Eastern Missouri Group E-Newsletter
SEPTEMBER 2013
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Hawn State Park |
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.
October 24, 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)
Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) Investing. Daniel Conner, Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, will explain how you can demand responsible business practices, not just with activism and product choices, but also with the investments you hold. Learn how to divest out of climate-wrecking or otherwise irresponsible companies in order to elevate your commitment to sustainability.
Action Night at the Sierra Club Office on Thursday October 10
Action Night, Sep12 |
Come to our office at 7164 Manchester on October 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., for the second volunteer night on our Beyond Coal campaign. We will 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.
Last week our first ever Volunteer Action Night was a huge success! The office was packed with 17 members and supporters, with quite a few new faces. Together we were able to make calls to over 200 of our members in the Columbia area to make sure they fight for bold new building codes. (See next article.) We also wrote 7 hand-written letters to St. Louis County elected officials, and drafted 3 letters to the editor calling for action on climate and dirty coal burning. We hope you will join us next month and help us continue to fight for the protection of our environment.
Building Codes Conserve Energy
Thanks to a vigorous campaign by the Missouri Sierra Club, the Columbia City Council adopted the full 2012 residential energy efficiency code at its meeting last night (September 16, 2013) – making it the largest jurisdiction in the entire Midwest that has adopted this code in its entirety. Many Sierra Club members spoke at the Council meeting, including Osage Group chair Jan Dye, members Carolyn Amparan, Terry Ganey, Jeff Frey, Linda Green and Kelsy Wingo.
The vote also shows the importance of Sierra Club's political work – the crucial votes to pass the bill came from two councilmen who were elected this past April, defeating two incumbents.
Trail Work and Fence Removal at Hawn State Park
Join us for the first Trail Outing of the season at Hawn State Park. Last year we removed over two miles of fence in the backcountry and helped maintain trails in the park.
September 25-26, Wed-Thur We will be removing old farm fence from the backcountry. There will be lots of walking and some bending.
September 27-28, Fri-Sat Bob will be doing trail work including lopping, sawing, removing downfall from the trail and inspecting the trail.
We will be meeting at 8:30 a.m. each day at the park office so we can be at the worksite by 9:15. Our work day will end by 2:30. Free group camping. As always there will be a fair amount of walking, so wear sturdy shoes, bring leather work gloves, a sack lunch and be ready for adventure. Join us for one or more days as we work to help restore the backcountry and help maintain the trails at Hawn State Park. You may sign up here or contact Paul Stupperich, 314-429-4352 or Bob Gestel, 636-296-8975.
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Wilderness Act
We in Missouri are fortunate to have eight very diverse wilderness areas, including swamps, glades, Ozark mountains and hardwood forests. Eastern Missouri Group members, Richard Spener and Toni Armstrong have spent two years capturing Missouri's wilderness areas on film. 50 years of Wilderness: Through the lens of Missouri's 8 wilderness areas is a photographic exhibit that celebrates Missouri's beautiful wilderness areas. The exhibit captures the stunning beauty of Missouri landscapes and celebrates the importance of wilderness to all of us. Start the celebration early. RSVP for a special viewing of the exhibit at the Missouri History Museum on October 3rd, 6 to 8 p.m. by email or call the Reservations Department at 314-361-9017. (map)
Wilderness in Missouri – Citizen Campaign for a Lasting Public Legacy
John Karel will present a lecture at Lee Auditorium, Missouri History Museum, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22. During the 1970's, a vigorous grassroots citizen campaign was conducted to identify, protect, and legislatively designate several tracts of federal land in Missouri under the National Wilderness Preservation System. This talk will summarize the story of that campaign, and of the resulting designations, with commentary on the meaning and importance of these areas for Missouri's natural and cultural heritage. (map)
Trivia Night - Eastern Missouri Group Fundraiser
Registration is now open for Trivia Night 2013! We will have all new questions, a great silent auction, mulligans and a 50/50 raffle! Once again, our location will be The Heights at 8001
Dale Avenue, Richmond Heights, MO 63117. (map) |
Two upcoming events related to Energy and Climate
September 24 at 7 p.m. – Climate Change Panel – including Sierra Club
activists David Henry, Bob Klepper, and Sara Edgar – Sponsored by Jefferson Township
Democratic Club, Webster Groves Public Library, 301 E Lockwood,
63119. (map)
October 14 at 6:30 p.m. – University City Council will vote on adopting the 2012 residential energy code. Sierra Club members in U. City are encouraged to attend to support energy efficiency. City Hall, 6801 Delmar Boulevard (map)
Some upcoming weekend outings
September 22, Sun. One day canoe trip on a river in the Meramec Basin.
September 27 - 29, Fri-Sun Twelfth Annual Fall Celebration at Hawn State Park.
Oct 12-13, Sat-Sun: Two day canoe trip on the Current River.
Oct 19 - 27, Sat-Sun: This will be our week-long trail work outing on the Ozark Trail. We will overnight at the Current River Lodge.
Learn more about these outings and sign-up here.
Bridgeton Landfill Fire
Representative Rory Ellinger will host a panel discussion on the Bridgeton Landfill Fire on Thursday, September 26 at 7 p.m. at the Heman Park Community Center, 975 Pennsylvania Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63130. (map) Panelist will include: Community Activist Kay Drey, Community activist Dawn Chapman, Matt Lavanchy of the Pattonville Fire Protection District, Tom Current from the Office of the Saint Louis County Executive, State Representative Bill Otto and State Representative Rory Ellinger.
Bring your friends and neighbors to hear the panelists deliver up-to-date information on the situation, share health and safety tips, and answer your questions.
Green Time TV: Creating New Environments
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:
October 5, 7: "GMO-a-Go-Go" Christine Jackson and Anubis Imhotep Supreme Dey discuss how genetically modified organisms (GMOs) affect agriculture, animals and people. They look at the type of food that children are served when away from home and how food deserts affect the black community.
October 12, 14: "The Community Arts and Movement Project (CAMP)" Resident artist Sarah Paulsen and Sistah Chris, of Healthy Effective Alternatives to Live, explore how CAMP functions as a focal point for artists and environmental activists to affect the surrounding neighborhood as well as the broader St. Louis community.
October 19, 21: "Cambialo: Combating Lead Poisoning in Peru" Rev. Jed Koball, with the Presbyterian Church (USA), describes a range of environmental issues confronting Peru, how lead mining has affected La Oroya and his work with youth in that city.
October Green Time shows include the movies "GMO-a-Go-Go," "CAMP– People's Joy Parade," and "Cámbialo!"
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!