SIERRA

   Lack of funding is going to mean the closing of some state parks. A 3% across the board cut in funding by the state is going to have a much greater effect on the impact of lost funding to our state park system. This is true because at the beginning of the budgeting year the park system contracts out for the major jobs and by the second half of the year has just enough to fund its people.

   Virginia already is 50th in the country for per person spending on its parks. This is nothing to be proud of. It is a true representation of our values. Pure and simple our politicians represent our values. I for one do not feel proud of this and I want something to feel proud of about my state. We strongly urge you to write the governor, your delegate and your senator and request that they insure that the park system has at least enough to pay its personnel.

   You can find the names and addresses of your representatives at: http://virginia.sierraclubaction.org/default.asp. Keep it short and to the point and do let them know what you think and how you feel.

   Some thirty people signed up to speak out for citizen concerns for the environment. This is a great response. They have already had an impact. There is more to do and you can always get aboard. The Virginia Chapter now has an outstanding web site that is loaded with helpful information. It will tell you who all your state and national representatives are and include their addresses.

Already this year bills were submitted to weaken regulations for wetlands and for the use of TBT, the most toxic substance ever put in water. These were defeated. However, the electrical power lobby has been working extremely hard to obtain legislation that would by-pass the State Corporation Commission. The SCC has in the past reasonably regulated new power facilities. At this writing there is still a very good possibility that this legislation will pass. It is never too late to write or phone to stop it.

   We are addressing one issue locally. This is the funding of our state park system which is discussed in some detail elsewhere in this newsletter.

   This year Virginia's State Park System was awarded the best park system in the country. This is in spite of the fact that Virginia spends the least of any state per person on its park system. That is 50th in the country for funding. Now there is the definite potential that some parks will be closed due to the lack of personnel and some of the same highly skilled people responsible for the award will be released. Furthermore, programs such as tours for children may have to be cut. We appreciate budget cuts, but Virginia can afford to keep its parks operating at the level of the 50th state in the country.

   The Email Activists team is a part of a larger state wide effort. The Virginia Chapter now has a great program for distributing alerts. It addresses a specific issue, provides background information and gives all the addresses that you could ever use. Their address is: http://virginia.sierraclubaction.org/default.asp and click on "sign up".

   There is always the chance that you too can get on the Email Activists Team. Just contact Fred at warbler@exis.net and inform him that you want to be on the team. Even after the legislative session, we do expect to handle some alerts.

   We have opportunities to do many projects for parks, refuges, preserves, and neighborhoods to make them more green. This is an invitation to be on a call list. If you are busy or just have other things to do, you don't have to participate. But if you like getting out and accomplishing something that you can see or just like being in the outdoors, consider signing up.

   Current examples of possibilities include several projects with The Nature Conservancy ( these are always constructive ). Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve is also always a good place to work, and we are still looking for the right species of grasses to plant on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. This last project has renewed interest as we are getting meaningful assistance from Jimmy Bradshaw with regard to identifying plants and grasses and most importantly sources. Will keep you all posted.

   We are scoping out a project along the Colonial Parkway in York Town. There is so much trash and such great scenery. We also have found a great place for a fun lunch in Williamsburg.

   If you are interested in getting on the to call list, contact Fred at 467-2775 or warbler@exis.net.

   Some of you may have either read or heard that recently approximately two million Monarchs died in Mexico. They were hit first by a rain storm and later by freezing weather. It appears that about 75% of the wintering monarchs died.

   We are requesting that members plant milkweed to help the Monarch recover. We are attempting to find milkweed pods and provide them at our March meeting. Come and get milkweed seeds!!

   We are surrounded by water. The quality of that water is important to all citizens. The major segments of the water are contained in the Chesapeake Bay, the James River and the Elizabeth River. Of these three the Elizabeth is the most polluted, so our next program will be about the efforts to clean up the Elizabeth River.

   Fortunately, there is an outstanding Elizabeth River Project in our community. They are happy to come and present the status and current efforts to make the river dramatically better.

   Karl Fisher, a long time board member, will be coming and he will be assisted by Princess Elizabeth River. She will be in costume. This is an effective way to get the message across of what has been accomplished and what remains to be done. She has recently been to England and hopefully will share with us her experience visiting the estate of Princess Elizabeth.

   The date is 4 March, location is the Virginia Beach Central Library and the time is 7 PM.

   If you have never been to the HCWP you will be amazed at what remarkable scenery there is right within our midst.

   Vicki Shufer will be our guide for a hike through the preserve. Vicki is a naturalist, an expert on native plants and foremost an expert on what it is eatable in nature. This will be a learning experience you won't want to miss.

   The tour begins at 10 AM, so we will meet at the Virginia Beach Central Library at 9AM and proceed from there. The date is the 30th of March. If it would be easier for you to go straight to the preserve which is in Portsmouth near the community college, you can meet us there at about 9:45. Bring a lunch and we will do some eating and socializing after the tour. Should be completed at about noon time.

   We are very fortunate to have as our April program Teta Kane. Teta is one of the communities foremost butterfly enthusiasts. She has an outstanding presentation on Virginia's butterflies and how to provide a butterfly garden for their benefit. Her presentation is practical and entertaining. This is an excellent introduction to the world of butterflies.

   This would be an excellent program for parents and grandparents to bring young people.

   The date is the 1st of April, the location is the Virginia Beach Central Library and the time is 7PM.

   We have been wanting to go to Chippokes State Park for some time. So in April we are going. This an old plantation and farm which is still in operation. There are many sites to observe. It is near Surrey and on the James River. There are often eagles around. The trip is about an hour and 15 minutes, so we will meet at the Virginia Beach Central Library at 8:30 AM and proceed from there. Bring a lunch and something to drink.

   The date is 20th of April. We should be back by mid afternoon.