Follow up on "Cool Cities" Letters
by John Berge

In the previous issue of the Southeast Sierran, we reported that the Southeast Gateway Group had sent letters to the Mayors and Common Councils of Racine and Kenosha asking them to sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. We have heard back and met with Racine's Mayor Gary Becker, but are still waiting to hear from the Mayor of Kenosha. Kenosha members of the Executive Committee were to have sought a meeting with him after the holidays.

This agreement arose from a challenge issued on February 16, 2005, by Mayor Greg Nickels of Seattle, to join in taking local action to reduce global warming pollution, since the Bush administration has refused to join the Kyoto Protocol. This protocol took effect in the 141 countries that have ratified it on that date. On June 13 the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement was passed unanimously by the U. S. Conference of Mayors. As of December 8, 2005, 195 mayors representing over 40 million Americans have accepted that challenge. The agreement calls for reducing the city's CO2 pollution to 7% below 1990 levels by 2012, the same as in the Kyoto Protocol.

Mayor Becker appeared to be very interested and enthusiastic. He called and told me that "we can...we should...we will", but he wasn't ready at that time to make an announcement "just for the sake of an announcement". He asked for a meeting which would give him an idea of what other cities were doing and what we could do in Racine. The first of such meetings was held November 23 at which I gave him a list of a dozen or so suggestions from the Conservation Committee to reduce the energy used, and carbon dioxide produced directly or indirectly, by the city. These suggestions might also save the city money.

Some suggestions were as simple as turning down the thermostats in City Hall, installing motion detector switches in bathroom and other interior rooms and turning off the computers at night. Others were as radical and exciting as wind turbines that generate electricity on top of city hall or the breakwaters and electrical cogeneration or high temperature fuel cells to utilize the methane that comes off the digesters at the sewage treatment plant. I also brought him copies of Madison's large report entitled, "Building a Green Capital City: A Blueprint for Madison's Sustainable Design and Energy Future"; a copy of a magazine article extolling the possibilities of a new wind energy system that could be installed on top of City Hall and is said to be twice as efficient as the usual wind turbines; an article which describes the high temperature fuel cells used by the sewage treatment plant in Kings County, Washington, which supplies all the needed electricity and processing heat for the plant; information on the December Mayors meeting in Montreal on climate protection; and a number of other items.

Since then, I have met with Bill Frayer, head of a new group called Citizens for Global Solutions. He had sent out a call to their members to lobby for signing this same agreement, unaware that the Sierra Club has been doing so for some time with the local success noted above. The more lobbying for this positive step forward the better, so we are planning to work together on this. Has your mayor heard from you on this proposal?

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SEGG Election Results...

Barry Thomas, Jeff Sytsma, and Gus Hauser were reelected to the Executive Committee of the Southeast Gateway Group of the Sierra Club. In addition, at the January 12th meeting of the Executive Committee, officers were elected. Nancy Hennessy was elected as Chair of the ExCom, John Berge was elected as Vice Chair, Jeff Systma as Treasurer, and Barbara Meyocks as Secretary.

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Calendar:

February 2: Conservation Committee Meeting at Berges' house, 1529 Crabapple Dr., Racine, at 7:00 p.m. Since it is a new year, it is a great time for new members to join the committee. Contact John at (262) 633-8455 with any questions, items for the agenda, directions or other information.

February 9: Executive Committee Meeting at the Northside Kenosha Public Library, 1500 27th Ave., Kenosha at 7:00 p.m.

February 16: Drugged by Our Water? Our regular Thursday monthly meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Kenosha Northside Library, not at the Kenosha Museum as originally scheduled. Our speaker will be Dr. Rebecca Klaper, of the Great Lakes Water Institute, UW-M. She has been doing research on common drugs, like pain relievers, anti-depressants and lipid regulators that are seeping into our lakes and water supply, and their effects on lake fish and invertebrates. The Kenosha Northside Library is located at 1500 27th Ave., Kenosha. We will meet for dinner prior to the program, at 5:00 p.m., at the Gateway Cafe, 3619 30th Ave., Kenosha. All are welcome.

