov
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Ponte Vedra Program
February 1 @ 6:00pm
Hiking the Appalachian Trail
The NE FL Sierra Club in Ponte Vedra will host a presentation on the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the A.T., is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. The trail is approximately 2,200 miles (3,500 km) long.
Our own Bill Armstrong will bring us his perspective of the Appalachian Trail hiking experience. Bill has hiked various sections of the Trail and has many stories and "lessons learned" to share. Join Bill as he talks about this wonderful resource, the folks who hike it, and what you can expect along the way. He will also share some photographs of some special places along the trail.
All are welcome! For further information, contact Larry Lickenbrock at (904) 537-6047. The program will be held in the main meeting room of the Ponte Vedra Beach Public Library on Library Road at A1A (blinking light south of the intersection of A1A and Solana Road, on A1A about two miles south of Butler Boulevard).
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Jacksonville Program
February 8 @ 6:00 pm
The National Park Service will be celebrating 100 years of protecting special places in 2016. Join us for a special conversation with NPS Urban Fellow Nathan Souder as he discusses the centennial celebration and the new urban agenda. Jacksonville was one of only 10 cities assigned an Urban Fellow from the NPS. Nathan will also be joined by Student Conservation Association interns who are currently working at the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. For students this is also a great time to learn more about volunteer opportunities and potential careers in the NPS.
This meeting will be held at REI in their meeting room at Town Center at 4862 Big Island Dr. (Coming from Gate Parkway, turn R at Big Island Dr. and immediately turn R at Black Finn Restaurant. From Town Center Parkway, turn L at Big Island Dr. and then R at Black Finn.) Social time will start at 6:00. Program starts at 6:30. Free. All welcome.
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Meeting Calendar
Monday, February 1 @ 6:00pm
Ponte Vedra Program
Ponte Vedra Beach Public Library
Monday, Februray 8 @6:00pm
Jacksonville Program
REI meeting room @ Town Center 4862 Big Island Dr.
Wednesday, February 17 @ 6:30
Combined ExCom & Conservation Committee Meeting
6850 Belfort Oaks Road, Jacksonville
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In Loving Memory of Mary Francis Cardell
Our Sierra chapter would like to pay tribute to one of our late members, Mary Francis Cardell. Mary had an immense passion for nature, art, and music. She was soft-spoken, yet passionate about what she believed in. In addition to her active membership in the Sierra Club, Mary also belonged to "St Andrews Society, the Duval Co. Democratic Executive Committee, the Recycles, Jacksonville Historical Society, Friday Musicale Chorus, and was active in the inter-faith ICARE. She is survived by her husband of 50 yrs, Dick Cardell, and three first cousins, Dr. David Haupt of Cedar Rapids, IA; Harry Haupt of Oskaloosa, IA and Marion O. Francis of Pagosa Springs, CO." Our organization is truly grateful for the Cardell family, Mary's contribution to our organization, and her unwavering spirit.
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Rick Scott Signs Bad Water Bill into Law
By: Brian Paradise
Rick Scott has sig
ned into law a water policy bill which favors agriculture interests at the expense of the environment. The bill has been widely criticized by environmental groups who attempted to improve the bill as it made its way through the Florida Legislature.
St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman joined the chorus of critics blasting the move as one of short-term expediency at the expense of the long-term goal of protecting Florida's waterways. "Our river and our springs still suffer from failing septic tanks, manure and fertilizer runoff, and frequent toxic algae outbreaks infamously known as the 'green monster,'" Rinaman said. "This measure makes the situation even worse." In addition to complaints from environmental groups, former Gov. Bob Graham had called on Scott to veto the sweeping water reform measure, saying it "blatantly" favors special interests and ties the hands of local water management districts.
You can voice your disapproval of the Bill by contacting Governor Scott and your legislators.
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Dangerous Fracking Bill Moves through Florida Legislature
By: Brian Paradise
completely preempts local governments from banning fracking,
risks chemical pollution of underground and surface waters including our drinking water, and w
reaks havoc with Florida's water through excessive and wasteful water consumption. Go to the link above to get information on whom to call to vote "NO" on this bill.
Dr. Todd Sack, a Jacksonville physician, Sierra Club member and Sierra Club Outings Leader, testified before the Senate Committee on January 13 against the proposed Bill. He spoke on behalf of the American Medical Association and the Florida Medical Association.
The secrecy provisions are so strict that if a Florida community learned that a secret chemical was used in fracking that was associated with risks such as cancer, birth defects or liver failure, the law would make it illegal for that community to test its own water supplies for the chemical.
Dr. Sack also spoke against the provision that would make it illegal for local communities to test waters for
chemicals.
Todd Sack's five-minute testimony begins at minute 81 on the recording.
Sierrans and other concerned citizens should contact their legislators to oppose this very bad bill and to request that fracking be banned outright in the State of Florida.
Our thanks go to Dr. Sack for his eloquent testimony before the Senate Committee.
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Zero Tolerance on Illegal Wildlife Trade
By: Brian Paradise
In December of 2015 the United for Wildlife International Task-force on the Transportation of Illegal Wildlife Products adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards the illegal wildlife trade.
United for Wildlife is a collaboration of seven of the world's leading conservation organizations and The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. Led by The Duke of Cambridge, its prime objectives are better on site-site protection for wildlife: a reduction in demand for illegal wildlife products; improvement in law enforcement; working with the private sector to reduce trafficking; and engaging young people in conservation.
Members of the Task-force made firm commitments to tackle the international wildlife trade to include prohibition of the carriage of illegal wildlife and their products and other measures.
