Yosemite summit wearing a Sierra Club shirt. Photo by Matt Self.
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.
Join us at the EMG Holiday Party on December 7 Celebrate the season at the annual EMG Holiday Party! The holiday party is a potluck. Please bring a favorite dish to share (appetizer, salad, main course, side dish or dessert) to feed at least 8.* Microwave and refrigeration available. Crock pots for hot dishes suggested. Please note, there is no stove or oven. To help reduce our impact, please bring your reusable cup to enjoy the provided coffee and tea. If you would like to bring another beverage to share, please do! Please note that wine, beer, and champagne are the only alcoholic beverages allowed at the venue.
This year the event will be Saturday, December 7 starting at 6:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. in the Becker Room at the Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Rd, St. Louis, MO 63117. Park and enter in the back of the building. You can sign up on Campfire or contact Barb Wall at 314 691-6715. RSVP HERE
Emerald Baldwin and Louise Bullock taking a break during the Outings Committee’s Trail Maintenance Event, October 6-9 in L-A-D’s Pioneer Forest, Shannon County.
Photo by Bob Solomon.
Ameren Missouri’s Rush Island coal plant closes From Sierra Club After years of litigation, the Rush Island coal plant shuts down over its failure to comply with federal clean air regulations. It was one of Ameren Missouri's largest coal plants. FULL PRESS RELEASE
Rural Missouri groups threaten lawsuit over PFAS in meatpacking sludge From Missouri Independent Rural neighbors have reached out to lawyers and state lawmakers in recent months, looking to halt the use of industrial sludge as fertilizer, saying its stench is unbearable and it puts waterways at risk of contamination. FULL STORY
Climate change fueled the fury of hurricanes Helene and Milton From Science News Two new studies link abnormally hot water in the Gulf of Mexico to the storms’ intensity. READ MORE
The most and least environmentally friendly countries of 2024 From The Week The U.N. signed the Paris Agreement pledging carbon neutrality by 2050; however, some countries are playing a bigger part in reducing emissions than others. MORE INFO
Are biodiversity efforts keeping up with the effects of climate change? From NPR Biodiversity is the variety of all living things on the planet; how they interact and depend on each other — like a butterfly pollinating a flower; a coral reef sheltering a fish. READ MORE
VOLUNTEER REPORT: At Don Robinson, our group did a trail re-route on a steep section and added to water bars to prevent erosion and improve drainage. The volunteers were incredibly productive in just a few hours on a beautiful Fall morning. Don Robinson State Park gets a lot of visitors on just 6-7 miles of trail so these little actions can dramatically improve the sustainability of the park. Photo above and report by Matt Self.
Green Cave Hiking Adventure - November 2 Green Cave (plus Hamilton Ironworks, Homestead & Pratt Springs, Hamilton Cave, and Fall Color) Hiking Adventure. This will be a six mile hike in about 4 hours. SIGN UP
Election Day - November 5
Don't forget to make your voice heard and vote in the General Election!
A Hike in the Park - Literally! - November 8
The hike will take place at the park at New Melle Lakes in St. Charles County. This will be a two-portion hike/walk. The first portion in the Park at New Melle Lakes (South) offers 3.5 miles of PAVED trails – walking by several bodies of water, a disc golf course, and following a story book trail (Halloween story!). The second portion is less than a mile away and we will do 1.5 miles on a trail in the woods in the North part of the same park. RSVP HERE
Castlewood Under the Stars - November 8 This is a VERY SPECIAL event! We will be doing stargazing with telescopes provided by the St. Louis Astronomical Society. You are welcome to bring your own telescope. There will be a presentation by the Dark Sky Society discussing the importance of dark skies and its impact on our environment. Castlewood State Park is working to become a Dark Sky designated area. We will have hot chocolate and coffee. Please bring a snack to share. MORE INFO
earthday365 Hard to Recycle Fair - November 9 Clear out your closets, garages, and basements—now’s your chance to responsibly recycle electronics, clothing, textiles, tires, carpet & padding, glasses, and medical equipment. Let’s keep these items out of the landfill! Electronics recycling fees are waived for attendees while funding lasts. Come early to take advantage! Check out more details on the event HERE.
EMG ExCom Monthly Meeting - November 12 The Executive Committee of the Eastern Missouri Group meets monthly to review group activities and business. These meetings are open to the public, in person or via Zoom. Zoom links will be sent out to registered participants a few days before the meeting. RSVP HERE
EMG Outings Leaders Meeting - November 14 Monthly Outing Committee Meeting for the Eastern Missouri Group. RSVP HERE
Middle Mississippi River Wildlife National Refuge Tour at Clarence Cannon NWR - November 16 Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Great River National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The complex spans Illinois and Missouri and includes a series of island and land divisions along the Mississippi River. SIGN UP
EMG Annual Holiday Party and Potluck - December 7 Celebrate the season at the annual EMG Holiday Party and Potluck. You can bring a favorite dish to share like an appetizer, salad, main course, side dish or dessert) t From 6pm-9pm at the Ethical Society. You can sign up on Campfire or contact Barb Wall at 314 691-6715.
Volunteering at Castlewood State Park - November 15 We will be assisting with closing social trails. Please RSVP and sign the waiver by clicking HERE.
Gateway Outdoor Expo with Sierra Club - November 23 & 24 We need volunteers to help talk with people about getting outdoors, environmental issues and becoming active! We have a 10x10 booth with a table and chairs that we will deck with cool Sierra Club stuff. We will give out Sierra Club swag, pamphlets and chocolate. HELP OUT HERE
Interested in Energy Justice? The Sierra Club Missouri Chapter is organizing an Energy Justice Action Team for grassroots response to utility and energy justice as we fight for clean, renewable energy. Join us at sc.org/ejteam
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.
Get Hiking with the Outings Committee This is a very active and exciting group within the Sierra Club and a great way to meet new people! When you become an Outings Leader, you will receive free leader training, first aid and CPR courses. We can use YOUR help! Contact Dave Campbell, Outings Committee Co-Chair, at davecampbell9009@gmail.com or 217-553-9009.
Scene at Meramec State Park. Photo by Louise Bullock.