February 18, 2006, 10:00 a.m.: Third Saturday Hike and Lunch: Schlitz Audubon Center, 111 E. Brown Deer Rd., Milwaukee. In addition to a spectacular educational center, the Schlitz Audubon Center includes a nature preserve with marked trails for self-guided hikes and an observation tower. Fee: $4 for Adults, $2 for children under 12. Contact Dana Huck at (262) 639-0465 for more information or carpooling.

February 25: The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is our destination. We will take the 8:47 a.m. train from the Kenosha Metra station. Parking is limited. So be there early enough to find a parking place on the street or to buy a parking pass if you use the station parking lot. Call Nancy Hennessy to sign up for carpooling and information (262) 639-5639.

March 1: Southeast Sierran Deadline. Send articles, etc., to Gary Zumach (gzumach AT wi.net)

March 2: Conservation Committee Meeting at Berges' house, 1529 Crabapple Dr., Racine, at 7:00 p.m. Contact John at (262) 633-8455 with any questions, items for the agenda, directions or other information.

March 3-5: Door County Weekend – Ski, hike, snowshoe! We'll stay at the Wagon Trail Resort at Rowley's Bay. Cost: about $35 plus food per person for the weekend. For more information call Mary Ann Ortmayer (262) 554-5058.

March 9: Executive Committee Meeting at the Northside Kenosha Public Library, 1500 27th Ave., Kenosha at 7:00 p.m.

March 16:

Patagonia - Trekking to the End of the Earth Our regular Thursday monthly meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church. Jack LeSuer will discuss history and share his photos and experience of a recent trip to Patagonia (southern tip of S. America). A trip he had only imagined since his childhood took him to Argentina and Chile. Having read a child’s biography of Magellan as a ten-year old, he had longed to see the land of the “Patagens”, and the strait that Magellan had at last discovered in 1520. He also was inspired by the sea adventures of Sir Francis Drake, the endurance of Captain Fitz Roy and the indefatigable efforts of Charles Darwin to understand the nature of earth and life on his and Fitz Roy’s five year tour of the globe, 1826-1831. The trip became a reality through a seventy-fifth birthday gift from his son in November and December of 2004. Sixteen days of strenuous trekking, camping and sailing. Marvelous! The church is located at 3015 Pritchard (Highway 11 just east of Target). We will meet for dinner at 5:00 p.m. at the Olive Garden, 6000 Durand Ave., Racine. All are welcome.

March 18, 2006, 10:00 a.m.: Third Saturday Hike and Lunch: Milwaukee Public Market, 400 N. Water St., Milwaukee, and Milwaukee Riverwalk. This year-round market is located in Milwaukee's historic Third Ward and the Riverwalk is across the street! Contact Dana Huck at (262) 639-0465 for more information or carpooling.

March 25: Work Day at Colonial Park from 9:00 a.m. to noon to remove garlic mustard and other invasive species. Bring work gloves, drinking water and wear garden type clothing. Meet at the south bridge between Lincoln and Colonial Parks.

April 1: Kenosha Lakefront Bike Ride. Meet at Carthage College south parking lot on Sheridan Road at 9:30 a.m. Ride to 116th St. and back along Lake Michigan. Learn about the various redevelopment projects along the way. Stop at Common Grounds Coffee Shop for snacks or lunch. Return to Carthage College at approximately 1:00 p.m. For more information call Millie Carlson at (262) 652-8121.

April 6: Conservation Committee Meeting at Berges' house, 1529 Crabapple Dr., Racine, at 7:00 p.m. Contact John at (262) 633-8455 with any questions, items for the agenda, directions or other information.

October 6-7: Autumn Assembly. Our Southeast Gateway Group is the host for this annual get-together. To volunteer to help, contact any member of the executive committee as listed on the last page of this newsletter. If you can't volunteer, be sure to attend all or part of this exciting and stimulating event.


