December hike

Hike at Jackson Hollows on Sunday, December 6. Meet before 12:30 pm at the Ozark general store at Route 45 and Ozark Road. Or meet before 11:15 am at the Murdale shopping center sign in Carbondale to car pool to Ozark. A difficult hike of 4 miles. Bring water, a hiking staff and wear appropriate hiking shoes. Call the leader Bob Mulcahy at 618-942-6342 to hike.

November hike

Hike at Piney Woods ravine nature reserve. Saturday November 7 at 10 am. Meet at the Murphysboro forestry station on Walnut St.before 10. A moderate hike of about two miles. We will see ancient petroglyphs, canyon views and cliffs. Bring water, a hiking staff and wear appropriate hiking shoes. The leader is Steve Eberhart. Call Steve at 618-687-2998 to go on the hike.

Special program - Oil Trains, Communities at Risk!

Please note SPECIAL TIME, 10 AM, September 15 (Tuesday)
SPECIAL PLACE, Carbondale Civic Center

Crude oil trains: Communities at risk!

Fiery oil train accidents across the country drive home the dangers of transporting hazardous materials via rail within yards of homes, schools and playgrounds. Gerri Songer, a member of the Sierra Club Woods and Wetlands Group and contact for Energy Transport and Infrastructure, will outline the need for better regulations and more safety measures.

Ms. Songer is an educator and serves as Education Chair for the Township District 214 Education Association. Her experiences in civic participation and environmental concern have inspired her to teach high school students how to become participants in their democracy and advocates for public health and safety through an extracurricular “Students4Democracy” at Elk Grove High School, where she teaches.

Free and open to the public! Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 10 am. Carbondale Civic Center, 200 South Illinois Avenue, Carbondale

Contact Ruth Kelley at (618) 684-2196.

September 10 program: Its Not the Heat, Its the Humidity!

September 10 program: The changing nature of extreme heat events in the United States

There will be a free public educational program about new research into changes in the humidity associated with heat waves. So much attention has been paid to temperature, which is important, but we also know that the combination of high temperatures and elevated humidity is what kills people during heat waves.

Presenter Justin Schoof is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Geography and Environmental Resources at SIU Carbondale. His work focuses on climate variability and change with a focus on regional climatology, applied climatology, and statistical applications in climate science.

Free and open to the public! Thursday, September 10 at 7 pm

216 East Monroe in Carbondale, Illinois (Green door off the alley), across from Rockhill Baptist Church. Ample free parking off Monroe Street between Washington and Marion. Contact Ruth Kelley at (618) 684-2196.

Outing October 11

Sunday, October 11, 9 am

Hike along the upper and lower trails of Larue Pine Hills (Snake Road).

Easy hike of 4-5 miles.  Flat paved road.

Meet at the Murphysboro Forestry station at 9 am.

We will see migrating snakes, other wildlife and wildflowers.

Bring water and wear hiking shoes.

The leader is Ed Max, who is a naturalist.

Contact Ed at 630-209-3005 or Hortusmax@gmail.com to sign up.

September 6 hike planned

Piney Woods Ravine Nature Reserve hike

Date: Sunday, September 6, 2015

Time: 11:00 AM

Presented by: Shawnee Group

Leader: Mr Steve Eberhart - 618-687-2998 eberpsy@frontier.com

Level: Moderate

Location: Piney Woods Ravine

A moderate hike of about 2 miles. Meet at the Murphysboro Forestry station on Walnut St. before 11 am. We will see ancient petroglyphs, canyon views, cliffs and a waterfall. Bring water and wear appropriate hiking shoes. Call the leader, Steve Eberhart at 618-687-2998 to go on the hike.

August 13 program: The Amazing World of Plants in Illinois!

August 13 program: The Amazing World of Plants in Illinois!

There will be a free public educational program about the incredible diversity of plants in Illinois. Included in the presentation will be a discussion of the variety of plant types, why Illinois is so rich in plant species, the differences between native, non-native and invasive plants, and how homeowners and citizens can held protect these amazing resources. The presentation is Thursday, August 13 at 7 pm. Presenter Christopher Evans is the the Vice President of the southern chapter of the Illinois Native Plant Society and the Invasive Species Campaign Coordinator for the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan.

Free and open to the public! Thursday, August 13 at 7 pm

216 East Monroe in Carbondale, Illinois (Green door off the alley), across from Rockhill Baptist Church. Ample free parking off Monroe Street between Washington and Marion.

Contact Ruth Kelley at (618) 684-2196.

