Join hands across the sand May 19
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Citizens from across the world will join hands on Saturday, May 19, to say no to dirty fuels and yes to clean energy. In Jacksonville, the Northeast Florida Sierra Club is rallying to meet at noon on the beach just south of the Jacksonville Beach Pier to join hands for 15 minutes of peaceful respect for a clean environment.
Help send a powerful visual message of solidarity by making a line in the sand. Check-in starts at 11 a.m. For information contact Candice Rue at c.rue@att.net or go to
Hands Across the Sands.
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State fails to act on fracking;
maybe next year...
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The Sierra Club endorsed and lobbied for bills in the state house and senate (SB 462 and HB 237) to ban the controversial oil- and natural-gas drilling process known as “fracking.” The bill gained some support in the senate, but the House never took up the issue in committees.
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The club is beginning a new program designed to reach youths and their families from underserved populations and introduce them to the beauty and wonder of the natural environment.
The program, Inspiring Connections Outdoors, is an outreach arm of the national Sierra Club. Our Northeast Florida group is cooperating with the
New Town Success Zone on Jacksonville's northwest side. We want to support community-focused efforts with outdoor and environmental themes.
A full report on the program, including how you can become involved, will be in next month’s Sierra Sentry newsletter. Volunteers are needed. Orientation and training will be provided. Monetary contributions are requested (tax-deductible through the Sierra Club Foundation). Grant funding will be solicited. And wonderful experiences can be had.
For more information, email Tom.Larson@Florida.SierraClub.org or call 904-595-7169.
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Try going
car- free
Our club is cooperating in the city's car-free week, May 14 to 18. The theme is "pick a day; commute another way." It's a great challenge. Full details can be found on
the event's website.
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Fund-raiser
to become
annual event
The club’s first fund-raising event, held April 12, was so well received that it is going to become an annual spring event.
Retired Times-Union columnist Ron Littlepage, who was the keynote speaker, noted the importance of protecting and preserving the natural Florida environment as well as of the need to attract a diverse group of involved people to participate in the Sierra Club’s efforts.
“The evening was a real success,” Janet Stanko, the group’s chair, said. "Unfortunately not all our activities are covered by our member dues. So we need to do fundraisers to pay for our important work.”
Thanks to our fundraiser organizing committee: Linda Bremer, Lisa Williams, Cindy Baker, Pam Keramati, Sarah May, and Ed Schlessinger and our many volunteers who helped on the event. Among them were Bev Chapman for music, Kathy Stark for donating a print and proceeds from her book sale, and of course, Ron Littlepage.
If you missed the event, you can still send a donation online at https://www.sierraclub.org/florida/northeast-florida/donate or mail to Sierra Club, 6028 Chester Ave., Suite 103, Jax 32217. Also monthly donations toward our social media campaign are appreciated.
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Notions & ideas
Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.
—Japanese poet Ryunosuke Satoro
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Check us out
here, there, and everywhere
Our social media director is posting informational and action alerts. We can be your go-to source of local environmental news. You can also see us
on the web.
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May 31 meet explores
state conservation money use;
schedule changes this fall,
so mark your calendar
The Florida Conservation Movement is pushing back against the state legislature’s attempts to sidetrack money meant for preserving and protecting endangered land. Our May meeting will be a lively session to explore the issue’s past and its future.
We’ll meet Thursday, May 31, in the Southeast Regional Library, room B. The library is at 10599 Deerwood Park Blvd., 32256. Gather around 6:30 p.m. to socialize; the program starts at 7 p.m.
The speaker is Jonathan Webber, deputy director of Florida Conservation Voters. He’ll talk about the history of the movement, wins and the losses during the legislative session, and ways we can prepare for the 2018 elections.
This is our last meeting until September. Starting then, we will meet on the second Monday of each month alternating between Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra. The September meeting will be on Monday, Sept. 10, at Lakewood Presbyterian Church, 2001 University Blvd W., Jacksonville, 32217. The October meeting meeting will be Monday, Oct. 8, at the Ponte Vedra public library, 101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, 32082.
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Notes from
the chair
Janet L. Stanko, executive committee chair
Why doesn’t Sierra get involved in...Often I receive questions from members about why we don’t get involved in certain important environmental issues—challenging development proposals, doing more on coastal issues related to sea level rise and climate change in general. They are critical issues, but the problem is getting people involved. We are a volunteer organization, and if we don’t have people to step forward to take accountability for certain tasks, we are stalled in taking significant actions.
Here are a few of our needs: Fundraiser organizer, participate on a chapter (state) level committee to address plastics in the environment, video editor, coordinate scheduling and materials for meeting with legislators outside of session, coordinate the Hands across the ocean event. We have mentors to guide volunteers in these tasks. Contact NortheastFlorida.Sierra@gmail.com if you would like to learn more about how to help.
