Save the Date!

Outings Leader Training

Nov. 4 - 6

Our fearless Outings Chair, Starr Hazard, created an In-Person Outings Leader Training Weekend at Poinsett State Park!

The dates are November 4 - 6, 2022, (Friday evening through mid-afternoon Sunday) We have campsites reserved at PSP and plan to feed you well!

Plan to arrive Friday evening and leave Sunday mid-afternoon, as we have some campsites reserved. All meals are provided from supper Friday through lunch Sunday. At this time, your only costs will be travel! Training class will be in a shelter with a fireplace. Bring a camp chair and clothing to stay warm and dry. We will accommodate all dietary preferences. Pease share this opportunity with those whom you think are interested. This promises to be an unforgettable weekend!

Here's the Campfire registration link (max 25 participants):

https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=7013q000002Jd7MAAS

Poinsett State Park: https://southcarolinaparks.com/poinsett

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PHOTO COURTESY OF: SANTEE STATE PARK

In keeping with our mission to "Explore, Enjoy and Protect" , our leaders and guides will take you on unique adventures in our state. You'll fall in love with our rich, diverse, and natural history. While exploring with the Sierra Club , our outings will give you wonderful opportunities to see the divesity of South Carolina's habitats. You'll be amazed with how much South Carolina has to offer- the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Carolina Sandhills, and the Congaree National Park just to name a few of the attractions. The Sierra Club's skilled and trained Outings leaders, well versed in the flora and fauna of their local Chapter areas, will share their passion, knowledge and love of our state's wonderful wild swamps, rivers and estuaries.

W. Gordon Bleser Arboretum Tour - Nov. 20

Our guest speaker from the Midlands Group of the SC Sierra Club October 25th meeting, Lynn Yenkey, has offered us a special tour of the W. Gordon Belser Arboretum at 1 on Saturday, November 20. Our outings chair, Betsy Russell, needs to hear from you if you plan to attend. We don't want to start without you! Please contact her by Friday evening on the 19th.

If you do plan to attend, please try to be at the gate, located at 4080 Bloomwood Road, Columbia, SC 29205, by 12:45. That's in the Sherwood Forest neighborhood not far from Whole Foods and Midlands Tech.

For more information about the Arboretum, here is a link to the site that includes a map: W. Gordon Belser Arboretum - Department of Biological Sciences | University of South Carolina

Palmetto Trail Lynches Woods Passage

You might want to plan an outing to the Lynches Woods Passage soon. At this time of year, the leaves are absolutely gorgeous. Think about going on a weekday, when there are few other users. On a weekend you may run into cyclists and horses. The site is fairly hilly being in the lower Piedmont. There are some stream crossings on rocks but most are on bridges. You'll want to wear hiking boots rather than tennis shoes. There is a bathroom and picnics shelter at the trailhead.

There are several trail options including the Palmetto Trail Lynches Woods Passage loop. They range from 1.4 to 4.9 miles in length. It is recommended that you go see it soon so you can enjoy the leaves. Wait til you see the size of the sassafras leaves! Here is a link to the information on the Lynches Woods Passage. Be sure to download the map using the free app they provide as there are a few places where you might be tempted to take a wrong turn. Lynch’s Woods Passage – Palmetto Conservation Foundation

Try not to miss this beautiful property while the leaves are at their best!

City of Columbia Community Gardens:

September 26th

Please join us for a tour of 5 of the City's many community gardens on Sunday, September 26. We will begin at the North Main (NOMA) garden located at 2700 River Drive, at 2:00 p.m.
Some of these gardens have uneven footing so please wear sturdy shoes. Come dressed for the weather and bring water. Sierra Club cannot coordinate carpooling but attendees are encouraged to share a ride to cut emissions and reduce traffic.
Please call Outings Chair Betsy Russell at 803-749-7986 to reserve a place on this outing. Limit: 25 people.

You must contact Outings Chair Betsy Russell at 803-749-7986 to let her know that you plan to attend. She will register the group.

Carrick Loop Trail and Table Rock Tea Company:

Planned for October 9th

Planned for October 9, weather permitting, this outing will begin with a hike on the 2 mile long Carrick Loop Trail near Table Rock. This will be followed by a bring-your-own picnic lunch and a 2:00 guided tour of the Table Rock Tea Company. Table Rock Tea Co. will have about 20 tea plants available for purchase.

Please let Betsy Russell (803-749-7986) know by Oct. 1 if you would like to purchase 1 or more. Further details to follow in the October newsletter and will be posted on the website when available.

Adopt-A-Highway Volunteer Event

Adopt-A-Highway has been working with volunteers since 1988 to help clean up litter along South Carolina roads and highways.

On August 21st the Sierra Club along with volunteers cleaned a two mile stretch on East North St. between Mitchell Road and Brushy Creek sponsored by the Sierra Club.

Thank you again to all our volunteers who help keep South Carolina clean and safe!

Scheduled dates for 2022:

Saturday, February 12, 2022
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Saturday, August 20, 2022
Saturday, November 12, 2022

Event details to come!

What a nice day, a little too humid, which made it feel very warm. We picked up 6 small bags of trash and 3 small bags of recycles. We found some shingles and a couple of car jacks and one dead snake, a copperhead!

Andy, Betsy, Pam, Priscilla, Steve, Tom, and Lawerence worked about 3 hours. We hope you can join us for our nest scheduled adopt a highway on November 13. 2021.