Mushrooms Mysteries with Karen Garren - Thurs. Oct. 13 6:30 PM at LifeSouth 1221 NW 13th St, Gainesville
Photo Credit: Karen Garren
Hello ,
It has been more than a week that Hurricane Ian made landfall and the search continues for victims continues. The devastation is widespread, and relief efforts are going to be ongoing for some time. While we can breathe a little easier here it is also time to pitch in whatever we can for those in need.
Knowing where to send donations can sometimes be confusing. Fortunately, there are local organizations on the ground with the experience and network to get the help where it is needed. Collaboratory, a Fort Myers nonprofit is partnering with United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties for the SWFL Emergency Relief Fund for those affected by Hurricane Ian. The organization is donating 100% of funds to those in need. To donate visit the Collaboratory website at https://collaboratory.org/.
Due to the disruption with the storm, we delayed our monthly General Members meeting which is ordinarily scheduled on the first Thursday of each month, to the second Thursday, Oct. 13 at 6:30 PM. We also have a NEW location at the 13th Street LifeSouth Meeting Room located at 1221 NW 13th St, Gainesville. This month will feature Mushroom Mysteries, a presentation by biologist and outings leader, Karen Garren.
Discussions will include mushroom life cycle, mushroom collecting methods, seasons and habitats. Examples of mushrooms, explanations of identifying characteristics and how to collect, field guides and recipe books will be demonstrated. Workshop participants are encouraged to bring locally found mushrooms in good shape, with spore print if possible, gently wrapped in moist paper towels, placed in paper bag and refrigerated.
We also welcome former Alachua County Commissioner 'Hutch' Hutchinson who will be giving important information on the Alachua County ballot regarding the amendment on Single Member Districts.
Public Comment: Please attend the meeting or leave a public comment. To leave a comment email the council directly: citycomm@gainesvillefl.gov or click here. You can download all of the related staff reports from there as well.
A controversial plan that would add high density sprawl to the rural north side of Gainesville was rejected 3-1 by the city’s Plan Board on Sept 22, but has come before the City Commission just two weeks later. At issue is a plan to change the city’s comprehensive plan and zoning designations for 1778 acres owned by Weyerhaeuser/Plum Creek along both sides of Highway 121 north 441. The property contains hundreds of acres of wetlands and directly abuts a high-value conservation easement that protects the headwaters for three local creeks.
About a dozen residents attended the recent Plan Board meeting, and several others commented, including representatives from the Suwannee St John’s (SSJ) Sierra Club, Florida Springs Council, and Save Our Santa Fe River. All were opposed to the plan.
The current proposal would allow for massive new sprawl in one of the least developed parts of the city, including nearly two thousand housing units spread around wetland areas. Similar zoning changes were rejected by the Gainesville City Commission two years ago, then challenged in court by Weyerhaeuser/Plum Creek. The city prevailed in court.
There is no existing water or sewage service to the area, no public transit, and only one possible intersection to move the large increase in traffic to and from the rest of the city. If Gainesville wants to promote itself as a sustainable city that adheres to smart growth principles city leaders need to do better than encourage urban sprawl in its exurban periphery.
We call on all our allies to vigorously oppose the zoning and comprehensive plan change proposals when they come in front of the City Commission. Being so far from the city’s urban core, we urge city leaders to keep zoning for this area to the lowest possible density, and to stop encouraging city staff to make recommendations in support of unsustainable development.
Tim Martin
Tim is a member of the Suwannee-St Johns Group Executive Committee and former Conservation Chair for the Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club.
By Maryvonne Devensky
Since Sierra Club has resumed outings, we are proposing two outings for October.
The first one will be announced after our General Meeting as it relates to Karen Garren's presentation, Mushroom Mysteries.
The second planned outing will be on Saturday October 15, 2022 at Morningside Nature Center, 3540 East University in Gainesville. Meeting place will be the parking lot at 8:45 am. Both Sierra Club members and non- members are welcome.
Like we did in 2019, we will have Dr. Paul Lyrene lead us on a Wildflowers Hike at Morningside. Have you ever wondered why flowers are blooming in October? Why is Morningside Nature Center where these plants bloom?
Dr. Lyrene is a retired UF Professor who is an expert on plants and has, among other things, created varieties of Blueberry plants. We appreciate his leading us that day.
Sign up here where you will also be required to sign the waiver form.
MANY THANKS
I want to thank the people who nominated me for the Madeline Pyeatt Outdoors for All Sierra Club award because of my work with the ICO (Inspiring Connections Outdoors) program since 2010. I felt very honored to be nominated with a group of so many active and talented Sierra Club volunteers nationwide.
However, I want to thank the various Sierra Club members on the past and present Suwannee-St Johns Executive Committee who supported me and the ICO program all these years.
Thank you of course to all the volunteers involved with the program who responded every time I called on them to assist with the outings. The program is a group effort, and that makes it a strong program. The administrative work involved with the ICO program is the necessary base to provide successful outings.
The memories of the ICO outings have given me many rewards. I remember a child coming out of her tent saying “I love camping…” when the night before I had to calm her down because she did not want to stay and sleep in the dark. The children sharing what they liked best on the outings: the sight of a deer, making a campfire, observing a walking stick on the trunk of a tree…were rewards that made me forget the work involved in planning the outings.
Mid-term election mail-in ballots have already been sent. Please look for an email from Sierra Club Florida Chapter with endorsements from Sierra Club Suwannee St. Johns Group.
The Suwannee St. Johns Group Executive Committee has three seats that will be determined in the upcoming election. The Executive Committee approved to use electronic voting so in November all active members will receive instructions either via email or postcards if the member has opted out of email communication.
The Nominations Committee was named with Sarah Younger, Maryvonne Devensky, Tim Martin and David Hastings serving as the member-at-large this year.
This year's Executive Committee election schedule is as follows:
Friday, Oct. 28 5:00 PM - Deadline for Petition Candidates - Petition candidates must solicit at least 25 signatures from active members in order to be included on the Executive Committee ballot
Sunday, Dec. 18 - Ballot count is conducted by Elections Committee
Save the Date
Energize Alachua!
An Energy Justice & Savings Fair
Saturday November 12, 2022
10 AM - 2 PM
Santa Fe College Blount Center
530 W. University Ave. Gainesville
(#5 busline)
The Sierra Club Florida Chapter and Suwannee-St Johns Group are organizing a premiere one-day event to assist energy-burdened households in Alachua County. We will be sharing energy saving information and demonstration activities that reduce costs and increase efficiency.
Using clean renewable energy to supply our energy needs will save lives as it reduces air pollution and greenhouse gases. It also reduces consumer costs as the price of energy will no longer be tied to a volatile and diminishing fuel source.
This event will feature:
Tips and training on how to reduce your energy costs
Demonstrations on how to best weatherize your home to save money and energy
Hands-on, interactive and creative presentations
Electric vehicles and trucks on display
Catered complimentary lunch
Drawing for energy rebates, gifts, cost saving SWAG, and door prizes
Childcare and energy related activities provided for the kids
