Check the CAG Facebook Group for the latest news.
The Central Arkansas Group of Sierra Club is one of two groups of the Sierra Club Arkansas Chapter. Central Arkansas Group (CAG) boundaries are roughly the southeastern half of the state with our sister group the Ozark Headwaters Group covering the northwestern half. (See map for boundaries.) People who live within CAG boundaries are automatically enrolled in our group when they join the national Sierra Club.
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Photo shows part of the boardwalk through the Clark Wetlands, located just northwest of the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock. The Central Arkansas Nature Center is at left of photo (next to the Arkansas River) just beyond the Interstate-30 bridge. Photo was taken from a 100-year old former railroad bridge (across the river) that was recently converted for walking/biking use. |
May 14, 2015 - Boardwalk submerged during high water.
For info and photos of the December 2015 flooding, click HERE.
The current CAG membership is made up of approximately 1550 members. For more information about the CAG, visit their Facebook Group
CAG Meetings
Scroll down to meeting date or click link to 7/16/24 meeting
If you have not been receiving e-mail messages about CAG meetings, please send an e-mail message to the CAG Chair George Wise at bgcdwise@swbell.net for info on future meetings. If announced in e-mail message, meetings may also be available via ZOOM!
The Central Arkansas Group (CAG) normally meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month except August and December in Little Rock. The meeting starts at 6:30 pm. Please join us for our monthly meeting. All are welcome to attend. You do not have to be a member of the Sierra Club to attend.
Recent meetings have been held at either Star of India restaurant, 301 N. Shackleford Rd., Little Rock or at the John Gould Fletcher Library, 823 N. Buchanan St., Little Rock. Please check the Home Page a few days before each meeting to confirm location/program/speaker(s).
1/16/24 - Tu - Our speaker this month is Bill Ball of Natural Environments, INC, DBA Stellar Sun. Bill will speak on efforts to claw back some of the punitive measures in the "kill net metering" bill passed this last legislative session. He will discuss his push to get Arkansans to urge their representatives and senators to vote (60% required) to introduce amendments to last session's Act during the upcoming "Fiscal Session".
2/20/24 - Tu - 6:30 pm - February Arkansas Sierra Club, Central Arkansas Group meeting. Because of early voting at Fletcher Library, we will meet AT A NEW LOCATION this month: GiGi’s Playhouse Little Rock, 301 N Shackleford Suite D2, Little Rock, AR 72211 (Next to Star of India). Program: Please join us as Professor Jason Patton discusses lithium mining and the proposed lithium mines in South Arkansas. Dr. Jason Patton, Professor of Geology at Arkansas Tech University, has more than 25 years of experience working on a wide variety of environmental projects. Working for government, industry, and now academia, Dr. Patton’s research background is extensive and continues to expand. During his early career, much of Dr. Patton’s experience was as an environmental consultant in the oil and gas industry and associated regulatory community. Much of his academic career has focused on the effects of sedimentation on water quality, primarily in drinking water sources. Recently he has turned his research focus towards emerging resources in geology, including lithium, rare earths, and carbon sequestration. He has previously served in numerous leadership positions including Head of the Department of Physical Sciences at ATU, President of the National Association of State Boards of Geology, Commissioner on the Arkansas Geological Survey Board, and Chair of the Arkansas State Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists. He is currently third in command in his household of three behind his wife of 25 years and teenage son. LAST MINUTE LOCATION CHANGE: Our meeting will be in the banquet room of Star of India. Come early and eat some good Indian cuisine. Program starts at 6:30.
3/19/24 – Tu - Please join us to hear Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde discuss the Southeast Trail expansion as well as the Central Arkansas Greenways Plan. The Southeast Trail expansion will connect the Clinton Presidential Library, the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, Heifer International, the Residences at Harbor Town, Rock City Yacht Club, Carver Magnet Elementary School, East Village, East Little Rock Community Center, and Dassault Falcon Jet. Come early at 5:30 to enjoy the wonderful food at Star of India. We meet in the banquet room. Thank Sammy for hosting us. Star of India is located at 301 N. Shackleford Rd. STE C4 Little Rock, AR 72211.
4/16/24 – Tu - Please join us for the next CAG meeting. Program: Bruce McMath will speak on the Dark Sky initiative and bring us up to date on the activities of the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society. Come early at 5:30 to enjoy the wonderful food at Star of India. We meet in the banquet room. Thank Sammy for hosting us. Star of India is located at 301 N. Shackleford Rd. STE C4 Little Rock, AR 72211 (Separate banquet room entrance is located to the right of main restaurant entrance.)
