You won't want to miss this opportunity to relax and break bread together with our special guest, Emily Gorman, Executive Director of Sierra Club Florida Chapter! She would like to hear from our members and engage in conversations with communities in North Central Florida.
Please bring your favorite summertime dish to share, also no single use plastic items to make it an earth-friendly event.
If you are planning to attend, please RSVP here. There will be no rain date.
What’s going to happen in Alachua County over the next several decades as a result of climate change? What are the impacts we should be most concerned about, and how we should best address the impacts?
Join us on June 2nd, 2023, from 5 to 8 PM at the beautiful Camp Cuscowilla for the First Annual Countywide Climate Fair to get local answers to a global concern and explore what impacts climate change will have on North Central Florida.
It’s about taking action and creating a ripple effect of positive change. Together, we'll tackle the climate challenges that lie ahead and forge a resilient future for our community. The Climate Fair will have activities for families, and vendors will be available to discuss their climate change projects.
The fair will be held at the Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center (210 S.E. 134th Avenue in Micanopy) from 5-8 p.m.
Alachua County commissioned a report to analyze how vulnerable our County is to climate impacts. Is it flooding? Extreme heat? Storms? Or agriculture and food availability?
The first public release of this report will be held from 3-5 pm before the Climate Fair where there will be discussion with local leaders and community members. Please register in advance here for the 3-5pm event to attend in person. This event will also be livestreamed and recorded for later viewing.
SSJ Conserves!
The Conservation Committee has their next meeting on Wednesday, June 21st at 6 pm at Cypress & Grove.
SSJ Conservation Committee met on Monday, May 25 at Cypress & Grove Brewery.
Highlights of the discussion included:
UF’s tree removals that do not adhere to their 2020-2030 Master Plan nor the Tree Mitigation Plan. There are also over 270 trees within the McGuire Village Graduate Housing area all slated for removal. There will be a event at McGuire Village on June 10th at 2 pm to raise awareness of the slated demolition of the village and trees. The event is being hosted by residents who are deeply concerned with the loss of canopy.
Nutrien phosphate mine in Hamilton County near White Springs has been re-issued 5 year permit that will exhaust the phosphate for that mine. Nutrien is expected to apply for a permit in Columbia County where it can directly impact the Ichetucknee and Santa Fe Rivers.
Chemours, a titanium mine in Bradford County, which is releasing industrial wastewater without an updated permit. They have been delayed for15 years in land mitigation. We are planning a ‘field trip’ to Chemours, details will be posted on our calendar.
Proposed horse manure processing operation that would transport manure from Marion to Levy County. This project is currently ‘on-hold’ but we will be watching it since it clearly demonstrates economic disparities of how the wealthy send their waste to the more impoverished communities.
Sign up here to attend our next meeting as we want to hear from you!
Paddle the Santa Fe River with Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson
Friday, June 30th at Rum 138 (2070 SW County Rd 138, Fort White, FL) 9:00 AM (4-hour paddle) Rent kayak or canoe or bring your own
Photo Credit: Sarah Younger
Well-known as one of the best and prettiest Florida rivers to paddle, the Santa Fe River has a combination of sparkling springs and natural beauty that you will love. There are over a dozen springs along the way, plus places to stop and explore or have a picnic. When a spring joins the tea colored river, there is a remarkable blending of clear spring water and dark tannic river water. Some of the springs support entire ecosystems. On any given day, paddlers can encounter a diverse array of wildlife including deer, otter, snakes, birds, river frogs, and many turtles.
Join us Friday June 30th at 9am at Rum 138 (2070 SW County Rd 138, Fort White, FL) for a half day paddle. There is enough current that you can do the half day trip with ease. Bring your own lunch, hat, sunscreen and water; we will bring snacks, and all necessary equipment for a great day on the water.
Single or double ($39/$59) kayaks, canoe (2 person; $55) or SUP ($45) available for rent. Return shuttle for your personal boat, $25.
Skill level: Great for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.
Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson will be our personal river guide for this trip. Merrillee is owner of Rum 138, and one of the most experienced and knowledgeable guides on the Santa Fe River. She was president of Our Santa Fe River has been a campaign organizer for the Sierra Club. We are thrilled and excited that Merrillee has offered to guide this trip.
Election Schedule for SSJ Executive Committee
SSJ Executive Committee (ExCom) consists of seven members, of which four of these seats are up for election this year. The members of 2023 Nomination Committee (NomCom) are Michelle Rutledge, Tim Martin, and Kristin Rubin.
Oct 2nd- Nominations Due
Oct 23rd- Petition Candidate deadline (additional candidates can petition to be on the ballot by providing signatures of at least 25 members)
Nov 13th- Voting begins
Dec 18th- Voting ends
Jan 2024 - Newly elected SSJ Executive Committee members term begins
If you or someone you know would like to serve on the SSJ Executive Committee, please contact the NomCom members at ftimothymartin@yahoo.com.
The GRU Takeover Bill (HB 1645) has passed the Florida House and Senate and was not vetoed by the Governor. It will transfer control of GRU from the Gainesville city commission to a board appointed by the governor.
The bill deliberately disregards Gainesville’s citizens, who voted by a 60% majority to defeat a nearly identical measure in 2018.
There is no indication that GRU is in financial distress, based on investment grade bond ratings. In fact, all three major bond rating agencies give GRU top tier ratings – better than Duke and Florida Power and Light (FPL).
Transferring control to GRU to a state-appointed Authority would likely result in the eventual ruin of GRU, with an investor-owned utility likely taking control. This will, in turn, result in financial hardship for the City of Gainesville. The proposed legislation threatens climate goals we worked hard to put in place.
Publicly owned power companies like GRU provide distinct advantages including local control, financial support for city government and assistance to low-income customers. As climate impacts continue to worsen, GRU has focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as environmental stewardship.
Watch this space as vigilance on the transfer is crucial to minimize the impact to Gainesville residents and GRU ratepayers.
2023 Florida Legislative Scorecard is here!
Last week, Sierra Club Florida released its 2023 Legislative Scorecard, which is an annual snapshot of the Chapter’s priority bills this past session, and the legislators who either championed or worked against Florida’s environment, democracy, and freedom.
In particular, Rep Hinson was a powerful champion for local freedom and a leader in the fight against the GRU Takeover bill.
Check out the full scorecard. Send a thank you to our legislative champions. Share this information with your networks and Help us hold our elected representatives accountable!
Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 12 PM – 4 PM
Porters Community Center, 512 SW 6th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601
Join MAMA's Club Gainesville for a luncheon, film, and discussion to honor the 120 lives cut short and hundreds more injured by gun violence daily and to talk about how we can work together to end gun violence.
On January 21, 2013, Hadiya Pendleton marched in President Obama’s second inaugural parade. One week later, Hadiya was shot and killed on a playground in Chicago. Soon after this tragedy, Hadiya’s childhood friends decided to commemorate her life by wearing orange, the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others.
Wear Orange began on June 2, 2015—what would have been Hadiya’s 18th birthday.
You can now direct donations through Cash App to support the Sierra Club Suwannee-St. Johns Group by using our CashTag$:
$SSJSierra
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