For many years, the Shawnee Group of the Sierra Club has been welcoming the New Year with a Stone Soup picnic at shelter 2 in Giant City State Park on January 1. Now this annual tradition is at risk! We need a new team of picnic planners who will step up to carry on this unique event. We have a checklist to assist in planning and setting up. We just need a few motivated volunteers to ensure that we can celebrate January 1, 2016 in style!

Thanks to a group of awesome volunteers for our second very successful native plant sale.  A thousand indigenous wildflowers, trees, shrubs and ferns found new homes, and the sale ran very smoothly thanks to the hard work and co-operation of all the volunteers.  To the set-up crew, the cashiers, the customer assistants, and the clean-up brigade, our deepest appreciation. 

BIG second annual native plant sale May 16!

Sierra Club Native Plant Sale!

Saturday, May 16

10 am til ?  Come early – avoid disappointment!

Town Square Pavillion

100 North Illinois (near intersection of US 51 North and Hwy 13 West)

Carbondale, Illinois

Large selection of plants native to southern Illinois – hardy, beautiful, pollinator friendly, and low maintenance.  Plants are reasonably priced.

We will have more than 1000 plants of many species, including perennial wildflowers, grasses trees, shrubs, and vines for shade and sun.  There will also be plants for rain gardens (moist to wet soil).

Contact:  Plant sale chair Ruth Kelley (618) 684-2196  rth_kelley@yahoo.com

May 14 Sierra Club meeting

Woodland Wildflowers

Creating a native wildflower garden for shade or sun

Carbondale resident Laurel Toussaint will share how she transformed her yard with native wildflowers.  Some native plants will be available in exchange for a donation.

Free and open to the public!  Thursday, May 14 at 7 pm

216 East Monroe (Green door off the alley), across from Rockhill Baptist Church

Ample free parking off Monroe Street between Washington and Marion.  Contact Ruth Kelley at (618) 684-2196.

We are meeting for dinner before the program.  You are welcome to join us. Dinner at 5 pm:  Longbranch Café, 100 East Jackson, Carbondale    529-4488

 

Earth Day meeting at SIU April 22 (rain date April 27)

Wednesday, April 22 at 4 pm – Rain Date April 27 at 4 pm.

Professor Karen Midden of SIU organized the project to install a green roof on a section of the Agriculture Building. Over 150 students, professional volunteers, plant services laborers and faculty installed the green roof system in 2010.

Green roofs are similar to rooftop gardens and are becoming increasingly popular in urban settings because they help control storm water runoff and resulting water pollution. The roof reduces heating and cooling costs for the Agriculture building while acting as a research tool for graduate and undergraduate students.  Participants will tour the green roof and view the rain garden, permeable pavers, and the vertical garden.

Karen currently is the Associate Dean for the College of Agricultural Sciences. Karen continues teaching in the Plant, Soil and Agricultural Systems Department and oversees the college's green roof, vertical garden and other sustainable projects installed by her classes and other students. She also organized an online master program entitled Ecological Urban Landscapes.

The program will be held on Wednesday, April 22 at 4 pm.  Location is Room 209 in the Agricultural Building at SIU (the Ag Seminar Room).  Enter the north section (to the left) of the building and take the elevator or the stairs to the second floor.  RAIN DATE IS MONDAY, APRIL 27 AT 4 PM.

Parking is available in lot 39 (off Lincoln Drive between Life Science III and the Ag Building).  Visitors can park on campus after 4 pm. 

April 9 Sierra Club meeting

April 9 Program:  Canebrakes make a comeback

 

Giant cane is a native bamboo species that once occupied hundreds of thousands of acres throughout the southeastern and south central United States, including southern Illinois. However, due to agricultural land clearing, altered fire regimes, overgrazing by domestic livestock and flood control projects, giant cane currently occupies only 2% of its historic range.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is trying to restore giant cane riparian buffers in the Cache River basin to mitigate disturbances including agricultural runoff.. Giant cane may soon see a resurgence with help from researchers at Southern Illinois University.

Presenter Amanda Nelson recently earned her Phd in forest hydrology at SIU.  She currently works as a research scientist at Little River Research and Design in Carbondale.  She has a strong background in limnology, stream ecology, and aquatic entomology.

Free and open to the public!  Thursday, April 9 at 7 pm

216 East Monroe (Green door off the alley), across from Rockhill Baptist Church

Ample free parking off Monroe Street between Washington and Marion.

Hikes scheduled March 22 and April 19

2015 SPRING SHAWNEE GROUP OUTINGS

Sunday, March 22nd, 12:30 PM –– Hike at Cove Hollow –– Four mile moderate hike on trail in Shawnee National Forest that borders Cedar Lake, cliff lines and shelter caves. Learn about early wildflowers. Bring water and wear appropriate shoes. We will have a car shuttle so we will walk one-way. Leaders are Ed Max and Bob Mulcahy. Call Bob Mulcahy for details and to register at 618-942-6342.

