To get our newsletter, you need to get emails from the Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club and the Tampa Bay Group. For multiple reasons, many people do not get our official emails. You can fix this online, but legally, we cannot do it for you.
To set up your My Account access, go to myaccount.sierraclub.org and click on “Create your account.” Fill in the form on the next page with your information. It is important that you use the email address that the Sierra Club has on file for you, because this is how the system will confirm that you are a valid member.
When you submit the form, you’ll receive an email at that address with instructions for setting up a password to log into your account. If you have multiple email addresses and don’t remember which one you used for Sierra Club, call Member Care at (415) 977 5653 to verify which address the Club has on file for you.
Needless to say, don't use "Unsubscribe" - either use your account or call Member Support Member Support at 415-977-5653.
Program:
This meeting will address PFAS or forever chemicals that are in our environment. Dr. Rogers will discuss with the audience the issues with PFAS or forever chemicals and some of the work that Consumer Reports has reported on in this area.
Bio:
James. E. Rogers, Ph.D. is the Director and Acting Head of Product Safety at Consumer Reports. He is responsible for leading the food safety, nutrition and product safety operations of the organization, including food testing, data analysis, and risk and safety assessments. Dr. Rogers has been with Consumer Reports for seven years.
This is the annual joint meeting of Tampa Bay Sierra Club, Audubon Tampa Bay Club, and Tampa Bay Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society.
Socializing and dinner: 6:00 pm
Announcements: 7:00 pm
Program: 7:30 pm
Location: Tampa Garden Club, Bay Shore Blvd., Tampa
Bring a dish to share.
Program: Conservation of the Florida Everglades
Speaker: Paul Gray, Ph.D.
Science Coordinator, Audubon Florida - Florida Everglades Restoration Program
Dr. Gray will outline the bird, land, and water management issues connected with restoration of the Florida Everglades including the Kissimmee River and Lake Okeechobee. He will describe the work of federal and state agencies, and conservation organizations including Audubon Florida working in concert with the US Army Corps of Engineers and South Florida Water Management District. We will hear where we are and what the future holds for our nation's largest wetland system.
Outings
Morris Bridge Wilderness Park
June 13, 9:15 am. Downstream side of the bridge. There is a $2 parking fee.
Walk the boardwalk along the river and the Bald Cypress Trail. These are an easy walk totaling about a mile.
You will certainly see wading birds, song birds and sometimes owls. You will likely see alligators. Otters sometimes frolic here. Gray squirrels and various turtles are common.
The trail is shady and the plants along the boardwalk and trail are mostly Florida natives.
There is a native plant garden maintained by the Florida Native Plant Society and County rangers near the restroom.
June 23 8:30 am. Meet on the downstream side of the bridge. There is a $2 parking fee.
After meeting, we will duck under the bridge on a short boardwalk and then continue upstream along a dirt path next to the river.
We will be walking along the riverbank towards the lookout. This a natural dirt bank. There are protruding cypress knees and probably a fallen log or two which we must go over. At the Hillsborough River lookout we will stop and rest. If the overlook is not crowded, we will stop, rest, and discuss the history of the river and this particular location.
Registration is required for all outings. Unless otherwise noted, outings are free though there may be site entry fees. Liability waivers are required, and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian. No pets.
Registration is required for all outings. Unless otherwise noted, outings are free though there may be site entry fees. Liability waivers are required, and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian. No pets.
Welcome to New Outings Leader Janice Carll
Janice became interested in the mission of the Sierra Club at an early age and has been a member for approximately 10 years. She enjoys getting out in nature -- hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming and most outdoor activities. She calls this self-care and finds time to enjoy nature while working fulltime.
Janice says that it is important that we preserve our environment and inspire others to enjoy nature, it’s good for the body and mind! I look forward to being an outings leader and getting to lead others through the wonders of nature.
Welcome Janice!
ICO
Volunteer
This year we are working with the 5th. grade students at Academy Prep of Tampa, St Pete, Lakeland, Leto, and Riverview High Schools, in addition to the Young Men's Leadership Corp from Plant and Berkley High Schools.
If you are interested in becoming a leader or volunteering, please contact one of the leaders.
