Wow! Earth Month. I am exhausted. Are you? There were movie screenings, 4 different table events, 3 different paddling outings, an Arbor Day event at Galaxy Sand Pine Preserve, and special in-person Energy Committee meetings attended by PBC Commissioner Woodward. We also had 4 committee meetings, an Earth Day Celebration with music, stories, a guided nature walk at John D MacArthur State Park, and a joint general meeting with the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. Plus lots of letter writing to state and county elected officials.
If you went to any of these events, I hope you enjoyed yourself and you told your friends and family.
If you didn’t go, you will never know the fun you missed.
Implications for forever chemical exposure in oysters, tap and surface waters
Natalia Quinete, PhD
by Richard Stowe
The May meeting Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group Energy Committee is coming.
Where: The Mandel Public Library at 411 Clematis Street in West Palm Beach. Free parking is available at the West Palm Beach City Center Public Garage (vouchers are available at the library). The garage has two entrances: one at 401 Banyan Boulevard, the other at 199 N Dixie Highway.
When: Wednesday, May 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.
The energy committee will provide light refreshments at this free event.
Our speaker, an associate professor in Biochemistry & Chemistry at Florida International University’s Institute of Environment, has co-authored ninety research papers. A distinguished academic and researcher, she is recognized for her significant contributions to the fields of environmental analytical chemistry. Her pioneering work focuses on unraveling complex environmental processes and developing innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
Dr. Quinete will discuss PFAS (forever chemicals) and plasticizers (phthalates) data she has assessed in oysters, tap and surface waters.
Preserving the Everglades will be the topic of our May general meeting.
When: Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Doors open at 6 PM; the program runs from 6:15 to 7:30.
Where: The Lake Worth Beach Library Meeting Room. The Meeting Room entrance is located around the corner from the library’s front door at 15 N M Street.
The Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group provides light refreshments at this free event.
Our speaker, Eve Samples, is the executive director of Friends of the Everglades, a 501-c-3 non-profit founded by Marjorie Stoneman Douglas in 1969. Born and raised in Miami, Eve earned her B.A. in journalism at the University of North Carolina and serves as vice president of the board of directors of the Rivers Coalition.
Eve is a 20-year veteran of the newsprint industry: a reporter at the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette and Palm Beach Post, and an opinion editor at Florida USA TODAY and Treasure Coast Newspapers.
In 2018, Eve received the Susan B. Anthony Award from the League of Women Voters of Martin County. At the 41st Everglades Coalition conference in Naples, in January, Eve received the 2026 Everglades Coalition Conservationist of the Year award for her leadership role in a legal effort to close the “Alligator Alcatraz” ICE detention facility located in Big Cypress National Preserve.
The Loxahatchee Group of the Sierra Club is governed by a nine-member Executive Committee (ExCom). Members are elected to staggered, two-year terms, so every fall we have an election to fill the upcoming vacancies.
This year there will be five vacancies to fill.
If you are interested in serving either on the Nominating Committee or ExCom, or have questions about the responsibilities, let us know.
If you know of someone you think we should contact about serving, let me know.
Maybe you have been to a few of our meetings and are wondering what you can do to help. We cannot read your mind. Let me know how you would like to get involved.
Nominations will close mid-September.
Election information and a link to the ballot will be emailed at the end of October. This information is sent by postcard to members we are unable to reach via email.
Balloting is open from from Nov. 1 through Nov. 30.
New ExCom Members are announced and installed during the December ExCom meeting.
WHY DOES THE SIERRA CLUB SUPPORT THE NO KINGS MOVEMENT?
There’s no ignoring politics when it comes to preserving the planet!
A message from Sierra Club Executive Director Loren Blackford
People movements are organizing moments. On March 28, 2026, the Sierra Club helped organize the largest single day of protest in American history as more than eight million people in thousands of cities and towns across all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico turned out and said enough. No Kings 3 was a defining moment in US history – the largest day of action yet in our movement to stand against the broad erosion of civil liberties and unchecked executive power in our nation. We are proud to be a part of it.
