1 PEATDUSTER - Sierra Club · 2016-09-29 · 6 Volume 47 Number 4 P-6 Printed on Recycled Electrons October—December 2016 Explore, enjoy and protect the planet. Our presenters are

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PEATDUSTER

Volume 47 Number 4 P-1 Printed on Recycled Electrons October—December 2016

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.

Newsletter for the Delta-Sierra Group, Mother Lode Chapter

Visit us at www.sierraclub.org/mother-lode/delta-sierra

Steve Stocking Dedication at Oak Grove Regional Park The San Joaquin Audubon Society dedicated a plaque in memory of Steve Stocking at Oak Grove Regional Park, 4520 Eight Mile Road in Stockton on Friday, September 30, 2016. Steve was a botanist, environmentalist, author, educator, and served for many years as the Conservation Chair for Delta-Sierra Group and the Education Chair for the San Joaquin Audubon Society. Along with Verna Johnson and others, Steve was instrumental in the creation of the 180 acre Oak Grove Regional Park, which preserves one of the finest remaining examples of native oak woodland in San Joaquin County. All of Steve's friends, family, students and admirers of his dedicated service for the environment were invited to join in this celebration.

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Explore, enjoy and protect the planet. Explore, enjoy and protect the planet. Explore, enjoy and protect the planet. Explore, enjoy and protect the planet. Explore, enjoy and protect the planet. Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.


MEETINGS and EVENTS

All General Meetings are open to everyone whether you are a Sierra Club member or not. Meetings are held in the Fireside Room at the Central United Methodist Church, 3700 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, across from the UOP Tower.

Tuesday October 11, 7 - 9 pm - San Joaquin Audubon and Delta-Sierra Group Present FIRE AND WATER

(Audubon members please note that 7 pm is the starting time.)

Dana Nuccitelli and Hal Ferber will tell us how California has been hit hard by drought and wildfires in recent years and how global warming is changing California’s weather. These events have left many of us wondering, is this extreme weather linked to global warming, and what can we expect for the future? In this 'Fire and Water' event, scientist and author Dana Nuccitelli will discuss and answer questions about the latest scientific research into the links between climate change and California's wildfires and drought, and projections of their future changes in a warming world. This event will also include discussion of a proposed free market and a bipartisan solution supported by many liberals and conservatives alike.

Dana Nuccitelli is an Environmental Scientist, author of the book Climatology versus Pseudoscience, and writes about climate change for The Guardian.

Hal Ferber is a retired attorney and a founding member of the Sacramento chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby. He has been writing and speaking to au-diences about climate change for the last three years.

Owl Peeking Out Photo by Patty Meyer

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SANDHILL CRANE FESTIVAL Every year, the Sandhill Cranes darken the skies over our local winter marshes. In awe-inspiring numbers, and with a prehistoric call, stately gait, and elegant choreography, they attract and inspire visitors.

This year the Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival will take place on November 5 10 am-5 pm and November 6 10am-4pm. Admission is free. Tour

registration is open online. See www.cranefestival.com for a complete schedule, including the free presentations, workshops, Exhibit Hall, and Art Show. Delta-Sierra Group will again participate at the festival and we're seeking members willing to share 2 hours of their time at our table. It's indoors and comfortable and the time goes by quickly. And then stay either before or after your shift to view the other vendors or participate in one of the presentations. Or sign up for one of the wonderful tours. Nan Ballot is coordinating this volunteer effort. Please contact her to choose your shift. NANCY BALLOT <[email protected]> Festival Photo by Rich Turner

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Monday, November 28, 2016 General Meeting Stockton’s General Land Use Plan: Issues of Environmental Justice and Smart Growth Presenters: Eric Parfrey and Katelyn Roedner Sutter

The City of Stockton is in the process of revising its General Land Use Plan. This is an issue of great importance everyone who lives in or near Stockton. Stockton’s current Land Use Plan encouraged sprawl away from the City’s core and contributed substantially to a host of environmental and economic problems. How the City decides to grow will profoundly affect the environment, the City’s finances, and the habitability, health and safety of local residents.

