donna edwards receives 2007 conservationist of the year … · chesapeake 2 winter 2007-2008 ......

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By Bonnie Bick and Betsy Johnson—Donna Edwardswas honored for her years of commitment and serviceto the environment with the 2007 Conservationist ofthe Year Award from the Sierra Club’s Maryland Chap-ter. Bonnie Bick and former board chair Betsy Johnson,on behalf of the Maryland Chapter and its chair, MikeMartin, presented the award to Ms. Edwards at the Si-erra Club Jamboree held at the Catoctin MountainNational Park.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to receive this awardfrom the Maryland Chapter of Sierra Club,” said Ms.Edwards. “I have worked with many of these dedicatedindividuals on various environmental issues and I amproud to receive this recognition from my peers. I lookforward to many more years of working together on thelocal and national levels to promote environmental con-servation and to address global warming.”

“Donna Edwards is a true environmental leader,”said Chapter Chair Mike Martin. “She has consistentlyprovided the vision and the hard work needed on be-half of environmental issues locally and nationally formany, many years.”

“I was so proud to be able to present this award toa long-time environmentalist,” said Bonnie Bick. “Herhard work to make National Harbor more environmen-tally friendly and an all around better development forthe community is a testament to her dedication.” Na-tional Harbor is a 300 acre residential/commercial de-velopment on the Potomac River in P.G. County.

In addition to the Sierra Club’s Conservationist ofthe Year award, Edwards received this month, together

Donna Edwards Receives 2007 Conservationist of the Year AwardMaryland Chapter Recognizes Local Environmental Leader

Donna Edwards, left, receives her award from the Maryland Chapter’sBonnie Bick.

with Bonnie Bick of the Sierra Club, a Capital RegionVisionary Award from the Coalition for Smarter Growth,for their work in Oxon Hill in Prince Georges County,southeast of the District. Donna Edwards and BonnieBick are exemplars of effective civic activism in plan-ning the future of their community, and they receivedthe award for their leadership of the Campaign to Rein-vest in the Heart of Oxon Hill.

Two years ago, the very talented Donna Edwardsran for Congress in Maryland’s 4th Congressional Dis-trict, and almost unseated the entrenched incumbent,Albert Wynn. Now she is running again. DonnaEdwards is well known to the Sierra Club in Marylandbecause she is a founder and leader of the Campaign toReinvest in the Heart of Oxon Hill, a campaign in which

Sierra Club joined because of its important smart growthaspects. Edwards has been a leader in the environmen-tal movement for years, in various capacities, notably,as a director of the national League of ConservationVoters, and as Executive Director of the Arca Founda-tion, which gives grants to campaigns for the environ-ment.

Edwards, after years of working for non-govern-mental public interest organizations, has decided to runfor Maryland’s 4th Congressional District again. She isendorsed by the League of Conservation Voters, Emily’sList, Progressive Maryland, the Friends of the EarthAction PAC, the Association of Community for ReformNow PAC, Democracy for America, Democracy forMontgomery County, Progressive Cheverly, the NationalOrganization of Women and the Woman’s CampaignForum.

Edwards already accomplished something with herfirst run for office. She forced Congressman Albert Wynnto compile a much better “green” voting record in Con-gress over the last two years. Since he now understandsthat his constituents truly care about the environment,he has reversed himself on several important issues. ButDonna Edwards is the real thing. She has worked onenvironmental issues because she understands the conse-quences of not addressing them. She is truly one of us. ■

Please visit http://www.donnaedwardsforcongress.com/ tosee how you can contact the Donna Edwards campaignand get involved.

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This issue of Chesapeake contains the ballot for electingmembers of the executive committee of the MarylandChapter of the Sierra Club.

The Sierra Club is a grassroots environmental or-ganization that elects its own leadership. Every memberis entitled to vote and to run for leadership positions inthe club. The executive committee (excom) runs theChapter and determines the Chapter’s policies and re-sponses to the many environmental challenges we facein Maryland. In addition to working our legislativeagenda, setting priorities for conservation campaigns,and facilitating communication between the Chapterand the groups, the excom faces the challenge of achiev-ing fiscal stability despite rising operational costs and areduction in funds from the national club.

The excom comprises six at-large members electedby the Maryland membership, and one delegate fromeach of our nine groups. At-large members are electedfor two-year terms. Three of the six at-large positionsare up for election each year. The executive committeeelects the Chapter chair and other officers from its ownranks.

Maryland Sierra Club members are encouraged toread the candidates’ statements, fill out the ballot andmail it to the Chapter office at this address:

Elections CommitteeMaryland Chapter/Sierra ClubSuite 101A7338 Baltimore Ave.College Park, Maryland 20740-3211.

The excom meets six times a year on the third Saturdayof every odd month. Those elected will take their posi-tion at the January 19, 2008 meeting. Ballots are duein the office by January 12. Please read the candidates’statements carefully and vote in this election for mem-bers-at-large for the Executive Committee of your Mary-land Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Nomination statements submitted by the candidatesfollow, in random order.

It’s Time to Vote forOur Chapter Leaders

Chapter Executive Committee Elections

David O’LearySierra Club Experience:

Member of the Sierra Club since 1989, in California,Michigan, New Jersey, and Maryland. Life Member.

Chair of Chapter Cool Cities and Smart Energy Solu-tions Campaigns, spring 2006_present. Led two annualChapter Cool Cities workshops, and supported estab-lishing Cool Cities efforts across the state.Active participant in local, state and federal energy leg-islative efforts.

Currently representing Chapter on the Alliance for Glo-bal Warming Solutions, coordinating efforts with otherstatewide organizations.

Participated in Healthy Air Act and Clean Cars cam-paigns, including several trips to Annapolis for Envi-ronmental Lobby days, rallies, hearings, and other lob-bying visits.

Currently serving on staff oversight committee, coordi-nating closely on campaign planning and supervisionof our two Green Corps organizers, and participatingin hiring process for new Chapter campaign organizer.

Trained as an Outings leader. Attended Maryland Chap-ter Jamboree in 2005 and 2007, including participat-ing in planning committee and presenting a workshopin 2007. Participated Chapter Executive Committeeplanning retreat in January, 2007. Attended Sierra ClubNortheast and Southern Appalachian regional work-shops on energy and global topics in the fall of 2006.

Group Outings Chair and Group Conservation Chair,Raritan Valley Group, New Jersey Chapter 2004-05

Participation in various Club campaigns (anti-Sprawl,recycling, land protection, etc.) and Club outings (hik-ing and canoeing) while a member in various chapters -1989_present.

Other non-profit experience:- board level experience at local and national level with

Statements from ExcomCandidates

(continued on page 3)

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It’s Time to Vote for Our Chapter ExcomStatements from Excom CandidatesAnti-Environment Republicans TargetGilchrest in Maryland PrimaryAnti-Incineration Campaign Underway inCarroll and Frederick CountiesWhen to Turn Off Personal ComputersGroup News RoundupJamboree 2007: A Great Sense ofCommunityClimate Action Campaign TimelineIs Your Christmas Tree Invasive?Maryland Chapter LeadersConservation and OutingsOutingsBICO OutingsLetters to the Editor2008 Catoctin Group Excom Ballot2008 Maryland Chapter Excom Ballot23


Statements from Excom Candidates (cont.)(continued from page 2)

David O’Leary (cont.)other non-profits, including roles involv-ing managing relationships- member of several other outdoor andenvironmental organizations- Leave No Trace Master Educator

Professional experience includes morethan twenty years in the data communi-cations, Internet service provider, andtelecommunications equipment busi-nesses. Currently Director of Technologyfor Better World Telecom, and advisor orboard member for other socially respon-sible business startups.

My vision for the Maryland Chapter in-cludes:- Strengthening Groups through involv-ing new and existing members and pro-viding tools for success to activists andleaders- Development of an integrated campaignregarding Smart Energy Solutions andmany other conservation campaigns- Further integration of conservation ef-forts with local outings - Improving the Chapter’s strategic plan-ning process, so we are more proactiveand solutions-oriented

I appreciate your consideration and sup-port. ■

I have been an active Sierra Club mem-ber since I was 17 years old. I have held avariety of positions ranging from SierraStudent Coalition regional coordinator toMaryland Chapter Chair. I have been onthe Maryland Chapter Executive commit-tee for three years and have been theMaryland Chapter chair for the last year.

I want to push for increased capac-ity for our chapter, with betterfundraising, more events, and a strongerpresence in Annapolis. This will be ac-

Mike Martin

complished, in part, by an improved pro-fessionalism in how we run things in thechapter, coupled with broader recruit-ment and training of new leaders. An-other element will be building strongersocial ties among leaders, which will buildmotivation and a stronger sense of respon-sibility among activists and leaders.

We also need to put effort towardidentity building, internally among ourmembers and activists, and externallyamong our allies, our public constituen-cies, and our opponents. People need toknow who the Maryland Sierra Club is,what we stand for, and what we are ca-pable of.

Internal identity will come throughthe social fabric mentioned above, im-proved cultural definition within the or-ganization, and greater attention to ourorganizational stories. We have many sto-ries to tell; stories about Pfred thePfiesteria Pfish fighting for environmen-tal candidates, stories about protectingMaryland’s wildlands such as Belt Woods,and countless more. But they don’t gettold enough. We need to build in placesfor story telling and use online resources,such as YouTube and blogging tools torecord and disseminate our stories.

External identity starts with achieve-ments, but those achievements have tobe celebrated and branded. The SierraClub name has to be associated with ourvictories, whether achieved on our ownor in coalition, and our members need toknow about them. We must also work toexpress our values in public settings sothat the public understands why we fightfor things. Simply saying “Stop the ICC”gives no sense of why we oppose the high-way. The public needs to know that theICC will put soot and smog into the airwe breathe and pollute our drinking wa-ter.

If we can successfully build our iden-tity, we will build our organization andbring in members and funding. If we in-

Chapter Executive Committee Elections

crease the professionalism inherent in thatidentity, we will be able to leverage newmembers and increased funding to makereal changes for Maryland’s environ-ment. ■

Betsy JohnsonThe Sierra Club’s conservation missionhas always been of critical importance tome, and from the start I’ve been involvedin leadership. Among my accomplish-ments over the years, I have:◆ Served as Chapter Chair for three yearsand am now serving as Fundraising Chairand Political Chair. During that time Ihave improved the Chapter’s fundraisingefforts. Bequests that the Chapter receivedduring my tenure are enabling us to hirea conservation organizer for our CoolCities Campaign. I am committed to rais-ing more political funds to help state andlocal candidates in the 2010 election.◆ Served as Montgomery County GroupChair for three years, while also servingas Chapter Vice-Chair.◆ Worked on transportation and land-use issues since becoming active in1997—specifically against the Inter-County Connector and for balanced landuse and transit. In support of the effort, Irepresent the Chapter on the Challengeto Sprawl Campaign, a nationally fundedregional program that focuses on theseissues in the metro DC area.

If elected, I promise time-tested reliabil-ity: if I say I will do something, I will doit. I am committed to the Sierra Clubconservation mission and have enjoyedworking with members at all levels overthe years, from co-chairs and committeemembers to volunteers during lobby days.I am a team player, and I hope to con-tinue serving the Maryland Chapter Ex-ecutive Committee and improving ouroutreach to the community on our im-portant conservation activities. ■

Charles “Chris” YoderI have been a life member of the SierraClub for almost thirty years.

I first experienced the challenges andresponsibilities of Club leadership in1980 after asking a Club staffer why therewas no local group where I lived (Boise,Idaho). She replied that I should start oneand so I did. There were about 80 mem-bers when I started and over 500 mem-bers when I left Idaho to pursue a careerchange. In addition to serving as thegroup’s founding chair, I had served asgroup conservation chair, chapterEXCOM member and vice-chair andchapter representative on the nationalSierra Club Council. I led chapter cam-paigns for BLM wilderness and thegroup’s National Forest planning partici-pation as well as coordinating the group’spolitical efforts.

There was a hiatus in my club ac-tivities after I left Idaho for Washington,D.C. where I served 12 years on the staffof a Senate Committee rising to the levelof Deputy Staff Director. In addition, Iserved four years as Counselor to a Cabi-net Secretary (Veterans Affairs) and twoyears as policy advisor and speechwriterfor a Deputy Secretary. I also served as astaff supervisor for a Congressionallychartered Commission. While not di-rectly related to the Club’s conservationagenda, my Washington experience givesme a deep understanding of the develop-ment and implementation of publicpolicy.

Retirement from my federal careerenables me to once again focus my en-ergy on the goals I share with the SierraClub. For ourselves and our children:stewardship of the environment entrustedto us by our forebears. For our planet:Protection of the natural values uponwhich all living beings depend and thatinspire humankind to better understandourselves and our universe. I serve now



Chapter Executive Committee ElectionsStatements from Excom Candidates (cont.)

(continued from page 3)

Ron HenryAlthough I have been an environmentaladvocate for many years I did not for-mally join the Sierra Club until 2001 andbecame a Life Member in 2006.

I have served in the Sierra Club asthe Harford County representative on theGreater Baltimore Group ExecutiveCommittee. Commensurately, I havebeen active in a local Harford Countyconservation group known as Friends ofHarford (FOH) as a board member. Dur-ing the timeframe of 2004-2006, GBSCpartnered with FOH and made majorinputs into the 2004 Harford CountyLand Use Master Plan. Subsequently wewere proactive with the 2006 Compre-hensive Re-Zoning Process (CRZP) andauthored a separate, independent reportbased on physical evaluation of a nomi-nal 350 rezoning properties requests. Thatreport was provided to all Council mem-bers, the County Executive and the Plan-ning and Zoning (P&Z) department thatagreed with our recommendations.

In July of 2004 I accepted the Chairof GBSC and have been active with manyissues in the GBSC purview. Those in-clude supporting the Greater DundalkAlliance (a coalition of communitygroups) in their opposition to a proposedLNG terminal on the Sparrows Point

Peninsula that is contraindicated since theproposed site is in a populous area, anEarth Justice Class Action lawsuit to re-dress extreme long-term health issues tothe economically disadvantaged populaceof the Greater Sparrows Point Peninsulathat are directly attributable to local, long-term heavy industry pollutants, and ananti-dredging suit against further con-traindicated dredging in the PatapscoRiver to prevent further damages to analready fragile Upper Chesapeake Bayecosystem that has only enjoyed a mini-mal improvement since the massiveSuperFund Cleanup of the 1980’s thatrecommended no further deeper dredg-ing ever.