That each No Kings mobilization has been bigger than the one before it tells us that resistance is not burning out. It’s growing. People are not going numb. We are getting even more organized. But massive mobilizations need to turn into ongoing action to bring real change. And Sierra Club is leading that action as we head into Earth Month. We’re hosting more than 600 events, including 350+ nature outings and the Trail Blazers Ball to honor and recognize environmental champions whose groundbreaking achievements advance our movement at this critical moment for our people and our planet.
We must and will continue to organize to protect endangered species, public lands, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and our children’s future. The Trump Administration is doubling down in its attacks on the Endangered Species Act. The Environmental Protection Agency has abandoned its responsibility to protect American’s health, prioritizing, instead, the interests of corporate polluters. Utility bills are soaring across the country, as the Trump Administration works to kill offshore wind and other clean energy projects and illegally prop up the coal industry.
We have launched significant new lawsuits. Our policy experts, advocates, and communications teams are helping make sure all of us – including politicians nationally and locally – understand what is at stake, what their obligations and opportunities are, and what we the people demand.
Despite this administration’s quest to keep us dependent on fossil fuels and delay our clean energy future, we saw big reminders this month that we still continue to push towards that future every day. We know what – and who – we’re up against, but the war in Iran is exposing the volatility of global oil and gas prices and making the case in stark terms for more stable and reliable clean energy. While Donald Trump is paying a company a billion of our tax dollars to drop an offshore wind project and walk away from its lease, multiple east coast offshore wind farms went online this month and started delivering power to the grid – following crucial legal victories Sierra Club helped achieve.
We are proud to be working arm-in-arm with amazing allies and supporters across the country. Our 64 chapters and hundreds of groups are working in every state, supporting long-term activists, as well as newcomers who see what’s happening now and are moved to action. Sierra Club’s thousands of volunteers and over 3.5 million members and supporters are a force to be reckoned with, as we have proven time and time again; we show up, we roll up our sleeves, and we make real change happen. We are a powerful movement organization in a historic movement moment.
This Director’s Notes includes just a small sampling of examples of how the Sierra Club is building and exerting our power to meet this moment, hold this reckless administration accountable, and fulfill our mission.
With gratitude,
OUTINGS IN MAY
Come Join Us!
Wednesday, May 13, 8:30 AM
Yamato Scrub Natural Area – Leisurely Nature Walk (~2 miles)
Join us for a slow, exploratory walk through scrub and flatwood habitats. We’ll move at an easy pace, pausing to observe seasonal plants, wildlife, and subtle changes in the landscape. Expect sandy sections with exposed roots and limited shade. No restrooms are available on site. Bring water and sun protection. Leader: Michelle Dunaway
Wellington Environmental Preserve – Leisurely Nature Walk (~2 miles)
Enjoy a relaxed morning walk along boardwalk and paved trails through wetland habitats. We’ll observe birds, plants, and seasonal activity in a fully functioning ecosystem. Easy pace with frequent stops. Restrooms available. Bring water and sun protection. Leader: Michelle Dunaway
That’s why we hold informative meetings about various topics. Here’s what we covered just recently. Come join us this month.
Loxa-Lucie Headwaters—Let’s make it a reality!
For our March general meeting the Loxahatchee Group gathered to learn about the progress made to restore the connections between the federally-designated Wild and Scenic Loxahatchee River and the St. Lucie estuary along the Atlantic Ridge.
The truth is NOT MUCH, unfortunately! Our presenter, Greg Braun, spelled it out for us. He is executive director of The Guardians of Martin County and the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Conservation Initiative.
The aim of the Initiative is to protect the area between these two waterways, which is one of the largest patches of natural coastal land left in a quickly developing area of Martin County. The Initiative is focused on preserving and restoring historical water flows and protecting an ecological corridor for native plants and endangered wildlife between two state parks.
