Sierra Club is launching “Summer of Action.” People nationwide are gathering under one banner to deepen awareness and engagement around clean air and water, public lands, outdoor access, civic participation, and people-powered action. People are turning shared values into action.
To create meaningful change, we must continue strengthening a connected movement rooted in the understanding that environmental stewardship, environmental justice, and healthy democratic systems are deeply interconnected. Thriving public and wild spaces and a sustainable future do not happen by chance or accident. They are shaped by people.
This month, I am asking you to fight against AI Data Centers. They have created a massive surge in energy and water demand, putting our climate goals at serious risk. Data centers are driving utilities to build coal and gas-fired power plants. They have massive backup diesel generators. Without a change in course, today’s AI Data Centers will drive up pollution and deplete resources like clean water for decades to come.
All hyper data centers need to be classified in zoning codes as Heavy Industrial due to their excessive use of electricity, water, and the amount of noise and light they generate. They should never be placed near residential areas, schools or natural areas.
If you live in Martin County, email them all. Tell them you know the Silver Fox Project in Indiantown has been withdrawn, but you are staying vigilant and will fight against proposed data centers whenever they get submitted for approval.
If you live in St Lucie County, contact your commissioners here to voice your concerns on Project Jarvis, the largest proposed data center in Florida!
Why: Ceramics for a Cause funds our conservation outreach programs, which include Palm Beach County Inspiring Connections Outdoors (PBC ICO—serving urban youth) and the Elaine Usherson Environmental Scholarship Fund for summer camps, as well as our year-round conservation efforts.
When: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 1:00-3:00 PM
Where: Picasso’s Creative Workshop, 7451 S Military Trail, Lake Worth, 33463
Event: Create your own unique functional art in the form of a plate, bowl, or coffee cup. Event includes all materials. If you want to go bigger or make a set, you can. Discuss with Picasso’s staff at the event.
· Join us for light refreshments, conversation, and a fun few hours with like-minded environmentalists.
· Suggest comfortable dress to match the comfortable atmosphere.
· Your one-of-a-kind art piece will be ready for pick-up 1 to 2 weeks after the event.
We appreciate covering the credit card fee. Manually you can change the Tip to Zero.
PROTECT AND PRESERVE OUR OCEANS AND SHORELINES
The Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group Energy Committee and the Mandel Library present Catherine Uden, Senior Field Representative for Oceana in Florida and Evan Orellana, Regional Manager of the Surfrider Foundation for Florida and Puerto Rico.
When: Wednesday, July 22nd from 6:30 to 8 p.m. (Doors open at 6:15)
Where: Mandel Public Library, 411 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach 33401 3rd Floor Auditorium. A librarian will hand out free 2-hour parking vouchers for cars parked in the City Garage at 401 Banyan Blvd. or at 199 N. Dixie Hwy.
The Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group Energy Committee will provide light refreshments.
One Evening, Two Presentations:
“Protecting our Oceans through Policy Change”
Catherine Uden explains how Florida residents, business owners, and local elected officials can help Oceana advance legislation to protect our oceans and marine life.
Before working at Oceana, Catherine taught in the Broward County Public School System for fifteen years. For the last decade, her work has focused on ocean and coastal conservation in Broward County. She has led efforts to reduce plastic pollution, protect coastal habitat, and ensure public beach access.
“The Ocean Needs More Friends”
Evan Orellana discusses how Surfrider fights for beach access, clean water, reduction of plastic pollution and for healthier coastal ecosystems. He will highlight the value of local volunteers who protect our ocean waves and beaches through cleanups and water testing.
After earning a bachelor of science degree in marine biology at Florida Atlantic University, Evan served as director of education at Sandoway Discovery Center, an oceanfront historic nature and shark conservation museum in Delray Beach.
SARA ANGUINAO AWARDED ALAN PARMALEE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Funded by the Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group
Pictured are Ricardo Zambrano and Sara Anguiano
By Ricardo Zambrano
On May 8, 2026, Sierra Club’s Loxahatchee Group and several other non-profit organizations attended an awards banquet at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center to present a total of $30,200 in scholarships to six outstanding graduating seniors of the Gale Academy of Environmental Science at Forest Hill Community High School. The awards will assist them with their college careers and help them continue their commitment to environmental stewardship. The Loxahatchee Group presented Sara Anguiano with the Alan Parmalee Memorial Scholarship for $2,000.