I have also worked actively with en-vironmental groups such as CCAN, CBF,LCV, Environment Maryland and oth-ers during the MD legislative sessions,political endorsements for city, state andcounty offices, and campaigns such as ourrecent MD Chapter Climate ActionCampaign to achieve common environ-mental objectives. I fully believe that allenvironmental groups must work to-gether in order to achieve those commonobjectives. Together we will win—sepa-rately we will fail! We don’t have the num-bers, resources or available time otherwise!

I am a practicing Native Americanthat believes in conservation because thisenvironment that we call Mother Earthhas been too long abused. There are manyfactors involved that have contributed toour environmental dilemmas. They allmust be addressed if we are going to passthis planet over to the next seven genera-tions in a corrected condition that willsustain them. It is an onerous but notimpossible task. One of our main pur-poses is to be good stewards of thisMother Earth and it is we adults whomust show the way so that our childrenwill have the example to follow.

I have worked actively at chapterlevel by attending chapter meetings as

Richard ReisAccomplishments and Goals:Richard (Rich) Reis joined the SierraClub in 1968 and is now a life member.As a licensed professional engineer, he useshis skill to support advocacy on air qual-ity, transportation, and the urban envi-ronment. Rich formed Sierran Bicycliststo support a most efficient and environ-mentally sensible form of travel. SB heldseveral meetings; its advocacy led to thehiring of a full time bicycle planner forthe MCPPC, the plan of bikeways forMontgomery County, and bikes onMetrobuses. Rich has worked with theAmerican Lung Association in improv-ing both indoor and outdoor air quality.He has lead the Verizon Rides bicyclingteam, which raises thousands of dollarsfor the Association’s Kid with AsthmaProgram each year. Rich as co-leader ofthe Earth Ethics Committee of the Wash-ington Ethical Society (WES) instituted40% energy-savings, helped introduceIntegrated Pest Management, recruitsspeakers on the environment, and pro-duced an Earthkeeping pamphlet. Thisyear Rich spoke at WES and at the North-ern Virginia Ethical Society on what wemust do to meet the environmental chal-lenges of our times. Rich’s article, “Light-ing and Mercury”, appeared in this pastsummer’s issue of Chesapeake. Rich prac-tices personal environmental stewardshipby using solar heating, using transit as wellas his bicycle and feet for transportation,avoiding meat, and helping small busi-nesses to conserve energy. Rich savorsback country hikes, sailing his yacht (ac-

tually dinghy), swimming, and of course,bicycling.

As member of the executive committee,Rich will work for:◆ Alternative transportation, includingwalking, bicycling, and transit◆ Low impact recreation◆ Lowering emissions of global warm-ing gases and local pollutants◆ Energy conservation and alternativeenergy◆ Protection of wild areas ■

as membership chair of the Greater Bal-timore Group. I hope to meld my SierraClub and Washington experience with theenergy and commitment our Chapter’sleaders and members to build on theClub’s unequaled record of effective ad-vocacy and environmental leadership.

My commitment to Club activismis not contingent on the outcome of theExecutive Committee election. I am run-ning for the EXCOM because I believe Ihave something to offer to the Chapterand its members. ■

GBSC Chair/Delegate/Alternate Del-egate, involvement as Conservation Com-mittee member, Retreat and JamboreeCommittees and GBSC Political Com-mittee liaison and Vice Chair. I look for-ward to serving in a chapter at-large ca-pacity. ■

Charles “Chris” Yoder (cont.)

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Planning now may makeyour gift more meaningfuland reduce taxes on yourestate. We have many giftoptions available. We caneven help you plan a gift foryour local Chapter. For moreinformation and confidentialassistance, contact:

John CalawayDirector, Gift Planning85 Second Street, 2nd FloorSan Francisco, CA 94105415-977-5639 or [email protected]

Create anEnvironmentalLegacy


by Lisa M. Mayo—Perhaps the mostcompetitive Maryland primary race in2008 will be the Republican contest forthe state’s 1st Congressional District forthe U.S. Congress. This district includesthe Eastern Shore of Maryland, as well asparts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore andHarford Counties. Incumbent Republi-can Congressman Wayne Gilchrest hasheld this seat since 1991, but as a moder-ate, he has drawn the ire of local GOPcritics who have questioned his creden-tials as a conservative and his commit-ment to furthering the goals of the Bushadministration.

Gilchrest has faced challengers in theRepublican primary before, but 2008could present more of a contest since hismain opponent—State Senator AndrewHarris (R-7-Baltimore and Harford

Counties)—has secured thebacking of Eastern Shore StateSenator Richard Colburn,former Governor RobertEhrlich, Jr., and the ultra-con-servative PAC, Club forGrowth.

The League of Conserva-tion Voters, which tracks the“green” voting records of in-cumbents at the national level,and the Maryland League ofConservation Voters, whichtracks those records at the locallevel, recently held a joint pressconference announcing theirendorsement of CongressmanWayne Gilchrest for the 2008primary election. AlthoughGOP members often scorepoorly on “green voting” onCapitol Hill and in Annapolis,Wayne Gilchrest earned re-spectable “green-voting” scoresof 50% and 67% during the

two sessions of the 109th Congress—thelast Congress for which the LCV issued ascorecard. In giving their support toGilchrest, both groups made a point ofhighlighting his important environmen-tal leadership as a co-chair of the Chesa-peake Bay Watershed Task Force and asco-chair and co-founder of the Congres-sional Climate Change Caucus.

In contrast,, State Senator Colburn,State Senator Harris, and former Gover-nor Ehrlich have some of the worst envi-ronmental voting records in Marylandpolitics. Senator Colburn, who sits on thepowerful Education, Health and Environ-mental Affairs Committee in Annapolis,has a lifetime score of 15%, according tothe Maryland League of ConservationVoters, while Senator Harris has earnedthe dubious distinction of having one ofthe lowest lifetime scores, nearing the bot-

tom of the barrel with only 9%; oddlyHarris’ described himself as “a commonsense environmentalist,” according to theStar Democrat, an Eastern Shore newspa-per. The environmental record of formerGovernor Ehrlich, despite the realizationof his first-term Flush Tax (to upgradeMaryland’s major sewage treatmentplants), was one of the main targets ofchallenger Martin O’Malley, who, dur-ing his successful bid for the governor-ship, effectively differentiated himselffrom Ehrlich on all matters relating to en-vironmental law enforcement, SmartGrowth and funding of Program OpenSpace.

Now these two different factions ofthe Republican Party in Maryland arecoming together in a primary race thatcould hinge on the support that WayneGilchrest receives from the environmen-tal community. While Gilchrest has beena strong supporter of restoring the Chesa-peake Bay, Harris has shown that he couldvery well kill any support for ChesapeakeBay restoration in the House of Repre-sentatives. Many voters tend to sit out thestate’s primary elections, but this is onerace that should draw the attention of allMarylanders, and especially those whocare about the environment.

A History of Clashing PrioritiesOne recent Chesapeake Bay issue best il-lustrates the difference between Republi-cans like Colburn, Harris, and Ehrlich,and “green” Republicans like Gilchrest:the controversial Blackwater Resort Com-munities development project that was tobe built in an area of Maryland currentlyrepresented by both Colburn andGilchrest.

The mega-development projectwould have included 2,700 single-familyand multi-family homes, a 100-roomhotel/conference center, a golf course, and

a retail center—all upstream from theBlackwater National Wildlife Refuge nearCambridge, Maryland, on the EasternShore. Within the project zone wouldhave been 313 acres named by the Chesa-peake Bay Critical Area Commission as“Critical Area” land, including a desig-nated “Resource Conservation Area” and“Habitat Protection Areas.” These areaswere near the Little Blackwater River,which feeds directly into the Blackwaterrefuge and eventually into the ChesapeakeBay.

In January 2006, during the firstlarge-scale meeting that was held in Cam-bridge to discuss the Blackwater Resortproject, Congressman Gilchrest was thefirst politician to speak. He told thepacked room that he was opposed to thedevelopment and that he supported Cam-bridge citizens, conservationists, farmers,and watermen against the mammoth pro-posal. During his speech, Gilchrest reit-erated his long-standing commitment toprotect the Chesapeake Bay, and he em-phasized his belief that the project wastoo big and too close to the river and therefuge.

On the other hand, GovernorEhrlich remained passive throughout themany months of the Blackwater debate,insisting that the Blackwater Resort wasa local issue, even though he receivedmany letters and petitions from across thestate pleading with him to intervene.Senator Colburn, however, was not pas-sive but was one of the most vocal sup-porters of the development, often throw-ing temper tantrums on the Senate floorwhen more conservation-minded mem-bers voiced their support for a proposedbill that would have reined in the project.

The contentious issue finally cameto a head when, less than twenty-fourhours before the polls opened for the

Politics: Maryland PrimaryAnti-Environment Republicans Target Bay-Champion WayneGilchrest in Primary Race

Congressman Wayne Gilchrest



2006 elections, Colburn and Ehrlich—who were both facing difficult opponentsin their respective races—hastily orga-nized a press conference at which it wassuddenly announced that Ehrlich’s ad-ministration had reached a deal with thedeveloper and would use money fromProgram Open Space to buy a large chunkof the developer’s land—particularly thoseparcels near the river. The press event wasfilled with GOP members suddenly anx-ious to appear “green” to undecided vot-ers on the eve of the election. But onedignitary was conspicuously absent fromthe staged event: Wayne Gilchrest, theonly politician who had been looking outfor the bay and the refuge all along.

The Campaign of State SenatorAndrew HarrisState Senator Andrew Harris, who isGilchrest’s primary challenger, has not fo-cused his campaign attacks on Gilchrest’senvironmental record, but has instead at-tacked Gilchrest’s positions on ending theIraq War, dealing with government spend-ing, and fighting illegal immigration.Unfortunately, Harris’ allegations regard-ing Gilchrest are often based on false ormisleading information, most notably theclaim that Gilchrest is a prime source of“earmarks,” or pork spending, on Capi-tol Hill. Yet an analysis of earmarks byCongressional Quarterly “puts him[Gilchrest] near the bottom of Housemembers seeking funding for localprojects.” When Gilchrest has voted forspending, he’s voted for laws like the re-cent Farm Bill, which included millionsof dollars in new annual funding to helpBay-area farmers implement conservationpractices and methods. According to theChesapeake Bay Foundation, “This is byfar the largest amount of federal fund-ing ever devoted to protecting and re-storing the Chesapeake Bay, and wouldbring Bay-restoration programs approxi-mately halfway to their required fund-ing and implementation levels.” (At this

stage, President George W. Bush hasthreatened to veto the Farm Bill.)

Despite Gilchrest’s often being com-mended by taxpayer watchdog groups,Harris has attempted to distort Gilchrest’srecord and cast him as a “tax and spend”liberal Republican. These deceitful cam-paign tactics by Harris drew a rebukefrom Gilchrest, who said, “I think a de-bate of the issues is healthy, but that de-pends on candidates’ being honest, whichdoesn’t appear to be happening now.”

Harris’s campaign is receiving a largechunk of its funding from medical indus-try PACs (Harris is a doctor and an op-ponent of universal health care) andmoney from the Club for Growth PAC,which has called for abolition of agricul-ture subsides, privatization of Social Se-curity, defeat of the popular State Children’sHealth Insurance Program bill, defeat of theminimum wage hike, and additional taxcuts for the rich. The Club’s views mightnot be popular with most Marylandersin District 1, yet Harris has embraced hisendorsement by the Club and has readilyaccepted major funding and public rela-tions support from the powerful PAC.

Fortunately for environmentallyconscious Marylanders, RepublicanWayne Gilchrest offers an alternative toHarris in this primary race. Gilchrest,unlike many Republicans in the 21st cen-tury, is not bound by rigid ideology, butinstead understands the grave moral re-sponsibility Americans have to protect thenatural systems that support the local andnational economy. Above all else,Gilchrest is a Republican who can legis-late responsibly even while protecting theenvironment that supports the Marylandway of life.

If Marylanders ever hope to realizeeven a portion of the state’s goals for re-storing the Chesapeake Bay, Gilchrestmust be victorious on February 12. ■

Politics: Maryland PrimaryAnti-Environment Republicans Target Congressman Gilchrest


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MAGIC has tremendous potential to become an agent in the fightagainst global warming. We seek a volunteer Executive Director/expert in regional forest issues to do public speaking, meet withlegislators and policy-makers, and promote our initiatives.

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Campaign Opposing Waste Incineration Heats UpIf you’re wondering when you should turnoff your personal computer for energysavings, here are some general guidelinesfrom the U.S. Department of Energy tohelp you make that decision.

Though there is a small surge in en-ergy when a computer starts up, this smallamount of energy is still less than the en-ergy used when a computer is runningfor long periods of time. For energy sav-ings and convenience, consider turningoff the monitor if you aren’t going to useyour PC for more than 20 minutes, boththe CPU and monitor if you’re not goingto use your PC for more than two hours.

Make sure your monitors, printers,and other accessories are on a power strip/surge protector. When this equipment isnot in use for extended periods, turn offthe switch on the power strip to preventthem from drawing power even whenshut off. If you don’t use a power strip,unplug extra equipment when it’s not inuse.

Most PCs reach the end of their“useful” life due to advances in technol-ogy long before the effects of beingswitched on and off multiple times havea negative impact on their service life. Theless time a PC is on, the longer it will“last.” PCs also produce heat, so turningthem off reduces building cooling loads.

PPPPPooooowwwwwer-Der-Der-Der-Der-Dooooown or Swn or Swn or Swn or Swn or Sleep Mleep Mleep Mleep Mleep Mode Fode Fode Fode Fode Fea-ea-ea-ea-ea-turturturturturesesesesesMany PCs available today come with apower-down or sleep mode feature for theCPU and monitor. ENERGY STARcomputers power down to a sleep modethat consume 15 Watts or less power,which is around 70% less electricity thana computer without power managementfeatures. ENERGY STAR monitors havethe capability to power down into twosuccessive “sleep” modes. In the first, themonitor energy consumption is less thanor equal to 15 Watts, and in the second,

When to Turn Off PersonalComputers


Energy Generation and Conservation

By Kim Stenley—The anti-incinerationcampaign in Carroll and Frederick coun-ties is heating up. At the end of October,the Catoctin Group issued a Freedom ofInformation Act request to the FrederickBoard of County Commissioners, in aneffort to bring to light the process bywhich the incinerator plan was developed.Upon being informed that we would haveto pay $500 up front to cover potentialcosts, and that some information couldbe “private and confidential,” we submit-ted a request for fee waiver, stating: “Ifthe business of government is to do thepeople’s work, then any information per-taining to a decision that ultimately af-fects taxpayers should be made availablefor public scrutiny.” We are awaiting aresponse.

