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Past Prairie Group General and Special Meetings
Current and Future meetings are listed on our HOMEPAGE.
2008:
Unless stated otherwise, Meetings during Sept. 2007 through May, 2008 were held at 7 PM, 2nd Tuesday of the month, Bondurant Room (2nd floor), Illinois Disciples Foundation, 610 E Springfield, Champaign (NW corner Springfield & Wright)
Tuesday, Sept. 9th, 7:00PM
Urbana City Council Chambers
400 S. Vine St., Urbana
Each candidate will start with a brief statement. Then, our MC, Kirstin Replogle, will ask the panelists a series of questions, some which will be prepared in advance and some which will be taken from the audience.
The speakers will be:
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact the Forum's organizer, Jim Beauchamp, jwbeauch {at} illinois.edu.
Tuesday, August 12th, 6:00 pm
Ambucs Park, E. University Ave., Urbana
Saturday, August 9th, 7:30am-noon
Farmer's Market in Lincoln Square
Come visit the Sierra Club table at the Farmer's Market!
Tuesday, May 13th, 2008, 7 PM
Marie Streenz, Horizon Wind Energy
Marie Streenz of Horizon Wind Energy in Bloomington will talk about
the McLean County Twin Groves Wind Farm and its environmental impact.
Monday, May 5th, 2008, 6 PM (rescheduled from March 25th original)
EPA Public Hearing on Andersons Ethanol Plant
Building D (South side of campus), room D244
Parkland College, Champaign
The Andersons' proposed ethanol plant, to be built just west of
Champaign, will draw something like 1.8 million gallons of water
per day from the Mahomet aquifer. Much of that is to be evaporated
in cooling towers, but about 720,000 gallons per day of variously
processed water will be discharged into the Kaskaskia Ditch, the
upper reach of the Kaskaskia River.
At 6pm on the evening of May 5th, in Parkland College's Room D244 (in building D, on the south side of campus),
the Illinois EPA will hold a public hearing on the draft water-discharge permit.
Details here:
The IEPA has made a tentative determination to issue this five-year discharge
permit. The draft of it can be found at:
The IEPA will accept comments from the public, either at the above hearing,
or in writing until June 4th. (See the Hearing Announcement for details.)
EPA May 5th Public Hearing Announcement (PDF)
http://www.epa.state.il.us/public-notices/2007/andersons-ethanol/index.pdf
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008, 7 PM
Carolyn Raffensperger
Science & Environmental Health Network
Carolyn is the Executive Director of Science & Environmental Health Network,
which is based in Ames, Iowa.
SEHN was founded in 1994 by a consortium of North American
environmental organizations (including the Environmental Defense Fund,
The Environmental Research Foundation, and OMB Watch) concerned about
the misuse of science in ways that failed to protect the environment
and human health. Granted 501(c)(3) status in 1999, SEHN operates as a
virtual organization, currently with six staff and seven board members
working from locations across the U.S.
Since 1998, SEHN has been the leading proponent in the United States
of the Precautionary Principle as a new basis for environmental and
public health policy. SEHN has worked with issue driven organizations,
national environmental health coalitions, municipal and state
governments, and several NGO/government teams to implement
precautionary policies at local and state levels.
The Science and Environmental Health Network engages communities and
governments in the effective application of science to protect and
restore public and ecosystem health.
Saturday, April 5th, 2008, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Prairie Rivers Network Biofuels Workshop
White Oak Park, Bloomington, IL
Details taken from
the workshop flyer:
Understand the true costs of biofuel production and its
impacts on Illinois' water resources. Learn how to
participate effectively in the biofuels decisionmaking process.
Topics:
Cost: $15 including lunch. Limited to 30 participants.
Register: please visit http://www.prairierivers.org/
for the registration form.
Contact: Cecily Smith, csmith at prairierivers.org, 217-344-2371.
Tuesday, March 25th, 2008, 7 PM
Gary Jackson, Environmental Advisory Panel
East-Central Illinois Environmental Alliance Meeting
Champaign Public Library
Robeson Pavilion Room C
The next meeting of the East-Central Illinois Environmental Alliance
will be Tuesday 3/25, at 7:00pm, in the Champaign Public Library's
Robeson Pavilion Room C.
The speaker will be Gary Jackson. Gary is well known for his long-time
involvement with a variety of local environmental groups including Sierra
Club and Prairie Rivers Network. Gary was a member of the Environmental
Advisory Panel which prepared the November 2004 Report to the Champaign
County Board, and a member of the environmental section of the Big, Small,
All project. He will discuss implementing some of the recommendations
contained in those reports, and how this relates to activities of local
environmental groups.
