Eastern Missouri Group E-Newsletter
February 2012
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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 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. Our speakers will be Kathleen Logan Smith and Ralph Wafer of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment.
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)
March 22, 2012, Sierra Club General Meeting
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., St Louis County Library's Mid-County Branch, 7821 Maryland Avenue in Clayton, at Central Avenue; 0.4 mile from the Clayton Metrolink station.
This year our annual joint program with St. Louis Audubon will focus on Restoring the Confluence. Quinn Kellner, Natural Resource Manager at Jones-Confluence Point State Park, and Dean Bossert, Deputy Manager of the Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge, will deliver a joint program on the history of and habitat restoration plans for their respective public areas at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.
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 first hand 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!
Speaking of Lobby Day
This month's StL Green Drinks will focus on Conservation Lobby Day in the State Capitol on February 29. The environmental community is pushing for several important policies in Jefferson City this year, including sustainable and local agriculture, clean energy, green schools, and water conservation. Green Drinkers will have the opportunity to discuss these important measures with advocates, and will learn more about the importance of voicing their concerns to state leaders. Tuesday, February 21, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest Ave. (at Manchester), Maplewood, MO 63143 (map).
January Workshop on the Ozark Trail Enjoyed by Many
Lunch was good, too! photo by Tom Ballard |
Some participants photo by Tom Ballard |
It was great to see so many of you at the EMG workshop on the Ozark Trail at Powder Valley Nature Center last month. We had 16 members who helped us in important ways at the event or in planning the workshop. Even with 114 attendees, the great planning by the Hospitality Team led by Marilyn Harlan ensured the day went smoothly and volunteers had a chance to enjoy the speakers as well as help with the event.
Our five speakers shared a variety of viewpoints from habitat restoration and protection to building the OT and included information about equipment and safety. The speakers represented Missouri Department of Conservation, L-A-D Foundation, Missouri State Parks, Ozark Trail Association and the Alpine Shop.
A special thanks goes to all of you who helped plan and work at our Ozark Trail workshop!
Inner City Outings Committee Gets Ready for 2012
At their monthly
meeting on Tuesday, February 7, the
Inner City Outings leaders exchanged exciting ideas for 2012 outings and discussed
the upcoming training for ICO leaders. Working with partners they provide safe,
enjoyable outdoor experiences for youth up to age 16.
If you are interested in talking to one of the ICO leaders, please call the EMG office: 314-644-0890 Learn more about the EMG ICO leadership.
photo by Bob Gestel |
Join us for Trail Work at One of the Most Beautiful Parks in Missouri
February 25 - 26, Saturday and Sunday. Join us in the pines at Hawn State Park
for the day or the weekend. 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. Contact Bob Gestel at 636-0296-8975 or Paul Stupperich at 314-429-4352.
Do you own any Ameren stock?
If so, please be sure to cast your proxy vote in favor of the shareholders' resolution on coal ash waste! Your proxy material should arrive in your mailbox in the first week of March – you can then cast your vote by mail or online. You are also encouraged to attend the annual Ameren shareholders meeting will be held on Tuesday April 24 @ 9:00 a.m. If you hold Ameren stock, please email John Hickey or call the Sierra Club office @ 314-644-1011 to let us know. Thanks!
photo by Richard Spener |
National Petroleum Reserve in northern Alaska
Come learn about the largest expanse of wild lands remaining in America, along with its rich diversity of arctic wildlife: wolves, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, wolverine, dinosaurs of the past, and a host of migratory birds from all corners of the world, the National Petroleum Reserve in northern Alaska.
On March 7, 2012, we have the opportunity to join Debbie Miller as she shares her three summers paddling 400 miles of rivers in the National Petroleum Reserve. Debbie Miller is an author, journalist, teacher and adventurer. She has explored the wilderness of Alaska for more than 30 years. Her forthcoming book On Arctic Ground (Braided River, May, 2012) explores the National Petroleum Reserve. Debbie is the author of Midnight Wilderness: Journeys in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a book that is based on 14 years of adventures exploring the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A passionate advocate for protecting the Arctic, Debbie is the acclaimed author of 15 nature books for children about Alaska's wildlife, such as A Polar Bear Journey and Survival at 40 Below.
Join Debbie for her outstanding presentation on March 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Living World Building at the St. Louis Zoo (map). Public comment on the BLM plan for the Reserve is expected in early summer 2012, so this is a great way to learn about this important, but little known area.
Seeking Volunteers to Assist with EMG's Trivia Night!
We are looking for people interested in assisting with planning a fundraising event. No experience is necessary; we are just looking for people who are interested in working together to help make this event fun and successful! If interested, please email Sarah Merida or call her at 660-988-1412.
Search with GoodSearch and Support EMG Every Day
We've just made it easier for you to support Sierra Club - Eastern Missouri Group. EMG is registered with GoodSearch.com, a company that helps non-profits raise funds through the everyday actions of our supporters. Here is how you can help: Use GoodSearch.com when you search the internet, and they will donate a penny to us every time you do. Get started by clicking the "Become a Supporter" button on our profile page.
Support the Sierra Club with a Schnucks eScrip Card
What is eScrip?
eScrip is a company that allows shoppers of various businesses to earn money for their favorite not-for-profits by simply shopping.
What is a Schnucks eScrip Card?
It is a free card that you get at your local Schnucks service desk. You must call the phone number on the card or register online. If you register online, search for our name by typing exactly "Sierra Club-Eastern Missouri Group" or type in our account number 154534144.
Then every time you shop at Schnucks the checker will swipe your card and a portion of your bill will be donated to the Sierra Club EMG. It costs you nothing!! Sierra Trading Post is another partipating merchant.
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.