The PThe PThe PThe PThe PlanlanlanlanlanAccording to a Frederick County depart-mental staff report, the plan involvesbuilding a 1,500-ton-per-day, mass-burnincinerator next to the Ballenger Creek–McKinney Wastewater Treatment Planton the Monocacy River. The facilitywould be designed, built, and operatedby the Northeast Maryland Waste Dis-posal Authority and cost a reported $323million (translate to at least $650 millionover 20 years). The authority would fi-nance the facility with tax-exempt andtaxable revenue bonds. Frederick wouldearn a Renewable Energy Benefit of 5percent of net electricity sales per year,paid by the authority, for hosting the fa-cility.

The incinerator plan is based on theassumption that Frederick will provide900 tons of waste per day, 100 tons morethan the county exports to Virginia land-fills now, and Carroll would provideroughly 20 tractor trailor truckloads oftrash per day. The facility would burnbiosolids and receive effluent from thewaste treatment facility for use in opera-tions. The authority would request ap-

proval from Frederick to “optimize en-ergy recovery rates . . . by sub-contract-ing excess waste capacity to another Au-thority member,” according to the report.

The RThe RThe RThe RThe Raison daison daison daison daison d’E’E’E’E’EtrtrtrtrtreeeeeThis plan is happening in part be-

cause the State of Maryland recognizesmunicipal solid waste as a renewable re-source. We need all of those working onenergy issues at the state and national lev-els to help reverse this trend away fromrecycling and resource recovery. If thatdoes not happen, the authority here, andothers across the nation—encouraged bythe Environmental Protection Agency—will work to build incinerators anywherewith sufficient populations to supportthem. Incineration is being touted as asmart growth strategy for handling waste.

In its fall 2007 newsletterWasteWatch, the Northeast MarylandWaste Disposal Authority invoked theSierra Club’s aversion to unclean coal tobolster the Authority’s work: “Renewableenergy, much touted for being cleaner andkinder to the climate, is catching on. TheAuthority’s three waste-to-energy facili-ties are the largest renewable energy pro-viders in the State of Maryland.”

But the Authority does not quote theClub’s actual position regarding munici-pal incineration, which Sierra considers“not considered acceptable because of itsadverse environmental and health effectsand the destruction of materials thatcould be conserved while saving energythrough other management methods.”

By far the cleanest and kindestthing to do is to reduce energy usethrough conservation and resource recov-ery, things that Maryland, overall, doesn’tdo very well. Half the counties have failedto reach the current 40 percent volun-tary recovery rate set for 2005. Accord-ing to the Pembina Institute, recycling aton of mixed waste processed at the mostenergy-efficient mass-burn incinerator in

Europe “would result in about 5.4, 1.6and 2.6 times the energy savings than in-cinerating with electricity recovery; heatrecovery; or combined electricity and heatrespectively.” And contrary to propo-nents’ arguments, “Compared to coalfired technology [in Ontario], mass-burnincineration contributes about 33 percentand gasification about 90 percent moreGHG emissions per Kwh of electricityproduced.”

CCCCCitizitizitizitizitizens Sens Sens Sens Sens Strike Btrike Btrike Btrike Btrike BackackackackackAfter studying solid waste manage-

ment strategies for 10 months, the CarrollCounty Environmental Advisory Coun-cil presented its findings to the CarrollBoard of County Commissioners. Thecouncil unanimously recommended achange in paradigm from solid-wastemanagement to resource managementand greater investment in reduction, re-use, and recycling efforts, including eco-nomic incentives and related educationalprograms to increase materials recovery.The council recommended that such astrategy be implemented and measuredfor effectiveness before any decision wasmade on waste-to-energy.

Residents in Frederick formedWasteStudyGroup.org to inform citizensabout the economic and environmentalconsequences of incineration and alter-native resource-management strategies.Meanwhile, the Frederick BOCC votedto hold a public hearing (held 7 p.m., 11December 2007, Winchester Hall indowntown Frederick) about the incinera-tor plan near the proposed site. After that,they will decide whether to invite CarrollCounty to join in building a regionalwaste-to-energy facility. ■

For more information, contact Kim Stenleyat [email protected].


Group News Roundup


Edited by Mary C. Corddry—The fol-lowing is a roundup of what’s happeningwith the nine Sierra Club Groups inMaryland: Anne Arundel County,Catoctin, Eastern Shore, Greater Balti-more, Howard County, MontgomeryCounty, Prince George’s County, South-ern Maryland, and Western Maryland. Ifyou have information to contribute tofuture “Roundups” for the Chesapeakenewsletter, please contact Mary Corddryat [email protected] or at 410-239-4590.

The local Groups of the Sierra Clubare active with the Sierra Club’s “CoolCities” initiative, encouraging local gov-ernments and citizens to take action foraddressing global warming. They surveyand interview local candidates for publicoffice, and make endorsements in col-laboration with the State Chapter. Theyare involved with local land use and en-vironmental issues. They volunteer forservice outings to eradicate invasiveplants, plant native species, maintaintrails, and clean up streams. They enjoythe environment by hiking, biking,kayaking, stargazing, camping, and back-packing. They discuss environmental is-sues and socialize at dinners, picnics, slideshows, movies, and speaker series.

There is something for everyone.Contact your Group to get linked withyour favorite issue or activity. See theMaryland Chapter’s home page,www.maryland.sierraclub.org, for a linkto each Group’s website.

Anne Arundel GroupChair: David Prosten, 410-263-6341 or410-703-0847, [email protected]

By David Prosten—About 50 peoplegathered at the Annapolis waterfrontNovember 3 for a Step It Up rally orga-nized by the Anne Arundel Group’s CoolCities program and the Chesapeake Cli-mate Action Network. Included in thecrowd: an Asian elephant, a coral reef, a

Komodo dragon, and a Siberiantiger...well, at least that’s how some stu-dents from Broadneck High School’s En-vironmental Club were dressed, whileothers wore t-shirts reading: “I’m here toSave the Planet!” Annapolis AldermanSam Shropshire spoke to the crowd at therally in Newman Park coordinated by vol-unteers Cherie Yelton and Joan Willie. Agroup photo was submitted to Step It Upfor streaming to Congress and all Mary-land legislators, asking for passage of theGlobal Warming Solutions Act.

- The Anne Arundel Group continued itssupport for passage in the City of An-napolis of a ban on plastic point-of-salebags, of the sort typically found at super-markets. The Club’s position is that reus-able canvas or string bags are the ideal.Plastic bags are a particular problem be-cause of the area’s proximity to water andmarine life. The Group helped pull to-gether an October 24 news conference oftwo dozen city merchants who came outto support the ban.

- The group continues to successfully useits new e-mail list for members who wantto participate in the e-mail alert program.

- Plans are underway for the group’s an-nual birthday potluck dinner celebration,scheduled for January 26. The dinner fea-tures a noted speaker — prior speakershave included Governor ParrisGlendening and Speaker of the HouseMike Busch — and award presentationsto environmental activists in the county.

- Executive Committee members EarlBradley and Joan Turek are representingthe Group on the newly-formed,countywide Growth Action Network,which will monitor and attempt to influ-ence county policy on growth issues.

Catoctin Group (Carroll,Frederick, and WashingtonCounties)Chair: Chris Hodge, 240-388-6446,[email protected]

By Gregor Becker—The Sierra ClubCatoctin Group, which includes Carroll,Frederick and Washington Counties, gen-erally communicates with our memberselectronically. Visit our website athttp://maryland.sierraclub.org/catoctin/OR just go to sierraclub.org, and thenselect Maryland Chapter and CatoctinGroup OR email us [email protected] to receive alerts onactions, hikes, or meetings.

- Great news on waste. Frederick Countyhas decided not to import trash, that is,not to partner with Carroll County tobuild a joint incinerator. FrederickCounty will hold a public hearing on pro-ceeding with an incinerator on the banksof the Monocacy River. Frederick is wait-ing to see what Carroll will do. TheCatoctin Group requested a Freedom ofInformation Act disclosure regarding thecounty and Northeast Waste AuthorityDirector Kim Davindov. Carroll Countyis left with the option of building an in-cinerator alone, a far less financially at-tractive option. If either county builds anincinerator, it may need to hold downresource recovery rates from recyclingand/or consider importing waste fromother jurisdictions in order to feed theincinerator. Suddenly, prospects arebrighter for significantly raising recyclingrates and rejecting an incinerator. A hugepart of the success of the Catoctin Group’scampaign to increase recycling rates be-fore considering incineration is due to theefforts of Sally Sorbello in FrederickCounty and Kim Stenley in CarrollCounty. A huge thank you to Sally andKim for your amazing efforts!

- Also great news on local global warm-ing efforts. Two of the three CarrollCounty Commissioners voted to approvethe National Association of Counties(NACO) Cool Counties Agreement. TheCatoctin Group’s Energy Chair, DanAndrews, is now in charge of a countycommittee to examine and reduce energyusage in the county office building. Lastyear Dan won a county environmentalawareness award for his local energy ef-forts. Dan has also recently been ap-pointed to the county EnvironmentalAffairs Committee, which advises thecommissioners on environmental ques-tions. Three Carroll County towns—Sykesville, Mt. Airy and Westminster—have signed a Cool Cities document orsomething similar. One Frederick CountyCommissioner said he expected thecounty to pass the new NACO officialstandard Cool Counties agreement,which would supersede the already passedunofficial version. Frederick City has beencool to approaches so far. BrunswickMayor Carroll Jones has failed to respondto phone calls or email on the subject.Kudos to Ken Eidel for his efforts to makethe city consider energy efficiency andglobal warming.

- While some members congratulate us,others ask why we haven’t done more—been to their town council meetings ordone presentations in their town. It’s anold story—over 900 members are in ourgroup, but only a handful are really ac-tive. General membership meetings willbe held every other month (in even num-bered months like December) at 11 a.m.at the Community Room in the Com-mon Market in Frederick. Any SierraClub member, or non-member who isinterested in learning about the club’s ac-tivities or possibly joining is welcome toattend. We’d also like to see you on a hikeor at a Tuesday night social in Frederick—see our web page.

Chapter Groups Think Globally, Act Locally


Group News Roundup



“Polite conservationists leave no marksave the scars upon the Earth that couldhave been prevented had they stood theirground.” —David Ross Brower

The Catoctin Group is conducting itselection for delegates to the group excom.The ballot appears on the inside of thelast page of this newsletter, just above theballot for the chapter excom election.

The candidates have submitted the fol-lowing statements. Catoctin Group mem-bers are asked to read the statements andcast their ballots!

Chris Hodge: I have been an active hiker,camper, and environmentalist for mostof my life. I have been a Sierra Club mem-ber for many years, an Outings Leaderwith the Catoctin Group, on the CatoctinGroup excom for the past two years, andthe Chair of the Catoctin Group excomfor the past year. I am also on the Mary-land Chapter excom. I am passionatelycommitted to preserving our natural ar-eas and preventing sprawl.

Dan Andrews: Having hiked over 700miles of the Appalachian trail, I have highregard for the natural world, as well asfor future generations. I am greatly con-cerned, especially for the future of mydaughter, about the effects of environ-mental destruction and climate change.

Ken Eidel: Our quality of life is linked toenvironmental quality and growth con-trol, but also to a strong business climatelocally. I was active in the Catoctin Groupabout ten years ago and joined the ExCom again four years ago. The SierraClub works nationally and locally to pro-tect quality of life.

Eastern Shore (Cecil County andEastern Shore counties)Chair: Howard Bedlin, 410-643-3283,[email protected]

Greater Baltimore (Baltimore Cityand County, Harford County)Chair: Ron Henry, 410-838-9119,[email protected]

By Mary Corddry—The Group is in-volved as part of the Alliance for GlobalWarming Solutions with a Climate Ac-tion Campaign, to convince GovernorO’Malley to commit to reducing 80 per-cent of our global warming pollution by2050. The Maryland Chapter hired twofield organizers through Green Corps,Claire Miller and Annie Sanders, to helplocal citizens organize and take action.After a kickoff community planningmeeting, there have been media events,two town hall meetings, and a campaignto send postcards to the Governor, writeletters to the editor of local newspapers,and distribute petitions for signatures atcommunity events.

◆ The Group joined the BaltimoreCounty Climate Coalition of 19 local en-vironmental organizations, faith commu-nities, and businesses. The Coalitionwrote Baltimore County Executive JamesSmith, encouraging him to adopt a com-prehensive climate protection plan for theCounty government and to lobby theGovernor and State legislature to adoptand implement statewide, science-basedgreenhouse gas reduction goals of 20 per-cent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.

◆ Baltimore County’s ComprehensiveZoning Map Process is underway. Dur-ing an open filing period in the fall, resi-dents and civic organizations proposedproperties for rezoning. The CountyCouncil will vote on the rezoning issueslate next summer, and new zoning mapswill be issued next November. Group

members participated with the NorthCounty Preservation to develop a Geo-graphical Information System (GIS), as-sisted civic organizations and residentswith using the GIS to identify propertiesfor downzoning to a more restrictive ru-ral conservation classification, and arenow helping to review the properties pro-posed for rezoning and provide informa-tion to community groups, the CountyZoning Department, and County Coun-cil about environmental issues related tothe proposals.

◆ Two meetings have been held withHarford County residents about forminga Harford County subgroup to encour-age more proactive involvement with is-sues impacting the County. The Groupis part of planning groups for revising theCounty’s zoning code and preparing forthe impact of BRAC (Defense Base Clo-sure and Realignment) on the County.

◆ The Group partnered with the GreaterDundalk Alliance to oppose a liquid natu-ral gas terminal and storage facility atSparrows Point and related dredging inthe Patapsco River. It is also working ona class action lawsuit about the adversehealth impacts of the area’s past indus-trial activity.

◆ The Group publishes a quarterly news-letter, “The Baltimore Sierran,” which ismailed to members and also is availableon its web site. Check the Group’s website for a schedule of outings and otherevents. The Group has hikes of variedlengths and difficulty levels, includingoutings that are child and dog friendly.The Group also has happy hours, kayakoutings, bike rides, star-gazing, camping,hayrides, stream cleanups, trail mainte-nance, and invasive plant removals.