Tuesday, March 11th, 2008, 7 PM
Traci Barkley, Prairie Rivers Network
"In Search of a Water Conservation Policy"
Prairie Rivers water resources scientist Traci Barkley
will give a talk:
The story has many interrelated parts: the
ongoing regional water supply planning process, the impact of
major extractors like Illinois-American Water and proposed
ethanol plants, domestic and industrial and municipal water use and
misuse, and the role of conservation.
"In search of a water conservation policy"
She'll look at water use and management in central Illinois, especially
in Champaign County.
Tuesday, February 12th, 2008, 7 PM
Nature Prose and Poetry Night!
Last year we had a lot of fun with this,
and have decided to make it a regular event.
Bring your original writings or favorites from others
to read aloud.
Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008, 7 PM
Executive Committee meeting
Kirstin Replogle's House
808 S. Cedar, Urbana
See the agenda here;
here's a summary:
Chapter Delegate;
Membership Chair;
Newspaper layout, Environmental Education, Conservation, Publicity;
Webmaster;
Publications Representative, Calendar Sales.
There are many other less significant chairs; some will remain vacant.
Tuesday, January 8th, 2008, 7 PM
Film Night!
We'll watch some films. Some suggested are "Being Caribou",
"Sierra Club Chronicles" (activists' personal stories),
and "Story of Stuff", a look at the workings and side effects
of our material culture. (To be updated...)
2007:
Tuesday, December 11th, 2007, 7 PM
Annual Vacation Slide Show
Join us for our annual "Vacation
Slide Show" evening! We will have
a slide projector and computer
equipment (for both PC and Apple
computers) available. In order to
accommodate everyone, please
limit your presentation to 10
minutes or less. Please feel free to
bring a holiday treat to share!
Tuesday, November 13th, 7:30 PM
Prairie Group Meeting and Champaign County Farm Bureau
Environmentalists and the Farm Bureau have found common ground.
Brad Uken and Bruce Hannon will talk about the new initiative
that could lead to a comprehensive Champaign County plan to contain
urban development while preserving prime farmland. The need for
new legislation is clear and by working together we can make
positive changes.
Poorly planned growth is one of the most critical environmental issues
facing us in Champaign County. Please attend this meeting to learn about
this new initiative - it will take all of us to help make it happen.
Saturday, Nov 3rd, 2-3pm, Alma Mater
(Not an SC event but this should be of interest to us all!)
We will be writing letters to our representatives,
which will all be shipped off in one envelope to Congress to show
that we, the people, care about this issue, and we demand that they
take action ASAP!
Speakers include:
Hundreds of other actions throughout the US are also happening on Nov. 3rd.
This builds on Step It Up's April rally -- the largest global warming event in U.S.
history.
The events across the country -- held one year before the 2008 election --
will show the contrast between the intense concern of ordinary
Americans and the leadership vacuum in Washington.
See also the http://www.stepitup2007.org/ national web site.
Friday, Nov 2nd, 7pm, Staerkel Planetarium
Dr. Patrick Chapman will discuss the viability of solar power as an alternative energy source in Central Illinois. Will it work?
Tuesday, October 9th
Cool Cities and Sustainable Urbana
Join us for a discussion of Cool Cities and the Sustainable Urbana
report (see related article in the Oct/Nov/Dec '07 Prairie Flyer). The
City of Urbana is making a serious effort towards sustainability and
reducing greenhouse gases - but they need our support and input. We've
invited elected officials and city staff for a roundtable discussion on
priorities and implementation of some terrific ideas. For more information,
you can download a recently written document called
Sustainable Urbana: A Place to Work, Live and Grow.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting!
September 11
Socially and Environmentally Responsible Investing
Your investments affect the environment and humankind for better for worse.
You can meet your financial needs and prote social/environmental progress
with Socially Responsible Investing. Russell Rybicki of Progressive Asset
Management will speak on Socially Respnsible Investing, its effect on
performance, and its role in social/environmental change.
August 14, 5:30 PM, Garden Pavilion, Meadowbrook Park, Urbana
Annual Potluck Picnic
Prairie Group will provide condiments, beverages, and a grill for those
who would like to bring burgers and the like. Please bring your own
plate, utensils, and a dish to share.
Tuesday, June 12th, 5:30PM (not 7PM as mentioned previously!)
Annual Potluck Picnic
Join us at Dick Bishop's, 3514 N. High Cross Road.
Dick Bishop writes:
The address is 3514 N High Cross Rd. It is located
between Oaks and Olympian, the third house on
the east from the intersection of Oaks and High Cross.