Disappointingly, the Requisition and Acquisition Council and the State of Florida have not bought A SINGLE ACRE since being identified 15 years ago.
The obstacles that still need to be overcome include but are not limited to:
More local support, Letters to Editors, and calls to state elected officials
The Loxahatchee Group has submitted a letter endorsing the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Conservation Initiative. If you have any connections with governmental entities, water quality advocates, and other environmental organizations or individuals, please contact Greg and work with your contacts to get a letter of support sent.
A Fascinating Native Plant Weekend
Craig Huegel speaking about the nature of plants at joint meeting of Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group and the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society.
A few group members pose with Craig Huegel before setting off on the guided nature hike. (l.to r.) Sabrina Carle, Michelle Murasko, Lisa Hanley, Craig Huegel, and David Kapell.
A survey of active environmentalists in our Sunshine State would certainly include Hillsborough County’s Craig Huegel at the top of the list. He checks all the boxes: wildlife expert, botanist, native plant enthusiast, educator, author and prolific speaker. The Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group along with the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS), managed to lure Craig to the east coast for a few days to help us celebrate Earth Month.
On Sunday, April 19, after a day of conversation, stories and music at the John D. MacArthur State Park Amphitheater, Craig led a nature walk through the park’s unique coastal hammock. He not only identified the various trees, bushes and native plants thriving there, but informed participants of the needs of the plants and if or how they could work in a homeowner’s landscape. Right plant in the right place.
Craig’s visit drew a number of our locally active conservationists and native plant nursery owners, experts, and enthusiasts. Lots of lively talk dominated the shady area around the park’s amphitheater on that sunny, beachside day.
The following day Craig was the speaker for the joint general meeting of our group and the local FNPS. Throughout his career, Craig has authored books ranging from Native Plant Landscaping for Florida Wildlife to Native Florida Plants for Shady Landscapes His latest book, The Nature of Plants , was the topic he explored that evening. The premise of his talk was that plants are much more like animals than any of us has ever imagined! Although they are not mobile like animals, their evolutionary process has given them the ability to see, hear, feel, taste, and smell. Not only that, scientific evidence reveals that plants
• can make decisions
• have memories and can learn
• have social lives with many species
• nurture their young and look after each other
• feel stress and pain and fight to live!
Craig’s eye-opening talk elicited many questions and conversation. Overall, the evening had a festive air: delicious food, pleasant music, and friends gathering. The two-day visit from our Tampa Bay guest really was a joy. His enthusiasm sparked our imaginations and stimulated our activism. Hopefully, we will see him again.
MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS We were at it again!
At Lake Osborne, standing together are Zara Brenner, Randy and Sabrina Carle who is touching the left of the truck.
Zara Brenner and others are seen on an Air Boat.
Sabrina Carle found an unusual piece of trash. This plastic skeleton head gave Sabrina a bit of a scare until she realized it wasn't real! CSI did NOT have to be called in!
On March 26, 2026, volunteers and the Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management Department staff (PBC ERM) – including Mosquito Control employees - spent several hours cleaning the north lobe of Lake Osborne in Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation's John Prince Park. They removed an estimated 810 pounds of trash, on land and by airboat during the cleanup event.
Zara Brenner at Juno Dunes Natural Area
During the April 9, 2026, Juno Dunes Natural Area volunteer event, more than 0.15 miles of mangrove and rock riprap shoreline were cleaned. A hard-working group of volunteers concentrated their cleanup efforts along the natural area's border with the Intracoastal Waterway, where it was hard work cleaning through the red mangroves. The aerial roots were an obstacle course – volunteers crawled over, under and around trying to reach the trash. Most of the trash consisted of bottles, cans, plastic bags, lumber and sports equipment (soccer balls, footballs, golf balls, beach balls and tennis balls). Total trash weight pulled out of the natural area was 400 pounds.
