Thank you so much for being a part of our Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group’s family! We hope you’ve enjoyed all of the events and opportunities we’ve had to offer over the past year.
A highlight for me was our annual Gala, held just last month. That’s me at the event in the photo above, left foreground. Visit here to see all the photos.
Are you looking for a way to contribute to the Sierra Club, but you’re not sure what you want to do, or can do? We have many options to choose from. As you know our membership is our organization’s life blood. Without existing members, new members and active members, we could not do all that we do.
This month's Volunteer Opportunity is Membership Chair. Mary Cassel has worked as our Membership Chair for a long time and she is retiring from that position. Thank you, Mary, for your many years of service.
What does the Membership Chair do? The Membership Chair is a people person, one who enjoys meeting and welcoming new members to our Group. This might entail sending emails and post cards, or making follow up calls to those who volunteer or attend a meeting for the first time. The Membership Chair also links volunteers to their area(s) of interest (conservation, outings, politics etc.), which helps us attain our goals and further the Sierra Club Mission.
Having an effective year-round membership plan in place will help attract new active members. We have membership packets and letter templates to help the new membership chair in the process. Drop me an email if this interests you or if you have any questions. Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room. No matter who the President is, our job is to build a movement to restore the Everglades, protect Florida’s wildlands and wildlife, promote clean energy, build an equitable coalition, and safeguard clean air and water. Nothing will stop us, right?????
Linda Smithe
Loxahatchee Group Executive Committee Chair
(561) 676-0277
PS. Reminder that our 2024 Executive Committee election is underway. All members received an email or a postcard two weeks ago with voting information and instructions. The election closes December 15.
December General Meeting:
LEADERSHIP, VOLUNTEER, AND DONOR RECOGNITION
When: Thursday, December 5, 2024, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Where:Rudy’s Pub, (561) 602-5307, 21 South J Street, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460
You’re invited for a fun casual event where we recognize our outstanding leaders, volunteers, and donors.
One free drink and light refreshments are provided!
Bring your spouse, friend, or significant other and enjoy the party!
Stay for Live Music that starts at 8:00 - Classic Rock
Our November 9th Gala - Under the Sea - was a fantastic success! Everyone who attended feasted on good food and drinks. The camaraderie and conversations were sparkling.
Reviewing all the great work we did throughout 2024 we could not be prouder. We were honored to have our 2024 Environmental Champion Jenny Staletovich, Environment Editor at WLRN, attend and speak.
Every dollar that we raised whether through the auction or raffle, or through the matching donor, helps fund our conservation work, the Inspiring Connection Outdoors program, and the Elaine Usherson Scholarship program.
We have a few items left over from the Gala Auction. There will be no bidding on these! Pay the low low price and it's yours! You can click on each to see the full details and then email Glenn Laufer if you want to buy something. First to pay gets the item.
• Roller Skating Birthday Party, Greenacres, FL, Value $110.
You know a kid having a birthday coming up? First person with $50 gets it.
• Okeeheelee Golf Course, West Palm Beach, FL, 18 holes, cart x 4 players - Off season.
Value $200. Do you golf or have a friend who golfs? What a deal for $90.
• Nautical Ventures, Riviera Beach, FL.
Half day kayak or paddle board rental for 2 people. Value $80.
Enjoy being outside with a friend for only $35.
• Signed Florida Panther Hockey Photograph of Niko Mikkola,
Value $100. Mikkola skated in all 24 postseason games with Florida in 2023-24, registering four points (2-2-4) and a plus-four rating. He logged 61 hits in the postseason and 29 blocked shots.
Know a Panther fan? Great gift for $50.
• Delray Beach Tennis Open, Two Box Tickets - Monday February 10, 2025.
Evening session, Delray Beach FL.
Value $260. Plan a special night with a friend for just $125.