Howard CountyChair: Ken Clark, 301-725-3306,[email protected]

By Kim Birnbaum—The following arethe Howard Group’s upcoming events:

Friday, Dec. 7, 7:30 pm Polar Bears,“Where’s the Ice?” Back by popular de-mand, club member Sue Muller will givean encore presentation on her Nov. 2006adventure to Churchill, Manitoba insearch of polar bears. Learn how globalwarming is affecting these magnificentcreatures. At the Howard County Recre-ation & Parks headquarters building,7120 Oakland Mills Road in Columbia.Brownies provided; feel free to bring yourown drink (no alcohol) or snack. RSVPappreciated to [email protected].

Tuesday, Jan. 15, 7:00 pm Town HallMeeting on the Environment at HowardCounty Rec & Parks, 7120 OaklandMills Rd, Columbia. We need a big turn-out for this meeting, so please mark yourcalendars. Details will be posted on ourwebsite in January.

The Howard County Group has a veryactive outings program, including fre-quent backpacking trips. Check theGroup’s web site for a schedule of out-ings and other events. You may contactKen Clark about getting on an email list-ing of outings and events.

Montgomery CountyChair: David Hauck, 301-270-5826;[email protected]

By David Hauck—On October 28, theGroup’s Executive Committee, key vol-unteers, and other Sierra Club membersheld a half-day meeting to help identifythe goals we will work on over the nexttwo years. As a jumping off point, we tookthe national Sierra Club’s three conserva-

Maryland Groups Think Globally, Act Locally


tion initiatives—Smart Energy Solutions,Safe and Healthy Communities, andAmerica’s Wild Legacy—and consideredhow these initiatives could be furtheredat the county level.

After a facilitator-led discussion thatgenerated several possible high-prioritygoals for the Group,participants voted forthe three they felt were most important.Going forward, we will be concentratingour efforts on achieving the followinggoals:◆ Increase voluntary actions by Mont-gomery County residents and businessesto conserve energy and expand the useand development of renewable energy.◆ Encourage the adoption of “smartgrowth” principles that will result in newcommunities that are more energy effi-cient, use much less open land, and helpimprove air quality by expanding the useof public transit.◆ Protect natural, critical spaces in Mont-gomery County including the Agricul-tural Reserve, forests, and local streams.

Over the next two months, the Execu-tive Committee and key volunteers willdevelop strategic plans for each of thesepriority goals. These plans, and the spe-cific roles that volunteers can play inimplementing them, will be presented tothe Group’s membership in February.

We continue to expand the numberand kinds of events open to Sierra Clubmembers and nonmembers alike. In Oc-tober and November we held two SierraClub Happy Hours; two “Putting YourHome on a Low Carbon Diet” energyefficiency house meetings; a “True Costof Food” visit to a local farm; a talk by ExCom co-chair Pam Lindstrom on lessonsfrom the Netherlands that we can use indesigning sustainable communities here;and a Saturday afternoon spent distrib-uting CFL light bulbs and getting peopleto sign postcards letting GovernorO’Malley know that Maryland citizens

want aggressive greenhouse gas reductiontargets adopted for the State.

The majority of participants reportthat these events are the first local SierraClub events they have ever attended. Bar-bara Newland ([email protected]),the very busy chair of the Group’s Mem-bership/Volunteers Committee, faithfullyrecords in HELEN (the Sierra Club’s cen-tral database) who’s coming to events andtheir interests, information that proves in-valuable for identifying potential activ-ists.

Stephanie DeMoss, the chair of ourEvents Committee and the newest mem-ber of the Ex Com, is also keeping busy.Stephanie joined the Sierra Club in 1997while living in Phoenix and witnessingthe suburban sprawl engulfing theSonoran Desert. Later, she received amaster’s degree in Environment and De-velopment from the University of Cam-bridge in England and moved to Wash-ington D.C. After being an active volun-teer for the D.C. Chapter for four years,Stephanie moved to MontgomeryCounty and is using her enthusiasm andtalents to help our Group grow and be-come even more effective. Her e-mailaddress is [email protected].

Prince George’s CountyChair: Chip Reilly, 301-218-3920,[email protected]’s office: 301-277-0600 or 301-277-7111

Southern Maryland (Calvert,Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties)Chair: Frank Fox, 301-884-8027,[email protected]

Summarized from the Group’s newslet-ter:◆ A National Sierra report, America’sWild Legacy, features Mattawoman Creekas one of 52 exceptional places in thecountry whose high environmental value

makes them must-saves.The creek isthreatened by growth in Prince George’sand Charles Counties. Charles designatedmuch of Mattawoman’s watershed as aDevelopment District, larger than theWashington, D.C. The county is promot-ing proposals for the Cross County Con-nector extension and the Western WaldorfBypass that would crisscross the water-shed. The Southern Maryland Group isworking with the Maryland Bass Federa-tion Nation, a bass fishers’ group, and theMattawoman Watershed Society to bringlasting protection to Mattawoman Creek.

◆ The Group is involved with the Tri-County Council for Southern Marylandto encourage residents’ input to a South-ern Maryland Transportation Needs As-sessment. Three open houses were heldto identify transportation goals, issues,and needs in Southern Maryland.

◆ The Group sponsored a table at the30th Annual Patuxent River AppreciationDays Celebration in October.

◆ A showing of “An Inconvenient Truth”was sponsored in La Plata in September.There were tables for literature, food, anddrink. Representatives from Al Gore’sClimate Change organization were on

hand to answer questions from the ap-proximately 80 attendees.

◆ The Group publishes a bimonthlynewsletter, “News from Southern Mary-land.” Check the Group’s website for aschedule of outings and other events.

Western Maryland (Allegany andGarrett Counties)Chair: Sam White, 301-264-4162,[email protected] [email protected]

By Sam White—The Western MarylandGroup is seeking local volunteers to workon persuading the cities of Frostburg andCumberland to join the U.S. Mayors Cli-mate Protection Agreement (aka CoolCities). Also, there is a Garrett Countysubcommittee being formed. The sub-committee will work on Garrett Countyissues and have a representative attend theWestern Maryland Group’s Ex Commeetings on a regular basis. For info oneither of these, contact Sam White, Chair,at [email protected] or301-264-4162 .

The Group publishes a quarterly news-letter, “Nature’s Advocate of WesternMD.” ■

Group News Roundup


Frequently carrying flimsy plastic grocery bags caused a painful noduleon my left middle finger. The nodule disappeared afterI began using a canvas shopping bag that I bought for $.99.The canvas bag was vastly superior ergonomically; the annoyances offull plastic and paper bags ripping and of having bagsto recycle disappeared; and some markets gave me at checkouta small rebate for using the canvas bag.

I want to encourage others to switch. If you send me a receipt for acanvas or net bag, with a promise to use it, and your name and address,I will send you $5.B. Brody, 10300 Strathmore Hall St., #212, N. Bethesda, MD 20852.Offer limited to first 50 respondents. One rebate per person.

Act Now! Offer expires 02/15/08.

Get $5: Use a Canvas or Net Bag

Chapter Groups Think Globally, Act Locally


By Janis K. Oppelt.—What do you get when you com-bine members of the Maryland chapter; a picture-per-fect fall weekend in the Catoctin Mountains—completewith changing leaves; and an agenda full of educationalworkshops, network-ing time and loads offun? Jamboree 2007,of course!

From October19 through 21, first-time attendees discov-ered just how reward-ing a weekend withlike-minded environ-mentalists could be.Veterans of past Jam-borees also reveled inthe opportunity to air problems and share solutions, to

listen to innovative ideas and offer a few of their own,and, of course, to visit with oldand new friends. Even visitorsto Maryland—and to thechapter’s functions—ex-claimed over the positive expe-riences.

Annie Sanders, an envi-ronmental organizer fromGreen Corps (http://www.greencorps.org/), at-tended her first Marylandchapter jamboree. Annie said,“I was excited to meet so manypassionate and committed members from throughoutthe state. I enjoyed being part of this group, which came

together for a good time and also wanted to get involvedin helping to protect the state’s environment.”

For the last four months, Sanders has workedclosely with members of the Prince George’s

County group on theirCool Cities efforts. Inearly December, she andher colleague, ClaireMiller, whose focus hasbeen Greater BaltimoreCounty, moved on totheir next assignment.At the Jamboree, theyconducted three valu-able workshops: volun-teer recruitment, rela-tionship building, and

campaign planning. “People in our workshops were eager to learn and

were lots of fun,” Sanders said—an opinion with whichMiller heartily agrees. “Everyone had things to contrib-ute—experiences, issues, problems etc. Annie and Iweren’t the only sources of information.”

Many others who attended the Jamboree also feltthat their time was well spent, and relished the chanceto be out in the woods on such a beautiful weekend. AsMiller opined, “It was very wholesome.”

The Jamboree planning committee should be con-gratulated on the varied and interesting workshops of-fered. Here are just a few examples of topics from whichparticipants could choose: leadership development, so-lar energy basics, Native Americans and naturalism, in-troduction to invasive species removal, and native grass-

land.In addition to a good

balance of educational op-portunities, the Jamboreeplanning committee usedcreative techniques to en-courage networking. Atmealtimes, it arranged seat-ing in varying groups, suchas similar geographic loca-tions or areas of interest.This small but effective de-cision made it easier for

people to mingle and immediately have something incommon to talk about.

Memories of the Jamboree

Jamboree 2007: A Great Sense of CommunityLast but not least, the Jamboree was fun! One clear

highlight of the weekend was Saturday night’s bonfirecomplete with song-singing and marshmallow-roasting.

Another was theclosing cer-emony on Sun-day. Both ofthese specialtimes deliveredan “amazingsense of com-munity” forSanders andMiller.

To closethe 2007 Jam-boree, attendeescame together

in a circle and held hands. Walking together toward thecenter of the circle, each person was asked to say oneword that represented the weekend for them. Words likelove, community, nature, and organizing rolled off theirtongues. Returning to the outer edges of the circle, ev-eryone was reminded that they had all come together to

learn about the environment and how to protect it, andthat it was now time to go back to their respective com-munities to make Maryland a better place for all. ■

Photos: top left, Dave O’Leary conducts a workshop;Center left, Mike Martin and Joan Willey at awards ceremony;Bottom left, Joan Willey, Laurel Imlay, Betsy Johnson and Susan Soederenjoy autumn in the mountains;Top right, Dan Soeder at the grill;Bottom right, Closing ceremony.Photos courtesy Betsy Johnson


By Annie Collier Rehill— Usually an or-namented tree is associated with a Chris-tian holiday, but it can just as well be partof another celebration—not necessarilyeven religious. The seasonal use of a tree,or of branches, originated long beforeChristianity and has more to do with thesolstice, the shortest day of the year, De-cember 21–22. The most popular Christ-mas trees in the United States are Balsamfir, Fraser fir, Noble fir, Scotch pine, Vir-ginia pine, and White pine, but trees suchas Arizona cypress, Canaan fir, Coloradoblue spruce, Eastern red cedar, Easternwhite pine, Grand fir, Leland cypress,Norway spruce, White fir, and probablyothers, are also used.1

After the solstice, the days growlonger, and the planting season is in sight.People have been celebrating that mo-ment for thousands of years. In Egypt,palm rushes placed about the house sym-bolized life. Romans feasted with theirSaturnalia (named for the god of agricul-ture, Saturn), surrounded by evergreenbranches. The Druids adorned places ofworship with evergreen boughs, and theVikings held evergreens as sacred plants.

In the 1500s, Christian Germansstarted bringing entire trees into thehouse—which, with a few detours, bringsus to where we are today. American Puri-tans scorned the tradition as pagan-in-spired, but German immigrants eventu-ally won out. Queen Victoria finally anddefinitely popularized the Christmas treein 1846.2

BBBBBut Aut Aut Aut Aut Arrrrre Thee Thee Thee Thee They Iy Iy Iy Iy Invnvnvnvnvasivasivasivasivasive?e?e?e?e?This is a question with no simple answer,or at least no enduring answer. For now,it seems clear that most conifers are notinvasive species in the United States.However, they are very much so in otherparts of the world, particularly in theSouthern Hemisphere. Researchers DavidM. Richardson and Marcel Rejmánek,who conducted a global survey, clarifiedsome of the complicating factors: “As

more species are planted over larger ar-eas, as environments and biota change,and genetic changes occur (through theevolution of landraces and increased ge-netic diversity through the introductionof new genotypes), more species will be-come naturalized and invasive, and somethat invade now may become less inva-sive.” 3

Naturalized species are those“known to reproduce consistently andsustain populations over several lifecycles,” Richardson and Rejmánekspecify, whereas invasives “reproduce re-productive offspring, often in large num-bers, at considerable distances from par-ent plants.”4

The shifting pattern differs tremen-dously according to geographical area. Forexample, the jack pine, Pinus banksiana,is invasive in Lithuania and New Zealand,but not in the United States. Here thejack pine is endangered in Illinois, threat-ened in New Hampshire and Vermont,and rare in Indiana and New York.5

Even the classification invasive canbe tricky. Pinus clausa, the sand pine, islisted in Richardson and Rejmánek’s sur-vey as an invasive in Florida, but the U.S.Department of Agriculture describes itsinvasive process like this:

It will establish in and eventuallydominate scrub oak communities.Sand pine will invade longleaf pine(Pinus palustris) forests in the absenceof fire. Sand pine scrub vegetation,in which sand pine grows in verydense, even-aged stands of 8,000 to10,000 trees per acre, is considered afire-climax community. If fire occurs once every 20 to60 years in sand pine stands, the veg-etation community will not change.In the absence of fire, a xeric hard-wood forest of oak and hickory willsucceed sand pine. If there is frequentfire, oak scrub or slash pine (P.ellottii) will replace sand pine.6

In fact, the USDA tells us, the sand pineis dominant naturally but also in jeop-ardy, thanks to human intervention.“Natural stands of sand pine are disap-pearing from Florida. Many formerstands have been converted to citrusgroves, subdivisions, or recreational ve-hicle parks. Twenty-one federally endan-gered or threatened plant and animal spe-cies live in sand pine forests.”7

The Forest Service is working to pro-tect pines and firs and restore them inmany places, as part of its program to re-habilitate degraded areas and prevent in-vasive species from recolonizing.8 And theChoctawhatchee sand pine, with its short,heavily foliated branches and dark greenneedles, is grown for Christmas trees.

But even the beloved Douglas-fir(Pseudotsuga menziesii), Oregon’s state treetopped in heights only by the Coast Red-wood, is invasive far from its native lands.Imported to Europe and elsewhere, itmust be controlled in Britain, Chile, andNew Zealand.

