Eastern Missouri Group E-Newsletter
MAY 2013
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May 23, 2013, 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)
Scott Woodbury, Curator of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve will tell us about the beauty and benefits of raingardens with native plants. The RainScape Rebates program can help some St. Louis County residents complete landscaping projects that contribute to stormwater management. Join us for dinner with our speaker about 6 p.m. at St Louis Bread Co, Frontenac (map).
June 27, 2013, Sierra Club General Meeting - Potluck Picnic Dinner
The June General Meeting will be a potluck picnic from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Stone Shelter in Tower Grove Park. Bring your beverage and a dish to share. Enjoy the company of your favorite fellow Sierrans! Stone Shelter is located along Northwest Drive (map).
City Sierrans Speak Out for City Water
The
city of St Louis is considering hiring the international firm, Veolia,
to manage the city's water department. Serious concerns exist about the
changes this would bring and the terms of the proposed contract with
Veolia. While first presented as only a 4 month consulting contract, an
anonymously released copy of the contract indicated otherwise. The
contract appeared to bind the city to a longer term deal with Veolia and
gave the company intellectual property rights over their plans for the
department.
Mayor Slay is a supporter of a contract with Veolia,
but his office has not been clear and on the record as to what are the
terms of the contract
Veolia has a spotty environmental
record, it has lost contracts with many other cities over service
delivery controversies. It also has a controversial social justice
record on the international stage. It is not a good choice for the city
of St Louis.
The city does face challenges in its water
division. The city has an aging water infrastructure in need of costly
upgrade. While the city has ample treatment capacity, city population
is less than when that capacity was built. Treatment costs are
increasing. The water department may benefit from targeted outside
consultation to address needed upgrades. But it is important that
expertise be built in house and that city water is always fully under
city ownership and control.
Mayor Slay needs to hear from city
residents about our concern for city water. We are encouraging city
Sierrans to call the Mayor's office to express your concern over the
proposed contract with Veolia. You can reach his office at:
314-622-3201.
Also, if you would like to become more involved in
this issue send an email to Caroline Pufalt.
Attending a neighborhood meeting and mentioning this concern there is a
good step. We also hope the city conducts a hearing on the Veolia
issue in the near future.
Apply Now For Youth Activist Training - July 14-21 near Indianapolis
The
Sierra Student Coalition is running a nationally recognized Summer
Grassroots Leadership Training Program - Sprog. Sprog is an incredible
training led by youth, for youth, offering a whole week of intense
environmental organizing training, strong regional networking, lots of
fun, and great food. I can definitely say that Sprog is among the most
important experiences that made me an environmental organizer today.
Read more and apply here; Direct your questions to Harry Alper.
New Member Outreach
The Missouri Sierra Club is beginning a program to welcome to new members to the club and talk to them about their interest in the environment and upcoming events. We need current members to talk to new members about our club. If you are interested in being part of our New Member Outreach team, please contact Michael Berg at 314-644-1011.
State of Missouri is designated "Best Trails State"
On April 16, 2013 American Trails recognized Missouri as a state that is facilitating an outstanding statewide system of trails. The Sierra Club is proud to have helped build and maintain hiking trails in the Mark
Twain National Forest, Missouri State Parks and local parks going back to the
late 60's. A big thanks to our volunteers who have help
make the State of Missouri a great place to hike.
EMG Leader recognized by Missouri State Parks
A
few weeks ago EMG's Outings Chair, Bob Gestel was invited to attend a conference at Lake of the Ozarks State Park where he was presented with an award in appreciation for his volunteer work at Hawn State Park. Bob has been leading the very popular trail building outings at Hawn for several years. He has been involved with trail maintenance with the Sierra Club for 25 years.
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"We are all so proud of Bob for his recent achievement," states Sarah Merida EMG's Executive Committee Chair. "He is a great asset to the leadership of our group, and well-loved by all our members. His commitment to our outings program is greatly appreciated, and we are happy to hear that we are not the only ones who recognize Bob as an outstanding environmental leader."
Picnic at Hawn State Park this Saturday
Saturday,
May 18 starting at 10:00 a.m. This is a social event, not another
barbed wire removal event. We want to celebrate the progress our
volunteers have made this past year. This picnic is for EVERYONE but we
would especially like to see all outings leaders and their families and
friends. Bring photos to share and a dish for the potluck. If you play a
musical instrument bring it for a sing-along. Contact Bob Gestel, (636)
296- 8975 for details.