From the Chair ...
by Nancy Hennessy

Do you need an emotional or spiritual lift? It's hard to be optimistic in these times. When I am feeling a bit down I need to get outside to feel the world around me: the cold, the wet, the wind, the snow.

Here are some words to start the new year from Rachel Carson: "Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of birds, the ebb and flow of tides, the folded bud ready for spring. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature--the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter..."

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Autumn Assembly Update...
by Barry Thomas, Autumn Assembly Chairperson

Plans are well underway for the October 6-8, 2006 John Muir Chapter Autumn Assembly which we will be hosting. This is an opportunity for us to showcase some of our accomplishments and highlight some of the unique natural features of Southeast Wisconsin. Although we can't positively book it until May 1, we have chosen the Trefoil Oaks Program Center located on County KR just east of Green Bay Road as our headquarters. Their new building situated on 12.5 acres of dense woods, with quiet meadows and wildlife areas, make the program center an ideal site. However, we won't be spending all of our time there as we plan to include a bus tour showing some of the Root-Pike WIN funded projects our members have been involved with. Other tours will involve the ice age and woolly mammoth exhibits at the Kenosha Public Museum and the Chiwaukee Prairie. Of course, interesting speakers and outings will be part of the weekend as well.

As hosts we expect and need a good turnout from the Southeast Gateway Group. Even though preliminary planning has been done, we still welcome new ideas and suggestions for the weekend and will depend on many of you to make this a successful event. Committees needed to run the Autumn Assembly include registration, programming, outings, meals and snacks, publicity, set up, entertainment and children’s programming. If you would like to be part of one of these committees or have ideas to submit please contact Barry Thomas, Autumn Assembly Chairperson, (262) 859-2960.


The Spark Plug Award
by Nancy Hennessy

At our January Planning Meeting I had the privilege of passing the Spark Plug Award on to Dana Huck. The award is a beautifully handcrafted piece of gnarled wood artfully wired with a sparkplug. It is presented periodically to a member of the Southeast Gateway Group for their outstanding contributions...to someone whose efforts help to keep our engine going.

As an active Southeast Gateway Group (SEGG) member, Dana has been one of the people who provides that necessary spark. She is knowledgeable about environmental issues and has dedicated many hours as a Sierra Club volunteer. She has served on the Conservation Committee, the ExCom and has been Chair of the Group. As Membership Chair she started the Third Saturday Hikes and the dinner gatherings before meetings, which have given SEGG members another opportunity to connect and share ideas while having fun. Dana was recently elected to her second term as an At Large delegate to the John Muir Chapter ExCom, where she is serving as Secretary.

Thank you Dana for all you do.

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Pringle Open House

The Pringle Nature Center will hold an open house on Saturday, February 18, 2006 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the center located in Bristol Woods County Park. The purpose of the open house is to increase awareness of the volunteer opportunities that exist there. These opportunities range from conducting children's programs to removing invasive species and restoring native prairie. Because work at the Pringle Nature Center is one of the ongoing projects of the Southeast Gateway Group's Conservation Committee, we hope to have a good turn out of our members. Refreshments will be served.

To reach the center from Kenosha, follow County Highway C toward Wilmot, turn left on Highway MB and watch for the Bristol Woods sign. For further information contact Barry Thomas, (262) 859-2960.

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Drugged by Our Water?

One aspect of water quality involves the presence of medications in our lakes. These drugs are designed to affect the body of a living organism--us. The drugs get flushed out of our bodies and are released into the sewer system and into the environment largely unaltered. We know pretty much what each one does on its own in our bodies, but what do they do when they are in the environment freely interacting with each other? How long does it take for them to break down? What happens to organisms that come in contact with these compounds, including us? These are questions researchers have only recently begun looking at. One such researcher is Dr. Rebecca Klaper, our February speaker. She has been investigating the effects of common drugs, such as pain relievers, anti-depressants and lipid regulators, on lake fish and invertebrates. Her February 16 presentation should be most interesting. See the calendar for more information.