Another invasive consideration ispiggybacking. Firs can carry species suchas pitch canker disease. “Like stealthypredators,” warns Stephanie Klunk of theUniversity of California’s Statewide Inte-grated Pest Management Program, “Dou-glas-fir trees can harbor the pathogen re-sponsible for pitch canker disease for ayear without showing any symptoms andpass it off to other susceptible species.”9

Researcher Tom Gordon studies thisproblem and how to control it in Christ-mas tree farms and other managed areas.As Gordon explains, the fungus Fusariumcircinatum, which causes pitch canker, isusually “so limited that no visible dam-age results, and in that sense, there is nodisease.” But while it colonizes the Dou-glas-fir, the fungus produces spores thatthe wind or insects transport who knowswhere—including to other plants thatsuffer damage. 10

Unknown until about 60 years ago,pitch canker has rapidly spread in Cali-

fornia. Monterey pines are particularlysusceptible, but most pines native to thestate are at risk (except, so far, in the Si-erra Nevada). While scientists continuetheir research, Douglas-firs and otherhosts are closely monitored to protectuninfested areas.11

To help you find out if a particularfarm uses responsible practices, the Na-tional Christmas Tree Association’swebsite is a good starting place:www.christmastree.org/home.cfm. Theassociation joined with Earth 911 in 2000and is committed to promoting recycling.

You can also contact local and stateagencies for agricultural or invasive spe-cies information. Contacts and resourcesare listed at the USDA’s website,www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/resources/orgstatemulti.shtml. And, as always, talkto people. Health-food stores and coopsmay be repositories of abundant local in-formation.

A FA FA FA FA Few Rew Rew Rew Rew Resouresouresouresouresources and a Tces and a Tces and a Tces and a Tces and a Touch ofouch ofouch ofouch ofouch ofPPPPPersonal Eersonal Eersonal Eersonal Eersonal EncourncourncourncourncouragementagementagementagementagementTips on having a greener festival abound.The Sierra Club offers excellent sugges-tions at www.sierraclub.org/holidays/.Regarding the question of whether to buya live tree, the Club comments: “Ninety-eight percent of Christmas trees weregrown on farms, not in forests, so at leastit’s not as if you’re cutting down an an-cient tree.”

But if you don’t like to use a real tree,you can decorate with branches andlights. Or go the fake route, which theNational Christmas Tree Association ad-vises against: “You have two choices: First,you can use a renewable, recyclable natu-ral product grown on farms throughoutNorth America; or, you can use a non-renewable, non-biodegradable, plasticand metal product made in a Chinese fac-tory. You pick. It is much better environ-mentally to use a natural, organic cropand recycle it after the Holidays.”12

Lighting Up the Season: Is Your Tree Invasive?Seasons Greenings



Actually, you have far more than twochoices. You can also buy trees in pots,alive, and replant to keep them that way.Some people decorate their homes whiledropping the greenery concept altogether.Make your own ornaments, or supportworthy organizations by buying theirs.For luminosity, light-emitting diodes(LEDs) are now easily available. They costmore, but they also use less power andlast longer.

Last year, Time magazine ran a fea-ture about how to enjoy a greener sea-son, pointing the reader to the websitesLivingChristmasTrees.org; Friends of theUrban Forest of San Francisco (Fuf.net),which rents nontraditional trees and thenplants them on city streets;Freshchristmastree.com, for those whoprefer cut trees (grown using sustainablemethods); and Earth911.org.13

A list of Maryland Christmas treefarms is at www.christmas-tree.com/real/md/. Note that it may not be compre-hensive, so check your Yellow Pages, too.A phone call can yield a lot of informa-tion. Ask if the farming techniques usedare at least partly organic (and if so, inwhat way). Do they use integrated pest-management (IPM) techniques? I figurethe worst that can happen is, as once hap-pened to me when I asked a supermarketbutcher if he knew how a particular com-pany treated the animals, you get a dis-dainful snort in reply. (He was an excep-tion in my experience, by the way; mostbutchers have seemed pleased to sharewhatever information they had.)

AAAAAlterlterlterlterlternativnativnativnativnative Ce Ce Ce Ce CelebrelebrelebrelebrelebrationsationsationsationsationsMany find the season depressing, or sim-ply hate it. If this means you, maybe youget through it with the help of like-minded friends, or perhaps by going awayon a not-Christmas adventure of yourown. If you feel you have no one to cel-ebrate with, perhaps you’d enjoy volun-teering at a soup kitchen or attending a

church service. With a little open-mindedness, even atheists can find here afew moments of joy and beauty. Note:for the best singing (which is good forboth spirit and body), Protestant churchesoften do a better job. Speaking as some-one who was raised Irish Catholic (nowagnostic), this is not an easy thing to rec-ommend. At one time it could have sentus straight to Hell, but today Catholicsare permitted to range freely.

Or head for the outdoors! Check theupcoming Sierra outings (see schedule inthis issue of Chesapeake), or participatein the Audubon Christmas Bird Count.You’ll learn more about our world as wellas getting exercise and air; perhaps you’lleven meet a few new friends.

Those who do enjoy the season of-ten cite simply the atmosphere of exu-berance. It’s a time to give thanks for thegood things of life. Even Scrooge waseventually infected with the season’s buoy-ant spirit. And, of course, to enhance itthere are those decorated, lighted, fragranttrees. ■

1 National Christmas Tree Association, “Christ-mas Tree Types,” http://www.christmastree.org/types.cfm. Accessed 5 October 2007.2 The History Channel, “Christmas Trees: HowIt All Got Started,” http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=1284&display_order=4&mini_id=1290. Ac-cessed 30 September 2007.3 David M. Richardson and Marcel Rejmánek,“Conifers As Invasive Aliens: A Global Survey andPredictive Framework,” Diversity and Distributions10, no. 5–6 (September 2004): 321–31. Manythanks to Joyce Bolton of the National InvasiveSpecies Information Center, National AgriculturalLibrary, Beltsville, MD, for providing informa-tion and leads ([email protected]. See alsohttp://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/).4 Richardson and Rejmánek, “Conifers As Inva-sive Aliens,” 328.5 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service,Plants Profile, Pinus banksiana, jack pine, http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PIBA2.6 Jennifer H. Carey, “Pinus clausa,” in Fire Ef-fects Information System, U.S. Department ofAgriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Re-search Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Pro-ducer), http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/pincla/all.html. USDA Natural ResourcesConservation Service, Plants Profile, Pinus clausa,sand pine, http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch. Both accessed 17 October 2007.7 Carey, “Pinus clausa,” USDA.


Seasons GreeningsAre Christmas Trees Invasive?

8 USDA Forest Service, Invasive Species Program,“Restoration and Rehabilitation,” http://www.fs.fed.us/invasivespecies/restoration.shtml.Accessed 30 September 2007.9 Stephanie Klunk, “Douglas-Fir Trees Are Cun-ning Carriers of Pitch Canker Disease,” Univer-sity of California, Agriculture and Natural Re-sources, News and Information Outreach, Gov-ernmental and External Relations, 1 May 2007,h t t p : / / n e w s . u c a n r . o r g /newsstorymain.cfm?story=965 or http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/NEWS/pitch_canker-news.html.10 Ibid. The University of California Exotic/Inva-sive Pests and Diseases Research Program fundedthis research. For more information about pitchcanker, visit UC IPM Online, the University ofCalifornia’s Statewide Integrated Pest Manage-ment Program: www.ipm.ucdavis.edu. Tom Gor-don can be reached at [email protected] Klunk, “Douglas-Fir Trees Are Cunning Carri-ers of Pitch Canker Disease.”12 National Christmas Tree Association, Fre-quently Asked Questions, “Isn’t it bad for the en-vironment to cut down a tree and use it for Christ-mas?” http://www.christmastree.org/faqs.cfm.Accessed 5 October 2007.13 MaryAnne Murray Buechner, “How to Have aGreen Christmas,” Time, 11 December 2006,http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1568660,00.html.

Christmas Tree Trivia

• The trees mature in 6–8 years in 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska.California, Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and NorthCarolina produce the most trees.

• More than 1,000,000 acres are used, and 77 million trees are planted annually(at an average of more than 2,000 per acre).

• 34 to 36 million are grown annually. Of those, 95 percent are sold fromChristmas tree farms.

• 100,000 people work in the industry.

• In the past, cherry and hawthorns have also been used as Christmas trees.

Source: The History Channel, “Tree Trivia,” http://www.history.com


EEEEExxxxxecutivecutivecutivecutivecutive Ce Ce Ce Ce CommitteeommitteeommitteeommitteeommitteeMike Martin, At-Large Del.,[email protected] Henry, Greater Balt. Del.,Vice Chair [email protected] Bick, At-Large [email protected] Johnson, At-Large [email protected] Robinson, At-Large [email protected] Willey, At-Large Del.,Conservation [email protected] Pepin, Anne Arundel Del.,[email protected] Hodge, Catoctin [email protected] Bedlin, Eastern Shore [email protected] Sheedy, Howard [email protected] Konschnik, Montg. [email protected] Balachandran, PrinceGeo.’s [email protected] Imlay, Southern MD [email protected] White, Western MD [email protected]

Issues ContactsJoan Willey, Conservation [email protected] Bradley , ACE, Right Whale,Special Places [email protected]

Sam White, Agriculture [email protected] Garlow, Air Quality [email protected] Imlay, Biodiversity, ESA, Inva-sive Species, and Habitat Steward-ship Chair [email protected] Terry, Campaign FinanceReform [email protected] Carney, D.C. Metro RegionChallenge to Sprawl Campaign,Building EnvironmentalCommunities [email protected] O’Leary, Energy [email protected] Bick, Environmental [email protected] Diehl, Forests [email protected] O’Leary, Global Warming/CAFE [email protected] Birnbaum, Pesticides [email protected] Terry, Population [email protected] Willey, Public Lands [email protected] Tutman, Stormwater Mgmt.Chair301-249-8200 ext [email protected] Caflisch, Transportation [email protected] Merrifield, Water Quality [email protected]

Other ContactsKathy Harget , Baltimore YoungSierrans [email protected] Iacovazzi, BICO [email protected] Johnson, Fundraising [email protected] Pepin, Membership [email protected] Soeder, Outings [email protected] Fay, PAC [email protected] Johnson, Political [email protected] Birkett, [email protected] Graham, State Legislative Chair410-648-5476 [email protected] Dixon, [email protected] Andrews, [email protected] Tewell, Newsletter [email protected]

Chapter SChapter SChapter SChapter SChapter StafftafftafftafftaffLaurel [email protected]

Alana [email protected]

OOOOOffice Addrffice Addrffice Addrffice Addrffice Addressessessessess7338 Baltimore Avenue #1ACollege Park, MD 20740Tel: 301-277-7111Fax: 301-277-6699http://maryland.sierraclub.org

Maryland Chapter Leaders


OutingsInformation for Outings ParticipantsSierra Club outings are open to everyone,members and non-members alike. Eachouting is intended to be a wholesome,safe, and enjoyable experience in the out-doors. Participants must have properclothing, equipment, and stamina suit-able to the event, and areencouraged to select activi-ties that match their indi-vidual abilities for outdooradventures. The Club of-fers a variety of outings tosuit all activity levels, from“easy” to “strenuous.” Thedifficulty of each outing isclearly designated in the an-nouncement. Reservationsare generally not required for local out-ings unless noted; however, outings lead-ers should be contacted in advance forquestions about the terrain, the difficultyor duration of the trip, recommendedclothing, and equipment. Activities arenormally held “rain or shine,” but maybe postponed at the leader’s discretion forsafety reasons in the event of inclementweather. Potential participants are re-minded that all outdoor activities carry adegree of risk, and some take place in lo-cations where professional emergencymedical aid may be two or more hoursaway. People with health concerns shouldconsult a physician to determine the ad-visability of participating in these or simi-lar activities. The Club outing leader isresponsible for the safety of all partici-pants, and has the final authority to de-cide whether or not an individual mayparticipate on a specific outing. SierraClub policy requires that helmets be wornon bicycling outings, and that personalflotation devices (PFDs) be worn on out-ings using watercraft.

Unless noted in the announcement,Club outings are intended for adults.Before bringing minors or pets on anouting that is not specifically designatedas being child/dog friendly, please con-sult the leader to determine if it is appro-

priate. Minors (under 18 years of age)must be accompanied by a parent or alegal guardian, or they must have both asigned permission slip, and the leader’sprior consent, to participate in the Clubouting. Dogs are not normally permit-

ted on outings, unless anouting is so designated.Sierra Club outings offi-cially begin and end at thetrailhead, canoe put-in/take-out point, or someother similar staging local-ity. Travel to and from theofficial starting point,even from an advertisedmeeting place, is the sole

responsibility of each participant. Whilethe Club encourages car-pooling, such ar-rangements are strictly between the rid-ers and the drivers, and are not a part ofthe outing. Participants assume full re-sponsibility and liability for all risks as-sociated with such travel.

All participants on Sierra Club out-ings are required to sign a standard liabil-ity waiver, which can be viewed on theweb at http://www.sierraclub.org/out-ings/chapter/forms/index.asp. SierraClub local outings are free of charge, al-though payment of park entrance fees, ashare of campsite rental costs, permit fees,equipment rental charges, etc. may be re-quired from the participants. Such costsare specified in the announcement when-ever possible. The Sierra Club practices“leave-no-trace” trail techniques, includ-ing hiking and camping on durable sur-faces, minimizing campfire impacts,packing out all trash, respecting wildlife,being considerate of other visitors, andleaving the environment as it was found.Take only pictures, leave only footprints,and have fun out there. ■

The Sierra Club’s California Seller of Travelidentification number is CST 2087766-40.Registration as a seller of travel does not con-stitute approval by the State of California.

By Dan Soeder—We need some new out-ings leaders in Maryland, and one of themcould be you. Yes, you! Why? Because youjoined the Sierra Club, which means youare probably interested in and concernedabout the state of our natural environ-ment. Maybe you joined because of a spe-cific issue, like the Intercounty Connec-tor (ICC), or to save a wetland or bit offorest, or maybe you’re here for a moreglobal reason like clean water, or address-ing energy and climate change. Whateveryour environmental “cause,” outdoor ac-tivities are a great way to get conserva-tion messages across, and to build sup-port for your issue.

