Florida Chapter
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Loxahatchee
Group Florida Chapter |
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| NEWS:Turtle Tracks Newsletter |
NOAA Fisheries Service considers corals for endangered species
- Drew Martin, Conservation Chair
On March 4, 2004, the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned NOAA Fisheries Service (NOAAFS) to list three coral species for designation as “Threatened” or “Endangered” species. On June 23, 2004, NOAAFS issued a finding that the petitioned actions may be warranted and announced initiation of a formal status review.
The Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club advocates listing as “Endangered” three species: Elkhorn, Staghorn and Fused-Staghorn Coral. NOAAFS has since proposed the classification “Threatened” under the Endangered Species Act for only Elkhorn and Staghorn Coral.
The public comment period opened at a public meeting on May 9, 2005, and will close August 8, 2005. I attended the May 9 meeting and publicly encouraged the protection of all three species as “Endangered”. These corals are in jeopardy. Their disappearance would adversely impact our fish population since they are habitat to many young fish. Coral reefs also protect our shoreline. Coral is dying because of overdevelopment, runoff or disposal of fertilizers and sewage into the ocean, and increasing ocean temperatures. A recent study indicates that an increase in oceanic CO2 levels is raising the ocean’s acidity and damaging coral -- yet another example of how greenhouse gases are damaging our environment. If these corals are designated “Endangered”, the government would be forced to come up with a plan to protect them. Please send your comments about protection of these corals to: Jennifer Moore, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office, Protected Resources Division, 263 13th Ave. S, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, or e-mail: jennifer.moore@noaa.gov
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Gift to Scripps sullies legacy of “Aquifer Man”
- Keith Bell
Michael Browning's excellent tribute to Garald Parker helps people understand the fragility of Florida's water supply ("Aquifer Man," July 5 [Palm Beach Post] ). Who knew you could ram a pipe a few feet below the bottom of Biscayne Bay and watch fresh water gushing up? Garald Parker did, and his work should serve to warn Palm Beach County against poor development. We know enough now to halt development where appropriate, yet the county has given Scripps Mecca Farms.
Why should we put the gem of our environment, the Loxahatchee River and Slough, in harm's way? Disturbing nature is one thing, yet equally disturbing is how Scripps bulldozed itself into Mecca by giving the county an ultimatum: Mecca or nothing. Our elected leaders decided to give away our nature. I believe we should pay for their mistakes now, before it becomes impossible to enjoy the beauty of the river and share it with our grandchildren. The Loxahatchee is already in jeopardy, competing with new golf courses and housing developments.
Reminiscent of the illegal deforestation of Vavrus Ranch years ago, priming the land for development, Scripps has demonstrated a pompous attitude toward the county. This should make people wonder what kind of partnership with Scripps we can expect in the future.
Editor’s Note: Keith Bell is not a Sierra Club member, but has the same philosophy we do and has given us permission to reprint his thoughts as appeared in the Palm Beach Post’s Letters to the Editor on July 16, 2005.
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Hear ye! Hear ye! Heads up on holiday party
- Sheila Calderon
Though we are still in the midst of a South Florida Summer and hurricane season, it’s time to plan our annual Holiday Party/Fund Raiser. You can be sure it will cool down by then. We are planning a repeat performance of last year’s very successful Holiday Party.
Anyone who wishes to volunteer in helping to plan our event, solicit silent auction gift certificates and merchandise, or donate an auction item, please contact Sheila at shecal@bellsouth.net and place “Holiday Party” on subject line or phone me at 968-4166. We need all the help we can get to make sure this party is a "Blast." Additionally, we would like to get your feedback on whether you would prefer the “Sierra Pot Luck Special” or possibly a catered party for a change and leave the cooking to the "pros."
Don't forget to check your next Turtle Tracks issue for your invite and final details of the Holiday Party.
From the Easy Chair. . . . .
- Kay Gates, Chairperson
It is especially difficult for me to share with you this month. I have lost my friend and companion of 30 years. John’s passing at the end of May was a shock but not a surprise. We knew he had significant health issues, but he was able to be active right up to the end.
Besides the Sierra Club, John had high regard for the AR Marshall foundation with their Everglades restoration by tree planting. Thank you for all the trees planted in his name – I can see the twinkle in his eye at the thought. Thank you, also, for the kind words, cards, and prayers.
There is a void now in the group, too. John was Program Chair for four years. He bequeaths his extensive file to anyone that will step up to this position. And there are lots of folks to help out.
I look forward to seeing you at the Gigantic Garage Sale, the Conservation meeting with the “Oil on Ice” documentary, and the August picnic. Join us!
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General Meetings
- Lisa Hanley
SEPTEMBER GENERAL MEETING: "PICK THE PROGRAMS"
The Loxahatchee Group suffered not only a personal loss when John Gates passed away at the end of May, but we also lost a great Program Director as well. For those who don't know, the Program Director chooses the topics, invites the speaker, reserves the room and handles the details for our monthly General Meetings. Filling John’s shoes will be a hard act to follow, so we've decided to help the next volunteer by coming up with a wish list of programs.
Is there a topic you wish somebody would talk about? Is there an area of expertise that you could present? How about energy conservation tips, how to keep your house clean without killing our offshore reefs, pin-the-tail-on-the-elephant party? Should we have some cool animals?
September’s meeting is going to be an interactive, brainstorming event and you get to play! Come help us plan and choose the categories, devise the agenda, select the speaker, pick the programs (somebody stop me) for the coming year of General Meetings.