5/21/24 – Tu - Please join us for the May CAG meeting. Program: James Owen, Policy Advisor and Special Projects Manager from the Little Rock Mayor's Office, will speak on the new solar project to power city offices and other sustainability initiatives. Come early at 5:30 to enjoy the wonderful food at Star of India. We meet in the banquet room. Thank Sammy for hosting us. Star of India is located at 301 N. Shackleford Rd. STE C4 Little Rock, AR 72211 (Separate banquet room entrance is located to the right of main restaurant entrance.)
6/18/24 – Tu - Please join us for the June CAG meeting. Program: Our speaker is Simon Mahan. Simon is the Executive Director of the Southern Renewable Energy Association, a nonprofit trade association focused on promoting clean energy in the south. He has run the organization for over ten years, and mostly focuses on integrated resource planning processes, and transmission planning. For over twenty years, Simon has worked in the not-for-profit space on local, state, regional and federal advocacy efforts.
7/16/24 - Tu - Please join us to meet and hear from Marcus Jones, Democratic candidate for the 2nd Congressional District. Marcus Jones is a born-and-raised Arkansan and a decorated retired U.S. Army Colonel. His roots are planted deep in Arkansas, from Oil Trough to the University of Arkansas to Camp Robinson. After nearly three decades serving our country throughout the U.S. and abroad, he returned home to Central Arkansas with his wife Carrie and two children, Will and Abby Grace. His final assignment was a true privilege: serving as the Senior Army Advisor to the Arkansas Army National Guard. Marcus believes that our representative in Congress ought to deliver solutions. Fair wages. Good schools. Health care that doesn’t bankrupt you. A system that doesn’t knock you down every time you get a little bit ahead.
9/17/24 – Tu – CAG Meeting – Program: Nick Goforth, Wildlife Diversity Coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, will speak on the Commission’s Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan. The Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan is the state’s blueprint for conserving our native species of greatest conservation need and their habitats. This plan covers fish, wildlife (game and non-game) and plants. Star of India, 301 N. Shackleford Rd. Ste C4, Little Rock, AR 72211
10/15/24 – Tu – CAG Meeting – Program: Ben Washington from the Arkansas Public Policy Panel will speak on the funds available in Arkansas under the Inflation Reduction Act designated to protect the environment.
11/19/24 - Tu - Program: Lynn Foster will speak on Creating a Bird-Friendly Yard -- 30% of the overall North American bird population has disappeared in the last 50 years, and the decline continues. What can you do to make your yard more friendly to birds? Lynn will speak about what birds need--native plants and insects, habitat, water, and disease-free feeders--and removing hazards to their existence--pesticides, cats, and untreated windows. About Lynn: Lynn has been an Arkansas Master Naturalist since 2018 and founded the Arkansas Wild Spaces program. She is President of the Arkansas Audubon Society.
Come early at 5:30 to enjoy the wonderful food at Star of India. We meet in the banquet room. Thank Sammy for allowing us to meet in the banquet room. Star of India is located at 301 N. Shackleford Rd. STE C4 Little Rock, AR 72211 (Separate banquet room entrance is located to the right of main restaurant entrance.) Program normally starts at 6:30.
Future meetings are announced via e-mail messages from Chair George Wise. If you do not receive the messages, please contact George at bgcdwise@swbell.net
Future Tuesday CAG meetings - No meeting in August or December.
Late 2024 meetings: 10/15/24; 11/19/24
Early 2025 meetings: 1/21/25; 2/18/25; 3/18/25; 4/15/25; 5/20/25; 6/17/25; 7/15/25
PAST MEETINGS IN 2023
1/17/23 - April Ambrose with the Arkansas Advanced Energy Association will speak on her new role working on sustainability. April will also discuss The Inflation Reduction Act’s environmental benefits and the tax credits. We meet at Hibernia Irish Pub at 6:30.
Jan/Feb Meeting Location: Hibernia Irish Tavern, 9700 N Rodney Parham Rd # K, Little Rock, (501) 246-4340, https://www.hiberniairishtavern.com ) Arrive early to eat before the meeting.
2/21/23 - Tom McClure will speak on expanding Arkansas Wilderness.
3/21/23 - We will meet at Fletcher Library, 823 N. Buchanan St. Little Rock. Stephanie Spencer will speak on the environmental benefits of a plant based diet.