In this presentation we will learn: How poor land use management is a leading cause of environmental injustice Who is affected most by environmental injustice How land use management affects the economic viability of Stockton How land use management affects individual health, safety and habitability What is “smart growth” and why is it so important What the Sierra Club has done to influence Stockton’s General Plan What an ideal Stockton General Plan should look like

What you can do to have an influence on the General Plan

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Our presenters are well qualified. Katelyn is director of the environmental justice Department at Catholic Charities in the Stockton Diocese. She convenes the Healthy Neighborhoods Collaborative, which organizes and advocates for more healthful, equitable and sustainable land use and transportation; and participates in statewide policy advocacy on behalf of poor and vulnerable communities. Katelyn graduated from George Washington University majoring in economics and international affairs and received a MA in ethics from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. Eric is principal planner for Yolo County, lives in Stockton and is a well known environmental and land use activist. He has advocated smart growth in Stockton as a leader in the Campaign for Common Ground organization. He was instrumental in the Sierra Club’s victorious lawsuit against the City’s current General Plan. Eric is currently chair of the Executive Committee (ExCom) of Sierra Club California and an ExCom member of the Mother Lode Chapter.

HISTORIAN WANTED Delta-Sierra Group is searching for someone to be our club historian. We have two boxes of printed material dating back to the 1970’s containing correspondence, Peatdusters, Executive Committee minutes and agendas. Did you know that in October of 1970 Delta-Sierra Group supported Audubon Society in their effort to get a ban-the-can ordinance in Stockton and San Joaquin County? These and other fun facts are stashed away in these two boxes waiting to be explored and shared with fellow Delta-Sierra Group Members in the Peatduster. Robert Evans, our Peatduster Editor, has offered to assist someone willing to take on the role of Club Historian. If interested please email Paul Plathe at

[email protected] and use Delta-Sierra Group Historian in the subject line.

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Delta-Sierra Group will be at the Peaceful Holiday Faire.

December 2, 4-9 pm and December 3, 10 am - 2 pm.

This is the Peace & Justice Network's 30th Annual Peaceful Holiday Faire and you can find it at the Central United Methodist Church, 3700 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA. Please come and stop by our table! We will be selling Sierra Club calendars and note cards.

This seasonal event features fair trade items and unique handmade gifts by local artisans. Admission is free. Homemade soups and light refreshments available for purchase.

The goal of this Faire is to have items for sale that promote non-violence; reflect the beauty of nature and sustainable living, the creativity of the spirit, and the skill of the hands; and contribute to a more responsible

Kathi Joye shared her hiking experiences with us with her presentation last September 2015 about the area included in her book, Day Hikes Along the Highway 108 Corridor. Now she has written another book, More Day Hikes Along The Highway 108 Corridor . This book includes more low elevation, more Ditch, North Fork Tuolumne River Canyon, Clavey River Canyon, Middle Fork Stanislaus River Canyon, South Fork Stanislaus River Canyon, Stanislaus National Forest, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Trails and Snowshoe-ing/Cross-Country Ski Treks. You can check out both

books at her website http://kathijoye.weebly.com/

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Environmental Holiday Gathering Monday, December 12, 2016 @ 6:30 pm

Fireside Room, Central United Methodist Church, 3700 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, across from the UOP Tower. This meeting is open to everyone whether you are a Sierra Club member or not. Join us for this holiday event. •Enjoy the fun music of Mom's Chili Boys.

•Hear about the Special highlights from the Salmonids in the Classroom and DELTA Studies curriculum, a K-12 program coordinated by Sierra Club member Conni Bock.

•Share ideas and updates from the past year.

•Once again, test your knowledge of trivia in nature with questions like this:

Which of the following are NOT part of the biological family Canidae (Dogs)?

Wolves, foxes, jackals, hyenas, dingoes coyotes, dachshunds. (Answer will be found somewhere in this issue.)

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Coastal Clean up Photos by Richard Abood. And the Grand Prize, this lovely hub cap, goes to Margo Praus.

