Founded in 1986, The Sierra Club Turtle Coast Group encompasses 80 miles of Florida's Atlantic Coast from Titusville to Vero Beach. More than 1,500 Sierra Club members live within the Brevard and Indian River County boundaries of the Turtle Coast Group.
Right click and "save as" to download latest Sierra Newsletter.Turtle Coast Group Meetings
Next Meeting in Brevard County:
(We meet at one of three places - see below to learn which one and click here for directions to:
Hester Wagner Center
Friendship Fellowship Unitarian Universalist Center
FSEC)
Time: 7:00 p.m. (6:30pm social time)
Date: Thursday, May 22, 2008
Location: Hester Wagner Center, Melbourne Village
Program: Water Quality in the Indian River Lagoon with Beth McMillen, Assistant Director of the Marine Resources Council (MRC). There are many different factors involved in determining the water quality of the lagoon. Come learn how well, or not so well, the lagoon water quality is for fish, birds, and humans. Also learn some of the methods for testing the different factors that go into the summary of water quality. Beth has lived and worked in Florida for 12 years, most of that time at MRC. She has a degree in geology and a degree in earth and space science from Endinboro State University of Pennsylvania. Beth has continued studying environmental resource management at Florida Institute of Technology.
Next meeting in Indian River County (no meetings Nov. or Dec.)
Time: 7:00pm (6:30pm social time)
Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Location: Indian River County Library - 1001 Sebastian Blvd. (C.R. 512) Sebastian (directions)
Program: An Introduction to Butterfly Gardening with Suzanne Valencia. This PowerPoint presentaton will teach you how to attract butterflies to your garden, the value of using native plants as both nectar and host plants, the life cycle of the butterfly including specific hos plants for specific butterflies, and many little-known facts of butterfly life. Come listen to this wonderful and engaging speaker who will be giving away a number of native plants to start your own butterfly garden. Suzanne is the former chair of Turtle Coast Sierra Group and is our Outings Chair. Suzanne has devoted many years to promoting Sierra Club values and is well known nationally and in the state of Florida. In 2007, she was awarded the coveted "Manatee Award" for outstanding individual service to our group by the Florida Chapter of Sierra Club. Suzanne has spent years designing and establishing butterfly gardens using (primarily) Florida native plants.
Contacts in Indian River County:
- Lynn Walsh lwalsh@irclibrary.org, 772-589-1355
- Sonja Fromang sj442@aol.com, 772-589-7001
Turtle Coast Group, Sierra Club Outings
In order to participate in one of the Sierra Club's outings, you will need to sign a liability waiver. If you would like to read a copy of the waiver prior to the outing, please see www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms or call 415-977-5630.
Florida Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST37115
SUNDAY MAY 4 OUTING: Paddle Blue Cypress Lake, with Outings Leader Terri Wright
Join us for a 6 mile paddle at Blue Cypress Lake at Middleton's Fish Camp west of Vero Beach. Blue Cypress Lake is over 6500 acres in size, 21 miles in circumference, and has an average depth of 8 feet. The lake's name comes from the blue appearance of the cypress trees as the morning sun's rays reflect off the water. Bent cypress trees extend out into the lake along the shore and provide very interesting paddling through grasses and cypress knees. Its clean protected water is home to many species of fish including large mouth bass, catfish, crappie (speckled perch), bluegill and chain pickerel. Other wildlife in the area include: ospreys, cypress trees, alligators, grasses, raccoons, bromeliads, etc. Conservation focus will address catch & release angler programs. Participants must have their own canoe or kayak, PFD and whistle. Bring water, sunscreen, hat and snack if desired. Difficulty level is moderate/easy. A liability waiver & reservations are required. Contact Terri at 321-725-8377 or twright@fit.edu
SATURDAY MAY 17 OUTING: Maritime Hammock Sanctuary Hike, with Outings Leader Suzanne Valencia
This 150 acre sanctuary is in the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge on the barrier island off A1A and is managed by Brevard County EELs Program. It features a 2 mile hiking trail through a variety of protected barrier island habitats; coastal strand, maritime hammock, mangrove forests and hydric hammock. Participants need to bring water, hat and sunscreen, insect repellent. Parking at the trailhead is somewhat limited so we will meet in the parking lot of Publix market on A1A and possibly carpool to the trailhead. You must reserve with Suzanne at 321-984-0604 for details on time.
Contacts in the Turtle Coast Sierra Club
Information for Executive Committee members and aspiring Excom members
SCHOLARSHIPS: Turtle Coast supports an annual service scholarship for young people who would like to conduct a service outing in one of our national parks. Deadline for application is set in the spring. Download most recent application form.