Stephanie Spencer is a former cardiac RN of 27 years turned Plant-Based Nutrition Educator. She discovered Plant Based Nutrition after her husband developed diabetes. After reversing his diabetes with a Plant Based diet and both losing twenty pounds, Stephanie was hooked! She went on to obtain a Board Certification in Lifestyle Medicine through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. After witnessing the devastating effects of the Standard American Diet on her patients' health and life expectancy for decades, Stephanie developed a research-based online course to teach individuals how to prevent, treat, and frequently even REVERSE their chronic disease with Plant Based Nutrition. Stephanie also owns Natural State Microgreens and sells this superfood at local Farmers' Markets and restaurants. Stephanie serves on the Board of Arkansas Local Food Network and is very invested in promoting the health and resilience of our agricultural system. Stephanie will be discussing the Environmental Aspects of Animal Agriculture with Q & A afterwards.
4/18/23 - Please join us on April 18, 2023 for our monthly meeting. We have a new meeting location: Whole Hog Cafe – West, 12111 W. Markham St. Rock Creek Plaza, Little Rock AR, 72211, Phone: 501-907-6124
Chris from Home Energy Rx will speak on their services and tax credits for energy improvement under the Inflation Reduction Act. Home Energy Rx is a green company specializing in home energy assessments, certifications and energy efficient construction services for new and existing homes. Locally owned and operated, HERx is passionate about providing outstanding customer experiences through the education of energy conservation and the explanation of how consumers play an important role in reducing the demand of energy while benefiting from services that reduce utility cost as well as increase comfort.
5/16/23 - Tu - 6:30 pm - Please join us for our Central Arkansas Group (CAG) Monthly meeting. David Peterson will give a presentation on the Arkansas Phosphorus Index and the effects of climate change in the Ozarks and Buffalo River watershed. For location, please refer to the e-mail message Chair George Wise sent out on May 12. If you did not receive the message, please contact George at bgcdwise@swbell.net
6/20/23 - Tu - 6:30 pm - Please Join us for our June Central Arkansas Group (CAG) meeting. Chris Ham, Recreation, Planning, Heritage & Wilderness Staff Officer of the Forest Service will speak on recreational opportunities in the Ouachita National Forest and plans for forest management. We meet this month at the John Gould Fletcher Library, 823 N. Buchanan St., Little Rock, AR 72205.
7/18/23 - Tu - 6:30 pm - Please join us for our July Central Arkansas Group (CAG) meeting. Master Naturalist and Sierra Club member Lynn Foster will be our speaker. The Sierra Club has done an outstanding job of protecting public lands, but they aren't enough to preserve enough habitat for wildlife. Enter Doug Tallamy, who promotes creating "homegrown national parks." What does he mean? Why should we do this? And how do we do it? Lynn Foster, Sierra Club life member, Vice President of the Arkansas Audubon Society, and Arkansas Master Naturalist, will talk about how you can bring nature into your yard with an emphasis on doing it in central Arkansas.
9/19/23 – Tu - Please Join us on at 6:30 pm for our September Arkansas Sierra Club, Central Arkansas Group meeting. Gary Kahanak will speak on nuclear power and its role in combating climate change. We meet this month at the John Gould Fletcher Library, 823 N. Buchanan St., Little Rock, AR 72205
10/17/23 - Tu - Please Join us on at 6:30 pm for our October Arkansas Sierra Club, Central Arkansas Group meeting. Program: A special showing of the documentary, Atomic Bamboozle. Location: The John Gould Fletcher Library.
The False Promise of a Nuclear Renaissance: ATOMIC BAMBOOZLE follows anti-nuclear activists, tribal leaders, scientists and attorneys as they draw lessons from the decades-long campaign to shut down the Trojan Nuclear Power plant in Oregon and extend those lessons into a new struggle to stop small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) that are being aggressively promoted by the the Department of Energy and nuclear industry in response to the climate crisis.
As political pressure mounts in the US to meet net zero carbon goals, the nuclear power industry makes its case for a nuclear “renaissance.” In place of the highly costly nuclear towers that have been shut down across many regions of the country, investors began in the early 21st century to promote small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). ATOMIC BAMBOOZLE follows anti-nuclear activists and attorneys from the Columbia River region as they draw lessons from the decades-long fight to shut down the Trojan Nuclear Power plant in Oregon and reflect on current promotional campaigns by the nuclear industry and US Department of Energy. As the industry mounts its "renaissance" with small reactors, these anti-nuclear activists forge alliances with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and climate activist Cathy Sampson-Kruse (Wallulupum member of the Umatilla) who calls out the nuclear industry and politicians who are using the climate crisis to push for loosening laws restricting nuclear power generation. The arc of the film is anchored by physicist and professor M. V. Ramana, a global leader and recognized scholar on nuclear power. He traces the history of nuclear power generation from the 1950s to the present and takes up the four main areas of concern and controversy: costs, accidents, waste and proliferation.