If you decide to get on High Cross
by going out University Avenue, do not make the
mistake of going on I 74 -- turn right onto US 150
as the Casey's store.
For most, going out Cunningham (US45) will be more
convenient. Go past the Frasca Field Airport and
look for the Beck's Country Furniture sign. Oaks is
the next right, a little hard to spot. If you go by it,
go on to Olympian and come back on High Cross.
Look for the Sierra Club Banner in front of my house.
Unless specified otherwise, Prairie Group 2006-2007 meetings were
held in the Geneva Room at the McKinley Foundation, 809 S. 5th Street
(corner of 5th and Daniel), in Champaign at 7 PM on the second Tuesday
of each month. Refreshments always provided!
Tuesday, May 8th, 7PM
Local Transportation Developments Panel Discussion
(McKinley Foundation Geneva Room)
Invited speakers discuss recent initiatives for encouraging bicycle
use and safety as part of the local transportation mix, along with
other efforts to get residents out of their cars.
Brandon Bowersox will speak on local bicycle transportation plans,
Don Davis on public input at last week's (5/3) Urbana Bicycle Plan,
and Cynthia Hoyle (who is a planner for C-U MTD) on other local
transit issues.
Wednesday, May 9th, 7PM
The Health of Illinois Rivers: Re-channelizing the Salt Fork of the Vermilion?
Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend. Snacks to share are
welcome. For more information call Champaign County Democrats at
(217) 359-3760 or visit the Champaign County Democrats Web site at
www.champaigncountydemocrats.org.
Saturday, April 14th, 1:00 - 2:30PM
Rally to Stop Global Warming Now
We'll meet at Westside Park at 1:00 PM to stand in support of the goal
of reducing carbon emissions 80% by 2050. Rally-goers will have the
chance to send post cards to Senators Durbin and Obama and
Representative Johnson urging them to work toward this goal. We'll also
send petitions to the cities of Champaign and Urbana asking them to take
similar measures.
At 2:00 PM or so, we'll photograph everyone at the rally standing near
our banner, so that we can send pictures to Step It Up and to congress.
Our final planning meeting to prepare for the rally will be 1 PM Sat,
April 7th at the Urbana Free Library in the conference room on the lower
level. The Urbana Free Library is near the corner of Race and Green in
downtown Urbana.
Tuesday, April 10th, 7PM
The Recent Impact of Global Climate Change on the Arctic
and its Potential Impact on Us
(McKinley Foundation Geneva Room)
We're welcoming back a staunch advocate of the Arctic
whose first presentation a couple of years ago drew an
enthusiastic crowd. Chad Kister,
author of books Arctic Quest and Arctic Melting,
will present the very latest on climate change's impacts on the Arctic and Alaska.
The presentation shows the critical need to
immediately begin reducing fossil fuel emissions and
replace them with solar, wind, and other renewable
resources. Arctic champions in Congress have
introduced legislation to protect the Arctic Refuge
coastal plain as wilderness. Chad's tour will help
spread the word nationwide about the need to lobby for
wilderness protection.
Tuesday, March 13, 5:30-6:30PM; and Wednesday, March 14, 7:00-8:00PM
"Who Controls Our Water? A Global Issue Hits Home"
(these aren't Sierra Club meetings; see event locations below)
Privatization of public water resources has sparked controversy
around the world, from Jakarta, Indonesia to right here in
Urbana-Champaign, with RWE and American Water often taking center stage.
Victoria Kaplan from
Food and Water Watch, the national consumer advocacy organization,
will explore how Champaign County sits at the center of a global
debate, what RWE's upcoming sale of American Water could mean for
consumers, and how other communities around the country are
approaching the issue.
Ms. Kaplan will be in town giving two similar talks -- pick one:
Tuesday, March 13, 7PM
What's a Rain Garden?
(McKinley Foundation Geneva Room)
A staff member from
Prairie Rivers Network
will present a detailed description of rain gardens and
their role in storm water control. The presentation
will include a brief history, construction tips, and
interesting facts on rain gardens. Handouts with a
variety of rain garden information and website links
will be made available for presentation attendees.
Please note program change.
There had been plans to discuss local bike transit
at this meeting; we may still do that at some later date.
IL EPA air-quality permit hearing for Andersons ethanol plant
Not a Sierra Club event, but may be of interest.
The Andersons are proposing a corn-based ethanol plant,
of 110 million gallon/year output capacity, to be built in
west Champaign. On Feb. 27th, Illinois EPA will hold a public hearing
on the air-quality permit for the plant. Written questions will be
accepted until March 29th
(see the hearing notice).
