Dallas Sierra Club News - October 2017
Dallas
Park and Recreation Conservation Initiatives
Dallas has an amazing resource within in the Dallas Park and
Recreation park system. This system includes almost 380
properties, covering over 18,500 acres.
These range from
small neighborhood parks, to relatively undeveloped tracts
along the Trinity. Throughout the park system, there are
prairies, wetlands, escarpment zones, post oak savannahs, and
ultimately all tied together by the Trinity River. All
this creates a unique set of conservation challenges, but also
opportunities. Issues such as invasive species control
(feral hogs and assorted plant species), pollinator
conservation, conflicting value judgments, conservation
outreach, and volunteer opportunities will be discussed.
Brett Johnson is the Senior Environmental Coordinator/Urban
Biologist for the Dallas Park and Recreation Department.
He has served in this capacity for two years. He
oversees conservation issues within the Park Department.
This includes feral hog abatement, prairie management,
conservation outreach, pollinator conservation, and other
"random" issues that have a tendency to pop up (toxic algae,
ATVs, etc.). Prior to that, Brett was an Urban Wildlife
Biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for almost
twelve years, covering the DFW Metroplex (mostly east side).
Brett has a BS in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas
A&M University, an MS from Texas Tech University, and is a
Certified Wildlife Biologist. His initial interest in
conservation came through his work with the Boy Scouts growing
up, where he earned his Eagle Scout, eventually served as the
Nature Director at Camp Constantin, and culminated as the Bear
Researcher (and Field Ecologist) for Philmont Scout Ranch for
4 summers.
The
Wave
Sand dunes, time, water, and wind have sculpted a surreal
landscape along the border of Arizona and Utah. And one of the
most famous examples of nature's artwork is The Wave, a
colorful U-shaped trough etched into Jurassic era sandstone.
Only 20 people per day are allowed to visit The Wave (via a
lottery) and there is no formal trail or path across the 4
miles of terrain from the closest parking area. Paul Westbrook
will discuss tips for the permit lottery and share some photos
of his trip to The Wave in April of 2017.
Paul is a pioneer of energy efficiency and renewable energy.
His solar home in Fairview (click
here) has been toured by thousands of people since
completion in 1996. He retired from Texas Instruments in 2016
after helping them build the first LEED Gold semiconductor
factory in the world and double their global energy efficiency
in nine years. He served for two years as a Senior Fellow for
the US State Department's Energy and Climate Partnership for
the Americas (ECPA) program. He assisted Honduras, Bolivia,
Colombia, and Peru with energy efficiency and renewable energy
policies and practices. Paul formed RE:source and is now doing
consulting work on energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Paul enjoys hiking, bicycling, running track, and playing
saxophone.
Everyone is welcome. FREE!
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. The meeting takes place
at Brookhaven College. Click over to our
General Meeting page for more information and a map.
WONDERFUL!
Your club, the Dallas Sierra
Club, is so fortunate to have fantastic volunteer outdoor
leaders. They have planned and executed so many fulfilling
trips over the years. One in particular was the 5-day backing
trip over Labor Day to the Pecos Mountains in New Mexico.
The club is also fortunate to
have such fine members who have excellent skills. One is Inge
Johnsson, who posted several photos of the trip on the club’s
Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/DallasSierraClub/)
Here is one of his photos of this trip.
If you are not
moving heaven and earth to participate in trips organized by
your volunteer leaders, you are missing an absolute must in
your life... nuff said. Get. Outdoors.
Red River
Canoe Trip | Beginner Backpack | Beavers Bend
Have your attention? The website has the details. So, go and see what’s
up.
- Red
River this Saturday and Sunday.
- TWO backpacking trips in November - Rusty and want to get up to speed?
Check ‘em out.
- Our annual Family Outing to Beavers Bend State Park in Oklahoma. Next
Weekend, Folks.