Jenny Staletovich, left, Environment Editor at WLRN, received our 2024 Environmental Champion Award at our Gala. Loxahatchee Group members Pam Maldanodo, Drew Martin and Linda Smithe are holding the award. (Photo by Ron Haines)
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ARE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER
By Gary Landau, Loxahatchee Group Political Committee Co-Chair
Just when you thought it was safe to take a break from elections with the recent conclusion of the national elections, it’s not. The national results were heartbreaking from climate, equity and environmental perspectives, but it's important to remember that municipal elections are right around the corner.
Historically, voter turnout drops dramatically from November presidential elections to the March local ones. Maybe people think local elections are less important than the "bigger” national ones, but that's not true. Whoever holds power locally can have a bigger impact on our day-to-day lives and our local environment.
Counties and cities are responsible for many environmental spaces, including parks, wetlands and the natural areas inside their borders. They control how, when and where development takes place, and so much more. Because they have far fewer constituents to connect with, your odds of being heard by local elected officials can be much higher than when you reach out to federal elected officials like your U.S. Senator.
Local environments in Florida are often at the forefront of climate actions. All four southern counties, from Palm Beach to Monroe, are members of the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact (The Compact), along with many municipalities. Under more climate-forward leadership, the city of Miami has adopted a “Miami Forever Climate Ready” program, outlining their strategy to reduce carbon emissions and Implement protections against climate change effects.
The next municipal election is in March 2025. Research the environmental and other positions of the candidates in your community. Get involved with the Loxahatchee Group political committee to vet and endorse various candidates. And in the future, maybe you'll decide to run for a local office yourself.
The weather is cooling down so we’re getting ready to Sweat in the Scrub, Preserve the Preserve and Do Gopher Tortoise Good Deeds.
Stay tuned for service outings in the Galaxy Sand Pine Preserve. Dates will be announced on Facebook, Meetup, our website, and the Loxahatchee Group Email Forum (not signed up? – contact Ron Haines).
If you think you might like to be a part of the team that has been taking care of this little piece of endangered Florida habitat, contact Lisa Hanley.
See you in the Preserve!!
Join Us Outdoors
If you had been with us at Okeeheelee Park on November 16 you would have seen this blue heron having lunch. (Photos by Ron Haines)
Here are some opportunities for you to get out and enjoy nature in the coming weeks.
Loxahatchee Group Outings
Sunday Dec. 8, 10 a.m. Paddle South Fork of St. Lucie River
Leisurely three-hour paddle on the South Fork of the St. Lucie River in Stuart. Bring your own canoe or kayak, suitable for paddleboards too. Rest stop halfway through. For information and registration go here. Trip Leader: Ron Haines.
Sunday Dec. 15, 10 a.m., Upper Loxahatchee River
Leisurely 3-4 hour paddle in the backwaters of Riverbend Park in Jupiter. Rentals available. Two portages required. For information and registration go here. Trip Leader: Ron Haines.
Wednesday Jan. 1, 10 a.m. Paddle John Prince Park in Lake Worth
This is a leisurely two-hour paddle in the backwaters of an urban park in central Palm Beach County. Please arrive in time for launch at 10 am. Use the Congress Avenue entrance to John Prince Park, 4759 South Congress Ave., Lake Worth. For information and registration go here. Trip Leader: Ron Haines
Thursday Jan. 9, 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 go here.
Trip Leader: Ron Haines
Sunday Jan. 19, 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 go here. Trip Leader: Ron Haines
Broward and Miami Group Outings
Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8 – 3 day tent campground camping (near cars) in Highlands Hammock State Park near Sebring. Moderate. Register here Leader: Jordan Holaday.
Saturday, January 4, 9 AM – Florida Trail walk from the Oasis Visitor Center at Big Cypress National Preserve. Register Here Leader: Kaatje Bernabei.
Saturday, January 11, 8 AM – Florida trail 8-mile hike form the I-75 Collier County Rest Area. Strenuous. Register Here Leader: Jordan Holaday.
