Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Free Trees!

Entergy Corp. has joined with the Arbor Day Foundation to provide free trees to residential customers in Louisiana, aiming to conserve energy through "strategic tree planting," to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Customers are required to care for the trees and plant them in spots expected to reduce their energy consumption. Customers can determine the most strategic planting locations using a tool that allows them to map a house, select a tree with energy saving potential, view the best energy saving locations to plant and recieve an estimate of the expected annual savings.

To Sign up, go to: www.Entergy.com/arborday

Sunday, November 13. New Orleans Group SIERRA CLUB PROGRAM

"Birding Argentina from Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls". Joelle Finley, well known birder and traveler, will speak about birds and nature in Argentina. Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter gate to far right of main gate and behind statue of Audubon.  Parking plentiful and safe.  Call (504) 307-0187 with any questions.  The program is free and open to everyone. Refreshments at 6:30 P.M.  Program 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Come celebrate and get your hands dirty on National Public Lands Day!

The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve Barataria Preserve in Lafitte, about 45 minutes south of New Orleans, will be welcoming volunteers to do a variety of projects, from trail clearing and trash pickup to aquatic invasive species removal. Volunteers must report to the Preserve headquarters at 9am and the project lasts until 1pm, but the park is open until 5pm for folks who would like to stay and enjoy the afternoon. Interested Sierra Club members will meet at 8am at the Wal-Mart parking lot on Tchoupitoulas Street to car-pool to the park.

More information about the project is on the attached press release from the National Park Service. If you plan to meet and car-pool with other Sierra Club members, please RSVP to me at tcolleen526@gmail.com by Wednesday, Sept. 21 - all volunteers must register with the NPS by Thursday, Sept. 22. I will register the group.

WHAT: National Public Lands Day volunteer project, Barataria Preserve
WHEN: 8am - 2pm, Sept. 24
WHERE: meet at Wal-Mart, Tchoupitoulas St., to car-pool to Barataria

IMPORTANT: Wear long pants and long sleeves and closed toed shoes or boots, and bring insect repellant, sunscreen and work gloves.

Barataria Preserve is a 20,000 acre national park with bottomland hardwood forest, swamp and marsh habitats suffering from land loss from a variety of causes, and the Sierra Club New Orleans Group has recently designated the preserve as a top priority for awareness, programs, and projects. We hope you can join us to spend a morning at this treasure that is in our backyard and give back to nature as we all get some good exercise doing physical labor!

We look forward to seeing you!

Colleen Morgan
Chair, Sierra Club N.O. Group
504-701-1880 cell

Press Release:
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/10557624/1418558135/name/National%20Public%20Lands%20Day%20at%20Barataria%20Preserve%202011.pdf

It's not too early to start thinking about Holiday gifts

With the dog days of summer behind us and the holidays approaching, it's time to treat yourself to some beautiful photography by ordering a Sierra Club Wilderness Calendar.

2012 Engagement Calendars are $13.95
The most popular nature calendar ever published. Stunning images of flora and fauna. Week-by-week format with 57 full-color photographs. Comes in a mailing box. Spiral bound, measures 6 1/4" x 9 1/4".

2012 Wilderness Calendars are $12.95
A bestseller for thirty years -- over 8 million sold. All the grandeur of the North American wilderness. Comes in a mailing box.

There is a limited supply, so order SOON!!!
email James at guilbea@attglobal.net
or give him a call at 504-780-1007.

New Orleans chosen as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists


Washington, DC – September 14, 2011 – The League of American Bicyclists announced a new round of Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) designations that includes 11 new communities at the Interbike Expo in Las Vegas, Nev. "The League congratulates all of our BFC winners for implementing successful, long term bicycle plans and programs that provide quality of life improvements for their citizens," said League President Andy Clarke. "Cities are choosing investment in bicycling, even in tough economic times, as a key to building the places people want to live, work and visit." There are now 190 BFCs in 46 states.

We are proud of the roadmap that the Bicycle Friendly Community program provides for communities to build strong BFCs," said Bill Nesper, Director of the League's Bicycle Friendly America program. "We are especially pleased to see so many communities improving their award level." New Orleans, La. has seen its number of bike commuters increase by more than 150% in the last five years. The city, which had received Honorable Mentions in three previous rounds, implemented the feedback we provided and received the bronze designation this time. New Orleans was recognized for their large biking population, bicycling education programs, a bicycling network that has tripled in length in the last three years and the strong bike culture seen in events like the NOLA Bike Bash.

2011 Fall Bicycle Friendly Community Winners
11 communities were awarded the BFC designation for the first time:
Bronze level: Conway, Ark., Goshen, Ind., New Orleans, La., Omaha, Neb., Reno Sparks Nev., Saint Paul, Minn., Santa Fe, N.M., Sheboygan, Wis., Shorewood, Wis., The Woodlands, Texas, West Windsor, N.J.

About the Bicycle Friendly America Program
The BFC award recognizes a community's commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro bicycling policies. The BFC program is revolutionizing the way communities evaluate their quality of life, sustainability and transportation networks, while allowing them to benchmark their progress and work toward improving their bicycle friendliness. The application to become a BFC is rigorous and an educational tool in itself. The renewal process and four levels of the award – platinum, gold, silver and bronze – provide a clear incentive for communities to continuously improve.