Take the ICC, for example. We’vebeen hearing about all the damage thisproposed mega- highway will do to wet-lands, watersheds and neighborhoods inPrince George’s and Montgomery Coun-ties. Yet in the five years I’ve been in theMaryland Chapter, I haven’t seen a singleouting proposed to go view these wetlandsand watersheds that the Sierra Club is try-ing to save. Where are these places? Whatare their stories? Somebody must know.Maybe some ICC-related outings wererun early on, before my time, but repeatvisits are needed to keep the story aliveand to introduce the issue to new people.We ought to get out there and see it.People have to care about something be-fore they will protect it.

I was running a survey last spring insome of our neighboring chapters togather data on the size and strength oftheir outings programs. A woman in oneof the southern Virginia groups told methat they are all elders down there, andare far too busy dealing with conserva-tion issues to be out “goofing off in thewoods,” as she put it. Sadly, this attitudeis not uncommon. It is a far cry from theold days when John Muir led outings forthe express purpose of showing people theforests he was asking them to conserve.At a national level, the Club recognizesthe need to address this issue of perceived

incompatibility between conservationand outings, although I’m not sure theyknow what to do about it.

On the Outdoor Activities Gover-nance Committee, we are trying to in-crease the diversity of outings partici-pants, especially younger people and His-panics, two groups that are under-repre-sented on Sierra Club trips. (There aremany other groups we could also pursue,but for once we decided not to try to takeon too much.) We also want to align out-ings more closely with the conservationgoals of the Club. Many of the mostfiercely-fought conservation issues arelocal, like the ICC. Since a lot of the folkschampioning the issue are young Sierranswho are not regular outings participants,it occurred to me that we might accom-plish both goals through some local, con-servation outings.

These things are not hard to plan—the issue is usually right there in front ofyou. I led a canoe/kayak trip a couple ofyears ago at Blackwater National Wild-life Refuge to show people the state ofthe Refuge, and the threats from proposeddevelopment near Cambridge. We had agood turnout and a great paddle, exceptfor the thunderstorms that came up atthe end. Look at some of the conserva-tion outings designated on the wintercalendar—a lot of these are just regularold hikes, but with a conservation com-ponent added. Sometimes that’s all ittakes. Think about your favorite conser-vation issue, and how an outing mightbe structured to explain and show thatissue to interested participants. Then con-tact me and let’s get it moving.

So maybe you’re not all that“outdoorsy.” You don’t know how to builda campfire and you’re afraid to sleep inthe woods. Or perhaps you don’t getaround all that well anymore. There aremany others like you. But at least a fewof them would probably enjoy a chanceto go for a short nature walk to see a

Conservation and Outings



Outings (December 2007)

MWROP is an activity section of the Virginia chapter, with an extensive outings program runby leaders who live in andaround the Washington, D.C.area. Please check theirwebsite (www.mwrop.org) fora calendar of activities,information, and updates.

M M M M M W R O PW R O PW R O PW R O PW R O PMMMMMetretretretretropopopopopolitan olitan olitan olitan olitan WWWWWashingtashingtashingtashingtashingtonononononRRRRRegional Outings Pegional Outings Pegional Outings Pegional Outings Pegional Outings Prrrrrooooogrgrgrgrgramamamamam

Most outings in the MarylandChapter are run at the group level,with a few chapter and inter-chapterevents. The group originating theouting is identified in parenthesesby the leader’s name. These andother abbreviations used are listedbelow:

AA Anne Arundel GroupAMC Appalachian Mountain ClubAT Appalachian TrailBLM Bureau of Land ManagementCCA Canoe Cruisers Association

(Washington, D.C.)CG Catoctin GroupC&O Chesapeake and Ohio CanalFFA Family Friendly Activity (kids/

dogs ok, but check with leader)

FWS (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service

GB Greater Baltimore GroupGWNF George Washington National

ForestHC Howard County GroupMNF Monongahela National

ForestMW Metropolitan Washington

Regional Outings Program(MWROP)

NPS National Park ServiceNRA National Recreation AreaNWR National Wildlife RefugePFD Personal Flotation Device

(lifejacket)SF State ForestSP State ParkSNP Shenandoah National Park

CCCCCrrrrross Coss Coss Coss Coss Counounounounountrt rt rt rt ry Sy Sy Sy Sy Skkkkk iingiingiingiingiing (ratedmoderate) Anytime when snowconditions allow, there is a potentialfor a ski trip to Western Maryland orWest Virginia. Keep an eye on theweather and Jack’s phone numberhandy. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader: Jack Wise (GB) 410-256-3963

SSSSSaaaaaturturturturturdadadadadayyyyy,,,,, D D D D Dec 1:ec 1:ec 1:ec 1:ec 1:FFFFFFFFFFA LA LA LA LA La ka ka ka ka ke Re Re Re Re Roland and Roland and Roland and Roland and Roland and Robobobobobererererert Et Et Et Et E..... L L L L LeeeeeeeeeePPPPPa ra ra ra ra rkkkkk (rated moderate) Conservationouting. Dogs and older children arewelcome on this 5-mile hikebeginning at the Lake Roland damand walking on relatively flat trailsaround the lake, along the Jones Fallsstream, through woodlands, and up toa cliff in the Bare Hills serpentine area.Learn about this beautifully diversehabitat in the Jones Falls Watershed.Meet at 11 AM in the street parkingbeside the Lake Roland dam. Followthe sign for Robert E. Lee Park onLakeside Dr. off Falls Rd. and drive pastthe light rail parking lot. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: MaryCorddry (GB) 410-248-0423,[email protected]

PPPPPaaaaatuxtuxtuxtuxtuxenenenenent Bt Bt Bt Bt Brrrrranch anch anch anch anch TTTTTrrrrrai lai lai lai lai l (rated easy) 7-mile “sneaker hike” on paved trails inColumbia, along the Little PatuxentRiver, around Lake Elkhorn, and returnbefore lunch. Look for winteringwaterfowl on the lake. Meet at 9:00 atthe trailhead parking lot, across from9175 Guilford Rd, Columbia. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader:::::Sue Muller (HC) 301-498-8462,[email protected].

SSSSSundaundaundaundaundayyyyy,,,,, D D D D Dec 2:ec 2:ec 2:ec 2:ec 2:PPPPPaaaaatapsctapsctapsctapsctapsco - Mo - Mo - Mo - Mo - McKcKcKcKcKeldineldineldineldineldin (rated moderate)7 mile hike along the Patapsco River,past McKeldin Falls and Liberty Dam.Bring lunch and water. Meet at theBagel Bin off Rt. 40 in the EnchantedForest Shopping Center, for a 9:30 AMdeparture. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: Ken Clark (HC)301-725-3306, [email protected],,,,, D D D D Dec 2:ec 2:ec 2:ec 2:ec 2:HHHHHemloemloemloemloemlock Gck Gck Gck Gck Gorororororgegegegege (rated moderate)Conservation outing. See some of thelargest hemlock trees left in the stateon this 7 to 8-mile hike. Meet at 10:00AM at the Schawan Road Park & Ridejust off of I-83 north Exit 20B. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader:Jack Wise (GB) 410-256-3963

FFFFFrrrrr idaidaidaidaidayyyyy,,,,, D D D D Dec 7:ec 7:ec 7:ec 7:ec 7:GGGGGrrrrreaeaeaeaeattttter Ber Ber Ber Ber Baltimoraltimoraltimoraltimoraltimore He He He He Happappappappappy Hy Hy Hy Hy Hour andour andour andour andour andSSSSSooooocial cial cial cial cial (not rated) Members and non-members are invited to meet from 6to 8 PM for socialization, happy hour,and dinner at the Charred Rib in theRidgely Shopping Center off York Roadnorth of the Baltimore Beltway inLutherville. It is within walkingdistance to the Lutherville light railstation. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: Mary Corddry (GB)443-386-0862, [email protected]

SSSSSaaaaaturturturturturdadadadadayyyyy,,,,, D D D D Dec 8:ec 8:ec 8:ec 8:ec 8:BBBBBull Rull Rull Rull Rull Run Mun Mun Mun Mun Mounounounounountains Ctains Ctains Ctains Ctains Conseronseronseronseronservvvvvancancancancancyyyyy,,,,,VVVVVAAAAA (rated moderate) Conservationouting. 6.5 mile circuit hike featuringold mill ruins, homesteads, graveyards,quarries and a grand view of FaquierCounty from High Point. Bring lunchand water. Depart at 9:00 AM from thewest lot of the park & ride on BrokenLand Parkway at Route 32. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader:::::Mike Juskelis (HC) 410-439-4964,[email protected].

HikHikHikHikHike the Ae the Ae the Ae the Ae the AT tT tT tT tT to o o o o WWWWWashingtashingtashingtashingtashingtonononononMMMMMonumenonumenonumenonumenonumenttttt (rated moderate) 6 milehike. Meet at the parking lot on theleft side of Route 40 just before itcrosses Route 70. Bring water, a snack

or lunch, and wear appropriate hikingshoes. Dress in layers. Hike begins at10 AM. Contact leader for details.LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: Chris Hodge (CG)[email protected].

TTTTTuesdauesdauesdauesdauesdayyyyy,,,,, D D D D Dec 11:ec 11:ec 11:ec 11:ec 11:CCCCCaaaaatttttoooooccccctin Gtin Gtin Gtin Gtin Grrrrroup Soup Soup Soup Soup Sooooocial and Infcial and Infcial and Infcial and Infcial and InfororororormalmalmalmalmalMMMMMeeting aeeting aeeting aeeting aeeting at It It It It Isabsabsabsabsabellaellaellaellaella’’’’’s Rs Rs Rs Rs Restaurestaurestaurestaurestaurananananantttttand and and and and TTTTTapas Bapas Bapas Bapas Bapas Ba ra ra ra ra r,,,,, F F F F Frrrrrederederederederederick ick ick ick ick (not r(not r(not r(not r(not ratatatatated)ed)ed)ed)ed)Come for drinks and/or dinner. This isa good chance to meet fellow outdoorlovers and environmentalists, as well asmake suggestions for Sierra Clubactivities you’d like to see. Isabella’s isall non-smoking and is in downtownFrederick on the East side of MarketStreet between Patrick and Church. For garage parking, go right on Churchthen take an immediate left into thegarage. We’ll be at a table in the back. RSVP appreciated but not required. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: Chris Hodge (CG)[email protected].

SSSSSaaaaaturturturturturdadadadadayyyyy,,,,, D D D D Dec 15:ec 15:ec 15:ec 15:ec 15:GGGGGambrambrambrambrambrill Sill Sill Sill Sill Statatatatattttte Pe Pe Pe Pe Pa ra ra ra ra rk ,k ,k ,k ,k , MD MD MD MD MD (ratedmoderate) 8 mile hike on woodedtrails, with several scenic overlooks.Bring lunch and water. Meet at theBagel Bin off Rt. 40 in the EnchantedForest Shopping Center, for a 9:00 AMdeparture. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: Tim Ryan (HC) 410-248-2974 before 9:30 PM,[email protected].

SSSSSundaundaundaundaundayyyyy,,,,, D D D D Dec 16:ec 16:ec 16:ec 16:ec 16:GGGGGrrrrreaeaeaeaeat Ft Ft Ft Ft Fallsallsallsallsalls,,,,, VVVVVAAAAA (rated moderate) Sixmile hike on dramatic cliffsoverlooking the Potomac River, alongthe historic Patowmack Canal, andpast the scenic Difficult Run rapids.Bring lunch and water. Depart at 9:30AM from the west lot of the park & rideon Broken Land Parkway at Rt. 32.LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: Ken Clark (HC) 301-725-3306,[email protected].

DECEMBER 2007


Outings (December cont., January 2008)FFFFFrrrrr idaidaidaidaidayyyyy,,,,, D D D D Dec 21:ec 21:ec 21:ec 21:ec 21:FFFFFFFFFFA HA HA HA HA Hampampampampampden Hden Hden Hden Hden Holidaolidaolidaolidaoliday Hiky Hiky Hiky Hiky Hike e e e e (ratedeasy) A 3-mile evening tour ofHampden’s famous holidaydecorations on 34th Street. Hike willcontinue through other interestingareas including an art district and the“Avenue.” Time will be allowed forbrowsing through shops. Wearcomfortable but sturdy footwear assidewalks are uneven in places. Hikewill leave from the Rotunda, on 40thStreet and Keswick. Meet at 6 PM bythe tables near the indoor movietheater. (Older children welcome butmay not be suitable for dogs) LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader:::::Alan Penczek (GB) 443-212-5082, [email protected].

SSSSSaaaaaturturturturturdadadadadayyyyy,,,,, D D D D Dec 22:ec 22:ec 22:ec 22:ec 22:SSSSSkkkkk y My My My My Meadoeadoeadoeadoeadowwwwws Ss Ss Ss Ss Statatatatattttte Pe Pe Pe Pe Pa ra ra ra ra rk ,k ,k ,k ,k , VVVVVAAAAA (ratedeasy) 5 mile hike featuring views ofthe Piedmont Plateau andsurrounding pastures. Bring lunch andwater. Depart at 9:00 AM from thewest lot of the park & ride on BrokenLand Parkway at Rt. 32. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: MikeJuskelis, 410-439-4964,[email protected].

FFFFFFFFFFA FA FA FA FA First Airst Airst Airst Airst Annual nnual nnual nnual nnual WWWWWinininininttttter Ser Ser Ser Ser SolsticolsticolsticolsticolsticeeeeeCCCCCelebrelebrelebrelebrelebraaaaation and tion and tion and tion and tion and YYYYYule Lule Lule Lule Lule Looooog Hung Hung Hung Hung Hunttttt(rated easy) We will meet at the EaglesNest estate at 2:00 PM, and formseveral teams. Each team will receive aclue to a location on the grounds,where another clue will be located,and the final clue in each series will bethe location of the Yule Log, which willbe hidden, but marked with a redribbon and a bell. The first team thatfinds the log will ring the bell andsummon all others, who will drag thelog back to the house. We will taketurns cutting the log in half, while theothers may dance and sing. When thelog has been cut, one half will be putinto the fireplace, and we willconclude our celebration with WassailPunch, hot cider, cocoa, and a pot luck

dinner, readings about the WinterSolstice and Yule traditions, and a sing-along with Christmas Carols. Pleasebring a dish of food to share and $5 tocover expenses. Children OK with priorapproval. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: Paul Schoen (GB)410-667-4889, [email protected]

TTTTTuesdauesdauesdauesdauesdayyyyy,,,,, D D D D Dec 25:ec 25:ec 25:ec 25:ec 25:HHHHHolidaolidaolidaolidaoliday Ey Ey Ey Ey Escscscscscapapapapapeeeee (rated moderate)Conservation outing. Avoid the in-laws while you work up a holidayappetite with a bracing walk throughthe Wildlands area of Gunpowder FallsPark. About 6 miles of hilly woods anddamp valleys with stream crossingsand a stretch of flat path along theriver. Learn about the importance ofriparian buffers and theinterconnectedness of creek, river andbay. Meet at 10 AM at Big GunpowderFalls Park on Belair Road. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader:::::Joyce Fletcher (GB) 410-254-7240.

