HOT TOPICS

• Sierra Club Book Study Group  Sierra Book Discussion Group, which is open to all, will start up again this Fall. We will meet 7 p.m., Monday, September 8th and October 13, at Spot Coffee, 200 East Avenue, Rochester NY. There are plenty of comfortable chairs. The books we read focus on conservation, nature, and current global situations and are selected by the group. All are welcome to be a part of these lively discussions. The first book is World Made by Hand, by James H. Kunstler and is available at the library. Join us even if you have not had a chance to read the entire book. Questions, call Nancy at 244-2634

• NEW, THIRD EDITION of our English Give a Wolf a Break Today brochure -The Biodiversity/Vegetarian Outreach Committee educates about the link between the adoption by humans of a plant-based diet and protection of habitat for wildlife, as well as other environmental benefits of a vegetarian/vegan diet. We have produced a brochure Give a Wolf a Break Today: Go "Veggie" in English (new edition) and Spanish. The new, 3rd edition of the English version includes added sections on climate change and invasive species.

• RAILROAD MILLS SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AREA AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW  (It’s a PDF file and you’ll need Adobe® Reader®. ) Response to the project application by the Town of Victor for TEP funding for the Auburn Trail Extension A POSITION PAPER Updated April 19, 2007 by the COALITION TO SAVE THE RAILROAD MILLS SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AREA With Support Letters from: Sierra Club, Rochester Regional Group Burroughs Audubon Nature Club Rochester Birding Association Rochester Butterfly Club Genesee Valley Audubon Society

• Sierra Club's response to Monroe County Water Authority application for East Side Water Supply Project Also Hemlock and Canadice Lakes, a Watershed Conservation Issue?  Should we preserve the special protection both lakes have had over the years now that they are at risk because of developmental pressures and city debts? Hemlock and Canadice Lakes, the minor or “little finger” lakes, are in the western side of the Finger Lakes region. They are currently water supply sources for the city of Rochester, NY, some 29 miles to the north.

• From Clean Air?Clean Water Committee: Hemlock and Canadice Lakes, a Watershed Conservation Issue? Should we preserve the special protection both lakes have had over the years now that they are at risk because of developmental pressures and city debts?

Take Action!

     Take Action: Take Action Main - Sierra Club Stop here and help the National Sierra Club take action, by using your online connection to affect change.

• City and RRG Explore Tree Planting Program - Do you love our native trees. Do you enjoy planting trees?  Here is a great new project for adults and young people. The Sierra Club has initiated an innovative project with City Forester, Carol Kodweis,  to plant trees in Cobb's Hill Park.  The park has many grand old trees but is changing as invasives like the Norway maple gain a foothold.  We are looking for volunteers who would like to learn how to identify trees, help map their distribution, and chart locations of invasive species. We will also note which species are reproducing and which seem to be dwindling.  Then we will propose plantings of native species and a gradual removal of the invasives to restore and diversify the forest.  We anticipate this program will be at least partially funded by grants and serve as a model for other parks in the city.  This is a hands-on, learning project that will preserve our park for future generations.  Please contact Peter Debes, at phdebes@frotniernet.net  to get involved

• Find out what you can do about Global Warming: from the Energy Committee.

• Brownfield Fact Sheets  (200 KB PDF, free viewer is required)

• New Report - Wetlands at Risk  (240 KB PDF, free viewer is required)

For all Rochester-area Environmental Events go to RochesterEnvironment.com - Calendar