When: Sunday, September 25
Where: Green Cay Wetlands and Nature Center,
12800 Hagen Ranch Road, Boynton Beach, FL 33467
Time: 2 to 4:30 PM
Map to September Meeting:
Directions :
Green Cay Wetlands is on Hagen Ranch Road South of Boynton Beach Blvd. and North of Atlantic Blvd.
From I-95 exit at Atlantic Blvd. Go West on Atlantic Blvd. to Hagen Ranch Road. Go North on Hagen Ranch Rd. to Green Cay Wetlands.
From the Turnpike, exit at Atlantic Blvd. Go East to Hagen Ranch Rd. Go North on Hagen Ranch Rd. to Green Cay Wetlands.
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Please visit Events.
Elaine Usherson camp scholarship program update
- Maryvonne Devensky
We are pleased to announce that we have successfully placed 13 kids in environmental camps for the 2005 summer. Students selected are those who have expressed an interest in nature, the environment, plants, animals or geography, and otherwise are not able to afford this experience. They will be attending Pine Jog Environmental Education Center, Sandoway House, or Everglades Youth Conservation Camp.
We have formed some new alliances in selecting students and in working with the camps. Thanks for your donations which make this effort possible. Satisfaction is guaranteed to donors and campers!
For more information about this program contact Maryvonne at 561-369-3462, marydeven@bellsouth.net.
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Conservation Committee Meeting
- Drew Martin, Conservation Chair
On August 15th (3rd Monday of the month) the Conservation Committee will meet at 6:30 PM at the Friends Quaker House located at 823 N. A Street, Lake Worth. It is kind of them to let us use their facility.
At this meeting we will view the DVD 'Oil on Ice' which discusses oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. After the DVD we will write short letters to our Representatives asking them to vote against drilling in the National Wildlife Refuge. Refreshments will be available.
All members are welcome to attend. Please mark your calendar. I look forward to seeing you there. If you would like to be notified each month of the topic of the Conservation Committee Meetings send your e-mail address to me at DMandCH@aol.com.
Directions from I-95: Exit at 10th Avenue North; go east on 10th, then first right (or south) onto North A Street (immediately parallel to the I-95); proceed to 823 North A Street about 1 1/2 blocks on the right. Parking is in the rear.
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Mama turtle has second thoughts
- Barbara Curtis
In spite of rain on June 30, 12 Sierrans, including 10 new participants, met at the Marinelife Center, in Juno Beach, www.marinelife.org, for a sea turtle egg-laying walk outing. We arrived at 8:00 p.m., toured the visitor center, watched a film and learned all about sea turtles. At about 10:00 p.m. we were summoned to the beach to watch a female turtle lay her eggs. Unfortunately, Mama turtle changed her mind and went back to sea without filling her nest.
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Next EXCOM Meeing - 7:00 p.m. on 2nd Tuesday of the month. August will be at Maryvonne Devensky’s; September at Kay Gates’. Call Kay Gates for directions if you plan to attend - 742-9219.
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Lox Group Newsletter Labeling Party
is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005. Call Kay Gates 561-742-9219 or Lisa Hanley 561-732-9578 for details.
Join Our E-Mail Forum
- Ron HainesGet on board with the Loxahatchee Group's very own e-mail forum. This is a general e-mail discussion and announcement list for members of the Loxahatchee Group of the Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club. Our forum is a strong network for communications, announcements, action alerts and just plain fun for members of the Loxahatchee Group. To sign onto the list, have your Membership Number handy and fill out the form on one of the following websites: http://www.sierraclub.org/memberlists or
http://www.sierraclub.org/memberlists?listname=FL-LOXAHATCHEE-FORUM
Sierra Summit 2005
- Marcia Karasoff
On September 8-11, 2005, an estimated 3000 Sierrans from throughout the country will gather at the Sierra Club’s first ever large-scale convention, Sierra Summit 2005, at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. There will be top-notch keynote speakers and entertainers, educational workshops, exhibits of outdoor adventure and "green" ideas, products and technologies, and a showcase of the Sierra Club’s work.
One thousand official Sierra Summit 2005 Delegates will have an opportunity to participate in special sessions to formulate recommendations to the Club’s Board of Directors to guide and integrate our Club-wide conservation priorities, strategic approaches, and organizational capabilities for the next five years.
Visit www.sierraclub.org/sierrasummit for more information and fees.
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Turtle Tracks is published bi-monthly by the Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group, P.O. Box 6271, Lake Worth, FL 33462-6271. Non-profit postage paid at West Palm Beach, FL. The purpose of this newsletter is to inform members about environmental issues and events. Members subscribe through their annual dues; nonmember subscriptions are available for $12/year. Send address changes to: Sierra Club Member Services, Box 52968, Boulder, CO 80322
Newsletter submissions are welcome. The deadline is the third Tuesday of each month. Email articles to Marcia Karasoff at karasoffm@bellsouth.net (phone 561/968-4058), or deliver Macintosh format 3.5" disc or Zip disc copy to general membership meeting. (Typed hardcopies are also acceptable, but not preferred).
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| Sierra Club
85 Second Street, 2nd Floor San Francisco, CA 94105-3441 USA 415/977-5500 phone 415/977-5799 fax |
Loxahatchee
Group Webmaster Marcia - karasoffm@bellsouth.net please let me know if you have any problems with this site |
The Loxahatchee
Group is an environmental organization serving Sierra Club members in
Palm Beach
County, Martin County, St. Lucie County and Okeechobee County, Southeast Florida
