Dallas Sierra Club News - August 2015
In This Issue. . .
Pollinators
and Natives: An Ancient Marriage
Randy Johnson will discuss the co-evolution of pollinators
and native plants and the vital role each plays in ecosystems.
The critical importance of diversity is explained and
exceptional genera are emphasized. He offers a
common-sense template for plant selection and landscape design
that is easy to understand and implement.
Randy Johnson is from Mesquite, Texas, and earned a degree
in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University.
He is the past Director of Horticulture at Texas Discovery
Gardens and currently serves as the Horticulture Manager at
The Dallas Zoo. His personal business is Randy Johnson
Organics; through this entity he offers consultations on
organic horticulture, native plants, ecological restoration
and pollinator gardens. Randy also propagates and sells
native plants from seed he hand-collects from various ecotypes
throughout north Texas. He is the current president of
the Dallas Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas,
serves as a lifetime appointee on the Board of Directors of
Peckerwood Garden, and is a member of the Board of Directors
at Lake Highlands community garden in Dallas.
Everyone is
welcome. You don't have to be a Sierra Club member. Just
show up. We'd love to meet you.
Our General
Meeting starts at 7:00 pm but come at 6:30 for snacks,
information and fellowship. Our meeting takes place at
Brookhaven College, Building H, 3939 Valley View Ln in Farmers
Branch. Click over to our
General Meeting
page of our website for more information and a map.
ALERT - PARKING for TUESDAY'S GENERAL MEETING:
Our usual parking area at Brookhaven is under construction.
Not to worry, instead of parking in front of building H where
our meeting is you'll park a little farther east in front of
building S. Enter from Valley View Lane. Where you used to
come to a 4 way stop you can now only turn right. Turn left
into "P3" parking as soon as you can. You'll be in front of
building S and our building H will be to your left. You can
shorten the walk by cutting through building S, then turn
left/west and follow the sidewalk to building H which is next
door. See you there! It's not as bad as it sounds. Check out
the campus map on our
General Meeting page.
It's blazing hot outside so why not spend a fun afternoon
inside learning about or
brushing up on your backpacking skills. This is the "fall"
offering of our acclaimed backpacking class taught by veteran
Club leaders who offer great information to help get you
comfortably and safely out on the backcountry trails. The
class covers several topics, along with the kind of advice we
wish someone had told us before our first trips. Handouts
included. We encourage you to pay online by Aug. 14
(charge/PayPal) or you can pay at the door (cash or check).
Click here for more details.
You know you want it. You want the ecstasy of sunny
days and cool nights as dry fall air nips at the end of summer
at the headwaters of the Rio Grande or the Wheeler Peak
Wilderness. Get on the bus. Squeeze in three days
of hiking and two nights of camping (or sleeping in a yurt)
with good companions in the most scenic parts of New Mexico.
Trip options include walking up New Mexico's highest peak from
its easiest approach via Red River, sleeping in or near the
cozy yurt at Bull-of-the Woods Pasture, discovering Gold
Hill's 360-degree vistas, discovering the treasures of NM's
newest Wilderness—the Columbine-Hondo—on a downhill trek from
Gold Hill, the long meadows of Sawmill Park or the ponderosa
pine shade in the gorge of the rippling Rio Grande.
This
whole trip fits neatly between a Friday, September 4, 7:30 pm
departure from Dallas and a Tuesday, September 8, 6:00 am
return to Dallas. We know you value your vacation days
and we've chartered the sleeper bus to eliminate vacation days
required for this Labor Day trip. We need your
registrations by August 14 to make this trip a "go."
Discounted price for transportation is $275 until August 14.
For details and registration, click
this link.
Celebrate fall and join us for this relaxing event in the
beautiful mountainous region of southeast Oklahoma. The
weekend is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and
stages. Families, couples, singles, all are welcome. We have
the group compound all to ourselves, complete with your choice
of rustic cabin or tent camping, dining hall with kitchen,
optional catered dinner and (drum roll please)... yes, even a
bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets! On Saturday
we'll offer various levels of hikes or you can be on your own
to enjoy many fun activities offered by the park. Plan an
active weekend or hang out on the porch, whichever you would
enjoy. Cabin requests are on a first come basis so make your
plans now!
Click here for more information and required
registration forms.
Okay, I learned this lyric's a tap dance number from a 1933
musical, 42nd Street, but it fits. Get your
trail runners or boots ready for this October
knock-your-socks-off trip to Buffalo National River,
Arkansas—our first-ever bus trip EAST. It's a national
park in the heart of Li'l Abner-land! That's right, the
U.S. National Park Service developed and maintains a scenic
river with far more miles of trails than you're going to walk
in one weekend. Our moderately strenuous hike option
(one of four itineraries) covers 30 miles of the flagship
"Buffalo River Trail" that parallels the scenic river.
