SierraScape April - May 2003
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by Leslie Lihou

At the January 24 general meeting, the Sierra Club EMG Executive Committee presented annual awards for 2002 to three Sierrans who have made significant contributions to the group. Selected as Outstanding Sierran, Suzanne Smith, maintains connections with Illinois groups and leads more outings than any other leader. Through her regular Friday hikes and annual Perseid meteor shower campouts, she has enticed new members into the adventures of the Sierra Club. Frequently, she participates in trail maintenance, usually as poster of trail signs. In numerous ways Suzanne cooperates with other outings leaders, including modeling haute couture appropriate to various weather conditions encountered on Sierra Club outings.

ExCom awarded an Outstanding Leader plaque to Diane Albright, who represents Sierra Club at the hearings for the proposed Holcim cement factory. After extensive preparation, she also gave legal testimony supporting the Sierra Club's position on the Holcim development. In addition, she served on a statewide Risk Based Rule Stakeholders Committee examining ways to encourage development of brown-fields (former industrial sites) and also represents the Sierra Club on the Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative. For years she and co-leader, George Behrens, have organized canoe clinics to teach Sierrans techniques for paddling efficiently while staying afloat inside the boat. As Chair of both the Ozark chapter and EMG Endangered and Biodiversity Committees, she leads field trips and guides Club members in advocacy for biodiversity. In the past few years she has been assisting with speakers for the general meetings. Moreover, she participates in service outings, such as glade restoration and water quality monitoring.

The third award commended Jim Nyberg for his long-term special service to the Sierra Club as the member who is "practically everywhere all the time." Serving as EMG treasurer, probably for life, Jim has been keeper of the accounts and interpreter of the by-laws of the Sierra Club. As an EMG ExCom member, he attended Sierra Club Ozark Chapter meetings and he currently represents the EMG Sierra Club on the Water Resource Council of the East/West Gateway Commission. He is a stalwart for lemonade sales and a cedar incinerator at glade restoration. As "key" man for the office, Jim has participated in the establishment of the present EMG office as well as in the maintenance and management of the office. Last year he was part of the steering committee, which assisted the Club's Environmental Voter Education Coordinator, Melissa Blakley.

All of these people deserve a round of applause for their contributions to the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club functions on the toil and commitment of its volunteers, a few obvious and many others who provide their energy and talent in niches integral to Club goals. Hats off to all of you who volunteer your service.