Water quality and water use are clearly also important local issues;
though the 2/27 hearing is slated to allow air-quality questions only,
the IL EPA might be persuaded to widen its scope, or to hold a separate
hearing on water issues. The Sierra Club Prairie Chapter is adding its voice
to that of Traci Barkley of Prairie Rivers Network
in calling for such a hearing.
See
Film Festival
The Prairie Group of the Sierra Club is sponsoring an environmental Film
Festival in conjuction with Planning Institute in the Department of Urban
and Regional Planning at the University of Illinois,
http://www.urban.uiuc.edu/ce/.
Don't miss out on seeing these inspirational and educational films.
Saturday, February 17, 8:30-10:30 AM
Mercury Hair Testing Event
Timothy John Salon
Free and confidential testing to determine your mercury levels --
everyone is welcome. Please call the salon to schedule an appointment so
that we have the proper number of kits on hand. The entire process will
take about 10 minutes.
What: The Prairie Group of the Sierra Club is offering a free
Mercury Hair Testing Event. Many residents of Illinois have unsafe levels
of mercury in their bodies due to eating locally caught fish, tuna and/or
sushi.
Why: One in six women of childbearing age has enough mercury in
their blood to endanger a developing fetus. Children and fetuses are at
greatest risk of harm and may suffer from a variety of developmental
disabilities. Mercury primarily affects humans through the consumption of
contaminated fish. The largest single source of mercury pollution in
Illinois is coal burning power plants.
How: The free and confidential testing will determine your mercury
levels. Everyone is welcome. A stylist will clip a carefully selected portion
of hair at the back of your head. The Prairie Group will send off the samples
for free testing. The lab will report results to you.
Tuesday, January 9, 7 PM
Nature Poetry and Prose Night
Thoreau, Emerson, Abbey, Dillard, and so many more ... we all have our
favorite nature writers whose words have deepened our connection to wild
places and our commitment to their preservation. Come share a few of
those words with us during this fun annual event, when Sierrans read
aloud from texts celebrating nature. Excerpts should be around 250 to
300 words long. Original work by local writers is also most welcome!
2006:
Tuesday, December 12, 7 PM
Geneva Room, McKinley Foundation
The Prairie Group tradition continues! Please join us for this popular
event. Bring 10 to 15 minutes' worth of envy-inspiring vacation slides
and/or a plate of holiday goodies to share. We will provide PC and Mac
laptops with projector and a Kodak Carousel projector for showing
either computer or 2x2 slides.
Tuesday, November 14, 7 PM
Geneva Room, McKinley Foundation
(note 7:30pm rather than usual 7pm)
(Green & Wright on UIUC Campus in Urbana)
"Step It Up" Climate Change Rally
Parkland "World of Science" Talk
Patrick Chapman on Solar Power in Illinois
You are welcome to come to the picnic at my house.
The Group will provide hamburgers, veggieburgers,
and drinks. Bring a dish to pass.
(not a Sierra Club event, but one that sounds interesting!)
Prof. Clark Bullard, Board Member of the Prairie Rivers Alliance, and Prof.
Bruce Rhoads, UIUC Geology Department, will make presentations on effects of
the proposed re-channelization of the Salt Fork of the Vermilion River that
runs through eastern Champaign County . A dredging project, proposed by the
Upper Salt Fork Drainage District, includes clear-cutting trees along the
riverbanks, adversely affecting the aesthetic value the trees have brought to
the residents of St. Joseph. Ways must be found to provide necessary drainage
while still protecting the fish and wildlife that make the river an important
community asset.
Prof. Bruce Rhoads, UIUC Geology Department
West Side Park, Champaign
A "Step It Up" rally to do something about global warming
in conjunction with about 1300 such events in all 50 states.
