May, 2011: In This Issue. . .
General Meeting Program -
May 10, 7:00 pm - Refreshments at 6:30
Urban Wildlife: The Truth is Stranger than Fiction
Discover
why coyotes, foxes, bobcats, raccoons and opossums are
thriving in urban areas. Find out how to prevent problems
with these city critters. Learn what to do if you find an
orphaned or injured wild animal. Presented by Bonnie
Bradshaw, Texas Master Naturalist, Certified Wildlife
Rehabilitator and president of 911 Wildlife.
Everyone is
welcome. You don't have to be a Sierra Club member.
Our General
Meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. but come at 6:30 for snacks,
information and fellowship. Click over to our
General Meeting
page of our website for more information and a map.
Outings Highlight
May 21 (Sat) Cedar Ridge
Preserve Trail Clean Up Its fun and its helpful to get out to the Cedar Ridge
Preserve in Dallas to help upgrade some of the beautiful
walking trails just south of Dallas. The address is 7171
Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75249. Its a great morning
workout, and the scenery is exceptional. No tools are
required, (maybe gloves) just show up and be ready to lend
a hand or two. We'll work from 9 AM to 11 or so, and then
walk around the preserve and admire the wildflowers and
fauna! Bring some water for sure. Its on Saturday the 21st
of May, please see their website
www.audubondallas.org/cedarridge.html for directions
and info. Their number is 972-709-7784. If you wish
to carpool, then let me know, and we'll arrange a meeting
spot. Come on out and stay green, people! Coordinator:
Ginger Bradley 469-223-7902
May
27-31 (Fri-Tue) Memorial Day Bus Trip to the White Mountains
Wilderness Area The White Mountains Wilderness Area contains about
48,000 acres located in the Sierra Blanca Mountains north
of Ruidoso, New Mexico, near the Ruidoso ski area. The
area contains a roughly "C" shaped ridge and the canyons
on either side of it. The main trail runs along the top of
this ridge and is known as the Crest Trail. The Crest
features some of the best views and sunsets to be found
anywhere. Many other trails are found in the forested
canyons on the gently sloping east side of the ridge. The
west side of the crest is steeper and offers great views
of the snow like White Sands National Monument and the
black Malpais lava flows. Five different hikes from
moderate to strenuous will give you time for pictures or
to stretch your legs. Ride in luxury bus seats that
convert to bunk beds at night. We depart early evening on
the 27th and return early morning on the 31st. Some
backpacking experience is required. Trip details, cost and
reservation information is available
here. Bus trip leader:
Mike Rawlins 972-783-0962
Jun 29-Jul 5 (Wed-Tue)
Fourth of July Bus Trip to the South San Juan Wilderness,
Southwest Colorado The San Juan Mountains have been called “America's
Switzerland.” A segment of this link in the Continental
Divide was designated "South San Juan Wilderness" in 1980.
U-shaped glacial valleys, rocky rivers, high green
meadows, aspens, elk herds and beaver dams make this
remote and scenic wilderness a summer delight for
backpackers.
Click here to see a complete description of the trip
with pictures, maps and registration information. Five
hike options are described. This is a new destination for
a Dallas Sierra Club trip; reserve early to guarantee a
space. Bus trip leader:
Mark Stein 214-526-3733
Aug 31-Sep 6 (Wed-Tue)
Labor Day Bus Trip to the Weminuche Wilderness in Colorado Escape the Texas heat this Labor Day weekend and
join us for our trip to the cool Colorado mountains of
the Weminuche Wilderness. This trip has mountains,
lakes, streams, and valleys. Trips will range from car
camping with day hikes to strenuous long hikes. The
Weminuche Wilderness offers a great diversity and all
the miles you want to hike. It is a hidden jewel and
one of our most popular trips. Complete information is
available
here (PDF file). To sign up, download and
print the information file, fill in the forms, and
send them with your check to the address provided. Bus
trip leader:
Kathryn Hurn 214-321-4030(c)
For a complete list of our
outings,
visit our outings page.
Recycling Round-Up
by Rita Raccoon
Recent Recycling News -
May 2011
Coalition to Push Healthcare Recycling Eight
healthcare, recycling and waste-management companies said they
formed a coalition to increase the recycling of plastic
products and materials used in the delivery of healthcare.