Three shorter backpacking options of easy to moderate
difficulty hike four days and camp three nights in other parts
of the park, exploring the natural beauty and human history of
this lovely valley. These hikes all visit historic
cemeteries and cabins, hollows, falls and bluffs along the
river. All trail elevations are below 2,200 feet,
so there should be no high-altitude discomfort issues.
(All right, the optional spur hike thrill on the infamous "Goat Trail" is a
"Don't tell Mom" thrill, but thoroughly safe
if you don't do something stupid.)
To maximize daylight time to enjoy the park and to
eliminate the need to shuttle vehicles to trailheads, we've
chartered a sleeper bus to transport us, leaving at 9:00 pm
Wednesday, October 28. We'll return to Dallas by 9 pm on
Sunday, November 1. The last weekend of October
is usually the premier week of the year for fall color
at Buffalo River, says Arkansas trails guidebooks author Tim
Ernst. The trip cost is discounted to $240 if received
by October 10. For details and registration click
this link.
Four Dallas Sierrans Receive Awards for their
service.
On July 18, the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club held
its annual environmental award ceremony at a special banquet
at Blue Mesa in Addison. The awards recognize and reward
efforts of volunteers, organizations, staff, and others that
reflect Sierra Club's mission. This year's banquet honored
awardees from both 2013 and 2014.
The Chapter's highest honor, the Orrin Bonney Award, was
awarded to Conservation Director Cyrus Reed. It is given to an
individual who, over a number of years, has exemplified the
spirit and commitment of the Sierra Club by contributing their
time and effort in one or several positions of authority for
the Chapter. Cyrus was given the award for his more than 10
years of dedicated work on behalf of the Lone Star Chapter,
with emphasis on his efforts in lobbying on energy and energy
efficiency both at the Texas Legislature and regions around
the state.
Many volunteers were recognized from the Dallas Sierra Club
including:
Liz Wheelan, who won the 2014 Virginia Murray Brewer
Award, given to those who have contributed to the Chapter
and/or a Regional Group via the Outings Program. Liz has led
the Dallas Group's Inspiring Connections Outdoors (formerly
Inner City Outings) program for 14 years. She was also the
National Sierra Club's ICO chair for a number of years and has
been a vital component of the Dallas outings program as a
volunteer, helping organize and lead bus trips for the group
for many years.
Arthur Kuehne received the 2013 Virginia Murray Brewer
Award for more than thirty years of dedication to outings in
the club both as a backpack and navigation class organizer, a
bus trip leader, and a long-time backpack and outdoor activity
leader. Arthur is also a national outings leader, and won a
national award for his overall contribution to outings in
2014.
Molly Rooke won the 2013 Conservation Award. Molly has
dedicated more than twenty years to conservation efforts
including recycling, air, energy, and trade issues. Most
recently, Molly has worked on fracking and bag ban issues
involving the City of Dallas. She has also lobbied the State
Legislature and also Congress on environmental issues for
years.
Rita Beving won the 2014 Special Service Award. Rita was
recognized with Dallas Sierra volunteers for helping organize
the 2014 "Earth, Wind, & Fire Energy Conference," the first
statewide energy conference ever held in Chapter history. The
two-day event was a sell out event with attendees coming from
as far away as Kansas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
"We are very proud of the work the Dallas volunteers have
contributed both locally and statewide to the Chapter,"
commented Wendel Withrow, Dallas group chair and former Lone
Star Chapter chair. "The Dallas group continues to prove that
we have dedicated individuals to the Sierra Club for the
betterment of the environment and enjoying the outdoors. It is
also great to see that the other groups and Sierrans from
around the state recognize their contributions."
(Photo: Liz Wheelan, Molly Rooke and Rita Beving - Arthur
Kuehne - missing - was on a backpack trip)
The Awards banquet in Dallas had record-setting attendance
and was a wonderful evening for all who attended from across
the state. Participants traveled as far away as Houston, San
Antonio, Austin, and the Rio Grande Valley to attend. Below is
a complete list of award winners:
2014 Award Winners
- Cyrus Reed: Orrin Bonney Award
- John MacFarlane: Chapter Conservation Award
- Scott Nichol: Chapter Conservation Award
- Diane Lancaster: Chapter Service Award
- T.E.J.A.S: Environmental Justice Award
- Wally James: Environmental Reporting Award
- Jim Chapman & Stefanie Herweck: Hermann Rudenberg Award for
Coastal Conservation
- Rita Beving: Special Service Award
- Liz Wheelan: Virginia Brewer Award (Outings)
- Niles Seldon: Virginia Brewer Award (Outings)
- Nick Anderson: Art in Service to the Environment
2013 Award Winners
- Molly Rooke: Chapter Conservation Award
- Peter Bella: Special Service Award
- Zac Trahan: Special Service Award
- County Attorney's Office, Harris County: Environmental
Justice Award
- Brantley Hargrove: Environmental Reporting Award
- Arthur Kuehne: Virginia Brewer Award (Outings)
- Women & Their Work — Chris Cowden, Executive Director: Art
in Service to the Environment
- Mary E. Kelly, Ken Kramer Living Waters Award
The Dallas Group Political Committee and Lone Star Chapter PAC
(TurnTexasGreen.org) were active in supporting candidates
again this spring in the Dallas City Council elections. The
PAC made contributions to several candidates which provided
much-needed support in some of the hard-fought contests.