Tue Feb. 27, 6:00pm, Parkland College room D244
Tue/Wed, Feb. 27/28, 7PM
Plym Auditorium, Temple Hoyne Buell Hall, 611 Loredo Taft Dr., UIUC Campus
A compelling film about the past, present and future of Appalachia with
mountain-top removal in the mountains in West Virginia. (20 minutes)
http://sierraclub.org/appalachia
Through personal stories of Pacific Islanders, this film puts a human face
on the international climate change debate by showing viewers the physical
and cultural impacts caused by global warming. (57 minutes)
http://www.bullfrogfilms.com/catalog/rw.html
Native American tribes on the northern Great Plains can harness enough wind
energy to provide our nation with one-third of all annual electricity
consumption. This one-minute program introduces the subject of the first
utility-scale wind turbine erected on tribal lands. (1 minute)
http://www.nativewind.org
Food issues are heavy. This animated video takes a light approach to
explaining the hidden costs of mass-produced food and about alternatives
that are kinder to the planet. (15 minutes)
http://www.truecostoffood.org
In November 2001, Cape Wind Associates of Boston announced plans for
America's first offshore windfarm. Almost immediately, a battle between
environmentalists and residents on the Cape was born. Journalist Ole
Tangen, Jr. was on hand to chronicle the fight in this fascinating
documentary about land and the future of renewable energy. (15 minutes)
http://www.windoverwater.org
This hilarious special celebrates life on Earth by taking aim at one of our
planet's most serious problems: global warming, and features comedy
luminaries such as Steve Martin, Robin Williams, Ben Stiller and Jack Black,
as well as Tom Hanks, Robert Kennedy, Jr., and nearly a dozen others. (90 minutes)
http://www.lauriedavid.com/press.html
404 W. Green Street, Urbana
344-4720
5th St. at Daniels, Champaign
5th St. at Daniels, Champaign
Collen Sarna, Conservation Organizer for the Sierra Club's Global Warming and Energy Program, will help us plan an effective Cool Cities campaign for the Champaign-Urbana area. This is a great opportunity for environmentalists to get involved in a local campaign to help achieve global results. Come share your thoughts on how to make the Twin Cities into Cool Cities!
Tuesday, October 10, 7 PM
Geneva Room, McKinley Foundation
5th St. at Daniels, Champaign
Utah Redrock Wilderness Photo and Presentation Tour Comes to Champaign-Urbana
Highlites Stewardship of one of America's Most Beautiful Places
This was a special presentation on a wilderness area adjoining Zion National Park and the nearby Mojave Desert. The land area at issue lies just west of Zion National Park. Known as "Greater Zion", it contains redrock temples, profound gorges, and ponderosa-studded plateaus which complete the fantastically complex Zion-Mojave wilderness. The Mojave Desert portion is home to the endangered desert tortoise. It is all part of a citizens' proposal inventoried and documented by volunteers dedicated to the land's protection. The presentation and photos will address threats to this world-class wilderness and discuss steps citizens can take to help protect it.
"Americans are blessed with the opportunity to be effective stewards of our nation's special places. Our natural heritage is threatened. There is a need and a means for people to act."
The presentation was part of an ongoing tour sponsored by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.
DIGITAL PHOTOS AND MORE INFORMATION can be found at www.suwa.org or www.zionmojavewilderness.org
Besides being a Field Organizer for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA), Mr. Daughenbaugh is also co-chair of the Illinois Task Force for Utah Wilderness, a member of the Sierra Club's Wildlands Committee. SUWA is a twenty year old organization of citizens who love Utah's wild lands and work together for their protection.
Tuesday, September 12, 7 PM
Political Forum on the Environment
City of Urbana Council Chambers
This was your chance to see and hear local candidates for Illinois State
Representative, Illinois State Senate, and Representative to the United
States House gave their views on environmental issues. Each candidate
responded to written questions from the Prairie Group and from the audience
that were read by our
moderator, Cynthia Hoyle. Since this was held in the Urbana City Council
Chambers, it was televised on Cable Channel Six several times in September,
2006.
Here are the candidates who appeared on the panel: * Socialist Equality Party
Friday, September 8, 7-9 PM
Special Reception for Robbie Cox, Past President of the Sierra Club
Independent Media Center, Sun Room
Several people joined us for a dessert reception as we extended a
special welcome to Robbie Cox, who spoke at the University YMCA's Friday
Forum on the same day. Robbie has served several terms on Sierra's
national Board of Directors and has been a visionary leader who has been
instrumental in shaping the Club as we know it today. He spoke briefly
about the Club's past and future based on his experience and perspective.
This was followed by a circle pow-wow discussion where we had a chance
to ask Robbie questions and make comments on Sierra national policy.
Tuesday, August 8, 5:30 PM
Potluck Picnic at the House of Cynthia Hoyle and Sheldon Katz
We had a nice casual evening with food and drink hobnobbing with other
environmentalist friends, talking about such subjects as:
Tuesday, June 13, 6 PM
"The World According to John Muir": Living History Presentation and Potluck
Our June potluck was a very special one this year. About 60 people
joined us for an evening with "John Muir" at the Large Pavilion (above
the Lake House) in Crystal Lake Park. We supplied burgers (meat and
veggie) with all the fixings and soft drinks. "The World According to
John Muir" was presented by Roads Scholar John B. Wallace portraying the
founding father of the Sierra Club. John Muir came to us with tales
taking us back 150 years as he relived some of Muir's most breathtaking,
marvelous, and human experiences in glorious detail.