Sara Anguiano challenged herself academically and maintained a 3.0 GPA at the Academy. Throughout high school, she demonstrated a strong commitment to the arts, particularly through her nine-year involvement in band. She served as the personnel manager and drum major for the Forest Hill Marching Band. Beyond academics and extracurriculars, Sara balanced multiple responsibilities, including holding two jobs and volunteering at numerous band events, demonstrating her continued commitment to her school community.
Sara’s cultural background and personal experiences played important roles in shaping who she is. She grew up in a family with roots in Mexico and has traveled there frequently, developing a deep appreciation for culture and community.
Throughout her high school journey, she built resilience and independence. Inspired by her mother’s strength and determination, Sara strived to embody responsibility and perseverance in all that she does. She hopes to follow a career path that allows her to work closely with others and make a meaningful impact on the community. She has been interested in animals and plants since she can remember and is now able to work on things she is interested in and that will drive her further in life. As part of the Academy, she engaged in hands-on learning experiences through field trips to places such as the Palm Beach Zoo and the Solid Waste Authority. Sara also assisted in painting the sea life mural at the Academy.
After graduation, Sara plans to pursue cosmetology school or study radiography at Palm Beach State College with the possibility of continuing her education at Florida Atlantic University.
Congratulations to the Academy graduates and to this year’s scholarship recipients:
Sara Anguiano: The Alan Parmalee Memorial Scholarship, funded by the Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group and Dylan Harris, former alumni of the Academy and classmate of Nicholas Megrath
Piper Medina: Leah G. Schad Memorial Scholarship, supplemented with additional funds by the West Palm Beach Fishing Club.
Elizabeth Barry: The Nicholas Megrath Scholarship
Chloe Moore: The Classmates of Nicholas Megrath Scholarship
Gisela Pupo:The Audubon Everglades Scholarship
Ivan Lopez: The Peggy and Joel Van Arman Scholarship and the Treasure Coast Chapter of Florida Association of Environmental Professionals Scholarship
Thank you, Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group, for continuing to fund the Alan Parmalee Scholarship!
DESPITE TRUMP’S ATTACKS, SOLAR OUTPERFORMS COAL IN U.S.
Rally at the Idaho State Capitol to celebrate historic funding for Idaho clean energy initiatives
In an historic first, solar energy outperformed coal in the United States in May 2026. This milestone arrives despite Donald Trump’s anti-renewable energy policy.
Since taking office, Trump has launched attack after attack on renewable energy, including slashing federal grants, issuing stop work orders on wind projects, and even paying energy companies to abandon renewable projects in favor of more fossil fuels. He recently doubled down, handing Big Coal more than $700 million in taxpayer money in his continued failed efforts to prop up the flailing fuel source at taxpayer’s expense.
In the first half of 2025, renewable energy overtook coal as the largest source of electricity globally. Solar energy is now the cheapest source of energy, and reliably produces energy during extreme weather when fossil fuels fail.
“No matter how much Donald Trump tries to use our tax dollars to resurrect unpopular, expensive, and deadly coal plants, there is no coal renaissance in the United States. Despite all of his administration’s relentless attacks on renewable energy, solar is still outperforming coal in capacity, reliability, and cost. It’s time for Donald Trump to abandon his coal delusions and read the writing on the wall that Americans want—and deserve—clean, affordable, renewable energy,” said Sierra Club Climate Policy Director Patrick Drupp.
RESCUING THE RIVER OF GRASS
Our Rescuing the River of Grass meeting on May 27, 2026 was vey well attended. Folks were standing up in the back!
