by Earl Bradley
The first focus of the Group’s efforts in 2016 was its annual potluck dinner held on January 30th. The speaker at the dinner was Dr. Heath Kelsey, Program Director for the Integration and Application Network, based at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science whose topic was The Value of Ecosystem Health Report Cards. Article and pictures are on page 2.
Two persons were honored at the dinner – Gerald Winegrad, for leading the opposition to the proposed Crystal Spring development, and Mike Lofton, for hisaccomplishments as Chair of the Anne Arundel Water Access Advisory Committee.
On February 29th members of the Anne Arundel Group participated in the Maryland Chapter’s Lobby Day event, at which we met with the members of the General Assembly from Anne Arundel County to discuss the Chapter’s legislative priorities. Information on the Chapter’s priorities can be found on the Chapter’s website, www.sierraclub.org.
The Group also monitored activities related to its major land use concerns – the proposed Crystal Spring Development (see article on page 4) and the City of Annapolis’s proposed Forest Conservation legislation. An updated version of that legislation is scheduled to be introduced in the City Council within the next month.
Two new activities are scheduled for this Spring – participation in Quiet Waters Park Earth Day on April 16, and the Hillsmere Community yard sale on April 30, at which the Anne Arundel Group will be selling used outdoor sports and camping equipment. (See page 3 for details and directions.)
In addition, we are looking for a new outings coordinator because our previous one moved out of town. If you are interested in becoming the new coordinator, please contact me at 410-295-5024, or earlbradley@verizon.net.
Finally, Group members are urged to vote in the upcoming Sierra Club National Board of Directors Election. Please visit the Club's election website for additional information about candidates: http://www.sierraclub.org/board/election. Then make your choice and cast your vote!
Even if you receive your election materials in the mail, we encourage you to use the user-friendly internet voting site to save time and postage. If sending via ground mail, please note that your ballots must be received by no later than Election Day, April 27, 2016.