Tuesday, May 9, 7 PM
Sustainable Energy Forum
A panel of experts pursued several energy-related topics focusing on
effects of fossil fuel on the environment and alternative sources of
energy. Here are brief summaries of the panelists' opening statements:
Energy Efficiency for Small Businesses
Tom Abram, Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC), Dept. of
Architecture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Small businesses can receive free advice from the Smart Energy Design
Assistance Center (SEDAC) on how to increase the
efficient use of energy through the Small Business Smart Energy program.
The importance of energy efficiency and SEDAC's Top 12 Energy Cost
Reduction Measures will be presented.
************
Matthew B. Malten, Sustainability Coordinator and Co-Project Manager of
the Wind Turbine Project, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
This presentation will describe the details, current status and
anticipated benefits of several renewable energy and energy efficiency
initiatives for the UIUC, including the wind turbine project and the
student clean energy technology fee.
************
Dr. Evan H. De Lucia, Professor and Head, Dept. of Plant Biology, and
Professor, Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign
While there is some uncertainty about the how much and where, that the
emission of greenhouse gases by the combustion of fossil fuels is
driving a profound warming of the earth is now accepted by the
scientific community. Without a concerted effort by governments of the
world to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouses
into the atmosphere, humanity should make plans to adapt to a warmer
planet. What can we expect in central Illinois? By 2050 our climate will
resemble the current conditions in eastern Texas.
************
Erika Schafer, Great Lakes Organizer, Alaska Coalition, Chicago
Although the nation must continue to search for new energy sources in
order to keep transportation and electricity costs low, it is clear that
drilling in America's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would do more harm
than good. As America attempts to curb CO2 emissions, fossil fuel
consumption must level off and begin to decrease. Rather than sealing
the fate for Native Alaskan tribes and animals living along the Arctic
coast, Americans must demand a solution that will minimize our use of
energy sources that produce harmful greenhouse gases.
************
Colleen Sarna, Illinois Chapter Office, Sierra Club, Chicago
Executive Committee Meeting
All Prairie Group members are encouraged to drop by and help the ExCom
develop ideas for new programs, outings, and newsletter items. Come get
involved!
Desert Potluck with Poetry Readings
This was planned as a "Pan-Enviro
Dessert Potluck and Poetry Reading" get-together.
Members were invited to bring a dessert, bring a poem
(self-written or someone else), or to just bring
yourself! Beverages, plates, napkins, and were forks
provided. Jackie Potter and Ruth Walker starred.
Local Organic Food Producers
This third installment of our program series on farm/environment intersections
was a discussion on small-scale farming and environmental stewardship.
Local farmers described their farms and discussed environmental practices
they implement and challenges to the small-scale farmer in central Illinois.
The panelists were:
Lisa Haynes (Tomahnous Farms, Mahomet)
This was very informative and a lot of fun. We all sat in a circle,
talked about the various issues in organic farming, and exchanged ideas.
Meeting of the Prairie Group Executive Committee
The first ExCom meeting of 2006. At this meeting we elected new
officers and discussed our program for the year.
2005:
Annual Holiday Get-Together/Slide Show
A Prairie Group tradition! Prairie Group members showed their
vacation slides or slides about anything they did related to
the environment (both computer and 2"x2" traditional slides were
shown). This was a social event and an event to inform each
other about what we'd been up to in 2005.
Arctic Melting and its Impact on the Alaskan Ecosystem
Chad Kister, author of Arctic Quest and Arctic Melting,
gave a special talk on the effect of global warming on the
arctic, ramifications for the rest of the world, and how we can solve
the problem through conservation. His web sites are at
Party/Prairie Group Overview
Newbies, faithful friends, and all other Prairie Group members were
cordially invited to a special social for celebrating our accomplishments,
renewing ties, and making new friends. The evening featured
presentations by ExCom members who talked about their current
environmental work.
Forever Wild: A Celebration of Wilderness
JOIN US FOR A VERY SPECIAL (AND FREE!) EVENT
One of America's most remarkable folk singers and backcountry travelers,
Walkin' Jim Stoltz, on tour from the mountains of Montana, brought
his powerful multimedia show Forever Wild to the Latzer Room of the
University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St., Champaign, IL, on Saturday October
1, at 7 pm. Co-sponsored by Sierra Club Prairie Group, Students for
Environmental Concerns (SECS), and Prairie Rivers Network, this concert
event was free and open to the public.