Eve Samples, director of Friends of the Everglades provided a wonderful presentation with images and context. Please sign their petition
It was great to get together and learn a little of the history of the River of Grass. However, it is disappointing that over 50% of the historic Everglades has already been lost. But there is hope. Concerned and motivated citizens stopped a proposed Jetport in 1970. We can Stop Alligator Alcatraz now. The case returns to court this summer. The damage of this facility on the Everglades includes:
· Loss of 2,000 acres of Florida Panther habitat
· Additional 20 acres of pavement
· $1 million a day to operate
· Disruption of Everglades water flow
· Light and noise pollution
· Human suffering
The Loxahatchee Group’s Ask: Write your elected officials and tell them to shut the facility down. Ask them to visit the facility for themselves. Require them to remediate the site.
The Mystery Question was: ‘How many Florida panthers are alive in the wild?’ The answer was very disappointing, about 200.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Campers and guests gathered under park pavilion, ready for graduation ceremony
By Carol Stender, ExCom Secretary, with Rae Milmore, Park Ranger
On Friday, June 5, thirteen teenagers graduated from Conservation Ranger Camp at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge in west Boynton Beach. The camp is a collaboration between the National Wildlife Refuge Association, Refuge staff, and Crossroads Academy, an A-rated school in Belle Glade.
The Camp
First launched in 2024, Conservation Ranger Camp is a 5-day program that provides hands-on learning experiences to teach high school students about outdoor recreation and careers in conservation.
Camp activities included fishing, archery, slogging in the swamp, and beach exploration at Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge. Guest speakers included representatives from Wildlife Law Enforcement, Hunting Skills and Ethics, and Wildlife Inspectors who presented a wildlife crime scene, including forensics as a follow-up activity.
The Students
Sound like fun? The students certainly enjoyed it. Here are some of the remarks when they were asked “What were your favorite parts of the Camp:
“Getting to know each other and getting active with wildlife.” Jacoby, a senior going to Palm Beach College next year,
“Airboat and just being here. Catching frogs!”, Kissimmee.
“My favorite part was visiting the turtle hospital at Loggerhead,” Ernajsia.
Park Ranger Nicole Preito and Crew Leader Ednisha Cottman talking with the campers
The Staff
Rae Milmore, Park Ranger at the A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. She commented that “It was inspiring to witness the students’ enthusiasm for the program and their joy at being in the wetlands.”
Nicole Prieto, Park Ranger at the A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
Natalie Balaguer, South Florida Regional Partnership Specialist with the National Wildlife Refuge Association
Michelle Hendricks, President of Friends of the Refuge
Carol Stender (l.) and Kay Gates (r.) with Yabrianna Wallace holding her camp intern certificate and $500 check
Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group Participation
The Loxahatchee Group supports Conservation Ranger Camp with a $500 Internship Scholarship. This year’s scholarship recipient was Yabrianna Wallace, a graduate of Crossroads Academy. She attended the camp as a student for two years and this year returned to help out as an intern.
SIERRA CLUB FLORIDA QUARTERLY MEETING
Sierra Club Florida members gather quarterly for meetings and activities in various parts of the state. The most recent quarterly meeting was June 13th at Wekiva Island in Apopka.
The day was packed with lively workshops and presentations. Special speakers included James Gaddis, the DEP whistleblower from the Save our Parks Issue. He now makes beautiful wall sized maps. There were also presentations about making podcasts, the Bear Hunt, environmental justice, and youth involvement.
And there was even time to canoe up to the Wekiva springs! The day ended with a pizza dinner.
Taking place at the same time was a full day of outing training at a campground, where many of the younger members actually camped. They saw a nest of baby turtles hatch out.
Wekiva Island is privately owned. It is amazing place with a LEED Platinum Certified building constructed from repurposed materials and solar panels everywhere.
If you don't go, you won't know! The next Florida Chapter quarterly meeting is Saturday, August 29th in DeLand. There will be a link to register in our August Turtle Tracks.
MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
We were at it again!
If you did something last month that you want to let us know about, please contact Linda Smithe.
Brian Ducharme and grandson Preston
CLEAN UP AT LIMESTONE CREEK
Over Memorial Day weekend, on May 23, 2026, a group of volunteers spent several hours removing trash from Limestone Creek Natural Area in Jupiter. The group started their cleanup at the kayak launch parking lot, then walked along both sides of the C-18 Canal and hit several trash ‘hot spots’ including the memorial bench area, the fishing pier, and the observation platform. Even a passing rainstorm didn’t stop them from completing their work. Some of the more unusual items removed from the woods included a carpet and several wooden pallets. All in all, the clean up netted six stuffed trash bags.
