Looking for an exotic trip without leaving the country? Join the third Angeles Chapter-sponsored Natural and Wild Florida trip. Participants will snorkel in a coral reef, swim with manatees, and tour the Everglades, among other adventures.
This year's trip of 10 days and 10 nights, November 18-28, has been extended from previous trips to allow for more activities.
A critical deadline has been reached in the campaign to save the Soka property in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains. The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy has optioned the 588-acre property for $35 million, but the option will expire if the full amount is not paid by April 15, and the property will be sold to the highest bidder.
Sierra Birds: A Hiker's Guide, written and illustrated by John Muir Laws. Calif. Academy of Sciences and Heyday Books, 64 pages. $9.95
The Day the Trash Came Out to Play, by David M. Beadle, illustrations by Laurie A. Faust, Ezra's Earth Publishing. $16.95
For both the novice and experienced birdwatchers, Sierra Birds: A Hiker's Guide would be a useful resource. The book's organization is user-friendly and its slim, lightweight size makes it easy to tote around in a full day pack or on multi-day backpacking trips.
In presidential election years, political action always takes a front-row seat in Angeles Chapter activities. And although the Democrats, and the Sierra Club, lost the Big One in 2004, the Chapter was outstanding at supporting winning candidates at the local level. Politics didn't eclipse conservation, however. The Chapter remained at the forefront of important battles in Los Angeles and Orange counties to:
Ó defend open space and wildlife where suburban sprawl directly threatens wild land,
On Thanksgiving eve, young environmental crusaders Juan Martinez and Andrew Anderson presented the Mexican rock band, Maná, with a Sierra Club-sponsored Green Award at the La Banda Elastica Latin Alternative Music Awards.
'Maná's work is really cool because you wouldn't think that rockers would be interested in things of the earth, but I am glad they do because we need everyone's help' said Anderson.
Palos Verdes-South Bay Group
The facts
Founded in 1965
Serves the 4,000 Sierra Club members residing in San Pedro, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Lawndale, Wilmington, Gardena, Carson, Lomita, and Harbor City
Number of currently active leaders: 54
The fun stuff
Chair, Leadership Training Committee
It's not too late for New Year's resolutions. Why not consider becoming an Angeles Chapter outings leader?
Sierra Club members become outings leaders for a variety of reasons. For example, some want to lead outings to areas to motivate participants to urge protection of those areas. Others want to share their enjoyment of the natural world. Still other become leaders out of a desire to give back to the groups, sections, and committees that sponsor the outings they have enjoyed over the years.
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| Less butts in the ocean thanks to Steve. |
The Palos Verdes-South Bay Group scored a significant victory for wilderness and the safe enjoyment of it. In December, the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council, to the surprise of many, sided with the Sierra Club's recommendation for trail usage in the 160-acre Forrestal Nature Preserve. Group vice-chair Hersh Kelly recounts how the group achieved this remarkable success. -Ed.
Why is the Southern Sierran called the Southern Sierran?
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| Ed Peterson |
Ask Ed Peterson, at 99 the Angeles Chapter's oldest member. In the late 40s, legendary volunteer Irene Charnok told him the Chapter was about to launch a newsletter and was having a contest to come up with a name. The winner of the contest would receive a lifetime subscription. Peterson won.
Sierra Club Angeles Chapter
3250 Wilshire Blvd. #1106
Los Angeles, CA 90010
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