In December, I had the privilege to speak to the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation. It was an opportunity to speak to all the Palm Beach County Representatives and Senators as they gathered to listen to their constituents.
I requested continued and increased spending on Conservation Lands and Water Quality Initiatives, including protections for our State Parks. I emphasized that incineration is not a renewable energy source. Incineration is a terrible idea as it pollutes our air, land and waterways. Incineration diverts our attention from the real problem, which is that we generate too much waste that is full of toxic and forever chemicals. I wrapped up with another plea to stop sugar cane burning.
Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 8, 2025 from 10:45-12:45 at Keiser University Flagship Campus Student Life Center, 2600 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33409.
Are you looking for a way to contribute to the Sierra Club?
This month's featured Volunteer Opportunity involves the Political Committee.
Gary Landau and Pat Edmonson, our Political Committee Co-Chairs, are working hard on the March 11, 2025 Municipal Elections. Voting in local Municipal Elections is a great way to flex your big green muscles. Turn out in local elections is significantly lower than national elections, which means your vote counts for much more!
How do you know who the Environmental Candidates are?
You look for the Sierra Club endorsements. How do we create local Sierra Club endorsements? We interview the candidates. And to interview candidates, we need volunteers to spend a few hours with the candidates, asking questions prepared by the Political Committee. Not only will the questions be provided, but you will also be paired with an experienced political committee member who will interview your local candidates with you.
There are many municipalities in the local Loxahatchee Group Area. The more volunteers we get, the more candidates we can interview. If you have an interest in a local election reach out to Gary Landau.
There is no early voting for Municipal Elections, so please plan ahead and mark your calendars. Mail-in-ballots can be requested online, but the request must be made by Thursday, February 27, 2025.Request your ballot here:
Linda Smithe
destinationloop@gmail.com
(561) 676-0277
ANNOUNCING YOUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR 2025!!!!!
The Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group Executive Committee (ExCom) is responsible for the management of the affairs and activities of your Group. The ExCom consists of nine members elected by the Group membership for terms of two years. Half of the members are rotated out each year.
Please feel free to reach out to any of us with your Environmental and Conservation Concerns.
Executive Committee Meetings are open to Sierra Club members and invited guests. Meetings are via Zoom and posted on our ‘Events Page’
Joint General Meeting January 21, 2025
Loxahatchee Group
Native Plant Society
Audubon Everglades
PRESENTING JIMMY LANGE
RESEARCH BOTANIST
Ornamental Invasives: Unique threats to fragmented urban preserves & ecological benefits of going native
TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 21, 2025, 6:30-8:45
MOUNTS BOTANICAL GARDEN Auditorium
531 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33415
Jimmy Lange’s presentation will focus on problematic species circulating in the horticultural trade and demonstrate their impacts, particularly on our fragile urban ecosystems. Mr. Lange will offer advice on South Florida native plant alternatives to invasive species and introduce us to the work of the Native Plant Network.
Jimmy Lange is a Research Botanist at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden’s Conservation Program and Research Associate at the Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC.) He has fifteen years of experience in South Florida and Caribbean plant conservation and ecology. He has published 15 peer-reviewed publications on topics including plant taxonomy, identification, rare plant ecology, invasive species biology, restoration ecology, horticulture, and threat migration. Mr. Lange currently manages the Rare Plant Program in Broward County. He also serves on the Florida Invasive Species Council Plant List Committee, is Chair of the Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) Plant List Committee for the Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (ECISMA) and works with plant groups such as graminoids, cacti, and ferns. Mr. Lange earned his BS from the University of Florida and MS from Florida Atlantic University.
Past National Award winners: Sheila Calderon, Alyssa Cadwalder, Mike Fitzpatrick, Kay Gates, and Ron Haines.
(Imagine Drew Martin in this photo. He had to leave early to go to another meeting. Busy guy!!!)
Lisa Hanley
Chair of Forests and Public Lands
and the Communications Committee
One of many recognized proud leaders!!
Rudy’s Pub, a cozy pub in Lake Worth Beach, brought 29 members and friends together for a night of celebration and camaraderie. Gail Ladd and Drew Martin, standing in for our ExCom Chair, Linda Smithe, awarded nineteen people who gave their time or treasure to make our Club more vibrant and influential in our communities.
One of the highlights was the awarding of special Chair recognition to Ron Haines for his unfailing commitment for many years to the Loxahatchee Club and Sierra Club Florida Chapter.
Six of our members were recognized for receiving National Sierra Club awards over the years: Sheila Calderon, Alyssa Cadwalader, Mike Fitzpatrick, Ron Haines, Kay Gates,and Drew Martin.
