Eastern Missouri Group E-Newsletter
AUGUST 2013
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Floating the Jacks Fork in April photo by P. Holtzmann |
August 22, 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)
A panel will update us on the National Park Service's progress on revision of the General Management Plan for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. If you love the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, come to this meeting! Panelists include Kally Coleman (Friends of Ozark Riverways), Caroline Pufalt (Missouri Chapter Conservation Chair), and Paul Stupperich (EMG ExCom).
September 26, 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)
Kelley Brent, Trails Coordinator for the Missouri Division of State Parks, will discuss the book "Trails of Missouri State Parks," a comprehensive guide to hiking more than 230 trails in the 58 state parks of Missouri.
Current River Trail Alert
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is taking comments until August 30 on a proposed hiking trail from Current River State Park to the Brushy Creek Trail. The proposed trail will be along the Current River. The Sierra Club would like to encourage you to express your views on this proposed trail. This is the first step in the process to make this trail a reality.
The Sierra Club position is that the new trail:
Be for hiking only.
Built in an environmentally sensitive way.
Introduce hikers to the many natural features along the Current River.
Provide a primitive recreational opportunity.
Include a short loop trail of about four miles at Round Spring.
Submit your comments online to help guide the planning process. Alternately, you may mail a letter to: Superintendent - Current River Trail, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, P.O. 490., Van Buren, MO 63965.
Attend EPA hearing in Jefferson County on Thursday August 22!
The Environmental Protection Agency is holding a public hearing at the Crystal City Public Library (736 Mississippi Avenue) at 6:30 p.m. on August 22 to discuss the illegal dumping of toxic coal ash from Ameren's Rush Island power plant. 140,000 tons of coal ash were dumped in a wetland in Jefferson County, poisoning a local creek. Please attend and let the EPA know that we don't want Ameren using our neighborhood as a dumping ground!
Action Night at the Sierra Club Office on Thursday September 12
Come to our office at 7164 Manchester from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for a volunteer night on our Beyond Coal campaign. Make phone calls, write letters to the editor, contact your legislator, and make posters – all in a fun environment with other members like yourself! Bring your beverage; some snacks will be provided. For more info, call the office 314-644-1011, or email Sara.
Hawn State Park photo by B. Denney |
Trail Work and Fence Removal at Hawn State Park
Join your Sierra Club friends (and future friends) at our favorite state park. Last year we removed about 2 miles of fence in the back country. We will continue this effort September 25 through 29. On Saturday and Sunday, we expect to do both fence removal and trail work. Join us any or all of those days. Free group camping. As always there will be a fair amount of walking, so wear sturdy shoes, bring work gloves and be ready for adventure. You may sign up here or contact Paul Stupperich, 314-429-4352 or Bob Gestel, 636-296-8975.
Operation Clean Stream
Join
us as we scout for trash treasures from our canoes on the Meramec River
on Saturday, August 24. A limited number of free rental canoes will
be available. Optional picnic following the clean up. Toni Armstrong,
(314) 434-2072, or Ann Eggebrecht, (314) 577-0805.
Sierra Club Hiring New Organizer for St. Louis Office!
The Missouri Chapter is hiring a full-time organizer to focus on campaigns for increasing energy efficiency, retiring dirty coal plants, and expanding wind and solar energy in our state. If you are interested in receiving the job announcement and/or applying, please email a resume to John Hickey or call 314-644-1011.
Mailing Party at the Office
We will be affixing address labels and taping 4,000 newsletters on August 23 between 6 p.m. and whenever we finish, usually 8 or 8:30. Join us for pizza, soda, cookies, and good conversation. Location is 7164 Manchester. Contact Del Johnson for details, 314-968-1246.
Our second annual EMG Trivia Night will be held the evening of Saturday,
November 16th. Once again, our location will be The Heights at 8001
Dale Avenue, Richmond Heights, MO 63117. Registration will be opening
soon, so start gathering your friends and preparing to save your table
now! If you or anyone you know might be interested in sponsoring the event, a round of play at the event, or donating an item to the silent auction, please have them contact Sarah Merida at 660-988-1412. This is a great way for a small business to advertise! |
Green Time TV: Standing Up to Environmental Challenges
Green Time appears in four Missouri areas. See the webpage at greentime.tv. In the St. Louis area it airs 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:
September 7, 9, 11: "Do We Really Need Industrial Agriculture to Feed the World?" Stan Cox, of the Land Institute, points out that organic agriculture relies on frequent clearcutting of roots. He believes that the best solution will be developing perennial versions of staple grain crops.
September 14, 16, 18: "Food Fight — What Are We Eating?" Eleeahsah Ben Israel, of the Hebrew Israelites, and Christine Jackson, of Healthy Effective Alternatives to Live, discuss self-destructive eating and drinking habits and changes that people could make.
September 21, 23, 25: "How Does Genetic Engineering Affect Agriculture?" Doug Gurian-Sherman, of the Union of Concerned Scientists, explains why he does not believe that the US has a public research agenda and policy that promotes truly sustainable agricultural systems.
September 28, 30 & October 2: "Peabody, Coal & St. Louis." Sara Edgar, of Beyond Coal (Sierra Club), and Henry Robertson, of Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, discuss health effects of burning coal, how it affects our drinking water, and how thermal pollution of waterways affects wildlife.
September Green Times include the movies "Do We Really Need Industrial Agriculture to Feed the World?" "Food Fight," "Food Heroes," and clips from the January 25, 2013 demonstration to "Stop Peabody." To volunteer to help produce Green Time call 314-727-8554 or email Don Fitz.
Eastern Missouri Group Outings Calendar
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!