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Chesapeake Bay |
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Chesapeake Bay |
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SIERRAThe Newsletter Of | |||||||
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I anticipate this to be our best year yet!! We have more people willing to get involved in what we are about: preserving and enjoying the outdoors!! Key amongst our activities is our service outings. We are doing various projects with The Nature Conservancy, with the Audobon Society and with the Butterfly Society of Virginia. In most cases they are the brains and we are the outdoor doers. These projects include preparing fire lanes, planting a massive number of trees, restoring wetlands, enhancing grass strips on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and developing a butterfly garden at the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve in Portsmouth. There are also several issues that we have positions for and against. We are for a park at Stumpy Lake and against development. We are against a golf course at Fort Story and for returning the land no longer needed by the Army to the State Park from whence it came. We are against the extension of Ferrell Parkway and for preserving the head waters of the Back Bay from road runoff pollution. We are for rerouting Route 17 and the development of planned ecotourism at the Dismal Swamp Refuge. We are supporting the efforts for planning our communities in Chesapeake and Suffolk, and against the random sprawl occurring in Virginia Beach. During the next legislative session we are going to be for addressing the problems created by the Tullock Rule and the resultant loss of wetlands. We will be for campaign finance reform to limit the power of the few and increase the participation of the many. We will be for increased local power to plan for growth and transportation. We also will be for as many "wine and cheese" events as we can schedule. We can do these things because the number of actively involved individuals has steadily increased. I'm excited about this coming year. I hope you are too. |
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We are just beginning to understand and respect the contribution that bats make to our lives. For this reason, bats will be the subject of our program for February 7th. Margaret Waverly is a bat rehabilitator and she will be bringing some bats with her; she will tell stories about rescues and releases, myths and facts. This has been a favorite program in the past; and is especially appropriate for families. The date is 7 February, the time 7 PM and the place is the Virginia Beach Central Library. Come and learn about bats! |
| Let's take a look at the Snow Geese from the causeway going to Knotts Island!! Sometimes there are thousands of snow geese in this area. It will make for an invigorating morning. It should be very chilly and we probably won't last long, but it is worth the effort. If have never seen thousands of snow geese on the fly, you be amazed and if you have already seen this event you will still be amazed. It never ceases to impress one with the wonder of Nature. So come dressed very warmly, and bring a snack. It is always fun to have some thing to eat on a chilly day. The date is Saturday, February 19th, the time is 9AM and we will assemble at the Virginia Beach Central Library and car pool from there. We will be back in about 3 hours total. See you there! If you have any questions call John Fisher at 495-5406 or Fred Adams at 467-2775. |
| Put on your walking shoes and get yourself to Newport News on Saturday, February 26th. Meet Nancy McAdoo in front of the Mariner's Museum at 10:00 AM for a walk around the Noland Trail. The trail is 5 miles and crosses 14 wooden bridges along the James River and around several lakes behind the museum, perfect for a mid-winter stroll. You'll see lots of wildlife, including several species of waterfowl. Following the approximately 2-hour walk you'll be ready for lunch at a nearby restaurant of the group's choice. Enjoy! For more information, call Nancy at 464.4483. |
| We will be very fortunate to have a representative from the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge with us. We have invited Sue Rice the current Refuge Manager The Refuge personnel are actively involved in developing a "Comprehensive Conservation Plan" for the Refuge. The purpose of the plan is to focus on what the Refuge should be doing in the next 20 years and what it will require to accomplish these objectives. Because of its location this is a particularly significant Refuge. Migrating birds of prey, neotropical birds, and migrating butterflies all find this part of Virginia as a critical stopover location. Unless properly managed there will be serious problems for wildlife due to development on the Eastern Shore. There is an important need to manage existing habitat effectively and there is a serious need for additional habitat. Come and here this presentation and get involved. The date is March 6th, at the Virginia Beach Central Library at 7:00 PM. |
| We are following up the presentation about the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge with a visit to the Refuge. We will first stop at the visitor's center then take a 1&1/2 hour hike through the Refuge. We will be guided by one of the Refuge personnel. They have stated that they hope one of the bird banders will be active by that time. Wear layered clothing and bring a picnic style lunch. We will have our lunch near the visitors center before returning. The date is the 18th of March. We will assemble at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge at 8:30 AM and car pool across. We should be back by 12:00. Contact John Fisher at 495-5406. |