Sierra Club, New Orleans Group presents a two-part program entitled: "Protection of our Coastal Cypress Forests"

Sunday February 21, 2010:

Sierra Club, New Orleans Group presents a two-part program entitled:

"Protection of our Coastal Cypress Forests"

by John Ettinger (Environmental Protection Agency), and Rob Heffner (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers).

For several years out-of-state companies have subjected Louisiana coastal cypress forests to an onslaught of clear cutting for primary use as garden mulch. Although many illegal operations have been stopped by citizen and federal agency involvement, this onslaught continues.

John Ettinger will discuss cypress logging in coastal Louisiana, particularly with respect to Clean Water Act (CWA), Section 404, the science regarding the sustainability or lack thereof of coastal cypress swamps. There will be an update of EPA activities and enforcement.

Rob Heffner will discuss the regulation of cypress logging in coastal Louisiana, particularly with respect to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (RHA). Additionally, he will bring us up to date on Corps enforcement activities related to logging activities.

John and Rob have been working cooperatively to help protect our coastal cypress forests and enforce laws to prevent their destruction. Please come an hear an interesting and timely talk.

Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter gate to far right of main gate. Look for Sierra Club banner. Parking plentiful and safe. Free and everyone welcome. Doors open 6:30 p.m. with refreshments. Program 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, February 21, 2010. Call (504) 780-8889. www.louisiana.sierraclub.org/neworleans

Sierra Club New Orleans Group Holiday Potluck Dinner Sunday December 13th

You are invited to our Annual Holiday pot-luck dinner.

Bring yourself, a friend, a side dish, and good cheer. Sierra will provide a ham and soft drinks. If you desire other beverages, BYOB. Please bring your own plates, cups and utensils etc.

When: Sunday night, the 13th of December, 2009

Time: 6:00 pm - 8 pm

Where: Dominion Education building at Audubon Zoo. Facing the Zoo and Miss River enter the small gate -to the right (up river) side of the Main Zoo Entrance. (Look for the Sierra Club Banner).

Short program: After dinner, for those with an interest in National Parks, Toni and Rene' Maggio will show some photos of their visit to the Big Bend and Grand Teton National Parks to be presented in the Dominion Auditorium.

For more info call Barry Kohl, 861-8465; or Vance Levesque, 529-2089.

Lafitte Corridor cleanup Sat. Nov 21

The first Lafitte Corridor cleanup is scheduled for Sat. Nov 21 from 9 to 1. Major Jerrod Spinney of the Criminal Sheriff's office has agreed to trim the area behind the Sojourner Truth Community Center, extending to the police filling station, in advance. They will also take care of the brush removal. We will be meeting at Sojourner Truth Community Center, 2200 Lafitte St, @ 9AM. All needed materials will be provided.

The Sierra Club and the Friends of the Lafitte Corridor are looking for volunteers to assist in activities such as cleaning off sidewalks, trash removal, etc. For more information e-mail Ethan Ellestad at ellestad_ethan@yahoo.com or call 608-417-9052.

Thank you,
Ethan Ellestad
Graduate Assistant,
Friends of Lafitte Corridor

Vance Levesque
Chair New Orleans Group
Sierra Club
837-5105w

Monthly Program - Sunday October 11th - "Plans For the New Lafitte Greenway!"

SIERRA CLUB PROGRAM, Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter gate to far right of main gate. Parking plentiful and safe. (504) 780-8889.

"Plans For the New Lafitte Greenway!" Larry Schmidt, Urban Planner, will tell us about the development of the Lafitte Greenway/Corridor, the exciting new walking, biking path in Mid City. Many opportunities for citizen participation in the project! The program is open to everyone. Sunday, October 11. Doors open 6:30 P.m. Program 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Monthly Program - Sunday September 13th

SIERRA CLUB PROGRAM, Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter gate to far right of main gate. Parking plentiful and safe.

Forest Bradley-Wright from the Alliance for Affordable Energy will speak about "Solar tax credits and local energy efficiency policy developments" Free and everyone welcome. Doors open 6:30 p.m. with refreshments. Program 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept.13. Call (504) 780-8889.