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GO SOLAR NOW Through an innovative partnership with Sungevity, a leading national solar company, the Motherlode Chapter is able to offer members and supporters like you an affordable and easy way to go solar. When you go solar with the Sierra Club and Sungevity, you will receive a special $1000 discount and Sungevity will send the Mother Lode Chapter $1000 that can be used to protect local wildlife and wild lands, keep our air and water clean, and move us toward a clean energy future. This offer is good through October 2016. Hurry, and get on board. “In order to end our dependence on dirty energy, we need as many Americans as possible to switch to clean energy like rooftop solar. This is a high priority for the Sierra Club. We are urging all of our members and supporters in California to work with Sungevity to find out if solar is right for them. Every home that goes solar gets us one step closer to our goal of a clean energy economy,” said Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune. Clean energy is winning. Are you going to be a part of the victory? Getting started with solar is quick and easy. It takes less than three minutes. Get started today by calling 415-977-5634 to speak with the Sierra Club Solar Homes Coordinator for more information. Or go online to:

http://content.sierraclub.org/solar/sungevity?ref=138

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VOTE The Sierra Club has taken positions on the following candidates and ballot measures that will appear on the November 2016 ballot in at least a portion of the Mother Lode Chapter. United States President: Hillary Clinton Ballot Measures: YES Proposition 67 - Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags (referendum) YES on Proposition 58 - California Education for a Global Economy Initiative (English language learner measured place on the ballot by the Legislature) YES on Proposition 56 - California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 (Tobacco Tax Initiative) United States Congress Representing California: Senate: Kamala Harris House, District 03: John Garamendi House, District 06: Doris Matsui House, District 07: Ami Bera House, District 09: Jerry McNerney California Assembly: Assembly District 07: Kevin McCarty Assembly District 13: Susan Eggman

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From the Editor: I SMELLED A SMELT Very unlikely. Populations of the threatened Delta smelt have plummeted to the lowest in history. The three-inch fish is often the focus of California’s water wars. Every fall and spring, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife conducts trawls to determine populations of the threatened Delta Smelt. This year the department hasn’t netted more than seven fish in each trawl. Other species are not doing very well either. Check out the California Department of Fish and Wildlife tables at this link.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/delta/data/fmwt/indices.asp

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CAMPAIGN TRAILHEAD

So far presidential candidate Donald Trump hasn’t said much about global warming. Why should he? He already has said it all. Here are a few of his comments he has “tweeted”:

“The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive. 11:15 AM - 6 Nov 2012”

“This very expensive GLOBAL WARMING bullshit has got to stop. Our planet is freezing, record low temps, and our GW scientists are stuck in ice. 4:39 PM - 1 Jan 2014”

“NBC News just called it the great freeze - coldest weather in years. Is our country still spending money on the GLOBAL WARMING HOAX? 3:48 PM - 25 Jan 2014”

“Any and all weather events are used by the GLOBAL WARMING HOAXSTERS to justify higher taxes to save our planet! They don't believe it $$$$! 1:40 PM - 26 Jan 2014”

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Meanwhile, California Governor Jerry Brown has signed legislation to extend the nation's most ambitious climate change law by another 10 years. The bill sets a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40-percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

The Democratic governor calls the legislation the most aggressive target enacted by any government in North America. “California is doing something that no other state has done. You’re putting into law real measures backed up by the real power of the state of California. This is big and I hope it sends a message across the country,” says Brown.

Photo: California Governor Jerry Brown, seated, signs legislation while joined by Senate President pro tempore Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, second from left, and State Senator Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 8, 2016.

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Stockton, Modesto and Sonora Sierra Club Find us at: http://www.meetup.com/S-M-S-SierraClub

We have been in operation for nearly 4 years and we have 1135 members. You can find our local Sierra Club activities posted there.

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Executive Committee with Email Addresses Chair - Open Vice Chair & Membership Chair: Paul Plathe [email protected] Secretary & Program Chair: Margo Praus [email protected] Treasurer & Chapter Delegate: Richard R Abood [email protected] Conservation Chair - Open [email protected] Alternate Chapter Delegate & Genetic Engineering: Margo Praus [email protected] Executive Member: Knute Momberg [email protected] Newsletter: Robert Evans [email protected] Hyenas are feliform carnivoran mammals (Cats)! Your name could be here! We need your help! You can see some of us are filling too many spots! Contact any one of us to learn more.



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DELTA-SIERRA GROUP P.O. BOX 9258 STOCKTON, CA 95208


Constantly choosing the lessor of two evils is still choosing evil.

Jerry Garcia

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1 PEATDUSTER - Sierra Club · 2016-09-29 · 6 Volume 47 Number 4 P-6 Printed on Recycled Electrons October—December 2016 Explore, enjoy and protect the planet. Our presenters are