The BFC program recognizes communities that promote bicycling and provides technical assistance in the form of a roadmap to help cities build great communities for bicycling. The League has identified projects, policies, programs and plans that most effectively improve cycling conditions and make up the foundation of a bicycle friendly community. All of these bicycle friendly elements are clearly described in the League's Bicycle Friendly America: The Blueprint. Communities are using these building blocks.

To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, visit http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/
The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle friendly America. The League represents the interests of America's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Group Program this Sunday the 11th

"Reintroducing Whooping Cranes to Louisiana". Sara Simorski from the LDWF will talk about the whooping crane reintroduction at White Lake. The talk will discuss the history of whooping cranes in LA, the work and effort it took to get this project started, what has happened with the first group of birds that was released – how it went and what they and the biologists are doing now and also touch a little on future plans for the project."

Also, Harvey Stern will present a 20 minute power point about his trip to Panama after the whooping crane program.



Go to our Meeting Location page for the where and when:
http://neworleanssierran.blogspot.com/p/meeting-location.html

Monday, July 11, 2011

Sierra Club Picnic at the Audubon Zoo Education Center

Sunday July 17, 2011
5pm-8pm

The Sierra Club's (New Orleans Group)  annual picnic in Audubon Park will be held near the Dominion Auditorium, inside the Zoo perimeter, where we have our monthly meetings.  

Park in the Audubon Zoo Parking lot and enter through gate upriver (to left of main entrance).  There will be a Sierra Club banner near the gate.

Sierra will provide the grill, hamburgers, vegi-burgers and hotdogs plus some non-alcoholic drinks.  If you require other beverages, please bring your own.

We are asking everyone to bring a covered dish with a favorite side or snacks. Also, bring your plates, cups and utensils to help the environment. Bring chairs etc.

If you have frisbees or other entertainment join in the fun.  This will be an opportunity to socialize, and talk about the greening of New Orleans.

Guests are welcome.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

SIERRA CLUB PROGRAM, Sunday, June 12. "Your Environmental Rights"


SIERRA CLUB PROGRAM,  Sunday, June 12.  "Your Environmental Rights"  Mike Murphy, Community Outreach Director for the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic will present background on the Clinic, how it operates, and some of its recent activities.
Location: Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter education gate behind the statue of Audubon to far right of main public ticket booths. Parking plentiful and safe.  (504) 780-8889 for more info. The program is free and open to everyone.  Refreshments/socializing at 6:30 P.M.  Program 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Curbside Recycling Pickup Schedule

If you're a curbside recycling customer with either Richards or Metro Disposal, this WDSU.com article has the curbside recycling schedules for these companies:

City Set To Begin Recycling; Pickup Schedule Announced

Service Will Start On May 2

POSTED: 9:07 am CDT April 28, 2011
UPDATED: 9:14 am CDT April 28, 2011
City administrators on Thursday announced the recycling pickup schedule for residents in service areas covered by Metro Disposal and Richards Disposal.More than 17,000 residents have signed up for the city's free recycling services, which will begin on May 2.The pickup schedule for residents in the service area covered by Metro Disposal is: Monday: 8th Ward, Gentilly, Bywater
Tuesday: Lakeview
Wednesday: New Orleans East (North side of I-10), I-10 to Hayne Boulevard from Paris Road to Downman Road)
Thursday: Pontchartrain Park, Almonaster Corridor, Upper 9th Ward
Friday: 7th Ward, Bayou St. John to Elysian Fields Avenue, the Lake to Mirabeau Avenue, Esplanade Ridge, Treme
Saturday: New Orleans East (South side of I-10), Lake Catherine area, Lower 9th Ward
Below is the recycling schedule for residents in the service areas covered by Richards Disposal: Monday: Algiers
Tuesday: Esplanade Avenue to I-10, Rampart Street to City Park Avenue
Wednesday: I-10 to Napoleon Avenue, S. Front Street to S. Broad Street
Thursday: Napoleon Avenue to Exposition Avenue, S. Front Street to Fontainebleau Drive
Friday: Audubon Park to Monticello Avenue, S. Front Street to Earhart Boulevard
Saturday: Earhart Boulevard to I-10, Jefferson Parish Boundary Line to S. Broad Street
Residents in these areas who are not yet registered can sign up at http://recycle.nola.gov.Carts will be provided by the city only on request. Residents may also fill out the Recycling Service Notice manually and mail it or drop it off to City Hall at 1300 Perdido Street, Room 1W03, New Orleans, LA 70112 or fax it to 658-3801.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Saturday, April 9 – Birds and Trees hike at Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge

Saturday, April 9 – Birds and Trees hike at Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge – 10 am, led by Colleen Morgan. Sign up by contacting Colleen at tcolleen526@gmail.com or call 504-701-1880

Monday, April 4, 2011

1 year After the BP Drilling Disaster - what lessons have we learned? -- April 10 monthly program

Sierra Club meeting April 10
"1 year After the BP Drilling Disaster - what lessons have we learned?"
Aaron Viles of the Gulf Restoration Network will speak about The Oil Spill Commission, Congress and the Obama Administration.