The founding
members of the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council are
Becton, Dickinson and Co., Franklin Lakes, N.J.; Cardinal
Health, Dublin, Ohio; DuPont, Wilmington, Del.; Hospira, Lake
Forest, Ill.; Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, N.J.;
Kimberly-Clark, Dallas; Engineered Plastics, Erie, Pa.; and
Waste Management, Houston.
“The potential
for plastics recycling is significant to both reducing
environmental and human health impacts,” according to a news
release from the coalition.
The coalition
has three objectives: healthcare plastics value chain mapping,
design for recycling guidelines and pilot studies, according
to the news release. In addition, the coalition plans to
expand its pilot programs, create a healthcare facility
advisory board, and launch recycling-design guidelines in 2011
and 2012, according to a spokesman.
Battery
Recycling Summit Barbara Carr
(aka Rita Raccoon) was invited to take part in a battery
recycling summit in April to brainstorm ideas about recycling
non-rechargeable batteries. The 2011 Battery Summit included
key stakeholders incuding representatives from battery
manufacturers (Duracell, Eveready), device manufacturers
(Dell, Sony), retailers (Lowe’s, Staples, Radio Shack), state,
local and federal government, waste management companies
(Waste Management), materials recyclers, NGOs and
industry associations.
The vision was
to describe a nationwide system which maximizes reuse of spent
battery materials with a goal of zero waste Challenges to
successful recycling include a product which is small and
relatively cheap and a spent product which is only marginally
hazardous. The cost to recycle batteries is about $1.03
per lb (or about seven cents a battery).
Through a
uniquely designed, collaborative process, all 75 participants
had the opportunity to both learn and provide their
perspectives on the respective components of a national
battery recycling system. Particularly impressive was the
group’s ability to share innovative ideas surrounding these
components, as well as the high degree of involvement,
engagement, and excitement among the participants. Diverse
participant groups were tasked with designing a national
system based on the input of all stakeholders and experts.
Common themes
and principles of a national system: • Consumers are key –
system must be convenient and convenient for customers •
Industry-led and market-driven • Multi-stakeholder
collaboration • Net positive environmental and social
impact, as well as sustainable economics
The Battery
Recycling Project Council is refining and reviewing proposed
action plans and system designs, which will form a
recommendation to the Battery Recycling Board, comprised of
the battery industry company presidents.
Calendar
Here is our calendar for the next two months. For complete listings, visit us at
www.dallassierraclub.org.
May
7 (Sat) Dayhike on the Chisholm Trail in Plano Meet at 9:00 AM in front of the Starbucks/Barnes
Noble (north side of 15th just west of US 75). We will
walk 5-6 miles on a paved path. Bring water. No
reservations, just show up. Optional lunch afterwards.
Leader: Judy Cato 972-238-5738(h)
May
10 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting Our May General Meeting features two great
programs. First, it's city council election time.
Find out what you need to know to make an informed
decision to protect our local environment. Next up is
Wild Neighbors, humane solutions to common urban
wildlife problems. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm, but
come early for snacks, fellowship and information
about what's going on in the Dallas Sierra Club.
Click over to our
home page for details.
May
14 (Sat) White Rock Lake Cleanup Walk and talk while helping to pick up trash and
recyclables at the Sierra Club's adopted section of
White Rock Lake Park. Meet at 8:15 AM at the Love of
the Lake office on the Northeast corner of Garland Rd.
and Buckner Blvd. Look for a crowd of people drinking
free juice and coffee. Gloves, trash bags, etc.
provided. Our area includes one of the wonderful
prairie restoration areas, so there are always birds
and wildflowers to enjoy. The lake and your karma will
thank you. Brunch afterwards. Leader:
Carol Nash 214-824-0244
May
18 (Wed) Outings Committee Meeting Meet in the upstairs program room at REI (on north
side of LBJ between Midway and Welch), at 6:30 PM.
Bring your ideas for the Dallas Sierra Club Outings
program. We will be planning local outings and bus
trips. All outings leaders, future outings leaders,
and interested Sierrans welcome. Ask Bill to be placed
on the email list for an agenda. Contact:
Bill Greer 972-247-0446
May
21 (Sat) Cedar Ridge Preserve Trail Clean Up Its fun and its helpful to get out to the Cedar
Ridge Preserve in Dallas to help upgrade some of the
beautiful walking trails just south of Dallas. The
address is 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75249.
