Summer is the perfect time to set up future events. Maybe you know of a great environmental tabling event in your area. Let Glenn Laufer know, glaufer7@gmail.com He will try to fit it into the schedule.
Planned Activist Meeting
What: A training on writing a letter to the editor, postcard writing and mailing, and a review of our Sierra Club candidates for election day.
Where: At my home, 17976 Via Rio, Jupiter, FL.
When: September 25, 2026. 6:00-8:00 PM.
I will have blank postcards and targeted post cards, addresses of elected officials, pencils, and stamps, letter writing guides and pads of paper. Bring your pet environmental and conservation topics to discuss. There will be light refreshments.
Are you passionate about protecting our local environment and strengthening grassroots activism? Now is the time to step up and make a direct impact.
Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group is seeking dedicated members to help guide our work and shape the future of environmental action in southeast Florida. We currently have five open seats. This is a powerful opportunity to bring your energy, ideas, and commitment to our mission.
What does the role involve?
● Committing to two years on the Executive Committee
● Attending one monthly meeting via Zoom
● Actively participating in at least one committee
● Supporting our group’s campaigns, events, and community outreach
Serving on the Executive Committee is both rewarding and vital. If you're ready to move from concern to leadership - or know someone who is - please reach out. We’re especially eager to bring in fresh voices, diverse perspectives, and people who care deeply about equity and the environment.
I’ll be happy to answer questions or share more about the role.
Let’s build a stronger, more resilient future—together.
Glenn Lauffer
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING COOL TO DO IN THE HEAT?
Come to Ceramics for a Cause
at Picasso’s Creative Workshop!
Why: Ceramics for Cause helps fund our conservation outreach programs, which include Palm Beach County Inspiring Connections Outdoors 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. The event includes all materials. If you want to go bigger or make a set, you can. Picasso’s staff will work with you.
· Join us for light refreshments, conversation, and crafting with like-minded environmentalists.
· Art studio activities suggest comfortable dress to match the comfortable atmosphere.
· Your one-of-a-kind art piece will be ready for pick-up in 1 to 2 weeks after the event.
Tickets: $40.
We appreciate if you cover the credit card fee. Manually you can change the Tip to Zero.
Can you, or someone you know, balance a checkbook? Have internet and a little spreadsheet experience?
Would you, or they, want to donate some time to a well-deserving non-profit?
We need a treasurer. Our present volunteer is retiring. Please help us find a new one.
Qualifications:
Ability to balance a check book, use the internet and spreadsheets. Nice to have but not required: basic bookkeeping.
Time Commitment:
4-6 hours per month. Plus an annual close-out which takes about 10 hrs. Plus attendance at an annual budget meeting, about 4 hrs.
Responsibilities:
Receive and file bank statements and balance checkbook. Forward monthly bank statement to Group chair.
Send monthly financial statement to the executive committee. Receive and file invoices and reimbursement sheets. Answer miscellaneous questions from executive committee members and committee chairs.
Lila Kipp is our outgoing treasurer, and she will be happy to answer any questions. She will also be around to help our new treasurer get up and running. Email Lila
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS!
JOIN US ON AUGUST 12 TO SEE WHY
Members learn about South Florida’s natural communities during a Loxahatchee Group outing at Yamato Scrub Natural Area
By Michelle Dunaway, Membership Chair
Every outing, educational program, conservation effort, and community event begins with people who care enough to become Sierra Club members. Whether you joined recently or have been with us for years, thank you. Your membership makes our work possible, and more importantly, it makes our community possible.
One of my goals as Membership Chair is to create more opportunities for members to connect with one another, learn about our Loxahatchee Group, and discover meaningful ways to get involved.
Our first Membership Social will be Wednesday, August 12, at 11:30 a.m. at Blue Pointe Bar & Grill in Tequesta. There is no agenda—just good conversation, a beautiful waterfront setting, and the opportunity to get to know fellow Sierra Club members. Whether you’re new to the group or have been involved for years, we’d love to have you join us. Please register by August 10 using the link below so we can provide the restaurant with an approximate attendance.
This November, we’ll host a special membership-focused General Meeting introducing members to the people, programs, and activities that make our Loxahatchee Group unique. You’ll learn about our history, committees, outings, volunteer opportunities, and how all of these pieces work together to support conservation, education, and outdoor experiences throughout our community.
There are countless ways to contribute, and no contribution is too small. Whether you enjoy welcoming new members, leading outings, participating in advocacy efforts, helping behind the scenes, sharing your knowledge, or simply lending a hand from time to time, we’d love to help you find a role that fits your interests, your schedule, and even your sense of fun. There truly is a place for everyone.
If you’ve been thinking about becoming more involved but aren’t sure where to start, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to text or call me at (561) 866-5213. I’d be happy to answer your questions, learn about your interests, and help you discover where you’d enjoy getting involved.
In future Membership Matters articles, I’ll share upcoming opportunities to connect, volunteer, and learn more about our Loxahatchee Group. I look forward to seeing many of you at our August social and November meeting!