By Drew Martin and Stephen Mahoney
Drew Martin and Stephen Mahoney attended the 25th anniversary of Capitol Hill Oceans Week (CHOW) Capitol Hill Oceans Week (CHOW) in Washington, D.C, the nation’s premier ocean and Great Lakes policy conference. The theme for this year’s conference was “Voyages and Breakthroughs.” Sessions covered topics from heritage in nature, to working waterfronts, to blue technology innovations. Drew and Stephen then spent two days in constituent meetings. Participants were given the tools to arrange their own meetings with their members of Congress to discuss critical policy issues affecting conservation, heritage, science, endangered species issues, and technology.
Group shot by pickup truck. Randall Carle on right, Linda Smithe second from right, Brian Ducharme with the yellow bucket hanging behind him and Jean Duprey standing in front of Brian.
CLEANUP AT CYPRESS CREEK
The Cypress Creek Natural Area cleanup event on June 6 had so much interest. Department staff split the group in order to tackle the North and South sections of the natural area. One group removed trash from the natural area’s fence line along the south side of Indiantown Road. The other group cleaned along Taylor Road, which borders the east side of Cypress Creek on the north side of Indiantown Road. These volunteers had an added obstacle to getting their work done – lots of poison ivy. That didn’t stop them from heading into the woods to remove bottles, cans and food containers. In the end, both groups came together to clean the final area along Jupiter Farms Road. Volunteers filled 11 large bags with all sorts of trash, plus many sections of plastic pipe and planters. Thank you, everyone, for working so hard to protect this Palm Beach County natural treasure!
Sierra Club members including: Randall Carle far left, Zara Brenner 2nd from left, Sabrina Carle, 3rd from left, and Karen Jensen, 3rd from right.
CLEANUP AT SNOOK ISLANDS
On June 18, two boatloads of volunteers and staff of the Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management removed more than 1,000 pounds of trash from the Snook Islands Natural Area.
If you have escaped the heat, you may be doing great things up north. We would love to hear about them and share them. Please contact Linda Smithe. Thank you everyone!
SIERRA CLUB BROWARD GROUP JULY GENERAL MEETING
ZERO WASTE
Richard Ramcharitar of Broward Clean Air
When: Thursday, July 9, 6:30 PM - 8:15 PM
Where: Veterans Park, 7600 NW 50th St, Lauderhill, FL 33351 (In-person or Zoom, specify when you register)
Why Zero Waste? Advancing Zero Waste Solutions in South Florida.
PART II: ZERO WASTE STATION
A hands-on demonstration showing how to properly sort waste into reuse, recycling, compost, and landfill categories.
MINI ZERO WASTE SWAP: Bring some items you have around your home or garage that are in good and usable condition that you no longer want for other members to take home and reuse. Examples: kitchen, office or art supplies, textiles, books, small appliances, electronics, garden supplies, etc. Any swap items leftover from the evening will be packed up and donated. Let’s work hard to keep nice things out of the landfill!
Richard Ramcharitar is an environmental advocate, community educator, and founder of Broward Clean Air, focused on advancing Zero Waste, recycling reform, composting, and sustainable community initiatives across South Florida. He has contributed to regional sustainability planning efforts connected to the Miami-Dade County Zero Waste Master Plan and currently supports stakeholder outreach and community engagement for the Southwest Ranches Zero Waste Plan with Abbe & Associates.
Recognized as a trusted voice among elected officials, Zero Waste professionals, and community stakeholders, Richard has traveled throughout the United States and Brazil studying environmental and Zero Waste solutions to help bring practical, community-based strategies back to South Florida.
And DON’T FORGET: Say NO to Project Tango AI Data Center
Please help us convince the Palm Beach County Commission to halt Project Tango and keep it on hold until more research can be done.
Attend one or both of these meetings and submit a Comment Card:
Board of County Commissioners Matters by the Public July 7 at 2 pm. Board of County Commissioners Zoning Hearing July 15 at 9:30 am. Both are on the 6th Floor at 301 Olive Ave., 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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