March 2005
Welcome to e-Sierra
The email newsletter of the Sierra Club North Star ChapterMarch 2005 / Issue 33
WETLANDS, OHV, WATER QUALITY, MASS TRANSIT, MERCURY...
You name the issue and likely the Minnesota Legislature is engaged. Subscribe today to the Sierra Club Legislative Update. Bottom of the webpage at http://northstar.sierraclub.org/campaigns/politics/2005/index.html If you feel the urge to act on what our state legislature is doing, sign up for our North Star Action Network, a one stop place to send messages to your specific legislator. We will send you notices of urgent environmental issues and urge you to contact your legislator. You can subscribe at http://northstar.sierraclubaction.org/signup.asp
WHAT DOES THE SIERRA CLUB, A BALD EAGLE, JAPANESE FISH PRINTING AND A MERCURY SNIFFING DOG HAVE IN COMMON?
They will all be celebrating Earth Day in style at the Mercury Free Minnesota Earth Day Celebration at the Science Museum of Minnesota! On Saturday, April 23rd from 10:00am until 2:00pm, there will be main stage shows by the Raptor Center, Science Museum, and Clancy (Minnesota's mercury-sniffing dog); as well as a great carnival of activities and educational games on mercury. Make a day of it! To find out more about the event or how you can get Earth Day special reduced tickets to the Science Museum and celebrate Earth Day with the Sierra Club, email 612-659-9124.
SIERRA CLUB AT GREAT WATERS 2005 FLY FISHING EXPO
We need your help! Sign up today for the Sierra Club table at this year's Great Waters 2005 Fly Fishing Expo, Friday April 1st through Sunday April 3rd. You will work with a well-trained partner at the Sierra Club's Hunter/Angler outreach booth which raises awareness about wetland protection, mercury pollution, and habitat restoration issues which Sierra Club and hunters/anglers have in common. Should be a lot of fun! As a thank you for volunteering, you will receive free admission ($10, $5 students) to the fly fishing expo. For more information on shifts contact . For more information on the event http://www.greatwaters2005.com/
THESE SHOES WERE MADE FOR WALKING
Sunday, April 3: Day Hike - Whitewater State Park, 9:30 - late afternoon. Whitewater State Park offers the beautiful scenery of limestone cliffs and steep ravines with trails that take you from bottom land across the river to the bluffs and valley overlooks. Meet at the Sierra Club office at 9:30am and bring a backpack with food, water and money for parking. Wear sturdy hiking boots and prepare for sloppy trails and variable weather. Heavy rain cancels. For more information/RSVP contact Angie Hong at or 952-261-9599.
WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE - FIND OUT!
Saturday, April 30: Wildflower Hike - Frontenac State Park, 9am - mid afternoon. Join us for a 2-3 mile hike and enjoy some of the best wildflower viewing in Minnesota. Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots due to areas of steep and often uneven terrain. Meet at the Sierra Club office at 9am or at 10:30 at the Point-No-Point Picnic area at the park. Remember to bring water and a lunch. Rain cancels. For more information/RSVP, contact Susan Szczukowski at or 612-721-7333. Interested in hosting a nature walk or outing? Contact for more information.
ENGAGE OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS
Midwest Mountaineering Expo, April 22, 23, 24: come volunteer at the Sierra Club booth! We'll be launching our new campaign to get the DNR and Gov. Pawlenty to protect roadless areas and other special places in Minnesota, and recruiting people for the Inner City Outings program. Help get postcards signed, and shop for your summer trips! Sign up now, with .
HELP SAVE OUR WETLANDS IN MAPLEWOOD
Maplewood Marsh 212 Workshop and Outing, Saturday, March 19th, Workshop: 9-11:30am, Hike: 12:30-1:30pm. This wetland is at the center of a proposed bus garage development for the city of Maplewood. Attend the workshop and hear what experts in the area have to say about the proposed development. A light lunch will be provided (FREE!). Afterwards, hike with us to see the specific areas in question and better understand the issues. For more information contact Ron Cockriel at (651) 738-7233 or . Want to get involved in protecting our wetlands contact Karen Harder, Water Committee Chair at .
OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION WORKSHOP
Monday, March 21st, 6:30 - 8:30pm. Learn how rapid development is affecting the Maple Grove community. Learn how the planning process works and how you can join other Minnesotans working to save our parks, family farms and undeveloped areas. For more information contact . For meeting logistics: http://northstar.sierraclub.org/activities/events/20050319.html
RALLY FOR DUCKS, WETLANDS, AND CLEAN WATER
Minnesota faces a crisis with declining duck populations, loss of wetlands, and a deterioration of clean water. Degradation and loss of wetlands, recreational and shallow lakes, and waterways have contributed to the decline in ducks, shorebirds, and other wildlife, as well as in the quality of our state's water. To begin the process of reversing the long-term decline in ducks, wetlands, and clean water, concerned citizens will rally at the State Capitol Mall on April 2, 2005. For more information see http://www.wetlandsrally.org/schedule.html
EARTH DAY CLEAN UP FOR WATER QUALITY
Saturday, April 23rd, 9am - Noon. Come help keep the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and the City of Burnsville healthy this Earth Day! Join the Sierra Club in helping out with a spring litter clean-up near the Minnesota River. Meet at Cliff Fen Park in Burnsville. Please contact Kevin Bigalke at (952) 858-0720 or by April 20 to register or for more information. Walk-up volunteers are welcome!
SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Thurs Mar 17: Action Night at the Office - "Hafta Stop CAFTA" Calling Night
Sat Mar 19: Maplewood Marsh 212 Workshop and Outing http://northstar.sierraclub.org/activities/events/20050319.html
Mon Mar 21: Open Space Preservation Workshop
Mon Mar 21: Twin Cities Political Committee
Tues Mar 22: Clean Air Committee 7pm at Alliance for Metropolitan Stability office
Wed Mar 23: Water Committee at 5:30 pm
Wed Mar 23: Excom
Tues Mar 29: Inner City Outing 6:30pm
Apr 1-3 Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo - call Michelle: 612-659-9124
Sat Apr 2: Ducks, Wetlands, and Clean Water Rally
Wed Apr 6: Calling to Protect our Forests 6:30pm
Wed Apr 6: Forestry Committee 7:00pm
Sun Apr 10: Calling to Protect our Forests 6:30pm
Sun Apr 10: North Star Student Group meeting 12:30pm
Mon Apr 11: Land Use 7:00pm
Tues Apr 12: New member Orientation 5:30pm
Tues Apr 12: Conservation Committee 6:30pm
Tues Apr 12: Environmental Justice Advocates of Minnesota (EJAM) meeting 6pm - Minneapolis Urban League (2100 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis)
Wed Apr 13: Communication Committee
Wed Apr 13: Calling to Protect our Forests 6:30pm
Thurs Apr 14: Wasioja Group at Ikes cabin in Rochester - Protecting local
natural places 7:00 pm
Sun Apr 17: Calling to Protect our Forests 6:30pm
Tues Apr 19: International Issues 7:00pm
Wed Apr 20: Outings Committee 7:00pm
Fri Apr 22 EJAM Film Festival 6pm - Minneapolis Urban League
Sat Apr 23: Earth Day Clean-up for Water Quality http://northstar.sierraclub.org/activities/events/20050423.html
Sat Apr 23: Mercury Free Minnesota's Earth Day at the Science Museum - 10am - 2pm
Tues Apr 26: Clean Air 7:00pm
Sat May 14: Migratory Bird Watching
For More Calendar Information or for Interesting Submissions Contact:
Our postal address is
Sierra Club - North Star Chapter
2327 E.
Franklin Ave
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55406
United States