11/19/23 - Tu - Program: Rebecca Peak, a biologist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Agency will discuss her study of the Golden Eagle.
Rebecca grew up in a rural farming community in Illinois where she started watching birds at a young age and developed her interest in how human land use practices affect avian populations and the habitats upon which they depend. Currently, she is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist with USFWS-Arkansas Ecological Services Field Office where she works with partners to coordinate and facilitate activities pursuant to sections 4, 6, 7, and 10 of the ESA. Prior to this position she worked with USDA Forest Service as a District Wildlife Biologist on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest where she worked as part of an interdisciplinary team to implement habitat management activities to benefit fish and wildlife species. She spent most of her career working on Fort Cavazos (formerly Hood) Military Installation first with TNC as an applied scientist and then with Department of the Army as a natural resources specialist where she implemented a research and monitoring program for the federally endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler.
Meeting location: John Gould Fletcher Library, 823 N. Buchanan St., Little Rock, AR 72205. The Library is on south side of H Street. (On University, H Street is at bottom of valley between Markham and Cantrell. Buchanan is a block or two east of University. From H Street, turn south on Buchanan, then left into parking lot.)
Future Tuesday CAG meetings:
2/20/24; 3/19/24; 4/16/24; 5/21/24; 6/18/24; 7/16/24
No meeting in August or December. Late 2024 meetings: 9/17/24; 10/15/24; 11/19/24
Past Meetings: 2015 - 2016 - 2017 - 2018 - 2019 - 2020 - 2021 - 2022
CAG News
CAG news is now included with the chapter digital newsletter. For a selection of past CAG paper newsletters, click on the links below. For reports on events or outings, check Activity Reports under the News tab on the navigation bar.
2014 Apr-Aug
2012 Jan-Apr 2012 May-Sep
2011 Jan-Apr 2011 May-Aug 2011 Sep-Dec
2010 Jan-Mar 2010 Apr-Jun 2010 Sep-Dec
2009 Jan-Mar 2009 Apr-Jun 2009 Jul-Sep 2009 Oct-Dec
2008 Oct-Dec 2007 Fall-Winter
CAG Management
The management of the affairs and activities of the Group is in the hands of an Executive Committee (ExCom), consisting of 7 members elected by the group membership for terms of two years. A Chair, a Vice Chair, and a Chapter Delegate and Alternate are selected from ExCom Members. Other officers and positions are selected from Group members but need not be ExCom members. A pdf copy of the group bylaws (formatted to fit on 5 pages) is available HERE.
NOTE: 12/21 elections have been delayed and will likely occur in March 2022.
Group Representatives to Chapter ExCom
Year - Chapter Delegate Chapter Alternate
2022-
2021 -
2020 - Robin Rumph
2019 -
2018 -
2017 - Robin Rumph
2016 - George Wise Robin Rumph
2015 - George Wise Robin Rumph
2014 - George Wise
CAG Executive Committee (ExCom) Members (Elected)
'22-'23 Term - [ 4 ] -
'21-'22 Term - [ 3 ] - Robin Rumph, George Wise, Tom Utley
'20-'21 Term - [ 4 ] - Charles Mullins, Emily Roberts, Carolyn Shearman, Jim Woolly
'19-'20 Term - [ 3 ] - Robin Rumph, George Wise, Tom Utley
'18-'19 Term - [ 4 ] - Charles Mullins, Carolyn Shearman, Becky Williams, Jim Woolly
'17-'18 Term - [ 3 ] - Robin Rumph, Joe Wankum'17/Tom Utley'18, George Wise
'16-'17 Term - [ 4 ] - Carolyn Shearman, John Whiteside'16/Michelle Frost'17,
Becky Williams, James M Wooley
'15-'16 Term - [ 3 ] - Rel Corbin, George Wise, Robin Rumph
'14-'15 Term - [ 4 ] - Gary Cawood, Carolyn Shearman,
Joe Wankum'14/Guy Choate'15, Becky Williams
'13-'14 Term - [ 3 ] - George Wise, Rel Corbin, Leah Wilkinson
Candidates on Ballot for CAG ExCom:
'22-'23 Term - [ 4 ] -
'21-'22 Term - [ 3 ] - Ashton Eley, Robin Rumph, Tom Utley, George Wise
'20-'21 Term - [ 4 ] - Charles Mullins, Emily Roberts, Carolyn Shearman, Becky Williams,
Jim Woolly
’19-’20 Term - [ 3 ] - Robin Rumph, George Wise, Tom Utley
‘18-’19 Term - [ 4 ] - Charles Mullins, Carolyn Shearman, Becky Williams,
Tom Utley, Jim Woolly
’17-’18 Term - [ 3 ] - Michelle Frost, Robin Rumph, Joe Wankum, George Wise