The international wildlife trade continues to be a pressing global problem which requires the combined efforts and the attention of the global community to prevent the loss of many of the world's iconic species.
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Solar Choice Coalition Gaining Strength
By: Julianne Mammana
Join in the
fight for solar power in the sunshine state by following these simple guidelines provided by Solar Choice. We have changed our goal to qualify for the 2018 ballot. That gives us more flexibility to integrate the petitions into our daily routine. The utility backed petition has qualified so we need to wrap this up.
- Sign the Solar Choice Petitions- These petitions are valid for 24 months from the date in which it is signed, so feel free to mail in petitions weekly to keep the momentum strong. Solar Choice is working on an amendment for solar energy on the 2018 ballot and need all the help that they can get raising awareness and attention to this innovative and necessary field.
- Help bring awareness to the bipartisan solar policies that are moving through the current Florida legislative session. Follow Solar Choice for more alerts on when to reach out to representatives, attend events, and show your support for solar in the State Capitol.
- Join in the fight against the monopoly utility-backed petition. Solar Choice joined many other environmental organizations in filing Supreme Court briefs that opposed the utility backed amendment, which was designed to maintain the status quo and "confuse Florida voters." These utilities are better funded, but we trust the Supreme Court will see through their environmentally derogatory terms. With your support, we hope to continue to fight against the utilities' misleading campaign.
Let your voice be heard! Join in the fight to put solar on the map in the Sunshine state! View the full Solar Choice press Conference
here.
Source:http://www.flsolarchoice.org/
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Amendment 1 Update on Litigation
As mentioned in another newsletter, Sierra joined a challenge to the way the legislature misused Amendment 1 funds contrary to the intent of the voters. As a first step in litigation, the defendant (the legislature) sought to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that only the Legislature has the right to appropriate funds. The judge refused to dismiss, allowing us to continue to pursue our count for a judicial declaration that the Legislature unconstitutionally misappropriated Amendment 1 funds. The judge did dismiss our second claim against the State Chief Financial Officer under which we sought an order requiring that he return misspent funds to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, but allowed us to re-file that claim against the proper party. This is really good news because the Legislature cannot be allowed to flaunt the will of 75% of the voters.
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Monthly Outings
Saturday, February 6, 2016, 10:00 am: Hike Cedar Point National Park
Join me on a 4 mile hike at the National Park Service's wonderful Cedar Point at the end of Black Hammock Island.
We'll hike through sandhill pine and through beautiful live oak with vistas of our treasured Timucuan Preserve. We'll even see the remains of an old plantation house.
The address is: 9023 Cedar Point Road, 32218. Take the East Beltway (I295/9A) to Heckscher Drive, turn east. Continue on Heckscher Drive about one-fourth mile to the next traffic signal at New Berlin Road. Turn left and follow New Berlin Road 3.7 miles to the intersection with Cedar Point Road. Turn right on Cedar Point Road and go 5.4 miles, then bear right at the Cedar Point sign. Continue on 1.5 miles to the end of the road and the trailhead. NOTE: You will pass a "Cedar Point Preserve" on Cedar Point Rd on your right at about the 5 mile point. That is the city park and is not where we'll be. Keep going!
Restrooms available near trailhead. Bring sun screen, hat, bug spray, and water. No pets, please. RSVP on Meetup or to Outing Leader Bill Armstrong at
armsfam@yahoo.com.
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Saturday, February 13, 2016, 10:00 am: Hike Fort George Island Cultural State Park
Let's hike Fort George Island Cultural State Park (
http://tinyurl.com/nswpa2s)! The hike distance is approximately four miles along an old golf course that operated from the 1928 to 1991. Since its closing the land is undergoing "plant succession," a biological term for returning the land to something like it was prior to its development. Several interesting and historical sites will be observed along the way.
Park in the lot across the road from the Ribault Club: 11241 Fort George Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32226 (
http://tinyurl.com/h7n5k6n). Please bring bug spray as pests can be a nuisance, especially during the first mile or so, but hopefully won't be too bad this time of year. Children are welcome on the hike as well, but please no pets.
The entrance to Fort George Island is on the north side of Heckscher Drive just past the Mayport Ferry entrance heading from Jacksonville. After turning on Fort George Road, at the fork bear to the right towards the Ribault Club. Keep driving 1.4 miles until you see the Ribault Club on your right and park in the lot on your left; look for the Sierra Club sign. The road is quite narrow, so drive carefully. There is no fee to enter the park.
RSVP on Meetup.com (Sierra Club Northeast Florida) or with outing leader Ken Fisher at
904-210-7765 /
kpf1965@gmail.com.
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Saturday, February 20, 10:00 a.m.: Kayak Deep Creek
We'll kayak on beautiful, isolated Deep Creek for about 6 miles.
We'll meet at the Deep Creek Boat Launch located at 7975 SR-207, Hastings, FL. Take I-95 south to the SR-207 exit. Go west toward Hastings for about 12 miles. Right after the intersection with SR-206, you will come to the bridge over Deep Creek. Drive over the bridge, then U-turn and cross back over. The road to the launch site is on the right (south) just over the east side of the bridge.
Bring PFD, whistle, snack, water, bug spray, sunscreen, hat. You must wear your PFD. There are no restrooms at the put-in location. Be there early to unload and get ready. Please do not launch until after I do a short briefing at
10:00 am. RSVP on Meetup or to Outing Leader Bill Armstrong at
armsfam@yahoo.com.
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"The Earth is what we all have in common." - Wendell Berry
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