Time will tell how March will start or how it will end. My crystal ball is broken.
I can tell you about February.
Your Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group had a very successful tabling event on Everglades Day at the Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge and a sold-out General Member Meeting at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. Members and supporters spoke at Palm Beach and Martin County Commission Meetings to conserve our lands and wrote hundreds of emails to our legislators in Tallahassee asking support for good bills and denial for bad bills. The Loxahatchee leadership evaluated and updated our strategic goals and passed the budget for 2024. The Outings Committee had 4 Service Outings and 3 Adult Outings. Members traveled to Tallahassee for the Everglades Coalition Day and met personally with legislators. The Political Committee endorsed 3 local candidates for the March 19 election, more are expected soon.
Please vote!
I can tell you what I am looking forward to in March.
A tabling event at MacArther State Park, picnics in Jupiter, more Commissioners meetings, and more emails to legislators. I invite everyone to visit our calendar and register for events or Zoom into a committee meeting to learn about the work they do.
Finally, I will look forward to raising a glass of green beer on St Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March 17. Not sure yet if it will be green in color or brewed locally. Enjoy responsibly.
“Activism is my rent for living on this planet.” Alice Walker, won a Pulitzer Prize for her stance against racism and sexism in such novels as The Color Purple.
We are stronger together!
Thank you so much,
Linda Smithe Destinationloop@gmail.com
Executive Committee Chair
Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group
AN EMAIL TIP!
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If you have any questions, contact Ron Haines at ronaldhaines@bellsouth.net.
Service Outings: Spend a couple hours restoring gopher tortoise habitat at Galaxy Sand Pine Preserve in Boynton Beach.
The work varies. We may pull and clip invasive plants and vines to make room for native gopher tortoise forage plants, improving their habitat. We may tag plants for professionals to remove. Some of the work may be in full sun so please plan accordingly - hats, water, sunscreen. We will also work in areas that have spiny, pokey plants so long sleeves, gloves, long pants and closed toe shoes are highly recommended. Leader does not like the heat and accordingly, we may work in partial shade in the sand pine forest. Contact Lisa Hanley lisa.hanley@juno.com with questions.
Pick a day, or two, or three, and use one of the links below to register.
March 3
For information and registration, click here.
March 10
For information and registration, click here.
March 17 (Spend your St Patrick's Day morning in the green!)
For information and registration, click here.
Saturday Mar. 2. 10 a.m., Paddle at West Lake Park, Hollywood. A four-hour paddle through the mangroves with a stop at Anne Kolb Nature Center and Observation Tower. Entrance to the West Lake Park is $1.50/person and entrance to the Nature Center’s exhibit hall is $2/person. There is no charge to use the observation tower. Rentals are available.. For information and registration, click here.
Trip Leader: Ron Haines ronaldhaines@bellsouth.net
Thursday, Mar. 7, 10 a.m., Pine Glades Natural Area in Jupiter. A leisurely morning paddle of about two hours. It is not a large body of water. Should be plenty of birds to see. Water is generally open, but there are weeds to paddle through also. No rentals here. On the south side of Indiantown Road about 6.5 miles west of I-95 and the Turnpike. For information and registration, click here.
Trip Leader: Ron Haines ronaldhaines@bellsouth.net
Sunday, Mar. 17, 10 a.m., Paddle at Okeeheelee Park South in West Palm Beach. This is a leisurely, two-hour paddle on the water trail at Okeeheelee Park South. The park is at 7715 Forest Hill Blvd, West Palm Beach. Go south from Forest Hill, NOT NORTH. Allow yourself time to launch at 10 please. For information and registration, click here.
Trip Leader: Ron Haines ronaldhaines@bellsouth.net
Saturday Mar. 30, 10 a.m. Paddle Winding Waters Natural Area. Leisurely two-hour paddle at Winding Waters Natural Area in West Palm Beach. Suitable for beginners and for paddle boarders. For information and registration, click here.