Sabrina Carle at it again, far right, at the Yamato Scrub Natural Area
On April 11, 2026, a group of 12 volunteers spent several hours helping with trail maintenance and trash removal at Yamato Scrub Natural Area in Boca Raton. The volunteers did find something a bit unusual – two AM FM radios. Remember them? The bracken fern growing along the trail was trimmed back so hikers and trail runners could move with ease.
Maria Pizano-Balatovis, Drew Martin, and Michelle Dunaway at the Lighthouse Film Festival
Also on Saturday April 11, at the Jupiter Lighthouse Film Festival, three dedicated volunteers staffed our Sierra Club table for a fun Nature Film-filled evening. The Jupiter area is unique for the Loxahatchee Group, along the Palm Beach and Martin County lines. We were able to interact with residents from both counties, comparing and contrasting issues we all struggle with.
Sabrina Carle, on the right, at Limestone Creek
On April 18, 2026, a group of 15 volunteers spent several hours removing trash from the Limestone Creek Natural Area in Jupiter along the C-18 Canal. This event was part of the Great American Cleanup sponsored locally by Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Inc. and the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County. The volunteers concentrated their cleanup efforts on trash "hot spots" located throughout the 52-acre Palm Beach County natural area: the kayak launch parking lot, the fence line along Island Way, a memorial bench area, multi-use trails, and the sidewalk and swale area along Central Boulevard. Volunteers filled six large bags with trash, including bottles, cans, plastic bags, clothing, styrofoam food containers and food bags.
Thank you everyone!
LAWSUIT SEEKS TO PROTECT PROTECT ENDANGERED FLORIDA PANTHERS FROM MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT
FORT MYERS, Fla.— The Sierra Club, along with other conservation groups, has joined a suit filed against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect endangered Florida panthers from a massive new development within the panther’s occupied breeding habitat in southwest Florida.
Join our friends at Audubon Everglades as they host Flyway: A Conservation Cinema Series, a celebration of Florida's remarkable natural heritage. Each event brings together conservation partners, nature enthusiasts and community members for an evening of film, science and connection.
The inaugural event will feature a screening of two short documentaries, Tracking Kites and The Little Brown Bird, followed by an exclusive panel discussion with the filmmakers and representatives from:
Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management
Avian Research and Conservation Institute
Wildpath Conservation
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society
Refreshments will be available. The evening concludes with a prize drawing!!!
When: May 14, 2026, 6:00 PM
Where: Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave in Lake Worth, Florida.
Cost: Audubon Member: $49.87
Non-Member: $60.54
There is a buy one, get one half off discount through the Cultural Council’s MOSAIC series.
Enter this discount code at checkout on the Eventbrite link: AEMOSAIC2026
Why: All proceeds benefit Audubon Everglades Avian Conservation Fund and its partner conservation organizations.
BULLETIN - VICTORY FOR FLORIDA WETLANDS PROTECTION!
Myakka State Park (Photo by Linda Smithe)
The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has ruled that permits to build in wetlands should stay in the hands of federal regulators rather than the state of Florida. “Like the district court, the appeals court here properly rejected EPA and the Fish and Wildlife Service’s egregious attempt to short-circuit the ESA’s stringent protections for critically endangered wildlife like the Florida panther. This is a win for Floridians and our iconic wildlife and wild spaces,” said Cris Costello, State Campaign Director of the Sierra Club.
If you are interested in learning more about the Lake Worth Lagoon, please plan on attending a beautiful and informative presentation by Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management. This meeting will be chaired by Palm Beach County Commissioner Gregg Weiss.
When: Wednesday, June 10, 2:00 PM
Where: The South Florida Water Management District, Storch Conference Room, 3301 Gun Club Rd, West Palm Beach.
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About Turtle Tracks
Turtle Tracks is the monthly newsletter of the Sierra Club Florida Loxahatchee Group. It contains environmental news and activities of interest to Sierra Club members and supporters in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties. Contributions from readers are welcomed. Please review our submission guidelines.
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