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Janet Stanko, Chair
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208-1341
janestan@bellsouth.net
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Cindy Baker
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cindysbaker@gmail.com
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Lisa Williams
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388-6357
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Ed Schlessinger, Treasurer
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730-8148
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Julianne Mammana
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Ken Wright
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Maria Andal
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Forevertruth1206@gmail.com
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Join Scenic Jacksonville
Scenic Jacksonville aims to preserve, protect and enhance the scenic character and beauty of Jacksonville. If you support that mission and
would
accept Scenic America's Seven Principles of Scenic Conservation, consider becoming a member of Scenic Jacksonville. There is no fee to join; it's free!
Follow what Scenic Jacksonville is up to online!
Facebook: @scenicjacksonville, Twitter: @scenicjax
Instagram: #JaxDigsTrees.
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Ponte Vedra Program-
Tuesday, September 5 at 6.00 p.m.
Water: Our Vanishing Resource
Learn the facts of threats to our water in Northeast Florida and what we can do to establish a long-term program to sustain our water supplies.Speaker will be Dr. Vijay Satoskar, a geologist and water expert.
The Ponte Vedra program will be held in the main meeting room of the
Ponte Vedra Beach Public Library on Library Boulevard at AIA in Ponte Vedra Beach.
For further information please call Brian Paradise at (904) 710-0479
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Jacksonville Program-
Monday, September 11, 2017, 6:45p.m.
Conserving Rattlesnakes: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake and many other species of rattlesnake are in a steep decline across their range. Researchers and members of the Eastern Diamondback Conservation Foundation (EDCF) are working to change their population trajectory and catalyze a major culture shift towards conservation.
Rattlesnake roundups, which are cruel events that involve the slaughter of thousands of rattlesnakes annually, are occurring in 6 states across the U.S. with no sign of slowing down. To date, only one rattlesnake roundup has converted to a conservation festival and the EDCF supports that event every year by displaying snakes for education as well as live presentations. Executive Director of the EDCF, Tony Daly-Crews, will speak about why rattlesnakes are relevant, the threats them, and how the organization is working to transform the way people think about rattlesnakes.
Please join us for our September Sierra Club meeting at
Lakewood Presbyterian Church, 2001 University Blvd W, rear of the education building.
Social time is from 6:30-7:00 with the
program starting at 7:00pm. All are welcome. Free.
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Sierra Club Fundraiser/Social on November 9
Please mark your calendars for a Sierra Club fundraiser and social on November 9 with Madison Carr, a Jacksonville singer and songwriter who is also a Sierra Club member and activist. The event will be held at the
Mudville Grille, 3105 Beach Boulevard, at intersection with Atlantic Boulevard. Advance tickets for the fundraiser are $10. per person. $11 per person is payable at the door on the night of the performance subject to seating availability. The concert
starts at 7.00 p.m with doors opening at 6 p.m. and happy hour until 7 p.m.
Food and drinks can be ordered at reasonable prices at the Mudville Grille. If you want to eat before the concert then we suggest that you arrive when the doors open or shortly thereafter.
You can reserve your place for the concert through PAYPAL-send to
flamusic@bellsouth.net (add $1 per ticket) or by a $10. check, payable to Ray Lewis at 2657 Kersey Ct, Jacksonville. FL. 32216. The price at the door is $11.
Proceeds from the concert will go towards specific environmental programs of the Sierra Club including the Sierra Student Coalition.
We'll look forward to seeing a lot of Sierra Club members and friends at the concert to hear the great talent and voice of Madison.
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Public Trust Executive Director John November and Chairman Warren Anderson provide some closing remarks at our press conference celebrating the settlement. Pictured from Left to Right: John November, Tom Larson, Michael Rosselli, Lad Hawkins, Tracey Arpen, and Plaintiff Thera James.
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 Want to Go Solar? Join the St. Johns County Solar Co-Op
Neighbors in St. Johns County have formed a solar co-op to save money and make going solar easier, while at the same time building a network of solar supporters. Co-op members work with the support of FL SUN as they go solar.
By going solar together as a group, the co-op gets a discount through its bulk purchasing power, saving an average of 20 percent compared to the cost of an individual installation. The group uses a competitive bidding process and selects a single company chosen by the co-op to install systems on members' homes.
Each participant signs their own contract at the group discount. FL SUN works with participants to educate them about solar and acts as a consumer advocate throughout the process.
