Your July Sierra newsletter: beaches & solar

Sierra Club, Northeast Florida Group

Vol. XVIII, Issue 7 | July 2019 Make a donation

Beaches co-op to offer

solar panels at a discount

The Beaches are launching a first-in-the-area solar co-op that will allow people who live at the beaches to buy solar systems for their roofs at a discounted price.

But the offer will last only for around three months. Sierra endorses and is a partner in the offer, Northeast Florida Sierra Chair Janet Stanko said. It formally begins July 11 but the website for more information is live now.

The beaches utilities have a favorable net metering rate that helps achieve a favorable return on investment. The net metering rate is the rate that the utility will pay for energy sold from private solar collectors to the utility. This payment, in addition to the owner’s savings on their utilities helps pay back the original investment in rooftop solar.

Gripping movie & talk

coming for club this fall

Two significant Sierra meetings are on tap in October and in January featuring a University of Florida marine biologist who will screen a documentary on plastic pollution in the ocean and who will later lead a discussion on microplastics.

The movie, The Smog of the Sea , will be shown on Monday, October 14, at the UNF University Center, 12000 Alumni Drive, Room 1088. It starts at 7 p.m.; there is no refreshment time. Free parking is available at the center. This is a joint meeting of our two program groups, the Beaches and Lakewood.

Dr. Maia McGuire, a UF marine biologist, will lead the discussion about the movie which chronicles a one-week voyage through the Sargasso Sea with a group of five non-professionals.

McGuire will lead a full discussion of the issue raised by the movie, microplastics pollution, on Monday, January 13, at Lakewood Presbyterian Church, 2001 University Blvd. W. in Jacksonville. Refreshments from 6:30-7 p.m.; the program starts at 7 p.m.

Her topic, "Microplastics: What's the BIG deal?" centers on the pollution posed by the small bits of plastic (less than 5 mm or 0.2 inches) that litter the environment. Her group, The Florida Microplastic Awareness Project , has great ideas on getting involved.

Lobbying for change

Florida Sierra's new government affairs director Deborah L. Foote (right) introduced herself and some of her ideas at a recent Northeast Florida Group excom meeting led by group chair Janet Stanko (left). Effective politics starts with relationships at the local level, Foote told the group. Her visit was part of her tour of all 16 Florida groups.

Big trees offer big payoff

in beauty and climate mitigation

Everyone wants great-looking yards—hot yards—but without all the heat. A Sierra Club officer will show you how.

Trees are the key. Large native trees in our yards can offer beauty and flair while providing shade and cooling, Northeast Florida Group executive committee member Lisa Williams says.

She’ll offer suggestions during a presentation at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at the Murray Hill library, 918 Edgewood Ave. S.

There’s a larger issue too: trees can mitigate some of the issues that growth creates. Come to learn more about how to make your yard attractive and functional for you and the larger world.

Going outside:

Paddles and hikes in July

There's a great lineup this month. To see a full outing description and to RSVP for any of these events, go to our website or Meetup pages.

All the outings are free (except for park fees) and are open to all. Some outings require a greater level of fitness and skill than others. No pets or firearms allowed on outings. Outing participants are required to sign a waiver and release of liability at the start of the outing. Here is a copy of the waiver form . You'll get one to sign at the outing.

Thursday, July 11, 9:15 a.m .—Kayak Trout Creek. We will paddle up Trout Creek about 3 miles and back.

Saturday, July 13, 9 a.m. — Hike the Trails in the Guana Reserve. We will hike about 6 miles at a leisurely pace on the yellow, purple and red trails through beautiful wooded areas.

Saturday, July 13, 9 a.m. —Kayak Deep Creek. Join us for a 3-hour backwater paddle on Deep Creek.

Tuesday, July 16, 9 a.m .—Weekday hike at Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park. Beautiful trails, a nature tower, varied terrain, remnants of a WWI camp. What more could you ask for!

Sunday, July 21, 9 a.m. — Wildlife Observation Spoonbill Pond.. Join us for an hour or two of wildlife observation at Spoonbill Pond on Big Talbot Island, home to an abundance of species, especially birds.

Friday July 19, 9 a.m .— Kayak Vilano. From the Vilano boat ramp, we'll travel into creeks, then past the fort, down to the old Santa Maria restaurant, and maybe see some cannons fire.

Sunday, August 25, 10 a.m. — Julington Creek Lunch 'n' Paddle. Join us on an easy paddle down a wonderful waterway to a waterside restaurant.

Fish Island preservation

takes another step

The next step in the journey to save and preserve Fish Island in St. Augustine is the state Cabinet meeting on July 23. Write to Governor DeSantis and his cabinet members asking them to support the use of Florida Forever funds for Fish Island.

The Friends of Fish Island letter to the Governor can be found at this website . And the Save Fish Island website has background information and talking points

Environmental course prep

A Florida Master Naturalist program on creating presentations on environmental issues will be offered August 16, 17, and 18 in Green Cove Springs. Registration closes August 12. The basic fee is $175.

The course is a series of three eight-hour workshops that cover creating meaningful environmental programs. It will be held at Camp Chowenwow, 1517 Ball Road, Green Cove Springs. There are options for overnight camping. The course is open to everyone. Registration and program information contact the master naturalist organization .

Sierra Club, Northeast Florida Group | sierrasentry@gmail.com | sierraclub.org/florida/northeast-florida