Whether your interest is conservation, policy, trail maintenance, activism or enjoying our outings, everyone with a love for the outdoors is welcome here. We appreciate you being a part of the Eastern Missouri Group (EMG) of the Missouri Sierra Club.
New Year Hike
Cold hike and hot drinks; outings leaders Louise Bullock and Lisa Dahlgren led a strenuous but rewarding hike in the Mark Twain National Forest going from Lakeside to Sky High around Council Bluff Lake and up Johnson Mountain. At the top, they treated hikers to hot drinks while everyone appreciated the incredible views. Other treats of the hike were plentiful frost flowers, sightings of a red-tailed hawk and a bald eagle, as well as great hiking company.
Photo by Louise Bullock.
Hottest year on record in 2024 breached global warming threshold, scientists say From NBC News Climate scientists say the global warming threshold of 1.5C above pre-industrial was breached in 2024, which was the hottest year on record. FULL STORY
Missouri utilities push legislation to charge customers upfront costs to build gas plants From KSDK 5 On Your Side
The utility companies say Missouri is losing out on attracting major employers to the state because it doesn’t have enough power supply. MORE INFO
Heat Pumps Explained: Efficient Heating and Cooling for Your Home From the Building Decarbonization Coalition Heat pumps are highly efficient devices that provide both heating and cooling by transferring heat rather than generating it, making them a sustainable alternative to traditional systems. Advances in technology and financial incentives make now the perfect time to consider switching to a heat pump for energy savings and a more comfortable home. READ MORE
Clothing Recycling Is Taking a Giant Leap Forward From Reasons to be Cheerful As fast fashion drives textile waste to stratospheric highs, new methods are turning mountains of old clothes into rack-ready garments. FULL STORY
Trump’s Energy Pick Concedes Climate Change is a “Real Issue” From Mother Jones
Chris Wright, the fracking company CEO who Trump has nominated to lead the Department of Energy and who had previously claimed “there is no climate crisis,” admitted that climate change is a “real issue” during his confirmation hearings KEEP READING
VOLUNTEER REPORT: Castlewood Service
On Dec 20th, nine hearty Sierra Club volunteers worked for 3 hours clearing and securing the fire line that will be used later for a burn. The work was challenging because of the steep slope and the temps-yes, we had flakes of snow! Jordan Oppolo, the assistant superintendent for Castlewood State Park, let us know that the work is of crucial importance for the burns that are needed to keep those woods healthy. Thank you volunteers!! Photo by Laura Self.
VOLUNTEER REPORT: Don Robinson State Park Service
Scary and cold Friday the 13th turned friendly and cozy for Sierra Club volunteers who were able to be at Don Robinson State Park to help cut, buck, and burn cedar trees. We cut more than a dozen trees, burned about 1/3 of them, and got another third ready for burning. After our work we sat by the dwindling fire and shared stories of outdoor adventures. No marshmallows, but fortunately, someone did bring home-made cookies! Photo by Laura Self.
Quarter 1 Chapter Executive Committee Meeting - February 15
All Executive Committee Meetings are open to the public to learn what the Sierra Club, Missouri Chapter is up to. Only elected members of the Ex-Com have the ability to vote on action items. RSVP HERE
Mastodon State Historic Site Hike - February 15 We will first hike the 3-mile figure-eight loop formed by the Limestone Hill and Spring Branch trails. Returning to the parking lot, we will hike Wildflower Trail. The hiking is then over but everyone is encouraged to tour the museum which has a $4 entrance fee. Besides exhibits, the museum offers a 13-minute video. MORE INFO
Bell Mountain Hike - February 15 This is another beautiful, remote, backwoods trail where deer, turkey, and bald eagles abound, with multiple beautiful glens and rock outcroppings. From our start at the Bell Mountain Trailhead off Hwy A we will take both a connector trail and the Ozark Trail up to the Bell Mountain Loop. From there we will continue counter-clockwise up Bell Mountain until we reach the summit. Once there we will soak in the views of the wilderness while we eat our lunch and congratulate ourselves on our accomplishment. After lunch we descend Bell Mountain by retracing our steps to the trailhead. SIGN UP HERE
OneSTL Sustainability & Climate Plan - February 25 This Sustainability Lab will be an interactive input session for the City of St. Louis's Sustainability & Climate Plan. Come ready to share your ideas about focus areas/priorities, goals, and strategies and to give feedback on the draft plan framework. MORE INFO
View from the summit of Hughes Mountain Natural Area in Washington County showing the rhyolite rock formations locally referred to as the Devil’s Honeycomb.
