Shawnee Trails~August 2007

Shawnee Group Sierra Club

Explore, Enjoy, and Protect the Planet

Blog: shawneegroup.blogspot.com

 

Annual beach party at spring arbor lake

Saturday, August 18th, 3 PM

Potluck picnic, swimming, boating

We provide burgers, veggie burgers and sodas

 

You bring the family, folding chairs, and a dish to pass (and your own table ware if you want to conserve natural resources).

Depending on your idea of fun, bring sand toys, kayaks, beach balls and/ or your favorite beverage. One kayak and canoes will be available.

Don Lawrence, our host, is reserving the beach area for Shawnee Group, and also will give pontoon boat rides. We will eat around 5-6 PM, and keep the fun going until dark.

Directions: From Rt. 13 in Carbondale at stoplight, turn South onto Giant City Rd.. Drive about 6 miles to Spring Arbor Drive on the right. Stay on Spring Arbor Drive to where it ends at the beach. Park along curb across from beach.

Questions? Call Barb at (618) 529-4824, babitaji@aol.com or Don at 457-8989 or donald.lawrence@mchsi.com

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Fall programs: September - December, 2007

All programs are held at 7:30 PM in the back meeting room at the Carbondale Township Office at 217 East Main St. in Carbondale. Parking lot is behind the building, and is best accessed from Monroe St., just West of Marion St. and the first street south of Main St. Enter meeting room through the green door off of the parking lot.

 

Picture This: Improving Your Nature Photography - September 13th, 7:30 PM

Have you ever been disappointed looking at the photos of your last vacation and wonder why the images don’t match what you actually saw? Almost anyone can improve the quality of their photography with just a basic understanding of framing, composition and lighting. Using numerous photos, this multimedia presentation will offer many tips and techniques on how to best capture landscapes, close-ups and even wildlife with your existing camera. Bob Gill is an Instructional Media Manager at St. Charles Community College and has been involved with the media for over 20 years as a teacher, independent video producer and a multimedia specialist.

Dinner before meeting 5:45 at The Great Wall, next to University Mall in Carbondale

 

 

Annual beach party at spring arbor lake

Saturday, August 18th, 3 PM

Potluck picnic, swimming, boating

We provide burgers, veggie burgers and sodas

 

You bring the family, folding chairs, and a dish to pass (and your own table ware if you want to conserve natural resources).

Depending on your idea of fun, bring sand toys, kayaks, beach balls and/ or your favorite beverage. One kayak and one canoe will be available.

Don Lawrence, our host, is reserving the beach area for Shawnee Group, and also will give pontoon boat rides. We will eat around 5-6 PM, and keep the fun going until dark.

Directions: From Rt. 13 in Carbondale at stoplight, turn South onto Giant City Rd.. Drive about 6 miles to Spring Arbor Drive on the right. Stay on Spring Arbor Drive to where it ends at the beach. Park along curb across from beach.

Questions? Call Barb at (618) 529-4824, babitaji@aol.com or Don at 457-8989 or Donald.lawrence@mchsi.com

 

 

Fall programs: September - December, 2007

 

All programs are held at 7:30 PM in the back meeting room at the Carbondale Township Office at 217 East Main St. in Carbondale. Parking lot is behind the building, and is best accessed from Monroe St., just West of Marion St. and the first street south of Main St. Enter meeting room through the green door off of the parking lot.

 

Picture This: Improving Your Nature Photography - September 13th, 7:30 PM

Have you ever been disappointed looking at the photos of your last vacation and wonder why the images don’t match what you actually saw? Almost anyone can improve the quality of their photography with just a basic understanding of framing, composition and lighting. Using numerous photos, this multimedia presentation will offer many tips and techniques on how to best capture landscapes, close-ups and even wildlife with your existing camera. Bob Gill is an Instructional Media Manager at St. Charles Community College and has been involved with the media for over 20 years as a teacher, independent video producer and a multimedia specialist.

Dinner before meeting 5:45 at The Great Wall, next to University Mall in Carbondale

Fall Outings: September - December, 2007

September 30 (Sunday) - Rocky Bluff Trail, Carterville, IL (advanced beginner) Located on Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge, this 1.8 mile loop takes us through hardwood forest with a waterfall and sandstone cliffs.. Meet at 1:00 PM at the registration office parking lot next to Devil’s Kitchen Lake marina to car pool. Limit 10 participants. Must register with Bob Tyson, at (618) 684-5643.