Trip Leader: Ron Haines ronaldhaines@bellsouth.net
General Meeting: Saturday, March 23, 2024
“Potluck in the Park, Riverbend Park”
Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group
In memory of Alan Parmalee
11:00AM – 2:00 PM
Riverbend Park, 9060 Indiantown Road, Jupiter, FL 33478
No Program: “Meet and Greet”, bring a dish-share a meal, friendships, and conservation issues.
There will be a brief recognition of Glenn Laufer, our own 2024 FL Chapter Pine Tree Award winner and Alan Parmalee, for his years of advocacy for and support of the Sierra Club and the Loxahatchee Group. Members and supporters are encouraged to visit the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, 17855 Rocky Pines RD. Jupiter, FL 33478, just down the road to enjoy the facility and to admire the Alan Pamalee ‘Our Native Tree” plaque. Sierra Club Donated $1,000 in Alan Parmalee’s name for the planning of a native tree. Everyone is encouraged to walk the trails, there are also opportunities for biking and kayaking. Bring your own or rent one on site: Jupiter Outdoor Center | Jupiter Kayaking and Water Tours.
River Pavilion Riverbend Park, 9060 Indiantown Road, Jupiter FL. 33478
Join us Saturday, March 9
10am to 4pm for Nature Fest
MacArthur Beach State Park’s Annual Outdoor Festival FREE WITH Park ADMISSION
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park is located at: 10900 Jack Nicklaus Drive, North Palm Beach, FL
Come play, learn, support local artisans, and enjoy all that MacBeach has to offer. Nature Fest will feature environmental exhibitors, music, Florida native plant vendors, animal show from Busch Wildlife, food trucks, kayaking, paddleboarding, a performance by The Leafy Greens Band, and much more!
It’s an event you do not want to miss at the only State Park in Palm Beach County!
You know you want to come to this event. So come out and enjoy the festival and help get the good word out about the Sierra Club!
Your Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group will be hosting a table all day. We are currently looking for volunteers to help staff our information booth, and kid’s game. You will be joined by experienced volunteers. No experience necessary. You just have to be friendly. Bring a friend, volunteer together.
Sign up to volunteer for 2-3 hours.
TO DONATE A COUPLE HOURS OF YOUR TIME
PLEASE CONTACT GLENN LAUFER
561-254-2286 Glaufer7@gmail.com
Introducing our Locally Endorsed Candidates!
Please vote in person early or on March 19, or by mail.
Sierra Club does not engage in politics simply to win elections.
Our goal is to protect the environment, wildlife, and people, and address issues of equity, inclusion, and justice.
That occurs via our advocacy work. Advocacy success is built not only on winning elections, but also by building relationships with elected officials.
By Susan Steinhauser, Broward Sierra Club Member and Linda Smithe,
Loxahatchee Group Member
Gleaning: The act of recovering excess food from farms for the purpose of donating. An added benefit is the reduction on a potent greenhouse gas, methane.
There is a gleaning program through CROS Ministries, in partnership with area Food Banks and other food distribution agencies in Palm Beach and Martin Counties. It is a food recovery strategy that allows produce that is below top market grade or unmarketable, but equally nutritious and beneficial to be harvested and distributed to the food insecure of Palm Beach and Martin Counties.
Since people live apart from where their food is grown, gleaning requires volunteers who will bridge the gap between the field and the pantry to bring food to locations where people in need can receive it. Farmers donate the produce they cannot sell to CROS Ministries. Volunteers gather the produce. Our food-distributing partners then distribute the recovered produce to local agencies with feeding programs for individuals and families with low-incomes, seniors, people with disabilities, and the unhoused. The food is given away free of charge.
There are three ways that you can connect to these gleaning events -
1. Through Weekly Gleaning Email Notices. On Monday of every week, Cros Ministries send out where there will be gleaning the following Wednesday through Monday. This will include weekday opportunities that are open to individuals and families as well as weekend opportunities. You are not expected to come every week or every time.
2. Through SignUpGenius web page. They use SignUpGenius to list anticipated gleaning dates in certain regions in Palm Beach, and Martin Counties. Individuals and groups can reserve their slots for these events. This list is generated before the fields are even planted. It is subject to change and the exact field in each region will not be known until about a week out. We send out directions to the upcoming events on Mondays.