Media overkill. Do you wish the media would focus on more than the latest Trump episode or over-reporting the scandal of the day? If you feel as I do that there’s a lot of over-reporting of certain newstories to the detriment of other important news, let’s tell the media what we want to hear about. As a Sierra member or supporter, you are likely more news and event savvy than most people. You probably already receive information via email, Facebook or Twitter that could be developed as local news stories—not only the environment, but other public interest issues. I would like to compile your feedback and links if you have them to ask the Florida Times Union, WJCT, and other news outlets to consider. Send your ideas to NortheastFlorida.Sierra@gmail.com.
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Getting outdoors:
You're invited
to hike & paddle
with us
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All these events are free and open to everyone. Some require a higher level of fitness and experience; others are great for everyone.
Our Meetup page
s
have the full details.
In general, no pets allowed, except when designated in the outings description. Participants must sign a waiver and release of liability at the start of the outing.
Here is
a link to the waiver
.
Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m. Friendly Morning Paddle - St. Augustine. Kayak the St. Augustine Bayfront and then enjoy lunch at Beaches restaurant. A 2-3 hour moderate paddle. Meet at the Vilano boat ramp; please arrive by 9:30 a.m. to prepare and review. You must have your own kayak and wear a PFD. For full details and to RSVP, go to Meetup or write to outing leader Outing Leader Rick Knowles at rtknowles@aol.com.
Sunday, May 6, 10 a.m. Hike Washington Oaks. Three miles on beautiful, cool, live oak tree shaded trails at this historic site. Along the way, we'll look for dolphin in the Matanzas River, explore the beautiful gardens, and step on the old, original Rt A1A. After our hike, we can go down to Captain's BBQ (5862 N Oceanshore Blvd, Palm Coast, FL) for lunch. Entry fee is $5 per carload ($4 for single person). Bring bug spray and water. There are restrooms at the trailhead and along the way. Children are welcome, but no pets. RSVP on Meetup or to Outing Leader Bill Armstrong, armsfam@yahoo.com. The address is 6400 North Oceanshore Blvd, Palm Coast, FL 32137. After entering the park and paying, continue to the stop sign. Turn left and drive about one mile. You'll see a sign for "Picnic Area Parking" and a Sierra Club sign. Park there and we'll meet in the picnic area.
Saturday, May 19, 9 a.m. Hike Ft. Clinch State Park. We’ll explore the maritime hammocks along the hiking trail at Ft. Clinch State Park. Our route will also include the Willow Pond Nature Trail which winds through a series of depression ponds. In all, we will walk approximately 4 miles primarily under shade of the forest canopy. The entrance fee for the fort is $2.50. The address is 2601 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. We will meet at 8:45 at the Visitor Center at the far end of the park near the Fort. Bring water, insect repellent and sunscreen. There is an entrance fee of $4 per single-occupancy vehicle and $6 per vehicle with 2-8 occupants. RSVP on Meetup or to Outing Leader Bill Snow at wbsnow@gmail.com.
Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m. Pumpkin Hill Preserve Challenge Hike. This is for those who enjoy hiking at a brisk pace while enjoying the outdoors. The hike will take place in the Pumpkin Hill Preserve and will use its trail system to create a 6 mile hike. The trails are well-marked, but tend to be uneven, sandy in segments, with muddy stretches. It has a difficulty rating of 3 (on a 5 pt scale). It is a good trail for testing your fitness level, toughening your feet, developing calf muscles, and burning calories. Participants should be capable of hiking at a brisk pace on challenging terrain for extended periods. The park is at 13802 Pumpkin Hill Rd. The hike will begin at the parking area at the entrance to the preserve. A portalet is available at the parking area, but no water options. Bring water, insect repellent, and sun screen. No pets. RSVP on Meetup or to Outing Leader Logan Cross at jlogancross3@gmail.com.
Sunday, May 20, 10 a.m. Hike GTM Research Reserve. This will be a short 2.3 mile hike along the Yellow trail. We will meet at the trailhead at 9:45 Sunday morning for sign-in and hike overview. Hiking starts at 10 a.m. From the trailhead we will follow the trail out to the river and return. The area is both interesting and beautiful. There are several spots you will want to photograph. The route has some boardwalks over wet areas. Hiking boots are recommended. Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellant and your camera. No pets. Children are welcome if they are capable of hiking 2.5 miles.There are restrooms at the trailhead. Parking fee of $3.00 per car (up to 8 occupants). The address is 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra FL. 32082. We will meet at the trail head for the Guana trails which is about 200 yards beyond the dam. RSVP on Meetup or to Outing Leader Mike DiAngelo at mfdiangelo@gmail.com.
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Sierra Club, Northeast Florida Group | sierrasentry@gmail.com | sierraclub.org/florida/northeast-florida
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