October 21 (Sunday) - Signal Point Trail, Glendale, IL (advanced beginner) This 2 mile loop follows the base of a mile long cliff line, then ascends to the stone glade rim trail. Meet at 9 AM at Murdale Shopping Center big sign in Carbondale, or 9:30 at old WalMart parking lot in Marion. Limited to 10. Register w/ Bob Tyson (618) 684-5643.

November 11 (Sunday) - Wolf Creek Trail, Pomona, IL (Intermediate)
The club hiked the south cliff line canyon last year. This time we will hike the north end. Meet at 12:30 at the Ranger Station on Rt. 13 in Murphysboro. Limited to 10 hikers. Call Bob Tyson to register at (618) 684-5643.

December 2 (Sunday) - Cache Rive State natural Area, Belknap, IL (adv. beginner)
This outing will take us to the Observation Trail at Wildcat Bluff, Heron Pond Swamp, as well as side trips to three state champion trees: water tupelo, bald cypress and cherry oak. Meet 9 AM at Murdale Shopping Center big sign in Carbondale or 9:30 at old WalMart parking lot in Marion. Limited to 10. Call Bob Tyson to register at (618) 684-5643.

SHAWNEE FOREST SERVICE OUTINGS

Shawnee National Forest has announced fall trail maintenance days for the Deer Run Trail, located in Johnson Creek Recreation Area near Ava. Call 687-1731 to register as a volunteer for any of these dates: Sept 22, Oct 20, Nov 10, and Dec 1. Bring lunch, work gloves, sturdy shoes. All tools are furnished. Forest Service staff continue to work on trails, but volunteers are badly needed to supplement the overwhelming task of maintaining all the designated trails. Feel free to call Bob Tyson at 684-5643 for related questions.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ON OUTINGS FROM OUTINGS CHAIR, Bob Tyson

Please SAVE the hiking schedule in this newsletter or mark your calendar now; OUR NEWSLETTER WILL BE QUARTERLY, NOT MONTHLY. Outings are in the local newpaper, posted on our website <ililnois.sierraclub.org/shawnee>, at SIU base camp, and at outdoor stores in Carbondale.

We want to continue holding outings on the east side of Shawnee Forest, which has many of the most spectacular areas. However, holding these all-day trips on Saturdays has resulted in low participation. It takes about 90 minutes to reach these eastern trailheads( plus $3.00 a gallon), so they must be all-day outings. Thus, we are now scheduling these trips for Sundays.

Before 2007, many participants asked for week day hikes. In 2007, few people showed up for these hikes. Also, other groups in the region schedule hikes on Saturdays. Thus, we are now scheduling more half-day hikes for Sundays.

Illinois Legislative Wrap-Up

By Barbara McKasson

 

Thanks to the new Illinois Chapter Lobby Liason project, dozens of Sierra Club members across Illinois were trained as lobbyists and briefed on our priority bills. These lobby liaisons have called attention to important environmental bills that otherwise could get lost in the sea of the 5,000-6,000 bills that are introduced every year. Some of our priority bills have passed, but some are still awaiting a final vote - stalled because attention has been focused on the budget and on the negotiations over electric rates. As we “go to press”, the leaders of the Illinois legislature and the governor are working out the budget. Below is a summary of our priority bills and their status,.

 

!Space - Resolution would provide $100 million per year for open space acquisition as a necessary part of our infrastructure in a line item of the state’s capital budget. Passed both houses. It remains to be seen how much money will be allocated for this in the final budget agreement with the Governor.

 

Cool Cities Act - Requires IEPA to provide technical expertise to help cities that have signed on to the Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement pledging to reduce global warming emissions to pre-1990 levels. Passed both houses unanimously and Governor has said he will sign it into law.

 

Great Lakes Water Resources Compact - The legislature unanimously ratified this compact, which was worked out by the eight states that border the Great Lakes. It protects the Great Lakes from diversions of water outside of the basin, since only 1% of the water is replenished each year. Does not change the amount of water allocated to Illinois. It is on the Governor’s desk.

 

Energy Efficient Residential Building Code

Forty-two states have already adopted the International Energy Conservation Code for new residential buildings. This bill would enact that code for Illinois, thereby cutting utility expenses for home buyers and cutting global warming emissions. Passed the House, but did not pass the Senate committee by the deadline.