Saturday, January 18, 8 AM – 5-mile kayak paddle to Sandfly Island near Everglades City. Rentals available. Strenuous. Register Here Leader: Jordan Holaday.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
HELP US TABLE AT THESE EVENTS
You could be standing with us at our display table!
Are you a tree hugger? Passionate about our environment? Love the outdoors? Do you want to share your enthusiasm with a wider audience? Then volunteer for a couple hours at one of our community tabling events. You know, fairs, festivals and special days (like Everglades Day).
At these events we engage with people who are interested in protecting the environment but might not know what they can do. They might not even know what the Sierra Club is!
Our Sierra Club tables offer guidance, education and resources, like facts about the Sierra Club, how to save energy, how to reduce personal use of single-use-plastic and more. You can enjoy some outdoor time, share your passion and feel like you did something, you helped.
You might have these events already on your calendar, so why not spend some time volunteering at our booth and then enjoy the event.
Wildlife Celebration at Green Cay Nature Center: Saturday, December 7, 9:00am-3:00pm, 12800 Hagen Ranch Rd. Boynton Beach. Wildlife Celebration is a FREE event for all ages with the purpose of educating the public and encouraging an appreciation for nature, fostering respect for wildlife, and of course having fun!
Everglades Day at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Natural Wildlife Refuge: February 8, 10:00am-4:00pm, 10216 Lee Rd, Boynton Beach, FL. The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the nation with more than 145,000 acres of land where visitors can unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings.
Natural Areas Festival: Saturday, February 15, 2:00pm-7:00pm. 6160 Haverhill Rd. West Palm Beach FL. The Event includes Fire Demos, Smokey the Bear, Wildlife Presentations, Guided Hikes, Kayak Tours, Kid Zone, Food Trucks, Sunset Celebration and more.
Native Plant Society Expo: Saturday, February. 22, Palm Beach College Gardens Campus, 3160 PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. One-day conference with 30 speakers on all things native plant related, topics roughly broken up into tracks such as native plants 101, niche planting situations, advanced topics, hands-on workshops, and topics of interest to folks from the landscaping industry. Visit and Volunteer at our Sierra Club table.
To donate a couple hours to help us at any of these events, email Glenn Laufer.
The Southeast Florida environment has lost a friend.
Historian and former Indian Riverkeeper Marty Baum, 70,
died October 31 in Jensen Beach,
leaving a legacy of environmental conservation. Read his obituary here.
DO YOU KNOW ANY BROWARD COUNTY STUDENTS? TELL THEM REGISTRATION IS OPEN
FOR THE SIERRA CLUB BROWARD GROUP'S
PLASTIC WASTE ART CONTEST.
Get a Free Simple Will And Leave a Legacy to Our Loxahatchee Group
By Gary M. Landau, Esq.
When they draft their will, many people decide to leave some of their assets to charity. And what better charity than our Loxahatchee Group, where your money can continue defending our natural environment and environmental justice even after you're gone.
My Law Office of Gary M. Landau will draft your simple will for free if you leave a bequest to the Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group of $5,000 or more.
As a member of the Loxahatchee group’s Executive Committee and the co-chair of the political committee, I understand the importance of continually funding all the great work the group does in our community.
Our law office, located in Coral Springs, has served the residents of South Florida for more than 25 years. We specialize in wills and living trusts as well as real estate transactions and closings.
To make an appointment to discuss how your legacy can include protecting our natural world via a free simple will, contact my office at 954-979-6566. Learn more about estate planning on the website.
Getting too many Sierra Club emails? Don’t hit unsubscribe!
Use the Manage Preferences option at the bottom of this or any other Sierra Club email to choose what you want and what you don’t want.
Please keep on subscribing to My Chapter, the first option, so you continue to receive Turtle Tracks, our local newsletter.
The rest of the email options? Decide for yourself.
If you have any questions, contact Ron Haines at ronaldhaines@bellsouth.net.