AUGUST OUTING
When: Wednesday, August 26, 8:30 AM
Where: James A. Rutherford Park – Gentle Mangrove Walk (~1.5 miles)
Join us for an easy morning walk through James A. Rutherford Park in Boca Raton. We’ll explore mangrove and estuarine habitats along paved paths and boardwalks at a relaxed pace with frequent stops to observe nature. Optional nature journaling at the end. Bring water, sun protection, and optional journaling materials. Restrooms available.
OCTOBER GENERAL MEETING: HELPING THE BURROWING OWL
Why is the Florida burrowing owl listed as Threatened? Let’s have a talk about what is being done and how you can help.
When: Saturday, October 10 at 9:30 am
Where: Green Cay Nature Center, 12800 Hagen Ranch Road, Boynton Beach
Our speaker will be Paul Kragh, Director of Burrowing Owl Conservation for Project Perch Inc. This not-for-profit group of volunteers is dedicated to the preservation of the tiny subterranean owl. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has recognized Paul as a registered agent for the Florida burrowing owl.
Please join us for this informative and fascinating program. REGISTER
FLORIDA'S 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION:
Here's what to know
Javier Lopez
If you missed our June meeting, The 2026 Legislative Session Then and Now, here’s how you can catch up. A recording of Javier Estevez’ presentation is available.
The saga of the proposed Project Tango data center continues…
JULY 2
Sierra Club was there at the Palm Beach County Zoning Commission meeting. We were not alone. In fact, there was so much public opposition and outrage that the Zoning Commission unanimously denied the Project Tango proposal—even over the recommendation of the Palm Beach County staff to approve.
Sam Cintron
Gail Ladd
Maria Pizano-Balatovis
Linda Smithe
JULY 8
Sierra Club was there again, this time at the Palm Beach County Commission’s Matters by the Public meeting. Again, overwhelming public comment and outrage. Palm Beach County Mayor Sarah Baxter proposed a one-year moratorium and a zoning pause on any future data center projects in order to allow time for county staff to hammer out details. Hopefully, the result will be that the county will have an improved ordinance to protect us from Hyper-AI Data centers.
JULY 15
Sierra Club was there once again, at the Palm Beach County Commission Zoning Hearing, as the Board of County Commissioners considered Project Tango once again. We were there for 9 hours! Then it was time to go home and watch it on Channel 22. Many impassioned experts and Arden residents had said all that we would have/could have said.
After more than 12 hours of presentations from the applicant, staff analyses, public comment, and Board deliberation, the commissioners finally voted to deny (5-1) the application without prejudice. The “denial without prejudice” means the applicant can return with a revised proposal for approved uses or wait until after the current data center moratorium is completed to reapply.
Project Tango marches on. None of the above has stopped the forward momentum of Project Tango. Public outcry has merely slowed down, not stopped, any future massive data centers.
We will need to stay vigilant. Thank you to everyone who made phone calls, wrote emails and spoke.
MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
Where is everyone? Too hot to do anything?
Sabrina and Randy Carle
On July 18, 2026, volunteers arrived at 7:30 am to beat the heat and remove trash from Limestone Creek Natural Area in Jupiter. A group of 13 volunteers braved hot and humid conditions and spent several hours cleaning up this 52-acre Palm Beach County natural Area. At the end of the event, six trash bags were stuffed full of bottles, cans, plastic bags, fishing-related debris, styrofoam containers, cardboard, clothing and food wrappers. Thank you, Sabrina and Randy for joining them!
What are you doing this summer?
If you have escaped the heat, you may be doing great things wherever you are.
We would love to hear about them and share them. Here’s a start:
Linda at Yosemite
Linda Smithe base of a big sequoia tree
Linda Smithe, her husband, grandson, travelled to Yosemite and Sequoia National Park in California. The place where all this Sierra Club stuff started. First, they visited Yosemite. The weather was outstanding. Then on to Sequoia, where the trees are unbelievably big!
Next month, tell us where you went and what you did for your summer. Include your favorite photo or two. Send everything to Linda Smithe.
Thank you everyone!
BROWARD SIERRA GROUP AUGUST GENERAL MEETING - MEMBER GATHERING
Connecting People to Purpose: Nature, Community, and Action for 2027
When: Thursday Aug 6, 2026; 6:30 PM - 8:15 PM
Where: In person at Veterans Park, 7600 NW 50th St, Lauderhill, OR via Zoom
Broward Sierra Group Chair Elisa Jones and Vice Chair Robert Bouyer III will review the Sierra Club Florida three-year strategic plan (2026-2028) and then open the floor for members’ feedback and short brainstorming activities.
This is an opportunity to explore how we strengthen our mission moving into 2027 by identifying group priorities, strengthening member engagement, exploring new ways of reaching more diverse audiences, and developing practical ideas, programs, and outreach strategies that help grow long term community involvement and leadership.
ECO ACTION: We’ll take a look at the Broward Sierra Group table setup that we use for events and ask everyone to weigh in with suggestions for revamping our look and presentation to the public.
Refreshments provided. No plastic bottles, please bring your refillable one. There will be a prize question for in-person attendees.
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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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