Eastern Missouri Group E-Newsletter
January 2012
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January 26, 2012, Sierra Club General Meeting
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Litzsinger School, 10094 Litzsinger Road at Lindbergh Blvd., Ladue, MO 63124 (map)
Our January meeting presentation will be by David Gibson, Professor of Plant Biology at SIUE who will speak on how the rapid expansion of U.S. corn ethanol production over the last decade has offered promises of environmental benefits, energy independence, and economic growth.
Energy and environmental policy, opportunities for farmer and producer profits, and the ready solution of a proven technology and an abundant feedstock have combined to support significant growth in ethanol production and corn harvests over the last decade. Pressure on the agricultural sector to meet these rising ethanol demands has resulted in environmental damage to the water supply, water resources, wildlife habitats, and risks to human health that appear to outweigh the benefits.
Please join us for dinner before the meeting at around 6:00 p.m. at The Daily Bread Cafe, 11719 Manchester Road in Des Peres. (map)
February 23, 2012, Sierra Club General Meeting
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Litzsinger School, 10094 Litzsinger Road at Lindbergh Blvd., Ladue, MO 63124 (map)
The Metropolitan Sewer District project to rebuild the sewer system to reduce sewage overflow into local creeks and rivers while expanding programs to reduce storm water runoff will cost $4.6 billion, making it the biggest green construction program in the history of the St. Louis area. This spring, local voters will be asked to vote for a bond issue to fund this project. Join us for dinner before the meeting at around 6:00 p.m. at The Daily Bread Cafe, 11719 Manchester Road in Des Peres. (map)
Register Today for 2012 Missouri Conservation Lobby Day
Wednesday, February 29 -- Spend leap day in Jefferson City for the 2012 Missouri Conservation Lobby Day. Experience firsthand how policy-making works, and advocate for greater energy efficiency, regulation of coal ash, and stopping a new nuclear power plant. We'll set up small group meetings with legislators, train you on the how-to's of citizen lobbying, and provide a delicious local and organic lunch included in the registration fee. Register here!
SierraScape Mailing Party, January 27
Enjoy visiting with other members while preparing 3,800 newsletters for mailing. Del Johnson will open up the Sierra Club office (7164 Manchester Avenue) at 5:30 p.m., and bring in the pizza at 6 p.m. for those of you who will not have eaten supper. As usual, some of you will need to arrive late or leave early -- no problem. Call Del for info at 314-968-1246. Del thanks you -- EMG thanks you -- the national Sierra Club thanks you.
HIKING MISSOURI'S WILDLANDS: A WORKSHOP ON THE OZARK TRAIL
The schedule for our January 28 workshop Hiking Missouri's Wildlands has changed slightly. Please arrive at 9:30 a.m. to sign-in and receive your program and lunch ticket if you ordered a lunch.
Rocky Creek on Current River Section of Ozark Trail photo by Penny H. |
The first presentation starts at 10 a.m., featuring Susan Farrington, MDC Natural History Biologist for the Ozark Region, showing us what hikers will experience on the Current River Section of the OT. She will discuss MDC restoration efforts to increase the diverse mosaic of Ozark flora and fauna, including some rare species such Eastern collared lizard, cerulean warbler, and recently re-introduced elk.
Greg Iffrig of Pioneer Forest will talk about the Blair Creek Section of the OT just north of the Current River Section. The OT in Pioneer Forest was completed in 1979 with help from the Missouri Chapter of the Sierra Club. The Eastern Missouri Group still maintains the trail within the Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry.
Kendra Varns from Missouri State Parks will give us a short introduction to Missouri Children in Nature program. After lunch we will learn about the Recreational Trails Program from Bonnie Higdon of the Missouri State Parks.
Steve Coates, Planning Chair for the Ozark Trail Association (OTA), will cover how to use the OTA website for planning a hike as well as the work OTA volunteers do on the trails. Marty Koch, photographer and outdoors expert from Alpine Shop, will present practical tips for hiking and backpacking on the Ozark Trail.
We look forward to seeing you on January 28 for our free workshop at Powder Valley Nature Center. Please register here. If you want to purchase a lunch you must order by January 19.
Trail Report
Native short-leaf pines at Hawn State Park photo by Bob Gestel |
Sunday January 22. Join us at Cuiver River State Park for cleaning up down trees on the Lone Spring Trail. Other work to be done will include raking leaves off the trail and restoration work at Lone Spring.
Saturday, February 25 - Sunday, February 26. Join us for the day or the weekend in the pines at Hawn State Park. Work to be done includes removing small trees from the trail, a short reroute, and trail inspection.
If you have not yet volunteered for trail maintenance, these are some great outings to learn all about
trail work, Missouri State Parks and other public lands. You may join
us for a couple of hours, a day or longer -- and remember, you work as hard
as you wish.