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Work Days in Colonial Park

The Southeast Gateway Conservation Committee, at its December meeting decided to save the 4th Saturday of each month for work days in Colonial Park, especially along the Root River Pathway. We will start in March and run through October or November. These work days are not just for Conservation Committee members, but for all who are interested in helping restore native vegetation and eliminate invasive alien species. The March 25 work day will concentrate on removing garlic mustard along the Pathway. A tour between snows in December by a couple of committee members showed that there is still much garlic mustard to be removed and it will be growing well by March 25. We will start by 9:00 a.m. and finish around noon if we have enough willing workers. We will supply the trash bags, but you should bring work gloves, proper get-down-and-get-dirty clothes, water and insect repellent if needed.

By picking the fourth Saturday of each month, we will have already reserved the Saturday of Earth Day in April and Make A Difference Day in October. Let us see some new members out for these work days. It is a great way to get to know some of your fellow Southeast Sierrans!

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An Urban Field Trip

Ride the Metra with us to Chicago on February 25. The Shedd Aquarium is the world’s largest indoor aquarium. Come with us as we learn about the watery world at the Wild Reef, the Oceanarium, the Caribbean Reef and Amazon Rising. There is also a special exhibit of the Asian Carp and other invasive species that are threatening the Great Lakes. Ticket prices range from $8 to $23--lower for seniors & children--depending on how much you choose to see.

See the calendar for additional information.

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Hey, it's a tradition!

The first weekend in March SEGG goes to Door County to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Join us for a weekend of outdoor fun and fellowship. The Wagon Trail Resort in Rowley's Bay is near the Mink River and Newport State Park. It's a beautiful and interesting area to explore. Our last three March Door County weekends have been snowy, but you never know...the weather will dictate if snowshoes, skis or hiking boots are the preferred footwear. So, get outdoors or bring a book and curl up in front of the fireplace. Whatever the weather, the condos are cozy and it's a great opportunity to get to know your fellow Sierrans a little bit better.

For more information, see the calendar listing.

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Planning Retreat

Thirteen members of the Southeast Gateway Group met Saturday, January 7, to plan the major activities and events for the upcoming year.

Conservation projects at Colonial Park and Pringle Nature Center will continue. We are also working on getting local governments to sign on the the "Cool Cities" initiative.

Many interesting regular programs are in the works for the year, as well as a variety of outings.

Fundraising proposals include rummage, plant, cranberry, calendar and photography sales.

Details of all events will be found in future issues of the Southeast Sierran.

Out thanks to all who participated, and especially to our Chair, Nancy Hennessy, for keeping the meeting on track and on schedule!

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Environmental Education Committee Report

The Environmental Education Alliance, chaired by Donna Peterson, who is also the Southeast Gateway Group Environmental Education Chair, has announced the results of the 2005 program, "Wild World of Reptiles and Amphibians". The program was presented April 5-7 by Professor Greg Mayer and the Racine Zoo Education Department.

The program was presented in the Kenosha Public Schools to 1,567 students, the Racine public schools to 1,565 students and the Kenosha Public Museum to 45 people for a total of 3,132. 71,363 people have attended various educational programs over 23 years.

The Environmental Alliance members are:

Gene Bauer, Racine County Conservation League; Pat Levine, Johnson Wax Golden Rondelle Theater; Roz McHugh, Kenosha Unified Schools; Donna Peterson, Southeast Gateway Group; Muffy Petrick, Hoy Audubon Club; Wendy Sorenson, Racine Earth Service Corps Youth United; Barry Thomas, Kenosha Unified Schools; Ron Viola, Racine Unified Schools; David White, YMCA River Bend Nature Center.