North Texas
Day of Giving
Your Dallas Sierra Club had a successful campaign with over $1,500 raised
during this annual event. This money will be used by your club
for local
Sierra Club activities. Did you miss giving? There is still
time. Mail your tax-deductible donation to “Dallas Sierra Club
Foundation”. The address is on the website.
What Has
Your Club Been Up To? Helping Other Groups with Donations
At our October General Meeting, Pastor Keahey with the Sandbranch
community in South Dallas County accepted the club’s donation
of $300 towards the new Water Supply Corporation. This entity
works to provide residents with water, who have none.
Hurricane Maria really did a number on Puerto Rico and its people. Two
weeks later and most of the island is still in desperate
straits. Did you know there is a Sierra Club chapter in Puerto
Rico and they are very active and involved with the community?
Your Dallas Sierra Club is making a $1,500 donation to the
Puerto Rico Chapter to assist in their hurricane recovery efforts.
Thanks, and
see on the river? Beavers Bend? or at the meeting. Okay?
Your Chair, John Lingenfelder
At this FREE event, talk directly with homeowners who use
solar energy, solar hot water, wind energy, and other
energy-efficient measures for their homes, as well as people
who drive electric cars (Tesla, Leaf, Volt, and hybrids). Click
here for
details about home locations, information about each home,
and other information about the tour.
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. Don't wait to sign up. This camp out sells
out fast.
November 14 - Wildflowers of North Texas and Cacti and
Succulents: Owners Manual
This colorful slideshow program will take you on a virtual
tour through the seasons of some of our last undisturbed
natural areas, and introduce some of the amazing plants that
once dominated the region. And, we will have a fascinating
program about cacti and succulents by the President of the
North Texas Cactus and Succulent Society.
December 12 - Preserving Land, Zero Waste,and
Population
We will have presentations by three different organizations.
Here is our calendar for the next two months. For complete listings, visit us at
www.DallasSierraClub.org.
Oct
7 (Sat) D/FW Solar Home Tour
At
this FREE event, talk directly with homeowners who use solar
energy, solar hot water, wind energy, and other
energy-efficient measures for their homes, as well as people
who drive electric cars (Tesla, Leaf, Volt, and hybrids). Click
here for details about home locations,
information about each home, and other information about the
tour.
Oct
7-8 (Sat-Sun) Canoe/kayak Trip on the Red River
We’ll put in on the Kiamichi River and paddle about 4 miles
down to the Red River. Then we’ll paddle about 16 miles on the
Red and take out at Hwy 37. This remote section is through
rolling hills, with little riverside development or activity.
We’ll find a sand bar for our Saturday night camp site. Sunday
will be an easy paddle to the takeout with a stop or two to
swim. Some paddling experience is required and you must
furnish your own boat and camping equipment. No rentals
are available on this remote stretch of river. Leader: Bill
Greer Send
Email 972-247-0446
Oct
10 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting
Learn about challenges and opportunities for the Dallas
Park and Recreation Department, and see beautiful
pictures of The Wave, a colorful
U-shaped trough etched into Jurassic era sandstone on the
Arizona - Utah border. Everyone
is invited. Full details are on our home
page now.
Oct
13-15 (Fri-Sun) Fall Weekend at Beavers Bend State Park ,
Oklahoma (Hurry - Reservation deadline Oct 10)
Make
Friday the 13th special and join us for this relaxing weekend
of fall beauty in scenic southeastern Oklahoma. We have an
entire group compound reserved, complete with your choice of
rustic cabin or tent camping, bathhouse (yes, hot showers and
flush toilets!) and dining hall with kitchen. We'll offer
Saturday hike options with Dallas Sierra Club leaders, ranging
from a one-mile nature trail to a 7-mile roller-coaster trail
up, down and over the skyline ridges. The park offers
additional activities, including paddling (rentals available),
horseback riding and more. We also offer a Saturday night
catered dinner option. This weekend is for singles, couples,
families, friends, young and young at heart -- a great event
for all. Details and reservation information is in this
PDF. Reservation (forms and payment) required by Tue, Oct
10, so sign up now! Coordinator: Liz Wheelan Send
Email 214-368-2306
Oct
14 (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 214-455-2115
Oct
18 (Wed) Outings Committee Meeting
It's a third Wednesday of a month, so 6:30 is the time for
another gathering to plan outings, upstairs at Whole Foods
Market, SE quadrant of Preston Road and Forest Lane, Dallas.