For more information contact Bob Gestel at
636-296-8975, rgestel@sbcglobal.net; or Paul Stupperich at
314-429-4352, lonebuffalo@earthlink.net. We hope to see you on the
trail soon.
Focus on Labarque Creek Conservation Area
The LaBarque Creek Watershed is fortified! The Department of Conservation acquired 300-acre Franciscan tract, which along with the recently purchased Oberkramer tract, now connects the future Don Robinson State Park to the LaBarque Creek Conservation Area.
This gem of sparkling streams, sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, seeps, springs, forests and glades harbors unique biodiversity. Through the cooperation of government agencies, landowners, Friends of LaBarque Creek, and environmental organizations, the LaBarque Creek Watershed has been researched, inventoried, and preserved as a Conservation Opportunity Area which attracts additional support and funding. An article in the February-March 2011 SierraScape describes LaBarque Creek watershed and conservation efforts.
In the path of St. Louis' westward urban expansion, the pristine ecosystem of LaBarque Creek Watershed deserves Sierra Club's attention. A few years ago, Ameren proposed several routes for a powerline, one of which slashed through the LaBarque Creek watershed. Many people, including Sierrans, contacted Ameren requesting a route which would protect the watershed from this intrusion.
Unfortunately Ameren chose to cut a swath through a section of Hilda J. Young Conservation Area surrounding LaBarque Creek. This intrusion disturbs the ecosystem, strips the vegetation, and contributes to the introduction of invasive species.
Sierra Club member, Bob Coffing, leads a stream team which monitors water quality on LaBarque Creek and has been involved in a cedar removal project announced in the SierraScape last February. Anyone interested in exploring this enchanting ecosystem may call Toni Armstrong at 314-434-2072, to join a day hike on January 22.
Employment Opportunity with Sierra Club
The national Sierra Club is hiring an Organizing Representative to work in Missouri for the Beyond Coal Campaign. Please help spread the word about this opportunity to folks that you think could do this job well. Here is the job announcement.
Tenth Annual Winter Sing-Along Extravaganza
Semi-musical Sierrans of extremely varying skill levels fulfill their musical destiny. Songs range from Stephen Foster to the early Bob Dylan. The fearless group brings harmony to some favorite childhood musical memories. Betsey has agreed to play harmonica again and Linda has committed to bringing her guitar. Attendees are welcome to bring refreshments and join in the singing.
When: Saturday, January 21st , 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Sierra Club Office, 7164 Manchester Ave. Maplewood, Missouri (map)
Info: Call George Behrens at 314-821-0247
In case of inclement weather: (snow or ice) Call George to see if event is cancelled.
SAVES -- A St. Louis County energy efficiency program.
This is an low-interest loan program for home energy efficiency retrofits. This is a great energy efficiency program but St. Louis County isn't getting many homeowners to sign up!
St. Louis County SAVES™ is dedicated to providing you these benefits:
- Save money on rising energy cost
- Improve the comfort of your home
- Keep St. Louis County green and growing!
St. Louis County SAVES™ is a $10.4 million residential energy efficiency loan program supported by partnerships between St. Louis County, EarthWays Center and Abundant Power Solutions.
Eastern Missouri Group Outings Schedule
Sierra Club members and non-members are welcome to join Club members on our outings.
Visit the Eastern Missouri Group website for more information about outings, activities, and issues.
Please consider making a donation to the Eastern Missouri Group today!
Focus on Labarque Creek Conservation Area
The LaBarque Creek Watershed is fortified! The Department of Conservation acquired 300-acre Franciscan tract, which along with the recently purchased Oberkramer tract, now connects the future Don Robinson State Park to the LaBarque Creek Conservation Area. This gem of sparkling streams, sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, seeps, springs, forests and glades harbors unique biodiversity. Through the cooperation of government agencies, the landowner group, Friends of LaBarque Creek, and environmental organizations the LaBarque Creek watershed has been researched, inventoried and preserved as a Conservation Opportunity Area which attracts additional support and funding. An article in the February-March 2011 SierraScape describes LaBarque Creek watershed and conservation efforts. http://missouri.sierraclub.org/emg/Sierrascape/S2011M02/01_labarque.aspx
In the path of St. Louis' westward urban expansion, the pristine ecosystem of LaBarque Creek Watershed deserves Sierra Club's attention. A few years ago Ameren proposed several routes for a powerline, one of which slashed through the LaBarque Creek watershed. Many people, including Sierrans, contacted Ameren requesting a route which would protect the watershed from this intrusion. Unfortunately Ameren chose to cut a swath through a section of Hilda J. Young Conservation Area surrounding LaBarque Creek. This intrusion disturbs the ecosystem, strips the vegetation and contributes to the introduction of invasive species.
Sierran, Bob Coffing, leads a stream team which monitors water quality on LaBarque Creek and has been involved in a cedar removal project announced in the SierraScape last February. Anyone interested in exploring this enchanting ecosystem may contact Toni Armstrong to join a hike on January 22.