After the awards, Pam Maldonado auctioned off the remaining Gala Auction items at very reasonable prices to the happy recipients!
Thank you to all who participated. It was a great night. Thank you to Lila, our Treasurer, who ordered our appetizers; Lisa Hanley, who managed the sign-in sheet and tickets for drinks; and especially Linda Smithe, who organized and sponsored our event, in absentia! We missed her!
WORK OR PLAY OUTDOORS
WITH THE SIERRA CLUB
Two Service Outings at Galaxy Sand Pine Preserve
Let’s give the gopher tortoises more room to graze!! We will maintain a short nature trail and improve gopher tortoise habitat in an area overgrown with dense ferns. Most work will be in the shade and will involve pulling ferns and cutting vines - some very thorny. Long sleeves, pants and closed toe shoes are strongly advised.
Trip Leader: Lisa Hanley
Thursday Jan. 9, 10 a.m., Paddle at Okeeheelee Park South in West Palm Beach.
This is a leisurely, two-hour paddle on the water trail at Okeeheelee Park South. The park is at 7715 Forest Hill Blvd, West Palm Beach. Go south from Forest Hill, NOT NORTH. Allow yourself time to launch at 10 please. Registration and more information are here.
Trip Leader: Ron Haines
Sunday Jan. 19 10 a.m., Paddle at West Lake Park, Hollywood
A four-hour paddle through the mangroves with a stop at Anne Kolb Nature Center and Observation Tower. Entrance to the West Lake Park is $1.50/person and entrance to the Nature Center’s exhibit hall is $2/person. There is no charge to use the observation tower. Rentals are available. Registration and more information are here.
Trip Leader: Ron Haines
Broward and Miami
Saturday, January 4, 9 AM
Florida Trail walk from the Oasis Visitor Center at Big Cypress National Preserve. Register Here
Leader: Kaatje Bernabei
Saturday, January 11, 8 AM
Florida trail 8-mile hike from the I-75 Collier County Rest Area. Strenuous Register Here
Leader: Jordan Holaday
Saturday, January 18, 8 AM
5-mile kayak paddle to Sandfly Island near Everglades City. Rentals available. Strenuous. Register Here
Leader: Jordan Holaday
Broward Sierra Group’s
2025 EcoAfternoon Social
Members and non-members are welcome!!
We have a special day planned for you with plenty of time to say hello to old friends, meet like-minded people, and make new friends!
The Eco Afternoon Social starts at 12:30 pm on Sunday January 26.
We ask you to arrive no later than 1:00 pm to sign-in and enjoy all the fun activities we have arranged for everyone. We will have an optional walk in the park at 4 pm.
Your voice is important to us!
So come hear our plans for 2025, dig into some tasty snacks, and have a delightful Eco Afternoon with some amazing individuals in your community.
Location:
Delevoe Hall at Reverend Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park
2520 NW 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Event is indoors. Plenty of parking. Please Bring your our own water bottle or drink cup.
You MUST register to attend. Spots are limited, so register now!
Please consider starting off 2025 with some financial support for the Sierra Club.
You can donate on the local, state or national level.
You can make it a one-time or a reoccurring payment.
It is your donations that allow us to do what we do.
By Linda Smithe, Executive Committee Chair
There are three ways to help us financially.
My personal favorite!
1. You can donate directly to your local Loxahatchee Group, as a one-time donation or a reoccurring monthly or annual donation. Set it and forget it! All your hard-working dollars are spent within our 4-county area, Palm Beach, Martin, St Lucie, and Okeechobee.
Or
2. You can donate to the Florida Chapter either as a reoccurring monthly donor or just once. This supports Florida State Issues, which include protecting Florida's wetlands, waterways, and wildlife, securing a clean energy future for everyone, and preserving our State Parks.
Or
3. You can explore Ways to Give on the National Sierra Club website. A donation here supports national issues. The Sierra Club is on the frontlines of the fight for a safer, cleaner, healthier future for all.
Note: Contributions, donations, gifts, and dues to the Sierra Club are not tax deductible. They support our effective, citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts. The Sierra Club Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(4) organization. (Additional financial and regulatory information.)
Join the petition drive to get
the Right To Clean Water Amendment
on the Florida ballot in 2026. Visit here to sign the petition, alert your friends, or volunteer for the cause.
Getting too many Sierra Club emails? Don’t hit unsubscribe!
Use the Manage Preferences option at the bottom of this or any other Sierra Club email to choose what you want and what you don’t want.
Please keep on subscribing to My Chapter, the first option, so you continue to receive Turtle Tracks, our local newsletter.
The rest of the email options? Decide for yourself.
If you have any questions, contact Ron Haines at ronaldhaines@bellsouth.net.
