Nov/Dec, 2003 The Warbler Volume III : Issue 11/12

Monthly Meeting

The PineyWoods Sierra Club Regional Group will convene November 11, Tuesday

@ 7:00 PM in the “Lunch Box”

1422 N. Timberland Dr.

Lufkin, TX

Potluck snacks served --

bring something, but come to eat if you can’t!

And Bring a Friend & The Kids

Y’all come and enjoy the Fellowship!”

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Words of Awareness

"The desire by the Bush Administration and others in Congress to protect special timber interests is compromising America's ability to deliver real
relief to communities in need (of fire protection)."

Carl Pope,

Sierra Club Executive Director

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Loggers Win, People Lose

In an 80-14 vote, the Senate passed HR 1904, and approved a deal brokered by Undersecretary of Agriculture Mark Rey, former timber industry lobbyist, that closely mirrors the Bush Administration's so-called "Healthy Forests Initiative." The result is wildfire policy that effectively removes citizen participation, interferes with the judicial system, increases commercial logging, leaves old-growth and roadless forests vulnerable, all while leaving communities at risk of wildfires. Expect a lot of action in the Court system; see bottom of page 4!

For more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/logging

For more information regarding Bush's plan for the national forests, please visit the following Web site: http://www.defenders.org/publications/forestreport.html .

Special THANKS! - to All those who made phone calls to our Senators trying to defeat HR 1904 and to add amendments! Your efforts were greatly appreciated!

Evening Program

Our Program for this month is a smorgasbord agenda – focusing on old and new business, and looking ahead to activities in the New Year. We will get an update on water issues, forest programs, and plan for exciting upcoming Outings – your input is especially important on the latter, as Outings are meant to be what you desire. We’ll discuss how to celebrate Earth Day in conjunction with International Migratory Bird Day at the SFA Experimental Forest, and we will continue the process of nominating Leaders for the New Year (to be elected in January). Not least, we’ll finalize plans for the Christmas Party. Time permitting, there will be a showing of a special film – your choice. All the while, enjoy the potluck snacks as you revel in the camaraderie of fellow Sierrans. Bring a friend!

Nov/Dec 2003 The Warbler Vol. III : Issue 11/12; Pg. 2/4

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Texas Forest-Watch Weekend
November 7- 9
Boykin Springs Campground
Angelina National Forest

Co-sponsors include:
Sierra Club Southern Plains Region
Texas Committee on Natural Resources
Southern Alliance of Coastal Redwood Earth Defenders (SACRED)

Join Forest Watch and Defend National Forests in Texas from Bush’s Unhealthy Forest Initiative!

The Texas Forest-Watch Weekend is an opportunity for you to dedicate your ideas, energy, and passion to the campaign to protect your National Forests from destructive commercial logging programs, help stop attacks on our wild forests, and contribute to Conservation and Restoration of our National Forests

You will start your Forest-Watch experience with a short "Welcome to the Forest" briefing, and an informal reception Friday night with local musicians. Saturday and Sunday will be filled with issue briefings and intensive workshops, taught by experienced individuals who share your passion for protecting National Forests! Saturday night will also be an opportunity to enjoy live music and the old-time campfire!

Sierra Club will provide food and accommodations, and some travel scholarships will be available.

To register please call Chris Wilhite @ 512 - 472 – 9094. After calling Chris, at this late date, simply drive to Boykin Springs and Complete Registration when entering the Campgrounds. Cost is $20 per person, which includes meals and camping fee, and workshop materials.

The evening of Nov. 8 will provide us with a FULL
MOON and a FULL LUNAR ECLIPSE!

Nov/Dec 2003 The Warbler Vol. III : Issue 11/12; Pg. 3/4

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

NOVEMBER OUTINGS

Join us on a premier Canoeing Adventure down one of East Texas’ “significant stream segment” Paddling down the Neches River to The Forks, Saturday November 22, 2003

Starting somewhat South of Hwy. 255 Bridge, we will paddle a few miles down stream towards the confluence of the Neches and Angelina Rivers – to the area known as The Forks. Here we will explore a wild and beautiful primitive area, including Bee Tree Slough.