Anyone interested in outings is welcome to attend and
participate. Reply to Mark to be added to the advance agenda
email list or to suggest an agenda item. Organizer: Mark
Stein Send
Email 214-526-3733
Oct
21 (Sat) Trail Maintenance at Cedar Ridge Preserve
Come to the hilly terrain of Cedar Ridge Preserve to help
maintain one of the better trail networks in Dallas. The
Sierra Club is responsible for the Possum Haw Trail. We work
here on third Saturdays of almost every month, starting at
9 AM, working until approximately noon. The Preserve's address
is 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas. For directions and
general information about Cedar Ridge Preserve, click this
link. If you need more information or want to
carpool, call or email me. Contact: Ginger Bradley Send
Email 469-223-7902
Oct
28 (Sat) Dayhike White Rock Creek Trail from Moss Park
Meet at 9:00 am at Moss Park (SE corner of Greenville Ave and
Royal Lane). Hike 5-6 miles along a paved trail. Bring water
and a snack, as we will be hiking all morning. No reservations
are necessary. Just show up. No pets please. Optional lunch at
a local restaurant. Leader: Mark Adams Send
Email 940-231-8482
Oct
28 (Sat) Electronics Recycling - FREE - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Click
here for a link to details about items
accepted.
Oct
28 (Sat) Drug Take-Back Day - FREE - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Click here for a link to details about items
accepted. Richardson City Hall, south parking lot, 411
West Arapaho Road.
Nov
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 upstairs at Whole
Foods Market, southeast corner of Preston Road and Forest
Lane, in Dallas at 6:30 pm. Contact the Dallas
Group Chair for more information.
Nov
4-5 (Sat-Sun) Beginner Backpack Trip to the Caney Creek
Wilderness
Join us for one of the Dallas Sierra Club’s favorite local
backpacking trips. We’ll backpack in about 4 1/2 miles along
Caney Creek, cross it a few times, and climb some small hills.
After setting up camp near a waterfall, we’ll do a short day
hike as time and energy permit. For many of us, this was
our first Wilderness hike and it's still one of our favorites. TRIP
IS FULL WITH A WAIT LIST. Please watch
for more outings on the website. Leader: Sue Greer Send
Email 972-247-0446
Nov
11 (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 214-455-2115
Nov
11-12 (Sat-Sun) Little Missouri River Beginner Backpacking
Trip
We`ll do a moderately-easy backpack of about 9.5 miles over 2
days along one of the most scenic backpacking trails in
Southwest Arkansas. Because the trail follows the upper
reaches of the Little Missouri River there is minimal
elevation change, but be prepared for a couple wet stream
crossings. Drive up Friday night and return Sunday. Hopefully
the Fall colors will still be going strong. This hike is
suitable for graduates of the Beginner Backpacking Class who
are in good shape. Leader: Mark Adams Send
Email 940-231-8482
Nov
14 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting
Wildflowers in North Texas - also Cacti
and Succulents - Learn about our area's
native wildflowers and also about cacti and succulents in two
remarkable presentations. Everyone is invited.
Full details are on our home
page now.
Nov
18 (Sat) Trail Maintenance at Cedar Ridge Preserve
Come to the hilly terrain of Cedar Ridge Preserve to help
maintain one of the better trail networks in Dallas. The
Sierra Club is responsible for the Possum Haw Trail. We work
here on third Saturdays of almost every month, starting at
9 AM, working until approximately noon. The Preserve's address
is 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas. For directions and
general information about Cedar Ridge Preserve, click this
link. If you need more information or want to
carpool, call or email me. Contact: Ginger Bradley Send
Email 469-223-7902
|