Saturday, November 29, 2014

 

Holiday Party

Sunday, Dec. 14 6 pm

11533 Robin Hood Dr

Home of Gwen Pine & Steve Campo 

Let's celebrate the season together! Bring something yummy to share. The club will provide a smoked turkey, Coke, Diet Coke, and iced tea. Gwen's making Wassial (hot, spiced apple cider) if the weather is cold or cranberry punch if the weather is warm.  We'll gather around the fireplace  if the "weather outside is frightful" or just cold!

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Champion Cypress 

Cat Island Hike Update

If you are planning to attend the Cat Island Wildlife Refuge Hike be sure to call Gwen (272-5207) so she can contact you if the condition of the trail or the weather should cancel the hike.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Cat Island Hike Info

Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge Cat Island Hike



Saturday, November 22,  2014
9:00 for carpooling
10:30 hike leaves Trail Head.

Come and hike with us at Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge near St Francisville known for its old growth cypress trees.  The weather has cooled a bit. Its a good time for a hike! We will meet at Campus Credit Union at Perkins Rd and Quail Dr for carpooling.  Contact Gwen Pine 272-5207 if you plan to attend. We may need to reschedule or make alternate plans if roads are too wet. The Refuge is home to the largest tree of any species east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.  The tree is a Bald Cypress tree 100 feet tall, 17 feet in diameter, and 53 feet in circumference.  It is estimated to be 800-1000 years old.  However, it is only the largest of many large Bald Cypress and other old growth trees we will see in the Refuge. The leisurely walk to the tree on the Big Cypress trail  is less than a mile round trip.  It is an easy walk because the trail is level and has just been improved.   After viewing the tree and surrounding area, we will head to the 2.8 mile Blackfork Walking Trail to observe other interesting flora and fauna.  If you prefer, you may opt for a shorter walk, or none at all. There are no facilities on Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge.  Bring mosquito repellant.

 

More information on Cat Island Wildlife Refuge can be found on this website:
 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Cat_Island/visit/plan_your_visit.html

photo from
http://stfrancisville.us/images/com_sobi2/clients/21_img.jpg


Tuesday, October 28, 2014




photo from http://flyingcypress.blogspot.com

WILDLIFE AREA DISAPPEARS FROM BAYOU LIBERTY STATE SCENIC WATERWAY

Bayou Liberty is a scenic bayou in St Tammany Parish near Slidell.  "Bayou Liberty leads to Lake Pontchartrain and is one of the top scenic bayous in Louisiana. It's about a 15 minute ride by boat to the lake. The bayou is perfect for fishing, jet skiing, kneeboarding, or taking a leisurely cruise to see the old homes on the bayou. It is a bird sanctuary with bird feeders and purple martin house. Slidell is thirty minutes from New Orleans but has the feel of stepping back in time to a slower way of life."

http://www.vrbo.com/258118

 A 60 acre parcel of property along Bayou Liberty is being developed as an Industrial Park.  The developer obtained an exception to zoning laws from the Parish Council.  He also received permission to clear cut the property.  According to a local birder, the area cleared was home to deer, foxes, pileated woodpecker, bald eagle and a variety of other wildlife. The developer defends the removal of the pine trees and underbrush by promising that he will replace it with better, nicer looking plants like oak and cypress.  Now the developer is applying for another exception to the zoning regulations. He wants to put baseball fields on his property.  Residents fear the bright lights of the ball parks will destroy the natural feeling of the area. 

A resident tells me the St Tammany Board of Adjustment meets on Nov 5, 4:00 - 5:30 to consider his exception to the regulations.  The meeting will be held at the St. Tammany Parish Council Chambers , 21490 Koop Drive, Mandeville, LA 70471 

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE NEW AIR QUALITY STANDARDS

EBRP Metro Council Meeting October 8, 4 pm

Councilman Amorosa will propose that the council oppose lowering Federal Air Quality Standards at their meeting today.

to lowering Federal Air Quality

Mr Amoroso says that the new standards will cost jobs.  However, studies show that the new air qualtiy standards will create jobs. See Labor Day Post below for more information about jobs vs environmental regulations.

You can find your councilperson's email address at

http://brgov.com/dept/council/lookup.asp

SAVE THE ALES

Chelseas Cafe and Bar (back patio)
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
7:00
Relax and chat with conservation minded people.
Non members welcome.


Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Election 2014 and the Environment Information for Members


Election 2014 and the Environment
Information Packet for Members 

National Sierra Club Voter Guide

Sierra Club Voter Guide: "Surprise - Polluter-Backed Groups Using Discredited Attacks on Clean Power Plan"

"GOP's Climate Denial Problem Criticized from Inside and Outside the Party"


League of Conservation Voters

LCV National Environmental Scorecard 2013

LCV Scorecard 2014 Recent Votes

LCV Scorecard - Senator Mary Landrieu

LCV Scorecard - Senator David Vitter

LCV Scorecard - Congressman Bill Cassidy

LCV Scorecard - Congressman John Fleming

LCV Scorecard - Congressman Steve Scalise

LCV Scorecard - Congressman Charles Boustany

LCV Scorecard Congressman Cedric Richmond

Tuesday, September 16, 2014


WARD CREEK CLEANUP


Please join the Bayou Manchac Group, Paddle BR, and Volunteer LSU
Sunday, Sept 21st from 12 to 4pm for a beach sweep on Ward Creek to remove trash before it enters Bayou Manchac and ultimately Lake Pontchartrain.  We will use this cleanup as our participation in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation Annual Beach Sweep (scheduled the day before on Sept 20th).

Park in the lot behind PetsMart (10527 S Mall Dr, Baton Rouge, LA
70809), carefully cross S. Mall Dr, and meet on the banks of Ward
Creek.

Explore the area via google maps here
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.3731574,-91.0632382,3a,75y,204.66h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s1UnUcaHG5rrcNW-eN01UKg!2e0

more info at
BayouManchac.com
PaddleBR.com
http://sites01.lsu.edu/wp/campuslife/service/volunteer-lsu/
http://www.saveourlake.org/beach-sweep.php

SAVE THE ALES !!!

Save the Whales!
Save the Bears!
Relax with us and SAVE THE ALES! :-)
Enjoy the company of like minded people.
Join us  on the Back Patio!
Chelsea's 
2857 Perkins Rd
Under the Perkins Road Overpass
Wednesday, Sept. 17 (third Wed) at 6:30 pm

Tuesday, September 2, 2014


  "The Environment and the 2014 Election,"

 A presentation and discussion by the Baton Rouge Sierra Club


WHEN: Thursday, September 25, 7pm

WHERE: Goodwood Library, Meeting Room B, upstairs


Labor Day 2014:
A Time to Refute the Myth of Jobs vs. the Environment


Baton Rouge – The Baton Rouge Group of the Sierra Club marked the occasion of Labor Day 2014 by calling for an end to the myth of “Jobs versus the Environment.”

“We hear continually from some politicians and pundits that regulations to protect the environment and human health cost jobs,” said Sam Wilcher, member of the BR Group Executive Committee. “But those regulations not only save lives – they also provide jobs.”

Wilcher cited a recent (2011) study by the University of Massachusetts Political Economy Research Institute that concluded that two new air quality rules from would create nearly 1.5 million jobs, or nearly 300,000 jobs a year on average over the next five years.

The UMass study also concluded:

“Since 1970, investments to comply with the Clean Air Act have provided $4 to $8 in
economic benefits for every $1 spent on compliance, according to the nonpartisan Office
of Management and Budget. Since the passage of the Clean Air Act Amendments in
1990, U.S. average electricity rates (real) have remained flat even as electric utilities have  
invested hundreds of billions of dollars to cut their air pollution emissions. During the same period, America’s overall GDP increased by 60 percent in inflation-adjusted terms.”

“We hear the same story about job loss from the same players when any new regulations, such as those currently proposed for carbon emissions, ground level ozone, and water pollution, are put forward,” said Wilcher. “But the record shows that these doom and gloom claims have never been true.”

Wilcher pointed out that the same politicians and pundits who attack environmental and health regulations as “job-killers” routinely ignore the job growth in clean energy industries such as solar power. “Solar power is a growth industry,” said Wilcher, “and has experienced several record years. 2013 was the industry’s largest year on record for installations of solar systems, and in 2013 there were nearly 143,000 solar workers in the U.S., a 20% increase over 2012.”

In Louisiana, the solar industry has grown from about 5 firms to over 200 in the last four years. Around 1000 full-time solar industry jobs were created in Louisiana between 2009 and 2012, and an additional 2,000 full time jobs are expected to be created in the state by 2015.

Some Louisiana politicians are holding the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline up as a desired job-creator. Since the Pipeline would not be constructed in Louisiana, it is unknown how many jobs the state might gain if it were built, though some state-based firms could participate.