The coop will be open for about 90 days. So this is a limited time opportunity.
To learn more about the St. Johns County Solar Co-op, join us for an information session:
To join the St. Johns County co-op and RSVP, visit
our website.
Hope to see you soon,
Angela DeMonbreun
FL SUN Program Director
904-351-8570
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Cumberland Island Remains at Risk
The potential rezoning and residential development of 1,000 acres of Cumberland Island has been threatened, once again. The National Park Service, (NPS) is looking to consider proposing another alternative that could reduce or eliminate the development.This may take around 6 months.
However now is not the time for complacency or silence. If the landowners feel that the NPS isn't moving quickly enough or that they will not receive the decision they want, they may well leave the bargaining table and place this back in the Commissioners' laps.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Submit your comments to the National Park Service that you want Cumberland Island to remain in a pristine condition without further residential development, and request that your comments be included in the "file." (Mr. Reynolds will be leaving office in the near future and it is important that your comments not get lost in the shuffle):
CALL
Share your message with the Commissioners: Don't Develop Cumberland Island!
Lannie Brant, District 1: (912) 552-4246
Chuck Clark, District 2: (912) 674-8791
Jimmy Starline, District 3: (912) 882-5691
Gary Blount, District 4: (912) 882-2211
Ben Casey, District 5: (912) 552-4703
Camden County Planning Director: Eric Landon: (912)729-5603
WRITE
- Letter to the Editors of local and national papers
You can keep abreast of current developments by going to the Sierra Club
Georgia website here.
You can also view the documentary "Cumberland Island-The Shrinking Sanctuary"
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Civil Discourse
Are you willing to have a meaningful conversation with someone whose political positions are different from yours? Here are some tips. The booklet on this website will give you ideas on what to say during these important conversations. If you read it and especially if you apply it, please let us know about your experience on our Sierra Facebook page.
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Attention St. Augustine Residents!
At a time when climate progress is being threatened by the Trump administration, it is more important than ever for cities to step up and fight climate change.
The National Sierra Club has recently introduced the Mayors "Ready for 100%" Clean Energy initiative, encouraging mayors from across the nation to support a 100% renewable energy vision for their communities. Over 140 mayors have already joined the movement.
Recognizing the need for action, the Northeast Florida Sierra Student Coalition is organizing a petition campaign to urge St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Shaver to sign onto this initiative and commit to 100% Clean Energy. After enough signatures are accumulated, the student coalition will host a public demonstration to present the signatures to Mayor Shaver. With the help of National Sierra Club representatives, we will work with Mayor Shaver to develop a detailed plan for a community-wide transition to 100% renewable energy.
If you are a St. Augustine resident and would like to sign the petition, please visit the link below. Be sure to use your full name and mark your city as St. Augustine, FL. The petition is also available on the chapter website. Please read, sign, and spread!
If we truly want to make change, we will need to reach out to thousands of St. Augustine residents. Join us as we fight for renewable energy!
Thank you!
Nick Famularo
Northeast Florida Sierra Student Coalition, Chair
Instagram: northeastssc
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County Dock Road Rezoning
Once in awhile the good guys win. What is Matt Schellenberg thinking?
A developer wants to turn a property in the Historic Mandarin area into a residential neighborhood. Currently, it is zoned for 1 house per acre and the request was for triple that density. Despite not being compatible with the neighborhood, destroying almost all trees in a heavily treed area, additional traffic safety issues, and the fact that local residents have been heavily involved in comp planning for years to protect the zoning, Matt Schellenberg wanted to approve the development request.
Council members defeated the measure 14 against to 5 in favor. Council members voting correctly against were: Greg Anderson, Anna Lopez Brosche, Al Ferraro, Jim Love, Danny Becton, Reginald Brown, Bill Gulliford, Joyce Morgan, Aaron Bowman, John Crescimbeni, Tommy Hazouri, Scott Wilson, Lori Boyer, Garrett Dennis.
The developer cannot bring another proposal for a year--unless he wants to develop compatible with current zoning.
We are very disappointed that Matt Schellenberg chose to vote against the will of the people.
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Environmental News Briefs
- A new study shows that renewables, particularly solar and wind energy, have significantly improved air quality in the United States from 2007 to 2015. The increased use of solar and wind resulted in thousands of lives saved.