In a crucial election which was touted as a referendum on the
future of several local environmental issues, namely the fate
of the Trinity Toll Road, the plastic bag ban, and other
matters related to Dallas' fracking ordinance, the Sierra Club
made endorsements in 12 of Dallas' 15 city council districts.
The goal was to elect a majority of at least eight
environmentally leaning council members to advocate for those
causes. Five of the Club's stalwart supporters won
re-election, and three additional endorsed candidates were
elected as new members of the Council, bringing the potential
of an eight vote majority on some of these important issues.
In Districts 4 and 9, Sierra Club-endorsed candidates Carolyn
Arnold and Mark Clayton were elected in the May 9th election
without a runoff by surprise majorities in multiple-candidate
races. In the District 10 runoff on June 13, environmental
advocates picked up an additional victory with Adam McGough
win in a close race decided by
only 35 votes. Sierra Club volunteers mailed out endorsement
cards and made phone calls to approximately 250 Sierra Club
members in District 10 whose votes no doubt helped Adam score
his narrow, but extremely significant, win.
Sierra Club volunteers worked closely with the newly formed
Dallas Green Alliance and other allied groups in achieving an
environmental coalition success. TurnTexasGreen.org thanks all
who supported those efforts.
David Griggs
Political Chair
Here is our calendar for the next two months. For complete listings, visit us at
www.dallassierraclub.org.
Aug
8 (Sat) White Rock Lake Clean-up
Walk and talk while picking up trash and recyclables at the
Sierra Club's adopted section of White Rock Lake Park. Meet at
8:15 AM this second Saturday of the month at the Love of the
Lake office, northeast corner of Garland Road and Buckner
Boulevard. Look for the crowd drinking free juice and coffee.
Gloves, trash bags, etc. will be provided. Our area includes
one of the wonderful prairie restoration areas, so there are
always birds and wildflowers to enjoy. Brunch afterwards.
Leader: Carol Nash
Send Email 214-824-0244
Aug
11 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting
Randy Johnson will discuss pollinators and native plants, and
offer a common-sense template for plant selection and
landscape design that is easy to understand and implement.
Everyone is invited to the Dallas Sierra Club's General
Meeting. Full details are on our
home page now.
Aug
15 (Sat) Backpacking 101 Class - Escape the Heat and Prepare
for Backcountry Exploring!
Want to be more adventurous and explore some of our amazing
backcountry areas? Join us for this popular interactive class
designed for those wanting to begin backpacking or brush up on
backpacking knowledge and skills. Dallas Sierra Club trip
leaders with decades of backpacking experiences will present a
comprehensive and unbiased overview of a variety of important
backpacking topics including packs, boots, tents, gear, food
and cooking, clothes, wilderness ethics and even an end of the
afternoon breakout session to discuss men's and women's
"issues". We'll include many personal tips - those "wish
someone had told me that before" keys to a more comfortable,
less expensive, lighter weight and safer trip. Handout
included. NEW online pre-registration is encouraged for those
wanting to pay by credit card or Paypal account (click
here). Cash or check payment preferred if registering in
person. The class is from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Please arrive at
12:45 pm to sign in and get settled. We'll meet in the
upstairs classroom at Whole Foods Market, southeast quadrant
of Preston Road at Forest Lane in Dallas. Class price is $35
for Sierra Club members, $40 for non-members. Feel free to
bring snacks and/or a drink or buy them at the store and bring
them in the classroom with you. Coordinator: Liz
Wheelan
Send Email 214-368-2306
Aug
15 (Sat) Trail Enhancement at Cedar Ridge Preserve
Hello everyone. We look forward to seeing new smiling
faces and workers to help out on the trails and enhance
the flora and fauna. We meet at 8 AM at the Preserve and will
work and walk until about 11 AM. It's fun and beautiful
and we have ordered excellent weather. The address is 7171
Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75249. The Cedar Ridge
phone is 972-709-7784. It's a great morning workout, and the
scenery is exceptional. No tools are required, and we
have gloves, so just show up and be ready to lend a hand or
two. Bring some water, for sure. Please see the Cedar Ridge
Preserve website for directions and info. It's near
Duncanville in southwest Dallas. If you want to carpool
there, just text me or email me. Organizer: Ginger Bradley
Send Email 469-223-7902
Aug
19 (Wed) Outings Committee Meeting
The Outings Committee meets tonight at 6:30, upstairs at
Whole Foods Market, SE quadrant of Preston Road and Forest
Lane, Dallas Anyone interested in outings is
invited. Contact Mark to be added to the advance agenda email
list. Organizer: Mark Stein
Send Email 214-526-3733
Sep
2 (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 Brookhaven
College, Building H at 6:30 pm. Contact the
Dallas Group Chair for more information.