National Trails Day
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Saturday, June 1 -- We will again celebrate National Trails Day at Hawn State Park. Hawn is one of the most beautiful parks in Missouri with about 14 miles of hiking trails. Hikers who are experienced in off-trail hiking may want to explore the LaMotte Sand Stone Barrens Natural Area. Free camping Friday and Saturday night. Volunteer to lead a hike or spend some time greeting the public at our information table. Contact Bob Gestel at 636-296-8975 for more info.
Thank You For Your Help
The work is finished for the year at Hawn State Park and now is the time to plan for next year. Before we do that, we want to take time to thank everyone who came out and helped. With special thanks to Bob Gestel for Co-Leading the outings, Doug Melville for helping get the word out, and Superintendent Ed Shott and his staff for making it all possible.
Over 9 days of the 5 outings we had 50 volunteers show up. Those 50 workers put in about 300 hours removing about two miles of fence and one backcountry campsite. We also spent some time doing trail maintenance. There are many more miles of old farm fence throughout the Whispering Pine Wild Area which we will continue working on with your help. We hope to see you next year. -- Paul Stupperich
Date Set for Annual Trivia Night
The EMG annual Trivia Night will be Saturday, November 16. Save the date and plan to attend. If you are interested in helping with this year's event, please email Sarah Merida to learn more. We are looking for a few volunteers to help with planning the event.
Green Time TV: A Need for Global and Local Sustainability
Green Time airs in four Missouri areas. See listing on Facebook and greentime.tv.
In the St. Louis area it appears at noon on Saturdays and 5:30 p.m.
Wednesdays on Channel 24-1 and at 8 p.m. on Mondays on Channel 24-2 on these dates:
June 1,3, 5: "Perils of "Free" Trade" Marilyn Lorenz and Karen Wilson describe how the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), currently being negotiated in secret, could push poor people off their land and cause enormous environmental damage.
June 8, 10, 12: "Perils of a Pacific Partnership" Jillian Severinski and Mark Strothmann explore how the TPP could allow foreign lawsuits to overturn domestic courts, expand extractive industries, hasten climate change, reduce access to medicines and increase US job loss.
June 15, 17, 19: "St. Louis' Third Sustainable Backyard Tour" Terry Winkelmann and Travis DeRousse discuss the reasons to rethink the traditional lawn and reimagine how we use our backyards to lighten our impact on the earth.
June 22, 24, 26: "Water, Energy and Mining" Bob Criss describes how water is used by extractive industries for the mining of coal, uranium, and lead. .
June 29; July 1, 3: "Veganism for the Planet, People and Animals" Alexandria Graff and Laura Shields ask if not eating meat or using animal products (veganism) could help end world hunger.
June Green Times include the movies "What Is the Trans-Pacific Partnership?" "Peril in the Pacific," "The Third the Sustainable Backyard Tour," "The Hidden Destruction of the Appalachian Mountains," "Yellowcake," "Unleaded" and "A Life Connected: Vegan." To volunteer to help produce Green Time call 314-727-8554 or email Don Fitz.
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!
A Need for Global and Local Sustainability
Green Time appears in four Missouri areas. It has a prime air time on KNLC: 5:30 pm Wednesdays. See links on Facebook and greentime.tv. In the St. Louis area it airs at noon on Saturdays and 5:30 pm Wednesdays on Channel 24-1 and at 8 pm on Mondays on Channel 24-2 on these dates:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->June 1,3, 5: "Perils of "Free" Trade" Marilyn Lorenz and Karen Wilson describe how the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), currently being negotiated in secret, could push poor people off their land and cause enormous environmental damage.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->June 8, 10, 12: "Perils of a Pacific Partnership" Jillian Severinski and Mark Strothmann explore how the TPP could allow foreign lawsuits to overturn domestic courts, expand extractive industries, hasten climate change, reduce access to medicines and increase US job loss.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->June 15, 17, 19: "St. Louis' Third Sustainable Backyard Tour" Terry Winkelmann and Travis DeRousse discuss the reasons to rethink the traditional lawn and reimagine how we use our backyards to lighten our impact on the earth.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->June 22, 24, 26: "Water, Energy and Mining" Bob Criss describes how water is used by extractive industries for the mining of coal, uranium, and lead. .
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->June 29; July 1, 3: "Veganism for the Planet, People and Animals" Alexandria Graff and Laura Shields ask if not eating meat or using animal products (veganism) could help end world hunger.
June Green Times include the movies "What Is the Trans-Pacific Partnership?" "Peril in the Pacific," "The Third the Sustainable Backyard Tour," "The Hidden Destruction of the Appalachian Mountains," "Yellowcake," "Unleaded" and "A Life Connected: Vegan." To volunteer to help produce Green Time call 314-727-8554 or email don@greentime.tv