Conservation Speaker Series - February 2015 - Matthew Herron

The Challenge of Conserving East Baton Rouge's Remaining Ecological Treasures

MEETING: Matthew Herron of the Capital Area Native Plant Society will speak on the flora native to East Baton Rouge Parish, their critical role in shaping our locally imperiled ecosystems, and how we can work together in the conservation community to conserve and restore this unique natural heritage.

Talk begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday Feb. 26 at the Backpacker, 7656 Jefferson Hwy., Baton Rouge. Some Native Plants will be offered as door prizes, and refreshments will also be available. Herron will also discuss possible field trips that may be held as a follow up to this talk. Feel free to bring guests. Admission is free. 

After the discussion, option to continue for dinner at Jason's Deli on Corporate. We welcome your suggestions/feedback!

Clark Creek Hike for February 28, 2015

Clark Creek Hike

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Eating all those King Cakes & chocolate candy have you feeling a bit guilty?

If so, you should join us next Saturday for a hike at Clark Creek in Pond, Miss.

Peg Reilly & her husband, Barrett Kennedy, will lead a Sierra Club hike on the primitive trail. The primitive trail hike is challenging, particularly depending on whether there has been a lot of rain. The trail then becomes quite slippery when going downhill or uphill.

However, you can still see most of the waterfalls by sticking to the improved trail.

We will leave the parking lot at Trader Joe's at 9 a.m. with plans to start hiking at 10:30 a.m. Rain Date is Feb. 28.  Last-minute notices will be posted on http://brsierraclub.blogspot.com/

Boots are recommended for the primitive trail. Bring water & snacks. After the hike, St. Francisville has some good eateries, most notably the Magnolia Café.

For more information, contact Nancy Grush at (225) 938-9353 or nancygrush@gmail.com.

You can also get more info at http://www.mdwfp.com/parks-destinations/ms-state-parks/clark-creek.aspx

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!