Dear Friend,
Please plan to join us, in-person, for Community Advocacy Training at Boulware Springs. The location has been updated to assist in efforts to stop the expansion of the Florence dump.
After the workshop, we will be canvassing the neighborhood.
If you can't join us at Boulware Springs on Saturday, Dec. 16, please plan to attend the online workshop on Sunday.
SSJ Political Committee
Thursday Jan. 4 at 5:30-6:30pm
LifeSouth Community Room
1221 NW 13th Street
Gainesville, FL 32601
2024 will be a critical for regional, state and national elections. If you want to help our local group endorse and get elected environmentally and socially responsible candidates, please join the SSJ Political Committee at our first meeting on Thursday, Jan. 4 at 5:30 - 6:30pm at LifeSouth Community Room, 1221 NW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32601
The SSJ Political Committee identifies candidates for local political offices (e.g. City and County Commissioner) who will be strong environmental leaders and take pro-environment positions. The Political Committee identifies priority races and recommends these candidates for Sierra Club endorsement. The Political Committee also meets with elected officials during the year, to explain Sierra Club positions and encourage votes and actions that will be environmentally friendly.
If this interests you, please register. If you have questions or want more information, please contact David Hastings (dwhastings@gmail.com).
Election Schedule for SSJ Executive Committee
SSJ Executive Committee (ExCom) consists of seven members, and five of these seats are up for election this year. For Sierra Club members in good standing, look for an email with instructions on casting your electronic ballot.
Dec 18th- Voting ends
Jan 2024 - Newly elected SSJ Executive Committee members term begins
This is the final week for electronic voting. Visit our website for instructions here.
Any questions or concerns about your ballot please contact Joanne Tremblay at jojohighsprings@gmail.com.
Sierra Club 2024 Wall Calendars for sale $16 a piece. Great gift item for the holidays!
Two Guided Nature Meditation Walks Scheduled in New Year
For eternity, people have been interested in how nature can be directly experienced as a passage to both healing and regeneration. Over the last few decades, there has been a growing interest in such nature therapy practices as eco-therapy and forest bathing that can have positive physiological and mental health benefits.
To begin the New Year, SSJ’s Outings Committee has organized two guided meditation walks with Zen meditation teacher Shana Smith. Shana will help lead us on a journey of discovery, nourishment, and inner knowing as we mindfully connect to the roots of the deep wilderness and plug into our shared roots of healing, compassion, and growth. The first meditation walk will be held at 9AM on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at the Turkey Creek Preserve in Gainesville and a second walk will be held at 9AM on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at the Tuscawilla Preserve
in Micanopy. Carpooling is encouraged and details will be communicated as we get closer to the events. We have created a sliding scale between $10-15 that will compensate Shana for her time and knowledge. To learn more about Shana and her work, please visit oaktreeinthegarden.com.
No previous knowledge of nature therapy is required to participate and these outings will serve as a great jumping off point for walkers of all ages and abilities to begin their own journeys on exploring how our bodies, minds, and nature intersect.
Alachua County Leveda Brown Recycling Center
Have you ever wondered what happens to those milk jugs, newspaper, tin cans and plastic containers you throw into the blue and orange bins? Find out where these recycled materials go once they leave your home. No matter how much you know about environmental issues, you will be impressed, amazed and startled to see how one of the best counties in FL handles waste and recycling.
The tour will last about an hour.
Leaders: David Hastings and County staff from the recycling center
Be a part of history, hook up with the World’s First FLYING PIG PARADE.
Flying Pig Parade
It’ll take wing in Downtown Gainesville, Florida, on December 30th. Our procession will be impossibly cute and enormous fun for both participants and spectators. As temperatures rise and the world gets crazier we need a good laugh… a humongous laugh! A sassy processional led by smiling swine can do that.
Please let us know if you have an interest in participating as a part of the Sierra Club SSJ Squad. It will be a fun and memorable event!
Do you enjoy taking photos while exploring the great outdoors? Share your best nature photo taken this winter by uploading it to the Sierra Club SSJ Nature Photo Contest. The entries will be judged for uniqueness, composition and quality, and must be original.
The requested format is a square photo of good quality (800 pixels X 800 pixels). Winning entries will be featured on the Sierra Club SSJ website, newsletter, and social media. Additional prizes will be announced as the competition grows with more sponsors.