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Look for the Eco-Label
by Lila Berge

We find it easy to blame "Big Business" for harming the environment. It is generally recognized that the company directors' job is to make money. If they make a mess, they hope the public will pay for the cleanup.

It is the job of every informed public citizen to see that good environmental protection laws are written and enforced. It is also our job to put pressure, directly or indirectly, on companies to act responsibly, using our purchasing power.

In 1993, timber industry and foresters got together and created a nonprofit organization called the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). It is run by an elected board that includes environmentalists. They drew up a list of criteria for sound, sustainable forest management practices. The FSC does not certify forests itself, but hires an independent accredited firm to go and inspect, recommend any changes needed, and finally certify when standards are met. Certification is paid for the the forest owner at the time he requests certification. A final step before you will see lumber with FSC certification in your local store requires that the lumber mill not mix certified and uncertified logs in his operation. The manufacturer who buys cut wood also must keep certified wood separate.

About 17% of the products cut from certified forests end up wearing the FSC logo in a retail store. Ask for it when buying furniture. When buying lumber, you can find certified products at Home Depot. Buy them even if it costs a few cents more.

Beware of other "green" lumber labels. They may have been invented to confuse customers by Sustainable Forestry Initiative. They do not require third party inspection and "chain-of-production" oversight. Forest managers set their own standards.

Purchase of lumber and manufactured wood products is not an everyday occurrence. We are more likely to buy seafood in the grocery store or a restaurant. Many fisheries have been overfished; all are declining worldwide. In 1997, Unilever (one of the world's largest buyers of frozen fish) along with World Wildlife Fund founded the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). It operates similar to FSC to protect the stock of wild caught fish. Never buy Orange Roughy--this very slow-growing fish does not start to reproduce until about 40 years old! Needless to say, they will soon be extinct. If you see it on the menu, speak to the manager.

Wild caught salmon from Alaska is one of seven MSC certified fisheries. Plans to certify salmon from "fish farms" present difficult problems as yet unsolved. Accreditation of Alaskan Pollock is underway, as is west coast Halibut, east coast Striped Bass, and some U. S. crab, prawn and lobster fisheries. Look for the MSC logo.

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Thank You…

Once again Sierra Club members showed their concern for others by donating school supplies and food at the December meeting. Pat & Joel Lamke picked up the food and were most grateful to everyone for their help with the growing needs of the hungry in our community.

The school supplies were left with Elizabeth Erven to be distributed to homeless children. She sees the poorest children in our community on a daily basis and tries to meet some of their many needs.

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St. Croix Riverway Community Forum...

The beautiful St. Croix Riverway on the Minnesota-Wisconsin Border has been part of our lives and lifestyles of many of us for generations. While much has been done to preserve this vibrant ecosystem, the riverway is facing new threats.

Please join us for this free community workshop to learn more about how we can help continue to preserve and protect our St. Croix.

The forum will be held Tuesday, March 2 at 7:00 p.m., at the Bayport Public Library, 582 4th St., Bayport, MN. Directions to Bayport: Bayport is approximately 5 miles north of I-94 on the Minnesota side of the St. Croix River. Take I-94 bridge from Hudson, exit at the first Minnesota exit, Highway 95, and go north about 5 miles to the town of Bayport. Hwy 95 is also Main St. in Bayport. The library is on your left--a small village square is in front of library building.

For more information, please contact Joshua Houdek at (612) 659 9124 or e-mail joshua.houdek AT sierraclub.org.

This event is sponsored by the Sierra Club in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

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SEGG Photo Sales Continue...

The Southeast Gateway Group photo sales activity has gotten off to a successful beginning. Pictures are for sale at our regular meetings. You can contribute to this fundraiser two ways: attend a meeting and buy a photo (they make great gifts); or, contribute a photo.

All photographs are printed on high-quality matte paper using archival materials for a long display life.

To contribute a photo contact Gary Zumach, 2548 Pinehurst Ave., Racine WI 53403 or e-mail gzumach AT wi.net.

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