Comments from the Chair

Comments from the Chair will return next month.

Mojave Trails National Monument

Mojave Trails National Monument was designated by President Obama in February 2016 and includes 1.6 million acres and six previously existing wilderness areas in the Mojave Desert. Along with other monuments (below) it ensures the biological connectivity of a vast area of southern California including Joshua Tree National Park to the south and Mojave National Preserve to the north. I-40 and Route 66 cross it. Here is the monument map, and an area overview map. The pictures below were taken within the monument in early February 2017.

Early morning, looking north from California Route 62 into Sheephole Valley Wilderness. I considered walking to the nearest low range of mountains but didn't (maybe 4 mi away; looks further as is a wide angle image). Elevation is 2200', so it's warm on Summer afternoons but not like at Badwater, (200 miles to the northwest in Death Valley) where elevation is -280'. On this Winter day, it's lovely.

Looking north from California Route 62, as in above shot, but zoomed in on low mountains.

Also designated along with Mojave Trails (managed by BLM) were Sand to Snow National Monument (NPS) and Castle Mountains National Monument (USFS). These all surround Mojave National Preserve. There was an article in this newsletter May 2016 on the creation of these three along with some pictures from Joshua Tree National Park and Mojave National Preserve.

Looking west from Cadiz Dunes. Lizard track faintly visible in the foreground. Afternoon of the same day as above picture.

Looking north from California Route 62 into Sheephole Valley Wilderness. Taken an hour after the 1st picture above. It seems, mysteriously, to be both inviting and forbidding.

Event to Celebrate Life of Environmental Activist

At an event titled Hilos que hablan: The Textile Legacy and Life of Mariana Ornelas, our friends at the Esperanza Center will be honoring the life of a long-time Alamo Group member and environmental activist.

Saturday, March 9^th
6 to 9 p.m.
Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, 922 San Pedro Avenue
Map

Mariana was a strong advocate for the environment and social justice and a frequent speaker at City Council meetings. She was heavily involved in Alamo Group projects to pass a strong tree ordinance, protect the Edwards Aquifer, and defeat the PGA/Lumbermen's development deal.

In response to a proposal for a large Wal*Mart/retail center to be built over heavily-forested land near her house, she founded the Dellview Area Neighborhood Association and served as its president for many years. Her activism caught the attention of her city councilperson, who appointed her District 1 Zoning Commissioner.

In that capacity, she was an articulate voice for protecting the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone from intensive, high impervious cover development. In her day job, she was a Professor of Humanities and Sociology at Palo Alto College. She also found time to serve on the board of the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center and was an accomplished musician and harpist.

The celebration will begin with an opening reception at 6 p.m. followed by a blessing and program at 7 p.m.. Her extensive collection of huipiles and textiles, which she donated to the Esperanza Center, will be exhibited and sold at this event and through May 10^th.

Outings: The Call of the Wild

Visit the Alamo Sierra Club Outings page on Meetup for detailed information about all of our upcoming Sierra Club Outings.

The Alamo Sierran Newsletter

Richard Alles, Editor
Published by The Alamo Group of the Sierra Club, P.O. Box 6443, San Antonio, TX 78209, AlamoSierraClub.org.
The Alamo Group is one of 13 regional groups within the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Changed your mailing address?

Have you moved? Let us know by sending your old address, your new address and your member number (look on the upper left corner of your mailing label) to: address.changes@sierraclub.org.

Go online for the latest news and events