The show's mix of stunning photography, stories, and music made this
one-of-a-kind event an inspiring journey into our nation's last
wilderness areas. Walkin' Jim gets his name from the over 26,000 miles
he has walked through the wild country of North America, carrying a
guitar and writing his songs along the way. His lyrics express a great
love and respect for the Earth and the wild places he knows so well.
Known for his powerful baritone and emotion-packed vocals, Stoltz's
Forever Wild show was much more than a concert. It combined live music
and poetry with stunning, multi-image slides to created a stirring
celebration of the natural world. Stoltz is a veteran of more than 30
years of performing. In this year's show he shared images and
songs from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, his Yellowstone to Yukon
walk, the Utah canyon country, the Northern Rockies, and wild places all
across America.
Jim sold copies of his recent book, "Walking With the Wild Wind,"
at the event. His songs from 9 different CDs that get regular airplay
on National Public Radio were also be available. Visit his website
at www.walkinjim.com.
Sangamon River Cleanup
The Prairie Group of the Sierra Club encouraged all members to turn out
and pitch in on "Celebrate the Sangamon" day. They met at the Monticello
City Building, 210 N. Hamilton at 8:30 am. Members removed debris in
Lodge Park, Monticello and Allerton Park until noon.
We helped make the Sangamon a healthier, more beautiful river!
Farm Dinner and Dialogue
As a followup to last January's meeting with the Champaign County Farm
Bureau, CCFB hosted us at a local farm for dinner and discussion
about current farm practice. This was part of the Prairie Group's ongoing
effort to encourage dialogue between local environmentalists and local
farmers to help us learn more about the farming "environment" we live
in. Several farmers were on hand to answer questions about the impact
of their methods of production, use of pesticides, herbicides,
conservation efforts, etc. Several Group members came with
questions about these issues.
Dinner began soon after 6:00 p.m. Vegetarian meals were provided
for those who reserved them.
Wednesday, August 10, 5:30 p.m.
August Potluck at Bishop House
3514 N. Highcross Road, Urbana
Prairie Group provided hamburgers, veggie burgers, condiments, and
beverages. A great time was had by the many who attended.
Wednesday, June 8, 5:30 p.m.
June Potluck at Homer Lake Forest Preserve, Walnut Creek Shelter
This was a potluck picnic at Homer Lake Forest Preserve to watch the
sunset, canoe on the lake, or hike along the many trails.
We certainly enjoyed one of the loveliest locations in Champaign
County. We met at the Walnut Hill Shelter, which is centrally
located near the lake. It offered indoor restrooms, a grill, cold water
and playground equipment, a volleyball court, and a basketball court.
Wednesday, May 11, 7:30 p.m.
Environmental Justice and the Sierra Club
Low-income and People of Color communities are disproportionately
affected by pollution and other types of environmental degradation.
Issues of race and class frequently compound the barriers existing
between mainstream environmentalists and people from these communities.
Kirstin Replogle, Chair of the
Sierra Club National Environmental Justice Committee and member of
the Prairie Group ExCom, talked about the history of the environmental
justice movement and the Sierra Club's revolutionary effort to support
suffering communities.
Wednesday, April 13, 7:30 p.m.
Urban Sustainability and Ecological Footprint: Issues and
Opportunities for Champaign-Urbana
An "ecological footprint" measures the burden placed on the environment
by populations and indicates how much land is needed to sustain current
levels of resource consumption. Rumi Shammin
, a PhD candidate and
graduate assistant in the Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Sciences (NRES) at the University of Illinois, gave
an overview of Champaign-Urbana's footprint and its implications for
sustainability and resource management.
Construction Sites, Water Quality, and You
Jane Li
of Prairie Rivers Network spoke on practical ways in which
citizens can do something about water quality in their area.
Construction sites are overlooked sources of pollution that contribute
vast quantities of dirt into rivers and streams when unstabilized dirt
is carried away by stormwater runoff. Her presentation trained people to
identify common construction site violations and how to report a
violation.
Wednesday, March 16, 7:30 p.m.
presented by
Clayton Daughenbaugh, Sierra Club National Conservation Organizer
This land is our land from Alaska's Arctic Wildlife Refuge to Utah
spectacular redrock canyons, all the way to the cypress swamps of
Florida's Everglades. Or is it? According to our government's
current policies it might as well belong to the oil and gas industry.
We viewed the evidence to learn what we could do to stand by the land
at the "Public Lands at Risk" slide show tour sponsored by the Sierra
Club's National Wildlands Campaign Committee.
The land is beautiful, the damage is real, and individual American's
are coming forward to protect our Creator's natural heritage. Will the
health of the earth and all who live on it be maintained for our families'
benefit or will the land be used for highways, oil wells, and the refuse
of development? This slide show told the story.
