September 2005
Welcome to e-Sierra
The email newsletter of the Sierra Club North Star ChapterSeptember 2005 - Issue 39
HURRICANE KATRINA'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Hurricane Katrina was an unprecedented environmental catastrophe, one that will require enormous pollution cleanup, wetlands restoration, and some serious planning to reduce the risk of this happening again. Help the people and communities of the Gulf Coast recover from this tragedy and support Sierra Club members, volunteers, and staff in the Gulf Coast region as they rebuild their communities. Find out more about and give to the Club's Gulf Coast Environmental Restoration Project.
WANTED: WETLAND WANDERERS AND WORKERS
Join other Wetland Wanderers on Saturday, October 8, 2:00pm to 6:00pm, at Thomas Sadler Roberts Bird Sanctuary (near Lake Harriet in Minneapolis) Join Mary Maguire Lerman, from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and help remove invasive garlic mustard. Learn about the values of and threats to Minnesota's wetland legacy from Mark Gernes from MPCA's Biological Monitoring Unit and Peter McDonaugh from Kestral Design Group. There will be a special kids naturalist program. Join us afterwards for a delicious pesto pasta supper. $5 contribution requested. E-mail Sierra Club Wetlands Committee member or call Heather Cusick at 612-659-9124. Please register by October 5th.
KEEP MERCURY OUT OF MINNESOTA'S WATER, FISH, and KIDS
Wondering what your legislator plans to do about the mercury pollution that is poisoning our water, fish, and kids? Wondering why MPCA isn't setting deadlines for mercury pollution reduction? Minnesotans are overwhelmingly worried about mercury and want our leaders to clean up mercury pollution from coal fired plants and mining. See August 2005 Mercury Survey. If you are interested in talking with your legislator about his or her position on mercury reduction, we would be happy to help set up the meeting. Contact to coordinate with other Sierra Club members. Together we can tell our decision makers to make Minnesota Mercury Free.
LAST CHANCE TO SAVE THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
In November Congress will make the final vote on whether to drill for oil in the Arctic Refuge, and we have two crucial swing votes in Minnesota: Rep. Mark Kennedy and Sen. Norm Coleman. To swing them for the Refuge, we're going back to basic grassroots-going door-to-door to get constituents to call the Representative and Senator. Help us out on Saturday, October 8, or volunteer to knock your own block! http://northstar.sierraclub.org/activities/events/2005/20051008.html
WONDERING WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND?
CELEBRATE SEEDS: SERVICE OUTING AT WILD RIVER STATE PARK
Join us this weekend, Saturday, September 24 and help gather seeds from park plants to be planted next spring! The day will include a presentation by the park naturalist, seed gathering and lunch. Meet at the Sierra Club office at 9am or at the Visitor's Center in the park at 10:30am. State park passes are required and can be purchased at the park (day pass - $7). Bring water and a lunch. Please RSVP to outings leader, , 651-312-0567
30 MINUTES FROM THE CITIES HIKE - ELM CREEK PARK RESERVE
Join us this weekend, Saturday September 24th for a 5 mile loop hike. The park reserve's trails provide breathtaking views of woodlands, wetlands and old farm fields. We may also see wildlife if we're lucky! The park is home to many wild animals including eagles, sandhill cranes, deer, bluebirds, beavers, coyotes, loons, trumpeter swans and hawks. There is a change in meeting place, so check out the directions to the new meeting place in front of the Eastman Nature Center. Bring water and snacks. For more info/RSVP, contact Outings Leader , 612-729-4309. Don't let the fall slip away, check out upcoming nature outings.
OBSCURE, TINY CREATURES BEG FOR YOUR HELP (OR HORTON HEARS A WHO)
One of the most popular and most vulnerable environmental laws in America is threatened this month with extinction. Powerful folks in Congress are attacking the Endangered Species Act with bills that will weaken it and eventually end its protection for all plants and animals in America. Call your Representative in Congress now, and email if you want to help form a volunteer group to work on wildlife and endangered species issues.
MERCURY AND LOONS
Loons are showing alarming signs of mercury poisoning. Join Voyageur's National Park Association's Cory MacNulty and North Star Chapter Clean Air activist Michael Brakke on Monday October 17th, 7:00pm at Macalester College for a colorful and informative presentation. Learn about how mercury pollution is affecting Minnesota's beloved state bird and what we as citizens can do to reduce mercury pollution and keep our air and water safe for humans and wildlife. Contact Cesia ("saysha") Kearns at 612-659-9124 or email for more information.
GET ON BOARD! RIDE THE HIAWATHA WITH N. DAKOTA COUNTY
Sunday, October 2nd, 2:00pm - Meet at Fort Snelling Light Rail Station Platform
Join N. Dakota County Sierra Communities members and local elected officials for a ride on the Hiawatha Light Rail Line! You'll learn about the success of the region's first rapid transit line and how you can support a study of light rail for Dakota County. After the 75-minute trip, we'll wrap up with a tailgate party and root beer floats. More info: http://northstar.sierraclub.org/activities/events/2005/20051002.html. To RSVP contact or 612-659-9124.
BIG RIVER SIERRA COMMUNITY MEETING
Wednesday October 12th, 7:00pm Location yet to be determined.
Be part of an action plan to protect central Minnesota's environmentally sensitive areas and make St.Cloud a more pedestrian and bicycle friendly place to commute. This meeting will introduce the campaign plan of the Big River Sierra Community, comprised of members from St.Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, St. Joseph, and Waite Park. Join us and find out what role you can play in central Minnesota's environmental future. Contact Cesia ("saysha") Kearns at 612-659-9124 or email for more information.
LIGHT RAIL CAMPAIGN MEETING
Tuesday, September 27th, 7:00pm, Veterans Memorial Community Center/Armory, Inver Grove Heights. Join efforts to work for a rapid transit line in N. Dakota County. More info: http://northstar.sierraclub.org/activities/meetings/2005/20050927.html To RSVP contact or 612-659-9124
BUCKTHORN BUSTING AT BIRCH ISLAND WOODS
Saturday, October 15th - 9:30am to 1:00pm. As fall colors peak, help liberate Birch Island Woods from the evil invasive species: buckthorn! Woodlands throughout the metro area have been invaded by buckthorn, causing the disappearance of native plants, insects, birds, amphibians and mammals. Event organizer Jeff Strate promises that the morning will be filled with good humor. The City of Eden Prairie officially proclaimed October 15, 2005 "Birch Island Woods Buckthorn Busting Day!" Meet at Eden Wood Lodge, 6319 Indian Chief Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55346. For more info, click here.
SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Tues Sept 27: Clean Air Committee 7pm
Tues Sept 27: Light Rail Campaign meeting 7pm
Wed Sept 28: Water Committee 5:30pm
Wed Sept 28: Excom 7pm
Sun Oct 2: Ride the Hiawatha Line 2pm
Mon Oct 3: Transportation Sub-Committee at 2nd Moon Coffee 5:45pm
Mon Oct 3: Land Use Committee 7pm
Wed Oct 5: Forest Committee
Sat Oct 8: Wetland Wanderers
Tues Oct 11: New Volunteer Orientation 5:30pm
Tues Oct 11: Conservation Committee 6:30pm
Wed Oct 12: Wetlands Committee 5:30pm
Sat Oct 15: Buckthorn Busting at Birch Island Woods 9am
Wed Oct 19: Outings 7pm
Wed Oct 26: Water Committee 5:30
Wed Oct 26: Excom 7pm
For More Calendar Information or for Interesting Submissions Contact: .