NO AUGUST MEETING
HERE ARE SOME OTHER THINGS TO DO
Dear Friend,
I am still traveling, currently in Canada, my furthest north location by boat. Starting to head south, from Ottawa down the Rideau Canal.
I am realizing I will never have the opportunity to see this area again by boat. It's just too far away from Florida. Time is short! I know everyone is busy doing everyday activities, like shopping at Aldi's (bring your own bag). I go to Mrs. McGarrigle’s Fine Food Shop and realize I will never be here again.
There are things we take for granted, like shopping for groceries and the Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group’s General Monthly Meeting.
However, there is no General Meeting in August. What are you going to do with all that spare time? Here are some suggestions:
Vote in the August 20th Primary!!!!
Become a poll worker and help protect our democracy.
Write an email to the Palm Beach County Commissioners. Tell them you do not want any more privately initiated Text amendments that benefit developers, like Park West, in the Agricultural Reserve. There is a meeting on Park West, Wed. Aug. 28, 9:30 AM at the PBC Council Chambers, 6th floor, 301. North Olive, WPB, if you want to deliver your message in person.
Read the article below about a solar co-op and consider joining. The Palm Beach County Co-op registration is closing September 6.
Vote NO on Amendment 2 in November. The Sierra Club opposes it. Learn why to vote “NO”
"This dangerous and misleading amendment will strip Florida citizens of their power to protect and conserve wild animals. It’s designed to trick voters into allowing some of the cruelest forms of hunting and prevent citizens, scientists, and agencies from protecting wildlife in the future. World Animal Protection says a resounding “no” to Amendment 2." Quote from World Animal Protection
Program: Learn about AlgaePower, a systems integration solution to the problem of fertilizer run off and sargassum blooms that kill fish, sicken humans and damage ecosystems. AlgaePower is starting a fertilizer business to produce organic, no-runoff fertilizer by harvesting algae, sargassum and or wastewater treatment biomass. AlgaePower reduces the use of chemical fertilizers, ultimately protecting the ecosystem from the harmful impacts of toxic chemicals and toxic runoff.
Speaker: Sharon Seagren, CEO & Founder of AlgaePower, has a history of leading teams developing innovation in tech and biotechnology. Professional highlights include spearheading cellular and two-way radio technology to provide clean drinking water and food for people worldwide. Cellular technology has advanced precision agriculture and enables regenerative agriculture practices.
By R. Stephen Mahoney, voting member of the Sierra Club National Marine Team and Loxahatchee Group volunteer
In June, my wife Margaret and I attended Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2024 (CHOW), representing the Sierra National Marine Team. CHOW kicked off with an announcement of the designation of our newest national marine sanctuary, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary.
CHOW 2024 had one of the most diverse speaker lineups in its history and featured in-person plenary sessions, virtual partner breakouts and speakers on varied topics from leadership to climate action, to youth leadership and the marine workforce, and community stewardship.
Here are some of the highlights. If you are interested in more information about the event, please drop me an email.
On Hill Day we met with Charles Ganna, a staff person in Rep. Brian Mast’s office. The meeting was cordial. We presented the topic of Blue Carbon, touched on Lake Okeechobee discharges, and agreed to set up an in person visit for Rep. Mast to the Ripple Project in Palm City, a fine example of wetlands restoration in his district.
“Avatar: The Way of Water” actress and ocean activist Bailey Bass was the CHOW 2024 conference keynote speaker and shared her story of falling in love with the water while learning to dive.
Speakers on the ConSERVE Leadership Roundtable showcased the vision, ambition, innovation, cultures, and collaborations of leaders working to protect the blue heart of our planet.
Leadership for Climate Action plenary session - leaders from around the country are addressing the climate crisis.
People Power: Fueling the Future of Youth Leadership and the Marine Workforce - panelists spoke about how we can invest in youth as the leaders of tomorrow and draw strength from a diversity of lived experiences.
Table Talk - National Marine Sanctuary Foundation President & CEO Joel R. Johnson shared the stage with Emmy Award-winning TV host biologist Jeff Corwin to talk about the importance of storytelling.
Community Stewardship of Protected Waters - discussion on the co-benefits of centering community stewardship of our ocean and coasts.
Biodiversity Loss is one of the most pressing issues facing our ocean and our planet. This challenge is compounded by and closely intertwined with the dual threats of climate change and social inequities.
Leaders at the Helm of Climate-Ready Fisheries - how leaders can look towards the future of fisheries management to navigate changing conditions and shape and challenge our current governance systems.
The Path Forward for Responsible Offshore Energy - To confront the challenges of the global climate crisis we must look to the ocean as a source of climate solutions and think smarter about renewable energy sources like wind energy.
The Margaret Davidson Visionaries plenary session brought together some of the servant leaders making a difference for our oceans.
The final day of CHOW 2024 started with a discussion between two incredible ocean leaders– Dr. Richard Spinrad, Under Secretary of Commerce for NOAA and Eric Sala, a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence and founder of its Pristine Seas project. The session was titled: Living Laboratories: Ocean Economy Conservation and Acceleration.
Three days well spent!
Editor’s Note: The Sierra Club National Marine Team is composed of 9 voting core members authorized to act on behalf of the Sierra Club on marine issues that involve federal legislation, rules, or proposed actions by federal agencies affecting more than one chapter. The Team is tasked with developing policies on issues of marine conservation, providing input and commentary on national marine policy, lobbying, and outreach. Members reside in and represent major coastal regions of the United States, including the West Coast, Hawaii, the Gulf states, and the Atlantic Coast.
• Deadline to request that ballot be mailed: August 8, 2024
• Early voting period (mandatory period): August 10 – 17, 2024
• Election Day: August 20, 2024
TO EVERYONE:
Our 2024 Annual Gala Under the Sea is November 9. Mark your calendar now. Ticket info to come.
POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP US
One of the major goals of the Sierra Club is to find and support good environmental candidates at ALL levels of government, from local races to national ones.
The Loxahatchee Group’s Political Committee is hard at work right now preparing for the November election.
If you would like to get involved in this process please contact our Political Co-Chairs: Gary Landau or Pat Edmonson.
You can also help us by spreading the word about who your Sierra Club is backing. Please share the two endorsements below with your friends and neighbors.
MAKE THE SUN YOUR FRIEND
Thinking about going solar?
Now’s the time to make your move
Deadline is Sept. 6
Life-threatening heat and humidity are not exaggerations when you live in Palm Beach County. These issues are having an impact on you and your neighbors.
How are you going to handle the ever-growing cost of electricity to keep your home comfortable?
Going solar is a life-changing event for many people and finding the right company to provide reasonably priced systems can be a complicated process.
Sierra Club has teamed up with the nonprofit Solar United Neighbors (SUN) to bring you the Palm Beach 2024 Solar Co-op — a free group to help you go solar.
The Palm Beach County Solar Co-op guides homeowners and small businesses through this process and allows co-op members to purchase a solar system and installation at a group rate from a single installer.
Together, co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to get competitive pricing and quality solar installations.
THE BROWARD GROUP GENERAL MEETING IS TONIGHT AT 7 PM VIA ZOOM
URBANIZATION AND CITY BUILDING AS THE MOST POWERFUL TOOL TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE
Speaker: Maximillano “MAXI K” Goldstein of Better Streets Broward
Maxi K was born and raised in Broward County and grew up used to the way of life here, which necessitated driving for almost everything.
He then lived in Atlanta for five years car-free and enjoyed life more. This led him to become an advocate for better urbanism, walkability, and transit.
When he returned to Broward he joined Better Streets Broward, which was founded by some of his neighbors to advocate for all these things and more.
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