“Unlike the construction jobs that are predicted to be created [in states it crosses] if the Keystone XL Pipeline were built, the jobs created by the solar industry in Louisiana are long-term jobs,” said Wilcher, “without the negative environmental and health impacts that the Pipeline would bring if it were built.” Although the State Department’s January 2014 report predicted that 42,000 construction-related jobs would be created on a national level during the Pipeline’s estimated two year building period, it also concluded:

“Once the proposed Project enters service, operations would require an estimated 50 total
employees: 35 permanent employees and 15 temporary contractors.” (p. 4.10-5)

“Clean air and renewable energy can create jobs without an environmental legacy of pollution, health impacts, and sea-level rise,” said Wilcher. “It’s clearly an area where Louisiana needs more investment, and that investment will create long-term jobs.”

For more information on the activities of the Baton Rouge Group and the Delta Chapter of the Sierra Club, go to www.lasierraclub.org.

References:

University of Massachusetts Political Economy Research Institute, “Employment Effects Under Planned Changes to the EPA’s Air Pollution Rules” (2011); http://www.eenews.net/assets/2011/02/08/document_gw_01.pdf
Solar Energy Industries Association, “Solar Industry Data,” http://www.seia.org/research-resources/solar-industry-data
Gulf States Renewable Energy Industry Association, “Industry Impacts,” http://www.gsreia.org/jobs-community/
U.S. Department of State, “Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Keystone XL Project,” http://keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov/documents/organization/221186.pdf



National Drive Electric Week Event

The National Drive Electric Week celebration will take place at Whole Foods in Towne Center, near the electric vehicle charging stations outside of the store on Saturday, September 20 from 10am-2pm. The celebration will include an electric vehicle display and information about electric vehicles and charging stations in our area, along with free food, prizes, music and fun!
We encourage you to bring your electric vehicles, and any questions about driving electric!
Visit https://driveelectricweek.org/ to find out more about National Drive Electric Week.
For more information about the event or to participate, please contact Lauren Lambert-Tompkins at llambert@louisianacleanfuels.org.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

The Wilderness Act at 50

Sierra Club Celebrates Wilderness Designations in Louisiana


General Meeting at The Backpacker

July 24, 2014  7:00 PM

In recognition of the nationwide celebrations observing the 50th Anniversary of the passage of the US Wilderness Act this year, Charlie Fryling, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at LSU will make a presentation on the origin and history of the Wilderness Designation which protects irreplaceable parts of America's Natural Heritage.  Fryling's presentation will include photographs of the Breton Islands Wilderness in St. Bernard Parish which are one of three wilderness areas in Louisiana with this protective designation. The Sierra Club in Louisiana was instrumental in obtaining the Wilderness designation for these islands in the 1970's.  Find out more about Wilderness Areas in the USA and Louisiana on the www.wilderness.net and catch up on all the fun this year on Wilderness50th.com.

wilderness50th.com
Fryling received his MS in Landscape Architecture from Harvard University.  He teaches courses such as plant materials, regional planning, ecology and the American landscape.  An avid photographer, he uses his photographs extensively to illustrate his lectures.  Professor Fryling is also an environmental activist and has been involved in environmental concerns of preservation, restoration and social justice for the past 45 years and is a current member of the Executive Committee of the Delta Chapter of the Sierra Club. He is known by many of our elected officials and governmental agencies as one who is very concerned about the protection of the Atchafalaya Basin  and a constant proponent for keeping it “Wet and Wild.”

RSVP with us here and share this event with friends on Facebook.





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Wednesday, June 25, 2014

GOING SLOW in BATON ROUGE: CREATING CHANGE IN THE FOOD SYSTEM

Baton Rouge Sierra Club General Meeting 

"Ultimately, I believe that slowness is an act of resistance, not because slowness is a good in itself but because of all that it makes room for, the things that don't get measured and can't be bought." - Rebecca Solnit

 
Bryan Alexander visits the Sierra Club's Baton Rouge Group on Thursday, June 26th to give a presentation on Slow Food USA’s mission to create dramatic and lasting change in the food system. Through its Baton Rouge chapter, Slow Food USA seeks to reconnect Americans with the people, traditions, plants, animals, fertile soils and waters that produce our food. It also works to inspire a transformation in food policy, production practices and market forces so that those ensure equity, sustainability and pleasure in the food we eat. Bryan will put forth S.F.B.R.'s pursuit of these goals through educational outreach and in the local schools and in the wider community. Some of their projects include Greauxing Healthy Baton Rouge model Farm To School program, The Crop Circle Learning Farm, Cooking Matters for Families is a national nutrition and cooking skills curriculum, and the Urban Agriculture Workshop Series held at the Burden Center.
  