Photo by Louise Bullock
Castlewood Service Project - February 7 Join a group of dedicated members as we assist in the general care and upkeep of Castlewood State Park under the direction of park staff. The specifics of our tasks depend on what the staff determine is the parks greatest need at the time. Some of these tasks are maintaining and repairing trails, closing social trails, and picking up trash. This is a wonderful way to engage with a beautiful park, while enacting a commitment to conservation and making the outdoors accessible to all. MORE INFO
Stewardship at Don Robinson State Park - February 13 We’ll be working on various activities deemed important by the park superintendent. Participants can expect to possibly hike into the work site on a single track trail that is rocky and rooty at times and can be slippery when wet or covered in snow. We’ll aim for 3-4 hour days, but everyone can work as they see fit. REGISTER HERE
Outings Leader Training Workshop - February 22 Taking place at Forest Park Visitors Center from 9am-2:30pm. Do you like to hike or paddle? This is your chance to help out Sierra Club and do something that you like to do! We REALLY need more Outings Leaders and this is a GREAT way to help. It is a good way to meet new people and discover new trails and rivers. This interesting course will provide you with the knowledge and skill set to lead a hike or paddle trip. We will provide you with FREE First Aid and CPR course. Once you complete the course you'll get an Outings Leader T-shirt, first aid kit and other cool Sierra Club swag. Please contact Dave Campbell, davecampbell9009@gmail.com, 217-552-9009 and SIGN UP HERE
GRG Spring Cutback on the Greenways - March 1 Volunteers are needed for the Spring Greenway Cutback Event on Saturday March 1st from 9am-11am! Great Rivers Greenway will be working at three different greenway sites to cut back native perennials and grasses in preparation for new growth in the spring. The work in March will be rewarded later this year as the native plants and grasses flourish when the weather warms up! MORE INFO
Trail work at Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry - Multi-Day - April 10-14 Twice a year Sierra Club does a multi-day trail maintenance stewardship in the amazing backcountry of Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry. In addition to making sure that trails are passable and adequately as well as accurately blazed, participants get a chance to hike and work in a back country that is beautiful and unique. SAVE YOUR SPOT
Calling all IT pros and those that want to learn! As an organization managed by volunteers, so is our website! Are you interested in helping us update and manage our website? After completing a 1 hour online training, you can help build our group's digital prescence! Reach out to Chapter Coordinator Ashton Kuehnel (ashton.kuehnel@sierraclub.org) to get involved.
Volunteer Slalom Race Judges Needed for 2025 Missouri Whitewater Championships - March 22-23 Members of the Eastern Missouri Group of the Sierra Club have always helped as volunteer slalom race judges at the Missouri Whitewater Association’s annual whitewater races, now in its 58th year! This year’s slalom races will be held on Saturday & Sunday, March 22-23, 2025 on the rapids of the St. Francis for paddlers in kayak, canoe and SUP (stand-up paddleboard). It's an outing that is a lot of fun. You’ll meet lots of other outdoor types and watch some great paddlers run the rapids and gates at the Millstream Gardens Conservation Area near Fredericktown—one of the most spectacular outdoor venues in Missouri. Both first timers and experienced folks who have race judged in past are welcome and needed. We teach you everything at our race judge training sessions that Saturday and Sunday morning. To be a race judge, SIGN UP HERE!
Missouri Whitewater Championship photo submitted by Jonathan Lehmann.
