Outing photos:
Clark Creek Natural Area hike
On Saturday, April 18, 2008 thirteen participants from the New Orleans
Group enjoyed the wonders of Clark Creek Natural Area in Tunica Hills.
Within only 2 1/2 hours of New Orleans, our group was able to view tall
waterfalls, boulders, high ridges, steep ravines and a lovely creek
that meanders through the unique habitat. The trail began high on a
ridge with fascinating views into the steep valleys. Our group then
descended into the creek bed, where we slowly made our way over the
many boulders, along the slippery clay banks and under and over fallen
trees. At the start of the adventure many of us walked carefully so
as to avoid wet feet and shoes. Very quickly we gave up on that idea
and enjoyed the feel of the creek water. I personally gave up trying
to stay dry when I stepped on some wet clay and slid into the shallow
water. Refreshing!
Some of our many rewards were standing at the bottom of the six different
20-to 30-feet tall waterfalls, which happened to be rather slender on
this day. We were fortunate that Barry Kohl, geologist, was with us.
He helped us appreciate the geology of these loess hills that were formed
by wind-blown silt from the Mississippi River. The trees were dressed
in new spring green, shading us from the hot sun, keeping us cool. Boulders
and banks were also adorned with green, including lush ferns and moss.
Members were very pleased with the experience and the beautiful day
we were able to enjoy.
After 4 1/2 hours of maneuvering marvelous Clark Creek, we were grateful
for the man-made steps that took us to the ridge which led us back to
the parking lot. Everyone commented on the perfect weather and delightful
people who experienced this unique work of Nature.Darlene Reaves spent
the whole day with us. She and Jerry moved to St. Francisville from
N.O./Metairie after Katrina and love to have visitors. They love their
new home and town.
-Susan Egnew
New Orleans Group
Bayou Bienvenue canoe outing
These photos were taken at a Holy Cross Neighborhood Association (HCNA)
and New Orleans Group Canoe canoe outing on Bayou Bienvenue on the Orleans
/ St. Bernard Parish line in the eastern part of the New Orleans area.
Group Program wrap-ups
July 2008 Group Progra... er Picnic
On July 13th 2008 New Orleans Group Sierrans braved the mid-summer heat to gather for a picnic in New Orleans' beautiful Audubon Park. Everyone who came enjoyed food, fun and fellowship with like-minded Sierra Club members.
March 2008 Group Program
Robert Becker, Chief Executive Officer of New Orleans' City Park spoke to our group about the Park's recently revised
Master Plan. His topics included how the park fared after Hurricane Katrina and how money to pay for improvements contained
in the Master Plan might be obtained.
February 2008 Group Program
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve Park Superintendent David Luchsinger spoke to our members about the state
of rebuilding at the Park's Barataria Preserve in Marrero. He told us how devastated the Preserve was after Hurricane Katrina,
including how many trees and how many miles of trails were destroyed. He discussed the future of the Preserve and the efforts
underway to restore the Preserve to its former beauty.
June 2007 Group Program
Mr. Dino Ferri, Curator of Reptiles at the Audubon Zoo, gave a presentation to the New Orleans Group of the Sierra Club on
the Louisiana Pine snake, a threatened species. Less than 200 specimens exist in Louisiana. He described his research into
tracking the snake to determine the critical habitat needed for the species to recover.
The major food source is the pocket gopher, a burrowing rodent that frequents the sandy, piney woods in the Kisatchie National Forest.
Many declining species are protected by the Endangered Species Act (the budget is being cut by the Bush Administration ). If the snake was
elevated from threatened to endangered, the species would receive more protection.
November 2006 Group Program
KaTREEna and a really long trail for recovery: Monique Pilie, Appalachian Trail Through-Hiker, Raising Funds to Plant Trees in NOLA.
On her first backpack trip, this past summer '06, she hiked 2,175 miles,
the entire Appalachian Trail, to raise funds to replace trees in New
Orleans destroyed by Katrina. She showed us gorgeous photos and shared
amazing stories of her experiences, including stories of her actual
hike as well as stories of people she met and their love and concern
for N.O. She now has the money to plant at least 600 trees in our deforested
city.
Please visit her Web site at: http://hikeforkatreena.org/ to help, to volunteer
or to donate.