Sunday, April 19th, 10:00 AM –– Hike the Snake Road & LaRue Pine Hills –– Easy hike along the snake road at LaRue Pine Hills. Optional extension to Inspiration Point on the bluffs. This is snake migration time and spring flower season, so come along to learn more about the snakes, birds and flowers that are evident at this very biodiverse area. Leaders are Ed Max and Steve Eberhart. Call Steve at 618-687-2998 or Email at eberpsy@frontier.com for details and to register. Meet before 10:00 a.m. at the U.S. Forest Service Office at 221 Walnut St., Murphysboro, IL to drive to the trailhead.

Meet Sierra Club Members for dinner before the meeting!

You are cordially invited to join the Shawnee Group of the Sierra Club for dinner at 5 pm on March 12 at

El Paisano, 100 North Glenview, Carbondale  529-2352

RSVP requested to (618) 684-2196 or rth_kelley@yahoo.com before noon on Wednesday, March 11.

Our March Program at 7 pm:  Shawn Priddy, Deputy Co-ordinator, Jackson County Emergency Management Agency

Are you prepared for an emergency?  Family emergency planning can be the key to surviving a disaster. In extreme situations, emergency resources may be limited. Be prepared to care for yourself and your family for at least three days (72 hours).

Presenter Shawn Priddy started with the Jackson County Emergency Management Agency as a volunteer storm spotter. He has served as the Deputy Coordinator for the agency since 2005.  He has conducted many training sessions and public presentations throughout the County. 

The program will be held at 216 East Monroe Street in Carbondale, Illinois on Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 pm.  It is FREE and open to the public.  Parking and entrance are at the rear, through the green door, across from Rock Hill Baptist Church (Monroe and Marion Streets.)

Woodland Restoration for Landowners

February 12 program:  Woodland Restoration for Landowners

Learn about the natural history of woodlands; methods to restore open woodland communities; and the benefits of woodland management to wildlife.

Presenter Bob Gillespie is a Natural Resources Coordinator for the Heritage Division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  Bob has conducted woodland restorations in southeast Missouri for the Missouri Department of Conservation and in the southern till plain of Illinois.

The program will be held at 216 East Monroe Street in Carbondale, Illinois on Thursday, February 12 at 7:00 pm.  It is FREE and open to the public.  Parking and entrance are at the rear, through the green door, across from Rock Hill Baptist Church (Monroe and Marion Streets.)

Time Change for Carbondale meeting!!

Dear Sierra Club Member,

Please note that the venue and time for the Carbondale session has been changed:
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
6:00pm - 7:45pm
Carbondale Public Library, 405 West Main Street
Carbondale, Illinois (Jackson County)

Special presentation January 28 and 29

Dear Sierra Club Member,

You are invited to a special listening session -- Community Choice-Reinvesting in the Heartland -- presented by our partners, Shawnee Hills and Hollers and Eco-Justice Collaborative. 

Together you will explore possibilities to create communities in economic, environmental, and socioeconomic sustainability in Illinois.

The presentation illustrates how an economy based primarily on coal has significant social cost and long term liabilities. Following is a Q&A and open discussion for alternatives to create vibrant and diversified economies.

For more info call Georgia at 618-579-4343.

Upcoming Presentations

Wednesday, January 28, 2015
1:00pm - 3:00pm
City Hall, 28 South Washington Street
DuQuoin, Illinois (Perry County)

Wednesday, January 28, 2015
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Carbondale Township Hall, 217 East Main Street
Carbondale, Illinois (Jackson County)

Thursday, January 29, 2015
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Carnegie Library, 206 South Market Street
Marion, Illinois (Williamson County)

Thursday, January 29, 2015
6:30pm - 8:30pm
1306 South Pope
Benton, Illinois (Franklin County)

Monsters of the Paleozoic January 19 at 2PM

Daytime program January 19!  2pm! Please note special time

A program on “Monsters of the Paleozoic” will be given by Joe Devera, Senior Paleontologist at the Illinois State Geological Survey.  Joe will talk about numerous creatures that attained great size compared to their modern counterparts. A short survey of the Paleozoic Periods and examples of large organisms from each Period will be discussed.

The program will be held at the REAR entrance of 216 East Monroe Street (rear entrance of 217 East Main Street) in Carbondale, Illinois on Monday, January 19 at 2:00 pm.  It is FREE and open to the public.  Parking and entrance are at the rear, through the green door, across from Rock Hill Baptist Church (Monroe and Marion Streets.)