BACKGROUND:
On January 4, 2002 the Interior Department ordered the employees of
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to make oil or gas development on
federally managed land their top priority. Since then over 2 million
acres in Utah alone have had their protective status revoked and
regulations put in place that allow for the construction of
highways on these lands, even through National Parks. These policies
mirror the threat to drill the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and
impact public lands throughout the nation.
On December 22, 2004 the National Forest Service announced new rules
eliminating requirements for fish and wildlife protection and the
public's right-to-know about alternatives regarding prospective land
management decisions. The new rules also allow for the exclusion of
the public from decisions regarding significant changes to established
management plans.
In the last four years a land area equal to that of Texas and Oklahoma
combined has been opened to oil and gas development, logging, and mining.
Wednesday, March 9, 7:30 p.m.
First annual Sierra Soiree (scheduled for March 9th) was postponed.
Wednesday, February 9, 7:30 p.m.
Scott Hays of the Alliance, which is supported by the Prairie Group (see
article in the Jan/Feb/Mar Flyer), spoke on the group's objectives,
opportunities for activism, and progress made in raising local awareness
of indoor air pollution.
Wednesday, January 12, 7:30 p.m.
Representatives of the Farm Bureau's Land Use Committee gave an
overview of its approach to land use planning and zoning issues in
Champaign County. Its recent interactions with local governmental
entities and prospects for forming a land use coalition with
environmental groups were also discussed.
400 S. Vine St., Urbana
Illinois House, 103rd District:
Tom Abram (G), Rex Bradfield (R), Naomi Jakobsson (D)
Illinois Senate, 52nd District:
Mike Frerichs (D), Joe Parnarauskis (SEP*)
U.S. House of Representatives, 15th District:
David Gill (D), Heather Stevenson representing Tim Johnson (R)
202 S. Broadway Ave., Urbana (downtown post office building)
2207 S. Cottage Grove, Urbana
1) how we can beat the heat and global warming at the same time.
2) How we liked the Gore and Brokow movies.
3) What's the best alternative energy and whether we can spring for
a hybrid or go off the grid.
4) Whether we should keep the wild turkeys in Urbana or not.
5) About who we should vote for in November.
As usual, the Prairie Group supplied burgers (meat and veggie) with all the
fixings and soft drinks.
Crystal Lake Park, Urbana, IL
CIVITAS, 112 W. Main St., Urbana
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Initiatives at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
Effect of Greenhouse Gases on Central Illinois Ecosystems
Futility of Arctic Oil Drilling and Need for Reduced Energy Consumption
Status of CAFE Standards
Tuesday, April 11, 7 PM
CIVITAS, 112 W. Main St., Urbana
Tuesday, March 14, 7 PM
CIVITAS, 112 W. Main St., Urbana
Tuesday, February 7, 7 PM
CIVITAS, 112 W. Main St., Urbana
Jim Moore (Moore Farm, Watseka)
Penny Gioia (Joy of Illinois Farm, Champaign)
Nancy Asbill (First Fruits, Mahomet)
Tuesday, January 10, 7 PM
CIVITAS, 112 W. Main St., Urbana
Wednesday, December 14, 7:30 PM
CIVITAS, 112 W. Main St., Urbana
AKA "Fahrenheit 32 degrees plus"
Wednesday, November 9, 7:30 PM
CIVITAS, 112 W. Main St., Urbana
http://www.arcticrefuge.org
and http://www.chadkister.com.
Refreshments were served.
The talk was followed by a Prairie Group Executive Committee Meeting.
Wednesday, October 12, 7:30 PM
CIVITAS, 112 W. Main St., Urbana
Saturday, October 1, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 17, 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, September 14, 6:00 p.m.
CIVITAS, 112 W. Main St., Urbana
CIVITAS, 112 W. Main St., Urbana
Public Lands at Risk: A Slide Show Tour
CIVITAS, 112 W. Main St., Urbana
Oil on Ice: An Alaska National Wildlife Refuge Documentary
CIVITAS, 112 W. Main St., Urbana
It was replaced by a viewing of the ANWR documentary "Oil on Ice".
You can read about the film at
http://sierraclub.org/oilonice/. Please do your part to defeat efforts
to drill for oil in ANWR. We will be writing letters at the meeting.
C-U Smokefree Alliance
CIVITAS, 112 W. Main St., Urbana
Champaign County Farm Bureau Land Use Policies
CIVITAS, 112 W. Main St., Urbana
Illinois Chapter of the
Sierra Club
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