3. You can select the date that you want to come or bring a group. Send an email to Robynne with your selection, and she will confirm the availability of that event if you just need more information before you can decide, let her know Robynne at rryals@crosministries.org , cell phone (561)713-4317. She we will confirm the availability of that event for you.
Food Waste Prevention Week (FWPW) is Apr 1-7. A chance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and hunger at the same time!
What’s Going on Environmentally in the State Legislature
By Gary M. Landau, Co-chair of the Political Committee of the Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group
When it comes to the environment, the Florida legislature is sadly much more likely to introduce bad bills rather than those that might protect our water, air, biodiversity, or even ourselves.
The legislative session started in early January and runs through March 8,2024, so by the time you read this we’ll be almost through with the session, which features Republican super majorities in both the House and Senate. (The good news is that a Democrat picked up a House seat this year, almost unheard of in modern times.
The more than 1,800 bills filed in this session are a fast-moving train. Below, I highlight some of the worst moving through the legislature, but things may be substantially changed by the time you read this. (Good resources for the most up-to-date info are Legiscan.com, FLSenate.gov and myFLhouse.gov.)
The 4 worst bills Sierra Club is watching (and that you should call your representative to stop):
1. SB-1624/HB 1645 a pro-fossil fuel bill that would make it easier to store and distribute natural gas in every city and county in Florida, without any community having the option to say no. This bill also discourages state agencies and local government from buying electrical vehicles by striking a previous requirement that the most fuel-efficient models be used. This bill would also discourage electric vehicle purchases and expand natural gas. It also deletes either the term “climate change” or policies about this crisis from numerous state laws, drastically altering the state’s mission when it comes to energy. Instead of describing the importance of mitigating the impacts of climate change, its focus is the importance of “adequate, reliable, and cost-effective” energy no matter the climate impact.
2. SB-738/HB 789 is a blatant attempt to discourage people from using the courts to remedy environmental damages. The bill entitles the prevailing party in cases against the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or any water management district to recover costs and attorney fees.
3.. HB-433 preempts local governments from taking charge of their own environments and communities. A party that is supposedly for local control—aka Republicans—are pushing through legislation that prohibits local governments from setting minimum wages, requiring labor protection that exceeds Florida or Federal law, and discourages local regulation of workplace heat exposure. Climate change causes each year to be the hottest on record, and this bill would prevent Miami-Dade County from enacting the local ordinances they desire to encourage education about heat illness and the availability of water and shade in extreme working conditions.
Did you know that the Sierra Club has a scorecard listing how your state senators and house members have voted on environmental issues?
Find the 2023 scorecard for last year’s session.
Did you know the Loxahatchee chapter has a political committee, whose mission is to vet and endorse candidates running for office who work in favor of supporting a healthy environment?
The committee also reaches out to our local legislators and lobbies them to work on behalf of the environment and we also endorse environmentally minded candidates for elected office
SUN, Solar United Neighbors, is coming to Palm Beach County in April. Get ready to learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the possibility of putting solar on your roof. Solar United Neighbors of Florida is a nonprofit that educates homeowners about solar energy and provides consumer protection and support for those looking to go solar!
They organize grassroots, regional projects, called "co-ops," that are cost and commitment-free for homeowners interested in solar energy. Co-ops focus on education, consumer protection, advocacy and support in going solar.
Watch for the April edition of Turtle Tracks for details where and when. In the meantime you might want to read the Palm Beach Post article of February 18, “Florida warms to solar power”.
“Since 2007, Solar United Neighbors, a national nonprofit, known for short as SUN, has helped homeowners and business owners across the country ‘go solar’ with rooftop panels, through a community approach that offers support and discounts. The mission-driven organization helps neighbors form co-ops for more buying power to reduce the cost of solar installations, while educating and protecting buyers.”
Zoom Event: Florida Solar, Tuesday, March 5, 12:00-1:30 PM. Learn about solar energy and its benefits for your home, or small business.
Register here: Florida Solar 101 | Solar United Neighbors.
Want to Learn the History of Our Local Group?
Read on.
