Here are updates from Missouri's four Sierra Club Groups for the winter of 2021:
White River Group (Southwest Missouri)
The White River Group has continued to stay in touch with the Building Development Services Department of the City of Springfield as they review the 2018 IECC. We were told that the 2018 insulation requirements were put in place for Residential Construction effective July 1, 2021. This action was taken based on a City Council Ordinance from 2019 that indicated Council’s intent to do so. Other elements of the IECC are being looked at and other stakeholders are weighing in. We expect further action by the Plans and Policies Committee early next year.
The City is updating the Stormwater Management Manual and WRG was asked to comment on it in general and on new regs concerning redevelopment sites. We sought the advice of Joe Pitts, a former head of the James River Basin Partnership, DNR official and high school science teacher. Joe read through the proposed documents and assessed them as robust and improved. He did suggest that the City work with county property owners to better manage agricultural runoff, which impacts our groundwater sources for drinking water.
The Outings Leader, Pam Shaver, has reinstated our once-a-month South Creek Stream Cleanups, since September and we had a well-attended Tree Walk/Hike at Lost Hill Park in early October with an Extension Agent. Another hike at Busiek State Forest took place on November 7th. Several WRG members attended the Dark Sky Conference at MSU, co-hosted by the MO Sierra Club and found the programs fascinating and inspiring. One of our own board members, John Chiles, presented a Zoom program on The Noble Hill Project, which will transform waste energy into a new vision for agriculture. We’re planning more virtual programs for next year.
December 4th, Saturday, 1:30 - 3:30pm hike at Fellows Lake. South Creek Stream Clean up,
Sunday, December, 19th at 1:30pm, Bank of Sullivan, on South Campbell. We’ll be planning more hikes for the winter months. Check on Campfire and the Springfield Meetup site.
Louise Wienckowski, Chair White River Group 417 496-2006
Osage Group (Central Missouri)
The Group has been pleased to resume outdoor outings and has sponsored three hikes and an outdoor potluck social during the fall. If you are not getting notices of events, please follow us on Facebook, Meetup or send your email to sc.osage.group@gmail.com. The Ready for 100 Campaign in Columbia kicked off at the annual Walk for the Climate event in September. Sierra Club is joining with allies to push the City of Columbia to commit to 100% renewable, clean energy for electricity by 2030. If you live in the area and want to sign the petition, please visit https://bit.ly/CoMORF100. If you would like to get involved in this campaign, please email us. Help is needed. The Group has also joined with allies to defend the Gans Creek Wild Area from encroaching development. Please contact your Boone County Commissioner to express your support for protecting this unique and sensitive area.
Eastern Missouri Group
Please see recent E-Newsletters here for updates
Thomas Hart Benton Group (Kansas City Area and Northwest Missouri)
TBD