Academy Prep of St. Pete: Agency Lead, Rocky Milburn
Academy Prep of Lakeland: Agency Lead, Emilie Joyce
Policy and Legislation
VOTE LIKE OUR DEMOCRACY DEPENDS ON IT!
--- Provided by Janet Stanko
This year is critical, ao ensure your vote counts. Please keep these dates in mind to be sure you are READY TO VOTE!
Register/ change party affiliation
Early Voting
Vote by Mail Ballot Request
Deadline
Mail "vote by mail" Ballot*
Election
Date
Primary
7/22
8/5- 8/18
8/8
8/13
8/20
General
10/7
10/21- 11/3
10/24
10/29
11/5
*Only voters registered with a political party may vote in that party's Primary Election. If you are not a registered Democrat or Republican, you must change your party to either Democrat or Republican to vote in the Primary on candidates. All registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, may vote on issues and nonpartisan races during a Primary Election.
**Allow 7 days for mail
Remember, even if you have voted by mail before, you must complete a new vote by mail request for 2024 elections.
Early voting dates above are approximate & need to be checked with your county Supervisor of Elections. f you have questions, please contact your Supervisor of Elections. In most cases you can search online for “Vote [county name]” and navigate to your county’s website.
Conservation
Conservation Committee Meetings
For more information or to volunteer, please contact Nancy Stevens.
Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 pm via Google Meet. Contact Nancy to get the link.
Outreach
New Outreach Chair
Please welcome Emilie Joyce as out Outreach Chair and Coordinator.
Comment from Emilie: Advice from a Sea Turtle:Swim with the current. Be a good navigator. Stay calm under pressure. Be well-traveled. Think long term. Age gracefully. Spend time at the beach!
Many thinks to Bonnie and Michael Newitt who have stepped down from this position. As their last official actions, they led a very successful tabling event at EcoFest. Thank you from all of us.
Tabling -- A personal Perspective
--- by Jane Gibbons
I have been a conservationist for as long as I can remember. In my high school history class we had to read the paper and present a current event every Friday. I recall reading and reporting on "acid rain". At that time the solution for acid rain was rainfall to cleanse the air. Fast forward 65 years and our environmental challenges have skyrocketed.
As a member of the Tampa Bay Sierra Club I have tabled at Ecofest, Solar Fest, and other events.
I have decided the most effective way to get information out about the Sierra Club is to walk through these festivals with the Sierra Club pamphlet in hand. I am astonished at the number of people who have NEVER heard about the Sierra Club and have no idea what the Sierra Club does.
What does give me hope is the younger people I meet. Most are very concerned about our environment and understand the urgency we face. They are familiar with solar power, recycling, and having clean water to drink. Once they find out about the Sierra Club many will join and some are eager to participate in outings.
These experiences have made my work with The Tampa Bay Sierra Club even more meaningful.
More
Tampa Bay ExCom Meeting
Date(s), 6:30 pm via Google Meet.
All members are welcome to attend but cannot speak unless specifically invited to do so by the chair.
To get our newsletter, you need to get emails from the Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club and the Tampa Bay Group. For multiple reasons, many people do not get our official emails.
Sierra Club members can fix this online, but legally, we cannot do it for you.
To set up your My Account access, go to myaccount.sierraclub.org and click on “Create your account.” Fill in the form on the next page with your information. It is important that you use the email address that the Sierra Club has on file for you, because this is how the system will confirm that you are a valid member. When you submit the form, you’ll receive an email at that address with instructions for setting up a password to log into your account. If you have multiple email addresses and don’t remember which one you used for Sierra Club, call Member Care at (415) 977 5653 to verify which address the Club has on file for you.
Needless to say, don't use "Unsubscribe" - either use your account or call Member Support.
Member Support: 415-977-5653
Needed Now
Graphic designer - will help create handouts for tabling events and posters. Contact Shirley Denton.
Social media - will assist our Social Media coordinator and may do things such as posting to Instagram, LinkedIn, MeetUp, Facebook. Contact Shirley Denton.
Outings leaders - will be trained to lead outings. This includes a 2-year certification (free) in basic first aid. Contact Ed Shindle.
ICO leaders will be trained to lead ICO trips. This includes a 2-year certification (free) in basic first aid. Contact Rocky Milburn.
Tabling volunteers. No experience required. Contact Emilie Joyce.