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Upcoming Outings
Saturday, September 9, 9:00 a.m.: Hike Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park
Beautiful trails, a nature tower, varied terrain, remnants of a WWI camp - what more could you ask for! We'll meet at the Nature Center, at the far (north) end of the park, and hike about 3Ω miles on two different trails.
We'll go 1/2 mile up the road to beautiful downtown Yukon for lunch at Trent's afterwards (across from NAS Jax; 4553 120th St Jacksonville).
Bring sunscreen, repellent, snack, and water. No pets, please. Kids capable of an adult pace are welcome. Some parts of the trail may be damp, so bring appropriate footwear.
The park is located at 7000 Roosevelt Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244. From Roosevelt Blvd. near the Yorktown Gate of NAS Jax, go west at Yorktown Rd. Drive north to the end of the road to the Nature Center.
RSVP on Meetup or to Outing Leader Bill Armstrong, armsfam@yahoo.com.
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September 16, 9:00 a.m.: Kayak Trout Creek
Come and enjoy a 3 hour leisurely paddle up Trout Creek in St. Johns County on this very calm waterway. Lunch follows at Woodpecker's BBQ for those interested.
We'll put in at the boat ramp at Trout Creek Park, 6795 Collier Road, 32092. Go south on US 13, over Julington Creek and past the Shands Bridge turnoff. After crossing the bridge over Trout Creek, you'll see the park on your left.
Arrive by 8:30 to put in at 9:00 a.m. sharp. Easy / moderate pace. Restrooms available. Bring your own kayak or canoe. PFD and whistle are mandatory and you must wear your PFD when on the water and sign waiver. Stay as a group and behind leader.
RSVP on Meetup or to Outing Leader Rick Knowles at rtknowles@aol.com.
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Saturday, September 23, 9:00 a.m.: Kayak Peters Creek in Green Cove Springs
Let's take a beautiful, leisurely paddle up Peters Creek in Green Cove Springs to see swamp/wetland banks, birds, and other wildlife. The total distance is about 5 miles. We'll go to Ronnie's - a great fish camp restaurant in Green Cove Springs - after our paddle (232 Walnut St., Green Cove Springs).
Kayak rentals are available through Jax Paddle Sports for $35. Call (904) 861-9314.
Park and put in at Camp Chowenwaw on Black Creek. Bring water, bug spray, and sun block. You must have a personal flotation device and a whistle. You must WEAR your PFD. Bring your cart if you have one; it's a little ways to the launch point. Be there by 8:30 to unload and get ready.
The address is: 1517 Ball Rd, Green Cove Springs, FL. Take U.S. 17 south from Orange Park. Immediately after crossing Black Creek just north of Green Cove Springs, turn right on Ball Rd at the sign for the camp. The gate opens at 8:00 a.m. At the Y in the road, turn right.
RSVP on Meetup or to Outing Leader Bill Armstrong, armsfam@yahoo.com.
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Sunday, September 24, 10:00 a.m.: Paddle Wekiwa Springs and Rock Springs Run
Wekiwa & Rock Springs are beautiful runs that combine to make the Wekiva River. Wekiwa Spring is a magnitude 2 spring releasing 40 million gallons of water from the Floridian aquifer daily. Most sections remain wild.
We'll make a full day of it starting with a paddle from Wekiwa Springs State Park up the one mile Wekiwa spring run to Rock Springs run where we will be paddling north and west against the current for a few miles.
We'll turn around at Indian Mound or Big Buck and paddle back down the spring to Wekiwa island where we can take a break for some refreshments at the cafe. After about an hour we will head back down the Wekiwa to our put in where you are free to enjoy the designated swimming area (the water is 72 degrees) or hike or bike one of the park's trails.
Count on the paddle being a total of 7-8 miles in length.
There are bathrooms and kayak rentals at the put In location. Call this Wekiwa Springs State Park to reserve a kayak: 407-884-2009. Cost to enter the park is $5.00 in addition to kayak rental.
You must have a PFD and wear it at all times. You'll also need a whistle, sunscreen, water, a hat, and cash for refreshments at the island.
Directions: The address is: 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, Fl 32712. Wekiwa Springs State Park is approximately 20 minutes North of Orlando.Take 95 South to Interstate 4W and take exit 94 in to SR 434. Take State Road 434 West to Wekiwa Springs Road. Turn right on Wekiwa Springs Rd. and travel approximately 4 miles to the park entrance which will be on the right.
RSVP on Meetup or to Outing Leader Carla Carpenter at drifterkayaker@mac.com.
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