SIERRA

I'm turning my section this month over to a quote from a book some kind soul gave me recently titled: SAVE THE PLANET by Jonathon Porritt. The quote states in the most dramatic turns of what we are up against.

"My unhappiness is not over this Dorset I inhabit, nor indeed over anywhere else in particular, but, above all, over how blindly and selfishly our species goes on living everywhere, seemingly stuck between suicide and senility. Crystal-clear what is wrong, and equally clear that as a species we cannot face doing anything about it. We are now far too many, beyond restraint, and multiplying like an uncontrolled virus. My thoughts are of all the animals, plants, birds, insects we poison out of this world, and how they have been a chief consolation and delight of my six decades of life. Such a loss may hardly seem to matter; I grow old, I shall soon be gone.

"What does matter is that for the majority, the younger, loss now becomes the rule. It is like some insane fiat: 'Nature will shortly cease to exist. It is henceforth strictly forbidden to mean anything to anyone.' It won't quite happen so, of course. Such a situation will creep slowly upon us and our confused intelligences, stuffed with conflicting values and notions. But then one day the death of nature will be unopposably real, irreversible. There will be no more green. So I felt this burning summer. In form I might belong to humankind; in reality I seemed one of a ravenous self-destroying horde of rats. I am glad there is no God. If there were, I cannot imagine that we rampant, myopic, and insatiably self-centered creatures should be allowed to survive a single day more." John Fowles

John Fowles is a British author. He wrote the "The French Lieutenants' Woman".

I know there is a God. So I don't agree with everything stated here. However, I do appreciate the clear totally honest statement of much of what to me seems true.

Sierra Club offers you the company of people with similar values. We want to make a difference. Come and join us.

Fred Adams Click to email comments.

This is a project that we would like very much to support even to the extent of a major campaign. However, we do have some concerns that we must have answered to our understanding and agreement. These concerns include: meaningful mitigation of wetlands destroyed, need for destruction of some trees, intersections and their impact on north and south travel by vehicles, and the route to be taken through the heart of Norfolk.

We have a small dedicated committee working this issue. Our team leader is Valerie Bliss. She has provided us with considerable insight to the potential issues. We are reviewing the documentation provided by Hampton Roads Transit [HRT] and will be submitting comments prior to the deadline on 3 March. If interested contact Fred via email or at 467-2775.

No one has done more, written more and knows more about Canoeing and Kayaking in this area than Lillie Gilbert, our speaker for March. For many years now Lillie has been investigating the water ways of this area that has so much water. She is now sharing her knowledge and experiences in several books that she has been developing.

She is bringing a power point presentation showing water trails, entry points and scenery. The date is Monday, the 3rd of March, at the Virginia Beach Central Library and the time is 7 PM.

We have been conducting a species inventory at the park since last October. Members have been making monthly visits, four have been conducted to date. In particular we are doing this to assist park officials with enhancing the habitat for birds and butterflies.

We will be doing a 2 mile hike through the woods on a marvelous trail. Some of our more experienced birders will be doing the monthly survey. No experience is required on your part. Just come and observe these enthusiasts in operation.

We will meet at the VB Central Library at 8:30 AM and proceed to the park. Bring a lunch. This is a great park and we will be having our refreshments after the hike.

We will be back between 12 and 1 o'clock. The date is the 15th.

Call Fred for further details at 467-2775.

On 29 March the Sierra Club Singles will have a hike at FIRST LANDING STATE PARK. After the hike the group will visit a near by coffee house!

Time is 9:30 AM and the location is the visitor's center on the south side of Shore Drive. Call Nancy McAdoo for details: 464-4483.