’16-’17 Term - [ 4 ] - Carolyn Shearman, John Whiteside, Becky Williams, James M Wooley
’15-’16 Term - [ 3 ] -
’14-’15 Term - [ 4 ] -
CAG Officers
Year - Chair Vice Chair Secretary Treasurer
2024 - George Wise
2023 - George Wise
2022 - George Wise
2021 - George Wise
2020 - George Wise Charles Mullins Emily Roberts Becky Williams
2019 - George Wise Charles Mullins Carolyn Shearman Becky Williams
2018 - George Wise Charles Mullins Carolyn Shearman Becky Williams
2017 - George Wise Robin Rumph Carolyn Shearman Becky Williams
2016 - George Wise Robin Rumph Carolyn Shearman Becky Williams
2015 - George Wise Guy Choate Carolyn Shearman Becky Williams
2014 - George Wise Leah Wilkinson Kate Althoff/Becky Williams
- - - - - Standing Committees - - - - -
Nominating Committee
2022 -
2021 - George Wise, Robin Rumph, Tom Utley
2020 -
2019 -
2018 -
2017 -
2016 -
2015 - George Wise, Rel Corbin, Robin Rumph, Gary Cawood
Elections Committee
2022 -
2021 -
2020 -
2019 -
2018 -
2017 -
2016 -
2015 - George Wise, Rel Corbin, Robin Rumph, Gary Cawood
Conservation Committee
2022 -
2021 -
2020 - Carolyn Shearman
2019 -
2018 -
2017 -
2016 - Bill Saunders
2015 - Bill Saunders
- - - - - Other Committees - - - - -
Year - Membership Outings Comm (eMail) Web Site
2023 - Joe Wankum
2024 - Joe Wankum
2022 - Joe Wankum
2021 - Joe Wankum
2020 - George Wise/Jim Wooley Joe Wankum
2019 - Joe Wankum
2018 - George Wise/Jim Wooley Joe Wankum
2017 - Jim Wooley Carolyn Shearman Joe Wankum
2016 - Carolyn Shearman Carolyn Shearman Joe Wankum
2015 - Robin Rumph Carolyn S./Asst.Gary Cawood Carolyn Shearman Joe Wankum
Fall 2020 Election Schedule (retained as a guide for future):
8/31/20 - Nominating Committee (NomCom) appointed
10/2/20 - Receipt of potential candidate names for consideration by NomCom
10/13/20- NomCom reports names of nominees to ExCom
10/20/20 - Names of nominees reported to members
11/10/20 - Election Committee appointed
11/17/20 - Receipt of candidate petitions
11/17/20 - Receipt of ballot issue petitions
12/01/20 - Production of eligible voter lists
12/02/20 - Printing of ballots
12/03/20 - Ballots electronically mailed
12/31/20 - Deadline for receipt of ballots
1/15/21 - Results announced
Fall 2018 Election Schedule (proposed-retained as a guide for future):
8/31 - Nominating Committee (NomCom) appointed
9/28 - Receipt of potential candidate names for consideration by NomCom *
10/9 - NomCom reports names of nominees to ExCom
10/16 - Names of nominees reported to members *
11/13 - Election Committee appointed
11/20 - Receipt of candidate petitions *
11/20 - Receipt of ballot issue petitions *
12/01 - Production of eligible voter lists
12/02 - Printing of ballots
12/03 - Ballots mailed
12/31/18 - Deadline for receipt of ballots
1/15/19 - Counting of ballots
Campfire Events Calendar (CAG Events Only)
The Calendar on this page (below) includes only CAG events.
For other Arkansas Chapter events, go to the Club Events page.
Outing - Sierra Club Policies
- Activities identified as Sierra Club outings are led by a certified Outings Leader. All participants on such outings are required to sign a Sierra Club Liability Waiver form. If you would like to read the Liability Waiver before you choose to participate on an outing, please go to http://content.sierraclub.org/outings/local-outdoors/resources, then click on Sign-in Sheet & Liability Waiver or contact the Outings Department at (415) 977-5528 for a printed version.
- Carpools transportation is at the sole risk of the participants, both driver and passengers, even if they are leaders or staff of the outings or activity.
- CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.
To see a brief description of all events in a printable format, click on Print View below.
In Map View, click on a flag (circle), then on the individual event for more info.
In List View, click on Activity (title / link) for detailed info. (Recommended!)
If available, click on Map or Directions at the right.
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| When | Earliest: Latest: |
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| Word or Phrase | Word or phrase to search for: |
| Leader | All or part of leader name to search for: |
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