Sep
4-8 (Fri-Tue) Labor Day Weekend in New Mexico
Backpack
in Carson National Forest or hike in the Wild Rivers unit of
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. We've chartered a
sleeper bus so you can enjoy three days of hiking without
using a day of vacation! Five itinerary options include
hiking and camping by the rapids of the Rio Grande,
backpacking to the meadows of Sawmill Park in the Wheeler Peak
Wilderness, hiking to the summit of Wheeler Peak (New Mexico's
highest) from the forks of the Red River, trekking from Taos
Ski Valley to awesome Gold Hill (sleeping in a yurt at
Bull-of-the-Woods Pasture, no tent needed) and backpacking
from Taos Ski Valley to the yurt, then over Hondo Ridge to
exit downhill via the green Columbine Basin. This trip departs
Dallas on a Friday at 7:30 PM and returns by 6:00 AM Tuesday.
Prices are discounted for registration received on or
before August 14. For complete trip details, please
read
this PDF file. Contact: Steve Fleischman
Send Email 972-689-7317
Sep
8 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting
Topic is to be determined. Everyone is invited to the
Dallas Sierra Club's General Meeting. Full details will
be on our home page
a couple of months before the meeting.
Sep
12 (Sat) Day Hike at Breckenridge Park, Richardson
Save
the morning for a hike on a winding trail through a
surprisingly scenic suburban park. Details will be posted
later in August. Leader: Robin Sowton
Send Email
Sep
12 (Sat) White Rock Lake Clean-up
Walk and talk while picking up trash and recyclables at the
Sierra Club's adopted section of White Rock Lake Park. Meet at
8:15 AM this second Saturday of the month at the Love of the
Lake office, northeast corner of Garland Road and Buckner
Boulevard. Look for the crowd drinking free juice and coffee.
Gloves, trash bags, etc. will be provided. Our area includes
one of the wonderful prairie restoration areas, so there are
always birds and wildflowers to enjoy. Brunch afterwards.
Leader: Carol Nash
Send Email 214-824-0244
Sep
19 (Sat) Day Hike and Trail Upgrading at Cedar Ridge Preserve
This month's third Saturday service outing at Cedar Ridge will
be different because our Dallas Sierra Club Chair Wendel
Withrow will be at the parking lot, by the trail entrance
point, to lead a day hike to the Possum Haw Trail that the
Sierra Club maintains. We look forward to seeing new smiling
faces and workers to help out on the trails and enhance
the flora and fauna. Be there by 9:30 AM, ready to walk and
work until optional lunch afterward. It's fun and
beautiful and we have ordered excellent weather to enjoy and
upgrade these beautiful trails on the soutwest edge of Dallas.
The address is 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75249. The
Cedar Ridge phone is 972-709-7784. Search "Cedar Ridge
Preserve Dallas" for directions and more info. If you want to
carpool, call or email me. Contact: Ginger Bradley
Send Email 469-223-7902
Sep
23 (Wed) Wilderness Navigation Class--Part 1
This is a comprehensive and fun two-night class in navigation
with map and compass. Part 1 is Wednesday night at 6:30 and
part 2 is Thursday night, Sept. 24 at 6:30. Both sessions are
upstairs at the Whole Foods Market, SE quadrant of Preston
Road and Forest Lane. The fee for the two-night class is $40,
$35 for Sierra Club members. An optional field lab for class
participants will be set on a subsequent Saturday or Sunday at
no additional charge. This is a great value compared to
navigation courses offered by outfitter stores. Bring cash or
a check. Bring a compass if you have one. If not, we'll have
an extra you can use and we'll advise what to look for when
you buy your own. Both sessions will run until approximately
8:45. Coordinator: Liz Wheelan
Send Email 214-368-2306
Sep
24 (Thu) Wilderness Navigation Class--Part 2
Join us for this second night of a two-part class that
begins Wednesday, Sept. 23. Both sessions are at Whole Foods
Market, Preston Road at Forest Lane. Coordinator:
Liz Wheelan
Send Email 214-368-2306
|