Bryan Alexander
Sierra Club Baton Rouge General Meeting
 
June 26, 7:00 pm
 
 
RSVP with us here on Facebook and join our Group for more announcements about future Outings give us a Like our Official Facebook Page

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Tunica Hills / Clark Creek Outing

GOT A SUMMERTIME HIKING ITCH THAT NEEDS SCRATCHING? 


BATON ROUGE GROUP OF THE SIERRA CLUB CAN HELP WITH THAT. WE'RE LEADING A HIKE AT THE CLARK CREEK NATURAL AREA ON JUNE 14. MEMBERS AND FRIENDS THROUGHOUT LOUISIANA ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE.

Clark Creek Natural Area in the Tunica Hills is a member favorite hiking destination located just across the state line in Mississippi which was a part of the Delta Chapter in our founding years. This area has waterfalls and hiking trails deep in the Tunica Hills. There are improved steps on the hillsides, on some waterfalls, and most trails are maintained with primitive trails also available.


Difficulty: Clark Creek can be a challenging hike. Due to summertime afternoon heat conditions, please come prepared with PLENTY of WATER, good hiking shoes, nutrition, bug and sunblock, a hat and anything else experienced hikers would require. Some hikers prefer to carry poison ivy neutralizer to wash off with after a hike. Rain may be expected and a change of shoes is advisable as well as optional swimwear to splash in the waterfalls.

Parking: Trail-head parking is limited and may require parking on side of road. Bring cash for honor system visitor fees. Carpooling strongly encouraged. (See links below for details.)

Some supplies may available at POND GENERAL STORE near the trail-head which is a local tourist point of interest, otherwise plan ahead for needed provisions before departing Baton Rouge. 

Questions? - RSVP? Where are we meeting to carpool?
Persons requesting carpooling may RSVP as a courtesy before the hike, leaving your name, # of hikers, and phone number with the contact persons listed below for your area. All participants arriving on their own must check-in with a Chapter Outings Leader at the trail-head! We won't leave anyone behind on the trail!

Contact: Nancy Grush - nancygrush<at>gmail.com
Meet: 11:00 AM - Campus Federal Credit Union Perkins near Quail. 
6230 Perkins Rd. Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Keep up with your friends before and after the hike, post pictures and share experiences on our Facebook Event Page


Refer to below sites for more info:

http://www.mdwfp.com/parks-destinations/ms-state-parks/clark-creek.aspx
http://alltrails.com/trail/us/mississippi/clark-creek-primitive-trail
http://www.hikelouisiana.org/detailsclark.html

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Bayou Manchac Paddle with Trash Sweep

Bayou Manchac Trash Sweep will actually be in Bayou Fountain on April 19th from 9am to 3pm.  You can participate for as long or as little as you'd like, but let us know asap at info@bayoumanchac.com if you'll need a loaner canoe or if you have an extra you can bring.

The paddle launch site is at Highland Rd Park, behind the archery range (same side of the road as the Observatory).  If you have a small motor boat and can help ferry collected trash, be sure to contact us at info@bayoumanchac.com for directions to the nearest boat launch.

Once in the water, we'll go upstream as far as Bluebonnet Swamp, then clean downstream for 3.5 miles to Bayou Manchac.  Along the way, you'll be able to see the 2000 year old Indian Mounds at the back of Country Club of Louisiana (See page 5 here for info on the Indian Mounds http://www.laarchaeology.org/newsletters/1985%20No.%203.pdf).  The bayou is gorgeous this time of year, so don't forget your camera.  For an idea of the hundreds of bird species utilizing this swamp system visit http://www.braudubon.org/bluebonnet-swamp-bird-monitoring.php.  The numerous otters are typically only seen at dawn and late afternoon, but being curious creatures, they may make a quick appearance to see what's going on.  The Florida Manatee spotted in early October is long gone.  They migrate here in later summer and return to Florida before the weather turns cold.

With no litter controls and street drainage that flushes directly to waterways, Baton Rouge is the single largest contributor of trash into the Lake Pontchartrain Basin and quite possibly the entire northern Gulf of Mexico.  Trash we clean out of Baton Rouge's Bayou Fountain is trash that won't show up later in Bayou Manchac, the Amite River, the Diversion Canal, Lake Maurepas, Pass Manchac, Lake Pontchartrain, and the Gulf.