We meet at 9:00 A.M. @ the BOAT LAUNCH/PARKING LOT on the West side of Hwy. 190 bridge across Steinhagen Res./Dam B, about 1/4 mile from the Bridge -- if you cross the Bridge going West, coming from Jasper/Martin Dies S.P., you'll find the Boat Launch/Parking Lot on the Right, just a short distance from the Bridge -- it's virtually right on the highway, North side. Alternatively, about 15 miles East of Woodville (if you arrive via Hwy. 69/190), the Parking lot/Boat Launch is on the left, about 1/4 mile East from the intersection of 190/92 (where there is a flashing light, and an Exxon station on the right).

Mr. Jim Lemon,

PineyWoods Outings Leader

The paddle is substantial. Bring lunch and water/beverage. Three canoes & one kayak are available to rent @ $10/person -- includes life jacket & paddle (proceeds going to PineyWoods Sierra Club). Call:

Jim @ (936) 615 – 5053 or Dian @ (936) 639 - 6322 for a rental; Adrian @ (409) 429 – 5893 for info.

All participants on Sierra Club outings are required to sign a standard liability waiver. If you would like to read the liability waiver before you choose to participate on an outing, please go to: http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms/, or contact the Outings Department at

(415) 977-5528 for a printed version.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The Ivy Payne Wildlife Refuge

Of the Natural Area Preservation Association (NAPA)

(largest Texas-based land trust)

is proud to sponsor a

Special Fall Weekend Retreat

November 7, 8, & 9, 2003

Featuring Nature Walks …

on the 480 acre refuge, led by Earl Matthew and Heinz Gaylord, begin at 9:00 a.m. and again at about 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, and again on Sunday morning. You will tour the diverse geologic areas, flowing streams, hilltops, and hardwood bottomlands.

Enjoy the covered pavilion, which has individual bathrooms, showers, and a common-use kitchen.

Directions to Ivy Payne Refuge

From downtown Elkhart, turn right off Hwy. 294, near the Elkhart State Bank, onto county road 134. About 3-4 miles turn right off CR 134 onto a short road/driveway to Refuge entrance; call for additional detail.

An update on NWF activities and a botanical slide show will begin following the potluck dinner that starts at 7:00 p.m. Saturday. If you have some interesting plant slides, please bring them to add to the show!

No reservations needed; Camp Sites open Friday after 4:00 P.M.

(Housing in nearby Palestine is available for the non-camper)

For more information, contact:

Earl Matthew: (361) 790 - 9579 earlmatthewmd@yahoo.com

Gloria McElroy: (903) 764 - 2605 (Elkhart)

Heinz Gaylord: (409) 564 - 1453 (Nacogdoches) hgaylord@sfasu.edu

Nov/Dec 2003 The Warbler Vol. III : Issue 11/12; Pg. 4/4

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Text Box: Call for Newsletter Articles & Stories
Short stories and articles of environmental concern and issues appropriate for publication in The Warbler, as well as announcements of environmental events and conservation activity, are herewith solicited.
Please submit documents to the Editor by the first week of the month before the month of publication.

Thanks for all of your hard work for the

Environment -- it’s "for our families, for our future.”

Jan. Mtg.: Tuesday, 6th, 2004. Send Newsletter input and/or comments to the Editor, Adrian F. Van Dellen:

NATURMATE@EARTHLINK.NET

PineyWoods Sierra Club Group Leaders

Office Name Phone E-mail

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;;;;;;::;;;;;;;;;;;;;;::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Group Chair: …………….… Dian Avriett ……..…... (936) 639 – 6322 ….… cdavriett@aol.com

Vice Chair: ……………….… (Vacant)

Sec/Treas: …………………. Vicki Baggett …….….. (936) 564 – 0479 …… vlbaggett@excite.com

Conservation Chair: ………. Walt West …….….….. (936) 897 – 2587 …… waltnan@inu.net

Outings Chair: ………….…. Jim Lemon ……………. (936) 615 – 5053 ..… jlemon@accessmhmr.org