JANUARY 2008


TTTTTuesdauesdauesdauesdauesdayyyyy,,,,, J J J J Jan 1:an 1:an 1:an 1:an 1:CCCCCaaaaat Rt Rt Rt Rt Rooooock,ck,ck,ck,ck, B B B B Bobobobobob’’’’’s Hill,s Hill,s Hill,s Hill,s Hill, C C C C CunninghamunninghamunninghamunninghamunninghamFFFFFallsallsallsallsalls,,,,, MD MD MD MD MD (rated strenuous) Whatbetter way to start the New Year thanwith a challenging, 11-mile hike with 3

vistas and a waterfall? One majorstream crossing. Bring lunch andwater. Depart at 9:00 AM from thepark & ride just north of I-70 on Rt. 32.LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: Mike Juskelis (HC) 410-439-4964, [email protected].

TTTTThursdahursdahursdahursdahursdayyyyy,,,,, J J J J Jan 3:an 3:an 3:an 3:an 3:GGGGGrrrrreaeaeaeaeattttter Ber Ber Ber Ber Baltimoraltimoraltimoraltimoraltimore Ge Ge Ge Ge Grrrrroup Outingsoup Outingsoup Outingsoup Outingsoup OutingsPPPPPlanning Mlanning Mlanning Mlanning Mlanning Meeting eeting eeting eeting eeting (not rated) Newand prospective outings leaders arewelcome to attend the next quarterlymeeting of the Greater BaltimoreGroup’s Outings Committee onThursday, January 3. Come plan newoutings and meet other outingsleaders. If you’re interested in leadingoutings and are curious about what isinvolved, come and talk with theoutings leaders. The meeting will beheld at the Panera Bread restaurant inTimonium, beginning with dinner andsocialization at 6:30 in a quiet cornerand meeting to follow at 7:00. From I-83 north, take exit 16 Timonium Rd.east, turn left on York Rd., then turnright at the next light for theTimonium Center. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: BetteThompson (GB) 410-666-2696.

SSSSSaaaaaturturturturturdadadadadayyyyy,,,,, J J J J Jan 5:an 5:an 5:an 5:an 5:CCCCCa ra ra ra ra rderderderderderooooock - Bck - Bck - Bck - Bck - Billy Gilly Gilly Gilly Gilly Goaoaoaoaoat B & C t B & C t B & C t B & C t B & C TTTTTrrrrrailsailsailsailsails(rated moderate) 8.5 mile hike alongthe historic C&O canal towpath, andover rocky terrain by the PotomacRiver. Bring lunch and water. Depart at8:30 AM from the west lot of the park& ride on Broken Land Parkway at Rt.32. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: Ken Clark (HC) 301-725-3306, [email protected].

FFFFFFFFFFA CA CA CA CA Crrrrromwomwomwomwomwell ell ell ell ell VVVVValleallealleallealley Py Py Py Py Pa ra ra ra ra rk Hikk Hikk Hikk Hikk Hike e e e e (ratedeasy) Conservation outing. Childrenand dogs are welcome on this 3 milehike through a Baltimore County parkthat is a working farm with drafthorses, woodlands, hilly meadows,streams, old limestone kilns, and abrook bubbling out of the ground.Check out the success of invasive

plant removals and native plantings.Meet at 10:30 AM in the parking lotbeside the house in the park’sSherwood Farm section on CromwellBridge Rd. north from the BaltimoreBeltway. Children under 18 must beaccompanied by a responsible adult.Stay for brunch at Sander’s CornerRestaurant nearby. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: MaryCorddry (GB) 443-386-0862,[email protected]

TTTTTuesdauesdauesdauesdauesdayyyyy,,,,, J J J J Jan 8:an 8:an 8:an 8:an 8:Catoctin Group Social and InformalMeeting at Isabella’s Restaurant andTapas Bar, Frederick (not rated) SeeDecember 11 notice for details.

SSSSSaaaaaturturturturturdadadadadayyyyy,,,,, J J J J Jan 12:an 12:an 12:an 12:an 12:GGGGGrrrrreaeaeaeaeat Ft Ft Ft Ft Falls Hikalls Hikalls Hikalls Hikalls Hike and De and De and De and De and Dinnerinnerinnerinnerinner (ratedmoderate) History meets nature atGreat Falls section of the C&O Canal inPotomac, MD. We will examine howthe canal and locks were constructedand operated. We will take theboardwalk to the Great Falls overlookon Olmsted Island. Length of hike willbe 4 miles or less depending onweather and condition of trails.Entrance fee required. There will be adinner stop in Rockville after the hike.Meet at 1:00 PM at the South WestPark & Ride. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: Bill Diggs (GB)410-574-1453.

Little DLittle DLittle DLittle DLittle Deeeeevil Svil Svil Svil Svil Stairs and tairs and tairs and tairs and tairs and TTTTThorhorhorhorhornnnnntttttonononononRRRRRiviviviviver in SNPer in SNPer in SNPer in SNPer in SNP (rated strenuous) AscendLittle Devil Stairs, a narrow canyon ofsteep rock walls to “Four-Way” andcontinue to the AT. Return viaThornton River and Hull School Trails.15 miles with 3,000 feet of elevationgain. Meet at Oakton ShoppingCenter off Route 66 on Route 123 justoutside Vienna, Virginia at 7:30 AM.Alternative meeting place in HowardCounty possible (contact leader).Moderate pace with stops for flora andfungi of interest. Inexperienced hikers


Outings (January cont., February)call for hiker requirements. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader:::::William Needham (MW) 410-884-9127,[email protected]

CCCCCi ri ri ri ri rcuit hikcuit hikcuit hikcuit hikcuit hike te te te te to Co Co Co Co Cunningham Funningham Funningham Funningham Funningham Fallsallsallsallsalls,,,,,TTTTThurhurhurhurhurmonmonmonmonmont t t t t VVVVV ista,ista,ista,ista,ista, WWWWWolf Rolf Rolf Rolf Rolf Rooooock andck andck andck andck andCCCCChimnehimnehimnehimnehimney Ry Ry Ry Ry Rooooock in Cck in Cck in Cck in Cck in Caaaaatttttoooooccccctin Ntin Ntin Ntin Ntin NaaaaationaltionaltionaltionaltionalPPPPPa ra ra ra ra rk k k k k (rated moderate to difficult). Meetat the Catoctin National Park VisitorsCenter at 10 AM. Bring water, a snackor lunch, and wear appropriate hikingshoes. Dress in layers. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: ChrisHodge (CG) [email protected].

SSSSSaaaaaturturturturturdadadadadayyyyy,,,,, J J J J Jan 19:an 19:an 19:an 19:an 19:SSSSSusquehanna Susquehanna Susquehanna Susquehanna Susquehanna Statatatatattttte Pe Pe Pe Pe Pa ra ra ra ra rk ,k ,k ,k ,k , MD MD MD MD MD (ratedmoderate) 9-mile circuit hike featuringan old mill, RR grade and canal withviews of the Susquehanna River androlling pastures. Bring lunch andwater. Depart at 9:00 AM from thewest lot of the park & ride on BrokenLand Parkway at Rt. 32. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: MikeJuskelis (HC) 410-439-4964,[email protected].

SSSSSaaaaaturturturturturdadadadadayyyyy,,,,, J J J J Jan 26:an 26:an 26:an 26:an 26:WWWWWhithithithithite Oe Oe Oe Oe Oak Cak Cak Cak Cak Canananananyyyyyon,on,on,on,on, SNP SNP SNP SNP SNP (ratedstrenuous) 10 mile hike in ShenandoahNational Park, featuring several ice-covered waterfalls. Bring lunch, water,and good hiking shoes. Depart at 7:30AM from the west lot of the park & rideon Broken Land Parkway at Rt. 32. Signup in advance. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: Ken Clark (HC)301-725-3306, [email protected].

SSSSSundaundaundaundaundayyyyy,,,,, J J J J Jan 27:an 27:an 27:an 27:an 27:Hidden HHidden HHidden HHidden HHidden Ha ra ra ra ra rpppppers Fers Fers Fers Fers Ferererererrrrrryyyyy (ratedmoderate to strenuous) Conservationouting. Is there anything beyond theAT, C&O Canal, Loudoun and MarylandHeights to see around Harpers Ferry?There is if you know where to look.This partly unscouted hike will explorefor the remains of Ft. Duncan, theBarnard Line, and related sites andtrails 2 miles upriver from the town. Apark interpreter will review the area’shistory, plans, and related volunteer

opportunities with us. Then we’ll passthrough town to the Murphy FarmLoop Trail, visit one of the former sitesof the much-traveled “John Brown’sFort,” see 1862 Confederate battlelines, and descend a stream to theShenandoah River. Bushwhackingrequired. In event of bad weather, raindate is Feb. 24. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: Larry Broadwell(MW) 301-215-7135

FEBRUARY 2008


SSSSSaaaaaturturturturturdadadadadayyyyy,,,,, F F F F Feb 2:eb 2:eb 2:eb 2:eb 2:SSSSSunset Runset Runset Runset Runset Rooooocksckscksckscks,,,,, M M M M Michaux Fichaux Fichaux Fichaux Fichaux Forororororestestestestest,,,,, P P P P PAAAAA(rated moderate) 8-mile lollipop circuitwith a significant rock scramble up tothe Sunset Rocks vista. Pass ruins ofCamp Michaux, a World War II POWcamp. Bring lunch and water. Depart at9:00 AM from the park & ride justnorth of I-70 on Rt. 32. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: MikeJuskelis (HC) 410-439-4964,[email protected].

SSSSSundaundaundaundaundayyyyy,,,,, F F F F Feb 3:eb 3:eb 3:eb 3:eb 3:WWWWWeeeeevvvvverererererttttton Con Con Con Con Cliffl iffl iffl iffl iffs and the As and the As and the As and the As and the AT T T T T (ratedmoderate) Step off at 10 AM. Bringwater, a snack or lunch, and wear

appropriate hiking shoes. Dress inlayers. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: Chris Hodge (CG)[email protected].

SSSSSaaaaaturturturturturdadadadadayyyyy, F, F, F, F, Feb 9:eb 9:eb 9:eb 9:eb 9:Nicholson HNicholson HNicholson HNicholson HNicholson Holloolloolloolloollow and Rw and Rw and Rw and Rw and RobobobobobererererertsontsontsontsontsonMMMMMounounounounountain in SNPtain in SNPtain in SNPtain in SNPtain in SNP (rated strenuous) A16-mile circuit hike that will start byascending the Pine Hill Gap Trail anddescending Hot Short Mountain Trialto Nicholson Hollow, with a lunch stopat the historic Corbin Cabin. Return willbe via Robertson Mountain andWeakly Hollow Fire Road. Elevationgain 3500 feet. Meet at OaktonShopping Center off Route 66 onRoute 123 just outside Vienna, Virginiaat 7:30 AM. Contact leader for possiblealternative meeting place in HowardCounty. Moderate pace with stops forflora and fungi of interest.Inexperienced hikers call for hikerrequirements. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader: WilliamNeedham (MW) 410-884-9127,[email protected]

SSSSSundaundaundaundaundayyyyy,,,,, F F F F Feb 10:eb 10:eb 10:eb 10:eb 10: P P P P Paaaaatuxtuxtuxtuxtuxenenenenent Rt Rt Rt Rt Riviviviviver Ser Ser Ser Ser Statatatatattttte Pe Pe Pe Pe Pa ra ra ra ra rkkkkk (ratedmoderate) 6-8 mile hike, west ofHoward Chapel Rd., through woodsand across rolling farm fields that usedto belong to the Howard Family. Bringlunch and water, and boots for muddytrails and challenging streamcrossings. Depart at 10:00 AM from thewest lot of the park & ride on BrokenLand Parkway at Rt. 32. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: KenClark (HC) 301-725-3306,[email protected].

TTTTTuesdauesdauesdauesdauesdayyyyy,,,,, F F F F Feb 12:eb 12:eb 12:eb 12:eb 12:CCCCCaaaaatttttoooooccccctin Gtin Gtin Gtin Gtin Grrrrroup Soup Soup Soup Soup Sooooocial and Infcial and Infcial and Infcial and Infcial and InfororororormalmalmalmalmalMMMMMeetingeetingeetingeetingeeting at Isabella’s Restaurant andTapas Bar, Frederick (not rated) SeeDecember 11 notice for details.

MMMMMondaondaondaondaondayyyyy,,,,, F F F F Feb 18:eb 18:eb 18:eb 18:eb 18:GGGGGunpunpunpunpunpooooowwwwwder Fder Fder Fder Fder Falls Salls Salls Salls Salls Statatatatattttte Pe Pe Pe Pe Pa ra ra ra ra rk - k - k - k - k - WWWWWestestestestestCCCCCi ri ri ri ri rcuitcuitcuitcuitcuit (rated moderate) 7 mile circuithike along this beautiful river valley

and ridge. Bring lunch and water.Depart at 9:00 AM from the west lot ofthe park & ride on Broken LandParkway at Rt. 32. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: MikeJuskelis (HC) 410-439-4964,[email protected].

SSSSSaaaaaturturturturturdadadadadayyyyy,,,,, F F F F Feb 23:eb 23:eb 23:eb 23:eb 23:FFFFFFFFFFA GA GA GA GA Gunpunpunpunpunpooooowwwwwder ader ader ader ader at Bt Bt Bt Bt Belair Relair Relair Relair Relair Roadoadoadoadoad(rated moderate) Older children anddogs are welcome on this 4 mile hikealong the Gunpowder River. See howriver habitat changes in the winter.Dress for the weather. Children under18 must be accompanied by a parentor other responsible adult. Meet at 11A.M. in the parking lot for the trails onBelair Road, on the north side ofbridge over the river. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: MaryCorddry (GB) 443-386-0862, 443-386-0862 (cell), [email protected]


Outings (March and beyond)MARCH


SSSSSaaaaaturturturturturdadadadadayyyyy,,,,, M M M M Mar 1:ar 1:ar 1:ar 1:ar 1:SEMINAR:SEMINAR:SEMINAR:SEMINAR:SEMINAR: In In In In Int rt rt rt rt roooooducducducducduction ttion ttion ttion ttion to 3-So 3-So 3-So 3-So 3-SeasoneasoneasoneasoneasonBBBBBackackackackackpackpackpackpackpackinginginginging (not rated) Learn thebasics about this wonderful pastimeincluding tips on gear, food,preparation, safety and leave-no-trace.Pre-registration is recommended butnot required. Oregon Ridge NatureCenter, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader:::::Mike Juskelis (HC) 410-439-4964,[email protected].