Where: Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter education gate behind the statue of Audubon to far right of main public gate. Parking plentiful and safe. The program is free and open to everyone.
www.louisiana.sierraclub.org/neworleans

When: Refreshments/socializing at 6:30pm Program 7 to 8:30pm.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Twilight/Nearly Full Moon canoeing/kayaking in the Honey Island Swamp-- Saturday, April 16th

We'll put in on the West Pearl River at the Indian Village Road landing south of Slidell and canoe into Maple Slough and Eagle Slough before taking out at the Hwy 90 landing. Experience the swamp by moonlight! For more info please contact Harvey Stern at hrstern@juno.com or 504-891-7116

Friday, March 18, 2011

Registration is now open for the 2011 Tulane Environmental Law Summit!

The theme of this year's Summit, to be held April 1-3, is "The Energy Equation" and the following is a brief synopsis:

"Energy: how we will get it and how we will use it are two of the most important policy questions in the country today. Both the production and use of energy can have far reaching and sometimes unanticipated environmental effects. The Energy Equation will focus on many of the hot topics in United States energy policy, including the declining reserves of our most popular energy resources, the pros and cons of our renewable energy resources and how policy decisions influence energy use in the United States." 
 
This year's panels include:
- Transportation and Energy Policy
- Peak Oil
- Native American Populations and Fuel Resources
- Wind Energy Panel
- Chinese Energy Policy and Development
- Updating the Energy Grid
- Fracking
 
Please visit our website at http://summit.law.tulane.edu for additional information and to register. As always, the summit provides an opportunity for attorneys to earn CLE credit. Thanks, and we hope to see you in April!

Monday, February 28, 2011

Natural History and Geology of Costa Rica by Barry Kohl

New Orleans Group Sierra Club Program, Sunday March 13th, 7pm.

On a recent Sierra Club international outing to southern Costa Rica, Gail
and Barry photographed abundant wildlife including birds, monkeys and the
endangered American crocodile. Costa Rica, with both Caribbean and Pacific
coasts, contains a rich diversity of ecosystems including active volcanoes and
mountains up to 12,500 ft. Twenty-seven national parks have been formed
to protect habitats and encourage ecotourism, which has become a major
industry. Barry will present a slide show on this fascinating and beautiful
country.

Where: Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter education gate behind the statue of Audubon to far right of main public gate. Parking plentiful and safe. The program is free and open to everyone.
www.louisiana.sierraclub.org/neworleans

When: Refreshments/socializing at 6:30pm Program 7 to 8:30pm.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

New Orleans Group Monthly Program. Sunday, February 13

"Oiled sea turtle and dolphin care during the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill response"
Dr. Cara Field, Veterinarian at the Audubon Zoo, will speak.

Dr. Field will be discussing some of the health and animal care issues that were encountered during oiled sea turtle and dolphin rescue as well as the obstacles to overcome to care for them long term, including diet, housing and transport. Some general background information about sea turtles and dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico (species, biology, significance), their ecological importance, and why long-term monitoring is important for these populations.

Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter gate to far right of main zoo gate. Parking plentiful and safe. (504) 780-8889. www.louisiana.sierraclub.org/neworleans -- The program is free and open to everyone. Doors open 6:30 PM. Program 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Monday, January 24, 2011

Recycling update (1/24/11-Times Picayune)

Everyone,

If you live in Jefferson Parish on the West Bank, please mark this on your calendars!!

Recycling drop-off for Jefferson Parish is Saturday in Marrero

Published: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 1:08 PM Updated: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 1:19 PM

The Jefferson Parish Department of Environmental Affairs, in conjunction with the Recycling Foundation, Inc. of Baton Rouge, will hold a recycling drop-off event Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at The Recycling Foundation, 6025 River Road, Marrero.

19wc.trash2.jpgSUSAN POAG/THE TIMES-PICAYUNE Volunteers load recyclables at a 2007 recycling drop-off on the West Bank. Jefferson Parish will hold a drop-off event Saturday, in Marrero and on the east bank.

Items also will be accepted on the east bank, at the Joseph S. Yenni Building, 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Jefferson.

Materials to be accepted are: plastic containers Nos. 1 through 7, including milk jugs, food and beverage containers, shampoo bottles and detergent containers; paper products, including newspapers, phone books, magazines, junk mail, cardboard (folded and flattened for easy handling), and paperboard (such as cereal boxes); shredded paper in plastic bags; and metal cans and lids, including aluminum cans, tin cans and steel cans.

Materials that will not be accepted are glass containers, plastic bags, hazardous waste containers, Styrofoam and used motor oil or other automotive fluids.

Used auto fluids are accepted at the trash drop-off sites at 6440 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero, and 600 David Drive on the east bank.

Recyclables do not have to be separated by type.

For more information, call Marnie Winter, director of the Jefferson Parish Department of Environmental Affairs, at 504.731.4612.