By Mary Cassell
Our local Loxahatchee group is one of 15 groups under the umbrella of the Sierra Club’s Florida chapter, which together represent tens of thousands of environmentalists.
I recently had the chance to research the group’s history. Here’s a summary in case you are curious too.
In the 1970s
A group of local environmentalists in 1976 petitioned the Florida chapter to start a group here. The early group—which included Ron Haines, who is still actively involved—eventually became the Loxahatchee chapter. Loxahatchee is a Native American word for a turtle slough and is part of the name of our local A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.
In the 1980s
The Loxahatchee group represented five area counties: Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, and Indian River. (In the late 1990s Indian River was moved to a different group.)
Land conservation became a large focus, especially after two FAU biologists, Grace Iverson and Daniel Austin, inventoried native ecosystems in Palm Beach County and flagged 14 of the 38 wetlands as potentially threatened. Although a bond measure supported by the club didn’t pass, Yamato Scrub on Clint Moore Road was preserved. When Iverson moved her home from Broward to Palm Beach County, she joined the group and guided its continued efforts to preserve sensitive lands.
In the 1990s
Along with other local environmental groups, our group’s successful citizen-supported education campaign resulted in voter approval of a $100 million bond referendum to buy preservation lands. (This win was so valuable for the county it garnered several national awards, including from the National Association of Counties.)
Another influential woman, Elaine Usherson (for whom the group’s current environmental camp scholarship program is named), helped keep up the focus on conservation.
Under the leadership of Usherson and many others, another bond referendum, this time for $150 million, was passed by voters. The money went to purchase open lands, water-resource lands, and agricultural lands in Palm Beach’s Agricultural Reserve west of Boca, Delray, and Boynton. (The latter was the area under attack during the recent GL Homes proposed “land swap,” which county commissioners voted down only after a major pressure campaign by our members and other environmentalists!)
In the early 2000s
The group got involved in several hands-on activities, including an effort by more than 400 volunteers to plant almost 10,000 trees to reforest cypress stands at Loxahatchee Refuge.
Crucially, the group successfully beat back an effort by the Scripps Research Institute to build a several-thousand-acre Biotech Research Park on the site of Mecca Farms’ former orange grove. Since this land was adjacent to sensitive wetlands, environmentalists feared the impact not just from the research park but from the homes and sprawl that would result. Legal challenges across the state initially failed to stop this use of the property, but when a lawsuit by our Sierra Club (through the Everglades Law Center) caused a federal judge to rule that an environmental study was required, Scripps decided not to wait the years this would take. An alternate (and much better, environmentally) site in Palm Beach Gardens was selected.
Our Sierra Club group also partnered with others to convert the overgrown, neglected Galaxy Pine Preserve into a viable gopher tortoise habitat and teaching tool. (This effort is ongoing. If you want to volunteer to remove invasives as part of our group outings there, check out the schedule on our website.)
What will the 2020s bring? Become an active member of our group and help determine our activities and these counties’ future!
SAM VAN LEER URBAN PARADISE GUILD APRIL 4, 2024, 7PM-8:30PM-VIRTUALLY TOPIC: Forensic Ecology of Broward and How we Got to Now!
Sam grew up in Miami on Biscayne Bay, learning science from his father, a Professor of Physical Oceanography. After an eclectic self-guided education, he stumbled into his first career (information management and consulting, with data architecture on 6 continents), and later some inventing. Unsatisfied living to make shareholders wealthy, he went in search of the reason he was on the planet and found it.
Sam founded Urban Paradise Guild in 2008 at the age of 43 to protect South Florida from Climate Change through projects that would make the world a better place for people and wildlife. He calls this Climate Active. Being ahead of his time was not easy, he created key partnerships that allowed him to accomplish projects that would be impossible with conventional methods. Through learning curves and dedication, he has continued being the driving force behind UPG.
Today, he is excited about the progress, and looks forward to the next chapters of UPG's history. Sam plans shift more focus to staff development, program design, strategic planning, urban design. He plans to resume inventing solutions that make the world safer from GCC.
You can also view the Group Directory and reach out to our group leaders. We would love you to join our committees, such as Conservation; Political; Equity, Inclusion, and Justice; or Communications.
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