Program Chair: ……………. (Vacant)

Special Activities Leaders

Sierra Cubs Camp

Director: …………………… Kerry Lemon ……..…. (936) 615 – 5053 ....… kerryflowerforest@hotmail.com

Associate Director: …...….. Elyce Rodewald .....… (936) 468 – 1832 ....… erodewald@sfasu.edu

Sierra Cubs Outings: …….... Emily Goodwin ……… (936) 875 – 2864 …... egoodwi@templeinland.com

Newsletter Editor: …….….… Adrian Van Dellen ….. (409) 429 – 5893 …… NaturMate@earthlink.net

Enjoy safe HOLIDAYS with Mother Nature!

Late Breaking News

Environmental Groups Seek Restraining Order to Protect Imperiled Wildlife in Southern National Forests

November, 2003 The Warbler Vol. III : Issue 11

Obverse of LTE’s Insert

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The sample Letters to Editors (LTE’s) on the reverse of this page were provided by Annie Strickler of the Sierra Club (Annie.Strickler@sierraclub.org). They are meant for your use to send a letter to the editor of your local paper – utilize them as written or as “spring boards” of insight to help you to construct your own.

Take Paper & Pen, and Be A HAPPY Scribe!!

Letter Writing Points to Consider

· Remember, letters to Editors need not be long, just one paragraph; it’s just as effective as a whole page with many.

· Handwritten letters often have more impact (be legible, of course!).

· Thank the addressee for the opportunity to express your view.

· Include your NAME & ADDRESS when signing your letter.

· Write often for greater effect!

########################################

AND

While you are at it, please send a big THANK YOU to Congressman Turner for caring about the Big Thicket!

He is about to introduce legislation to expand the Big Thicket National Preserve, which would allow for acquisition of some of the timber lands currently up for sale -- the one-and-a-half million acres currently for sale by International Paper and Louisiana Pacific. This presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for acquisition of land critical to protecting the lovely streams of the Big Thicket!

Dear Editor,

I was disappointed to learn that the U.S. Senate ignored real solutions for
Western communities by passing a wildfire bill that leaves communities
vulnerable.

Looking at the substance of the bill, the Bush Administration's promises to
protect communities ring hollow. The bill fails to allocate enough funding,
and that limited amount will be spread across the entire landscape,
including backcountry areas far from where people live. Communities in

Southern California and across the West are not getting the help they desperately need. If the Bush Administration and Congress are serious about protecting homes and lives, they should appropriate sufficient funds and earmark the money for work around communities.

The Bush White House and the Senate have concocted a proposal that would
provide more help to timber companies than to fire-threatened and
cash-starved communities. There is a better way, but it requires putting
the safety of communities ahead of the interests of timber companies.

Sincerely,
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Dear Editor,
The Senate just recently voted in favor of the Bush Administration's
ill-named "Healthy Forests Initiative," (HFI) a logging plan disguised as
wildfire policy that removes the public from the picture and increases
harmful commercial logging -- all while failing to protect communities from
fires. This plan would provide more help to timber companies than to
fire-threatened and cash-starved communities. It stands in sharp contrast
to common-sense solutions that would prioritize funds to thin the brush and
small trees around homes and communities that pose the biggest threat.
There is a better way to protect homes and lives.
Sincerely,
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Dear Editor,
The HFI allows federal agencies to skirt environmental laws and shut the
public out of public lands management decisions, all for "healthy forests".

Out West, Administration officials say the bill will help prevent forest
fires by cutting down the trees before blazes start. Here in the South, they
tell us this "logging without laws" legislation will save our forests from
tree-eating insects like the native Southern Pine Beetle by allowing
1,000-acre logging projects.

While Forest Service scientists have concluded that cuts of up to one acre
can help control insects, they have also found that big logging projects can
make outbreaks worse. They tell us that undisturbed forests are more
resistant to insects and disease than are heavily managed tree farms. In
sum, logging and road building are part of the problem, not the solution. A
real solution for controlling "pest" species would include management that
benefits their natural predators and allows nature to keep the balance.

Sincerely,
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::