Meetings and Outings - 1st Quarter of 2015

Here are several of our upcoming events. Hope to see you at any or all of these. No RSVP required for General Interest meetings, though appreciated for ExCom meetings and sometimes necessary for Outings.

Saturday, Jan. 24, Hike at Port Hudson State Historic Site. Carpool from Coffee Call on College at 9 a.m. There are about six different trails that allow one to hike about a mile to as long as 6 miles. Some of the trail can be slightly hilly, but it's worth it. There are also two lookout towers. Admission is $4. For those 62 and older, admission is free. For more information, contact Nancy Grush or call 938-9353. Rain date is Jan. 31.

Thursday, Jan. 29 at Backpacker at 7 p.m., Dan Favre of the Dogwood Alliance will speak on Save Our Southern Forests. Refreshments provided. 

Wednesday, Feb. 4 at La Madeleine at 7 p.m., BR Group Executive Committee Meeting. All members welcome to attend. Dinner at your option prior to the meeting. 

Saturday, Feb. 21 Hike at Clark Creek Natural Area. Carpool from Trader Joe's on Perkins and Acadian at 9 a.m. Hiking the Primitive Trails with Peg Reily and Barrett Kennedy. Rain Date of Feb. 28. Nancy Grush or call 938-9353. 

Thursday, Feb. 26 at Backpacker at 7 p.m., Mathew Herron from Capital Area Native Plant Society ("CANPS") will speak about native plants (some of which are endangered) in the Baton Rouge area. Refreshments provided.  

Wednesday, Mar. 4 at La Madeleine at 7 p.m., BR Group Executive Committee Meeting. All members welcome to attend. Dinner at your option prior to the meeting.  

Friday-Sunday Mar. 13-15 at Chicot State Park - Delta Chapter Members Retreat. All members of Sierra Club in Louisiana are invited to this annual Chapter Retreat filled with outdoor excursions, outdoors skill trainings, meals, music and camaraderie. RSVP and Prepayment required. Contact Chapter Chair Woody Martin to reserve. More info on the Delta Chapter website. 

In late March, we'll hear Kevin Nee talk about cycling the Natchez Trace from start to finish. Location T.B.A.

Also, if anyone's interested in visiting Grand Isle the last weekend in March (3/28-3/29) to ooh and ahh at all the beautiful migratory song birds on their way up the great Mississippi Flyway, please email Nancy Grush.  We are in the process of planning an overnight beach camping trip.

 

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!

 

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.

Cat Island Hike Info

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