Newsletter #3
Sierra Club - Chebucto Group
Welcome to our third issue! Since your loyal scribe is leaving town for
a few weeks, May and June issues will be dependent on my INTERNET access.
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In this issue: Upcoming Events
Atlantic Coast Ecoregion Task Force
Action 21 Environmental Recognition Programme
Updated Excomm List
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Conservation Working Group meeting. Tuesday 29 April, 7pm, at SRES (1322
Robie St) -- NB location change -- it will not be held at Oxfam. For
info contact our Conservation Co-chairs [listed below]
Urban Outing - Sunday 4 May - Point Pleasant Park
For details check http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Environment/Sierra/
or contact our Outings Chair [below]
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Nova Scotia joins ATLANTIC COAST ECOREGION TASK FORCE -- by Paul Falvo
The Sierra Club's Critical Ecoregion Programme divides the continent into
21 ecoregions. The Atlantic Coast Ecoregion, stretches from the Cape
Breton Highlands to the Florida keys. A Task Force comprised of delegates
from Sierra Club entities all along the Atlantic coast is working on
projects to preserve the health of the ecoregion and its inhabitants.
Allison Denning, Membership Chair of Chebucto Group will be representing
the Eastern Canada Chapter at the Task Forces's April meeting and Paul
Falvo was at the November meeting. This was the first time a Canadian
took part in a Task Force planning meeting and hopefully signifies a new
beginning for interregional and international cooperation on the Atlantic
Coast.
The Sierra Club is the only public interest group (PIG) with the
grassroots network necessary to carry out projects on this scale. We're
hoping it will lead to local porojects. If you'd like to get involved
contact Allison Denning, 902-425-1379
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Atlantic Coast Ecoregion Meets
by Barb Postles, Task Force Chair
The Atlantic Coast Ecoregion met in November in Myrtle Beach, South
Carolina, and heard updates on ecoregion projects, discussed issues affecting
the Ecoregion, and approved a budget for 1997.
The "Water Quality and Aquatic Habitats," continues to use tested
grassroots organizing tools to equip citizens to become involved in
decisions impacting their communitys' streams and rivers. Ecoregion
funded staff member Mike D'Amico has had several key successes including
the enablement of citizens to provide comments to federal and regional
fisheries management agencies concerning key migratory marine animals;
helping save a 10,000 acre tract of cypress swamp on the Delmarva from
transfer to a state agency for logging; working to rescind the Army Corps
of Engineers' nationwide permit programs; and stopping a proposed bike
path through wetlands of international concern. Task Force members
approved a program whereby Mike will travel within the Ecoregion to
educated Sierrans on the tools he has used in these campaigns.
The "Livable Cities" campaign works with citizens to fight sprawl
development and encourage reinvestment in existing communities. In the
metropolitan Washington area we are fighting "Chapman's Landing," a
proposed new city of 15,000 on the Maryland banks of the Potomac River.
This fight has leveraged action by the governor of Maryland to direct
state resources away from sprawl development and back to existing
communities, and inspired a statewide coalition among conservationists,
preservationists, and a few developers.
The "Atlantic Bioreserve" campaign works to protect and connect
habitats critical to maintaining and restoring biodiversity. Work will
begin in the Carolinas on the Waccamaw. Initiatives in other states up
and down the coast are in also in development. We expect to be working
with citizens on investigating opportunities to make connections among
North Carolina's Croatan National Forest and nearby state and
locally-managed lands. Two ongoing Atlantic Bioreserve projects include
restoration of the Blackstone River in Rhode Island, and a curriculum for
middle school students on butterfly habitats developed by a Virginia Beach
volunteer with local educators.
If you would like more information on the Task Forcee please
contact Barb Postles, Task Force Chair, at 803-732-0077, or Joy Oakes,
Regional Staff, at 410-268-7411 .
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ACTION 21
We've just received a brochure inviting us to participate in the federal
government's Action 21 environmental recognition programme. This could be
a good opportunity to draw attention to the Sierra Club b/c we are allowed
to nominate ourselves!
For info contact Nadia Stuewer.
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Chebucto Group Excomm
Chair Paul Falvo 492-1995 pfalvo@chebucto.ns.ca
Vice Chair Nadia Stuewer 425-5119 n_Stuewe@bass.stmarys.ca
Conservation Nadia Stuewer 425-5119 n_Stuewe@bass.stmarys.ca
Cass Elliott 455-3852 au361@chebucto.ns.ca
Outings Henrietta Mann 496-8235 HMANN@shark.stmarys.ca
Programme Jack Devenney 463-0090
Henrietta Mann 496-8235 HMANN@shark.stmarys.ca
Youth Arciris Garay 443-8472 af169@chebucto.ns.ca
Membership Allison Denning 425-1379 adenning@is2.dal.ca
Derek Fenton 423-6486 Habitat2%HX1FHM%DFOSF@maritimes.dfo.ca
Secretary Allison Denning 425-1379 adenning@is2.dal.ca
Publicity Heather Breeze 429-5094
Jeff Johnston
Treasurer Jack Devenney 463-0090
Fund Raising vacant
Web Master Ben Tremblay 423-8682 ab006@chebucto.ns.ca
Visit us on the 'Net!
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Environment/Sierra/
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