 

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Reduce Phosphates in Dishwasher Detergent - Greatly lowers the amount of phosphates allowable in dish detergents. The phosphates cause overgrowth of algae in waterways, leading to depletion of oxygen and to fish kills. Passed unanimously and is on the Governor’s desk.

Affordable and Clean Energy Standards Act - Requires electric utilities to meet a certain amount of energy load increases through energy efficiency. Would reduce Global Warming and help individuals cut energy bills by subsidizing customers’ energy efficiency measures. Also requires utilities to “build or buy” renewable energy (mainly Illinois wind power) as a percentage of their overall mix. This percentage increases to 25% by 2025, thus combating global warming, lowering utility bills, and reducing Illinois dependence on foreign and out-of state fossil fuels. Passed unanimously in the Senate. This bill was stalled because the Illinois Attorney General objected to allowing the electric companies handle this program, due to their deceitful handling of the electricity supply auction.

 

Protect Children’s Health From Toxics - Deca-BDE is the last of a toxic family of flame retardants in widespread use. It is bio-accumulative and damages developing brains. Effective alternatives are available and affordable. Stalled in House committee.

 

Illinois Clean Car Act

HB 3424 gives IEPA the authority to establish emission standards starting with the 2011 model year vehicles in order to cut Global Warming gases, conserve fossil fuels and cut gas expenses for consumers. Follows the lead of CA and nine other states. Stalled out in House committee.

 

Pyramid State Park Land Sale Bills - Senator Luechtefeld and Rep. Reitz sponsored bills that would allow the state to sell 2000 acres in the middle of the park to a private company in order to establish a Branson-like resort. Bills passed, but Sierra Club worked with allies, hunters, anglers and other outdoor groups to stop the sale. State is working to help the company purchase private land. Sierra Club and other groups will remain vigilant.

 

View From the Chair

By Barbara McKasson, Shawnee Group Chair

 

The summer hiatus is nearing the end, and Shawnee Group is gearing up for fall. I am looking forward to the Beach Party and Picnic. It’s a great opportunity to socialize with other members, plus have fun boating and swimming. We will have a canopy there for people who do not want too much sun. I hope to see you there!

 

I am excited about our fall line-up of programs. We will learn about nature photography, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, animal populations in Southern Illinois, and preservation of habitats on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Our ExCom has decided to save our time, money and energy by issuing fewer newsletters. So, please remember to SAVE THIS NEWSLETTER so you have the information on programs and outings handy.

 

We have not been idle this summer. Members of our Global Warming Committee met with people from SIU-C to find out more about the campus coal-fired gasification plant proposal. We also have been working with the Carbondale Energy and Environment Advisory Commission to urge the mayor and city council to take action on cutting global warming emissions. At the commission’s June meeting, we submitted a list of suggestions for least cost actions to cut city emissions, and urged them to draw up a plan that would enable Carbondale to cut emissions to Kyoto Treaty levels by 2012. We need your help to further this campaign!! Please contact me at 529-4824 or babitaji@aol.com to find out how you can help!

 

We have also toured some state forested areas that have been managed by IDNR with prescribed burns to monitor how this management tool has changed forested areas. In addition, we were given a tour by FS personnel of newly acquired areas in the Mississippi floodplain that are being restored from farm land to wetlands for wildlife. This is an exciting program that will preserve thousands of additional acres as part of Shawnee National Forest along the Mississippi.

 

Bob Tyson has helped to improve our relationship with U.S. Forest Service people by heading up a cadre of volunteers who regularly dispose of trash at trailheads in Shawnee National Forest. Thanks to Bob and all those volunteers, including John & Mary Johnson, John Kirkpatrick, Sandy Anderson, Tim & Kay Warner, Sharon & Bob Iltis, and Bob & Edwina Arington. Also, thanks to Bob for his hours spent helping the FS with trail maintenance. I know Bob would appreciate help from other members on trail maintenance - call Bob at 684-5643 to find out more.

 

Cindy Mathews has ordered our 2008 Sierra Club calendars, and we are counting on you to help buy and/ or sell some. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. The wall calendars have beautiful monthly photos, plus large boxes for recording your events and appointments each day. The engagement calendars have a picture for each week and a large space for each day’s events. We are again charging below store prices - you save $1.00 each - $12 for wall and $13 for engagement. They come in gift boxes suitable for mailing! You can call or Email Cindy to place an order at cjm800@hotmail.com or call at (618) 942-2387. We can mail them to you if you pay postage.