Its a great morning workout, and the scenery is
exceptional. No tools are required, (maybe gloves)
just show up and be ready to lend a hand or two. We'll
work from 9 AM to 11 or so, and then walk around the
preserve and admire the wildflowers and fauna! Bring
some water for sure. Its on Saturday the 21st of May,
please see their website
www.audubondallas.org/cedarridge.html for
directions and info. Their number is 972-709-7784.
If you wish to carpool, then let me know, and we'll
arrange a meeting spot. Come on out and stay green,
people! Coordinator:
Ginger Bradley 469-223-7902
May
24 (Tue) Monthly Inner City Outings Meeting Come at 6:30 for New Volunteer Orientation. The
meeting starts at 7:00 pm. Inner City Outings ("ICO")
is an outreach program of the Sierra Club comprised of
volunteers who provide wilderness experiences such as
day hikes and camping for disadvantaged youth. ICO
meets on the fourth Tuesdays at REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway,
Farmers Branch, TX 75244 (north side of LBJ between
Midway and Welch). All volunteers and those
considering becoming an ICO volunteer are welcome. To
receive future announcements and meeting information
you may sign up for our
email list. For more information:
Liz Wheelan
May
27-31 (Fri-Tue) Memorial Day Bus Trip to the White
Mountains Wilderness Area The White Mountains Wilderness Area contains about
48,000 acres located in the Sierra Blanca Mountains
north of Ruidoso, New Mexico, near the Ruidoso ski
area. The area contains a roughly "C" shaped ridge and
the canyons on either side of it. The main trail runs
along the top of this ridge and is known as the Crest
Trail. The Crest features some of the best views and
sunsets to be found anywhere. Many other trails are
found in the forested canyons on the gently sloping
east side of the ridge. The west side of the crest is
steeper and offers great views of the snow like White
Sands National Monument and the black Malpais lava
flows. Five different hikes from moderate to strenuous
will give you time for pictures or to stretch your
legs. Ride in luxury bus seats that convert to bunk
beds at night. We depart early evening on the 27th and
return early morning on the 31st. Some backpacking
experience is required. Trip details, cost and
reservation information is available
here. Bus trip leader:
Mike Rawlins 972-783-0962
Jun
1 (Wed) Dallas Sierra Club Executive Committee Meeting The Executive Committee (or Excom) is the elected
governing body of the Dallas Sierra Club and meets at
REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway, Farmers Branch, TX 75244 (north
side of LBJ between Midway and Welch). Contact the
Dallas Group Chair for more information.
Jun
11 (Sat) White Rock Lake Cleanup Walk and talk while helping to pick up trash and
recyclables at the Sierra Club's adopted section of
White Rock Lake Park. Meet at 8:15 AM at the Love of
the Lake office on the Northeast corner of Garland Rd.
and Buckner Blvd. Look for a crowd of people drinking
free juice and coffee. Gloves, trash bags, etc.
provided. Our area includes one of the wonderful
prairie restoration areas, so there are always birds
and wildflowers to enjoy. The lake and your karma will
thank you. Brunch afterwards. Leader:
Carol Nash 214-824-0244
Jun
14 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting Our June General Meeting features two programs you
won't want to miss. First, we'll have a program about
Cohousing in Dallas. Then, we'll explore Ecological
Landscapes and Green Roofs. The meeting starts at 7:00
pm, but come early for snacks, fellowship and
information about what's going on in the Dallas Sierra
Club. Click over to our
home page for details about our next General
Meeting.
Jun
15 (Wed) Outings Committee Meeting Meet in the upstairs program room at REI (on north
side of LBJ between Midway and Welch), at 6:30 PM.
Bring your ideas for the Dallas Sierra Club Outings
program. We will be planning local outings and bus
trips. All outings leaders, future outings leaders,
and interested Sierrans welcome. Ask Bill to be placed
on the email list for an agenda. Contact:
Bill Greer 972-247-0446
Jun
29-Jul 5 (Wed-Tue) Fourth of July Bus Trip to the South
San Juan Wilderness, Southwest Colorado The San Juan Mountains have been called “America's
Switzerland.” A segment of this link in the
Continental Divide was designated "South San Juan
Wilderness" in 1980. U-shaped glacial valleys, rocky
rivers, high green meadows, aspens, elk herds and
beaver dams make this remote and scenic wilderness a
summer delight for backpackers.
Click here to see a complete description of the
trip with pictures, maps and registration information.
Five hike options are described. This is a new
destination for a Dallas Sierra Club trip; reserve
early to guarantee a space. Bus trip leader:
Mark Stein 214-526-3733
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