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Chesapeake Bay |
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Chesapeake Bay |
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SIERRAThe Newsletter Of | ||||||||||||||||
| The Federal and State elections are over and we face the future knowing that our work is cut out for us. The national Sierra Club is much concerned about President Bush because he has come and stated he is for drilling in the Aortic National Wildlife Refuge and he never even associates himself with the word "environment".
On the state level we have elected a new senator whose voting record on significant environmental legislation is zero. He has been the point person for "weak" wetlands regulations. He has also been a champion for restricting new legislation that would assist planned growth. These no planned growth policies lead to increases in congestion, school crowding, crime and more property taxes. Yes you pay extra for more traffic and more crowded schools. The ability to plan would minimize these factors that so effect the lives of all citizens. We need to be proactive on national, state and local issues! During the first quarter of the coming year we are focusing our efforts on the following:
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| Our "traditional" January program for several years has been the member's chance to tell us about their outdoor vacations. This has proven itself to be one of the most interesting programs we have. There is something special about seeing ordinary citizens doing extraordinary things. For example: one of the members canoed around both North Carolina and Virginia. You had to see the pictures to get the full impact. One of our female members did white water rafting down the Colorado. You quickly get the feeling that one of our members can do it maybe I can do it to. These may seem unusual, but we are interested in what you have done. With over a thousand local members there are individuals at all levels of activity and we are interested in what you did. Practically, all of us have seen some of Nature's beauty, so come share it with us!! The date is Monday, 8 January, the time is 7 PM and the location is: THE CHESAPEAKE MAIN LIBRARY, 298 Cedar Road next to the municipal center in the City of Chesapeake.
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A hike through Sea Shore State Park will include a brisk walk, a chance to see Bufflehead ducks and have fun together. This will be a late morning hike. The distance will be about three miles. The pace will be such as to leave no one behind. |
| Dress appropriately and include a hat. Also bring a snack. We will have our snacks after the walk if conditions are exactly right! | |
| The date will be Saturday, 13 January. The time will be 10:00 AM and the location is the trail center which is off of Shore Drive away from the Bay. See you there!! |  |
| Jim Hook takes care of injured owls and hawks. It is a full time job and these creatures come to depend on him. Some will never return to the wild. Jim will bring an Owl and a Redtailed Hawk to the meeting. I've seen these birds and Jim has a very special relationship with them. You can see it in their eyes. The owl with those big yellow eyes even appears to have a sense of humor. Come and see for your self. These are large live birds of prey! The date is Monday, 5 February. The location is the Virginia Beach Central Library and the time is 7 PM.
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 Living Museum, NN |
The Virginia Living Science Museum in Newport News will be our monthly outing. We will meet at the Virginia Beach Central Library at 9 AM and car pool over to the museum. The date is Saturday, 10 February. The museum has many living things to be seen and experienced inside and outside. It has some marvelous presentations of wildlife in excellent habitat. If you haven't experienced this museum you thoroughly will enjoy the visit and even if you have been there, you know that it will be worth while to go back. So come and join us!!
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| Come join us for a 3 mile hike to feast on the beauty of this wonderful park!. Meet at the Trail Center at the Bay side entrance. Afterwards we'll go to lunch at Duck Inn.
For more info, contact Nancy McAdoo (464-4483). |
| At our November Club meeting we discussed the numerous environmental problems pertaining to this proposal ( adjacent to First Landing State Park ): changes in ground water level and salinity, use of fertilizers/herbicides/ pesticides etc. Our Club believes there are better uses of this land whenever the Army is ready to give up some or all of the Fort Story which surrounds Cape Henry. One alternative is to incorporate the land back into the state park, from which the Army took the Fort Story land during World War I. Another alternative is a Cape Henry National Seashore and Historical Site, protected and operated by the National Park Service. The time of decision about the currently proposed luxury golf course is approaching. We urge our Club members to write now on this to our new area Congressman:
Any Short-term economic gains from the proposed luxury golf course are insignificant when measured against the long-term economic and public benefits of proper stewardship of this unique land around Cape Henry. We would be grateful if Club members receiving a response on this from Rep. Schrock would send a copy to the group chair:
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