SSSSSaaaaaturturturturturdadadadadayyyyy, M, M, M, M, Mar 8:ar 8:ar 8:ar 8:ar 8:CCCCComptomptomptomptompton Pon Pon Pon Pon Peak in SNPeak in SNPeak in SNPeak in SNPeak in SNP (ratedstrenuous) A 16-mile circuit hikestarting at the 4H Center in FrontRoyal and proceeding to ComptonPeak on the AT for a side trail stop atthe columnar jointing geologicformation. Return via Land’s Run Gapand Hickerson Hollow Trail. Elevationgain 4,000 feet. Meet at OaktonShopping Center off route 66 on route123 just outside Vienna, Virginia at 7:30AM. Alternative meeting place inHoward County possible (contactleader). Moderate pace with stops forflora and fungi of interest.

Inexperienced hikers call for hikerrequirements. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: WilliamNeedham (MW) 410-884-9127,[email protected]

TTTTTuesdauesdauesdauesdauesdayyyyy,,,,, M M M M Mar 11:ar 11:ar 11:ar 11:ar 11:CCCCCaaaaatttttoooooccccctin Gtin Gtin Gtin Gtin Grrrrroup Soup Soup Soup Soup Sooooocial and Infcial and Infcial and Infcial and Infcial and InfororororormalmalmalmalmalMMMMMeetingeetingeetingeetingeeting at Isabella’s Restaurant andTapas Bar, Frederick (not rated) SeeDecember 11 notice for details.

SSSSSaaaaaturturturturturdadadadadayyyyy,,,,, M M M M Mar 22:ar 22:ar 22:ar 22:ar 22:InInInInInvvvvvasivasivasivasivasive Pe Pe Pe Pe Planlanlanlanlant Rt Rt Rt Rt Remoemoemoemoemovvvvval along Gal along Gal along Gal along Gal along GlenlenlenlenlenEEEEEllen/Sllen/Sllen/Sllen/Sllen/Seminareminareminareminareminary y y y y TTTTTrrrrrail ail ail ail ail (not rated)Conservation/service outing. Help cutinvasive vines and pull other non-native plants along the Glen Ellen/Seminary Trail in the Loch RavenWatershed. Meet at 9:00 AM onSeminary Ave. just past the light to theleft off Dulaney Valley Rd., just north ofthe Baltimore Beltway. Tools, gloves,and refreshments will be provided.LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: Mary Corddry (GB) 443-386-0862, 443-386-0862 (cell),[email protected]

FFFFFFFFFFA PA PA PA PA Prrrrrettettettettettybybybybyboooooy Ry Ry Ry Ry Reseresereseresereservvvvvoir Hikoir Hikoir Hikoir Hikoir Hike e e e e (ratedmoderate) Conservation outing. Olderchildren and dogs are welcome onthis 4-6 mile hike along the shorelineand through forests around PrettyboyReservoir along the old Prettyboy Trail,newly re-discovered and maintainedby the GB Sierra Club in collaborationwith the Prettyboy Watershed Allianceand the Mountain Club of Maryland.Enjoy the pristine water and wildlifealong this isolated trail. Look for thebeginning signs of spring. Meet at1:00 PM at the Mt Carmel Rd. park andride just west off Rt. 83 north of theBaltimore Beltway. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: MaryCorddry (GB) 443-386-0862, 443-386-0862 (cell), [email protected]

SSSSSundaundaundaundaundayyyyy,,,,, M M M M Maaaaay 4:y 4:y 4:y 4:y 4:BBBBBi ki ki ki ki ke Ne Ne Ne Ne Neeeeew w w w w YYYYYororororork – k – k – k – k – TTTTThe Fhe Fhe Fhe Fhe Fivivivivive Be Be Be Be Borororororo Bo Bo Bo Bo Bi ki ki ki ki keeeeeTTTTTour our our our our (rated moderate) The all timebest way to see New York City. Ride 42traffic-free miles with 30,000 othercyclists through dozens ofneighborhoods in all five boros ofNew York City, and finish up with afestival on Staten Island. Funds raisedare used to support brain injuryresearch. If interested, contact DanSoeder, and perhaps we can puttogether a Maryland Sierra Club team.For more details and registrationinformation, visit http://www.bikenewyork.org/rides/fbbt/index.html LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: Dan Soeder (AA)410-969-9465,[email protected]

WWWWWednesdaednesdaednesdaednesdaednesday-Fy-Fy-Fy-Fy-Frrrrr idaidaidaidaidayyyyy,,,,, M M M M Maaaaay 21-23y 21-23y 21-23y 21-23y 21-23 Hik Hik Hik Hik Hike Le Le Le Le Las as as as as VVVVVegasegasegasegasegas (rated moderate):Meet us in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada.Not for the shows, the games or thebuffets, but for some spectacular dayhikes just a short distance from GlitterGulch. The leader is a former 8-yearresident, and knows some easy tomoderate trails at Red Rock Canyon,Spring Mountains NRA, Valley of FireState Park, Lake Mead, and DeathValley. Go on some or all. Trip limitedto 12 participants; reserve by the endof March. Airfare, hotels and meals areon your own, and we will split the costof a rental van. Plan to arrive byTuesday evening and leave Fridaynight or Saturday. Contact the leader

BEYOND MARCH for logistics and details. LLLLLeadereadereadereadereader::::: DanSoeder (AA) 410-969-9465,[email protected]

MMMMMa ra ra ra ra rk yk yk yk yk your cour cour cour cour calendars:alendars:alendars:alendars:alendars:The Metropolitan WashingtonRegional Outings Program, incooperation with the Maryland,Virginia, and West Virginia Chapters ofthe Sierra Club, is in the process ofmaking arrangements to host SierraClub professional training staff fromSan Francisco for the advancedOutings Leader Training class (OLT201)in the Washington, D.C. area sometimein 2008. It will most likely be in theautumn. More details will be comingas a date and location are selected.

threatened wetland, or maybe stroll alonga pond and discuss how to save it. Out-ings don’t always have to be 16 mile day-hikes with 4,000 feet of elevation change(although some people find these appeal-ing – see the entry for March 8). Thepoint is that you don’t need to be GrizzlyAdams to lead outings. Pick somethingthat’s within your stamina range, andwithin your outdoor skills level. Get theRed Cross basic first aid and take theOLT101 class, either on-line or one ofthe live sessions I offer now and then. Andthen lead an outing. You can do it.

See you outside. ■

Dan Soeder, MD Outings Chair, can bereached at [email protected]

Conservation and Outings(continued from page 16)

Chapter Excom BallotPage 23

Ballots due by January 12


BICO

BICO Outings

Abbreviations:CGCC: College Gardens Community CenterDHH: Digital Harbor HighFYC: Franciscan Youth CenterDHILL: Dickey Hill Elementary School

Sierra Club Inner City Outings is a community outreach program providingopportunities for urban youth and adults to explore, enjoy and protect thenatural world.

Baltimore Inner City Outings (BICO) was founded in 1999 with the goal ofproviding under-served Baltimore City youth with educational, enjoyable andsafe outdoor experiences at no cost to them. Since start-up, BICO hasconducted more than 290 outings, serving over 2,900 youngsters.

BICO provides environmental education and promotes respect for the outdoors,teamwork and leadership skills and a community service ethic.

For more information, or to volunteer with the BICO program, contact BICO ChairBob Iacovazzi at [email protected], or visit our web site at http://ico.sierraclub.org/baltimore/

Outings (BICO)

DDDDDecececececembembembembembererererer15 Holiday party CGCC8 or 15 Orienteering, Patterson Park and ice skating DHILL

JJJJJanuaranuaranuaranuaranuary 2008y 2008y 2008y 2008y 200812 or 19 Washington, DC Zoo and museums DHH12 or 26 Indian Echo Caverns FYC19 National Aquarium DHILL

FFFFFebrebrebrebrebruaruaruaruaruary 2008y 2008y 2008y 2008y 200816 Hiking, Gwynns Falls or Cylburn Arboretum; Swimming,

UMBC DHILL16 Maple sugaring, Oregon Ridge FYC23 Hiking, Harper's Ferry, WV DHH

MMMMMa ra ra ra ra rch 2008ch 2008ch 2008ch 2008ch 20081 Snowtubing, Boulder Ridge at Liberty Mountain, PA FYC24-26 Camping, Blackburn Cabin DHH15 Overnight DHILL

AAAAAprprprprpril 2008il 2008il 2008il 2008il 200819 or 26 Earth Day clean-up DHHTBD Garden Harvest organic farm and activity FYCTBA Chesapeake Bay Foundation Cruise, maybe DHILL

Discouraged by people using plastic bagsand the stores not encouraging alterna-tives? Me too, but here are solutions. Mysister and I went to the Green Festival inWashington, D.C. in early October andcame across reusable long lasting shop-ping bags for $5. They are contained in avery small bag which a has a clip-on-latchthat easily attaches to my purse or sits inmy car. Anytime I am at a store, I say Idon’t need paper or plastic but have myown bags. They come in great colors too.Visit www.chicobag.com.

I also will be taking a foldable cartthat can help when it is more than I cancarry in bags. I saw most folks in Europelast spring with their own carts and hopethis catches on here.

Kathleen Bartolomeo

Editor’s note: Trying to break the paper orplastic habit? On page 9, one of our mem-bers offers $5 to the first 50 members whobuy reusable shopping bags and pledge touse them.

Reusable Shopping Bags

Ltr. to Editor

Laurel ImlayMaryland Chapter/Sierra ClubRoom 101A7338 Baltimore Ave.

College Park, MD 20740

�

power consumption reduces to 8 Watts,which is less than 10% of its operatingpower consumption.

Make sure you have the power-downfeature set up on your PC through youroperating system software. This has to bedone by you, otherwise the PC will notpower down. If your PC and monitor donot have power-down features, and evenif they do, follow the guidelines belowabout when to turn the CPU and moni-tor off.

Note: Screen savers are not energy savers.Using a screen saver may in fact use moreenergy than not using one, and the power-down feature may not work if you have ascreen saver activated. In fact, modernLCD color monitors do not need screensavers at all. ■

Reducing Your Computer’sEnergy Appetite



Catoctin Excom Ballot MD Chapter Excom Ballot

Catoctin Excom Ballot MD Chapter Excom Ballot

EEEEExplorxplorxplorxplorxploreeeee,,,,, enjo enjo enjo enjo enjoy and pry and pry and pry and pry and protototototececececect the planett the planett the planett the planett the planet

CCCCCaaaaatttttoooooccccctin Gtin Gtin Gtin Gtin Grrrrroup Eoup Eoup Eoup Eoup Exxxxxcccccom Bom Bom Bom Bom Ballotallotallotallotallot

I am a member of the Catoctin Group. I live inCarroll, Frederick, or Washington County.

VVVVV OOOOOTE FOR UP TE FOR UP TE FOR UP TE FOR UP TE FOR UP TTTTTO 4 (FOUR) CO 4 (FOUR) CO 4 (FOUR) CO 4 (FOUR) CO 4 (FOUR) CANDIDAANDIDAANDIDAANDIDAANDIDATES.TES.TES.TES.TES.

Chris Hodge: See Chris’s statement on page 8 in the GroupNews Roundup for the Catoctin Group.

Dan Andrews: See Dan’s statement on page 8 in the Group NewsRoundup for the Catoctin Group.

Ken Eidel: See Ken’s statement on page 8 in the Group NewsRoundup for the Catoctin Group.

Other: You may write in another member, even yourself!_____________________________________

Maryland Chapter Excom BallotAll Chapter Members

Carroll, Frederick, & Washington Counties ONLY

CCCCCatatatatatoooooccccctin Gtin Gtin Gtin Gtin Grrrrroup oup oup oup oup VVVVVotototototers Oers Oers Oers Oers Onlnlnlnlnlyyyyy ::::: PPPPPlease vlease vlease vlease vlease vototototote fe fe fe fe for bor bor bor bor bothothothothothCCCCCaaaaatttttoooooccccctin Gtin Gtin Gtin Gtin Grrrrroup eoup eoup eoup eoup exxxxxcccccom and Mom and Mom and Mom and Mom and Marararararyland Cyland Cyland Cyland Cyland Chapthapthapthapthaptererererereeeeexxxxxcccccom.om.om.om.om. L L L L Leaeaeaeaeavvvvve ye ye ye ye your Cour Cour Cour Cour Caaaaatttttoooooccccctin Gtin Gtin Gtin Gtin Grrrrroup eoup eoup eoup eoup exxxxxcccccomomomomomballot aballot aballot aballot aballot attached tttached tttached tttached tttached to yo yo yo yo your Mour Mour Mour Mour Marararararyland Cyland Cyland Cyland Cyland Chapthapthapthapthapter eer eer eer eer exxxxxcccccomomomomomballot and send tballot and send tballot and send tballot and send tballot and send to the addro the addro the addro the addro the address shoess shoess shoess shoess shown on thewn on thewn on thewn on thewn on theCCCCChapthapthapthapthapter ballot ber ballot ber ballot ber ballot ber ballot beloeloeloeloelowwwww.....

Note: Terms for Gregor Becker and Kim Stenley will expire atthe end of 2008. Terms are for two years.

Vote for no more than three (3) candidates.(Candidates’ statements appear on pages 2-4)

Clip and return to:Election CommitteeMaryland Chapter/Sierra ClubRoom 101A7338 Baltimore AvenueCollege Park, MD 20740

Ballots must be received by January 12, 2008.

DDDDDaaaaavid Ovid Ovid Ovid Ovid O’ L’ L’ L’ L’ Learearearearearyyyyy

MMMMMi ki ki ki ki ke Me Me Me Me Mararararartintintintintin

BBBBBetsy Jetsy Jetsy Jetsy Jetsy Johnsonohnsonohnsonohnsonohnson

CCCCCharharharharharles les les les les “““““ CCCCChrhrhrhrhrisisisisis””””” YYYYYoooooderderderderder

RRRRRon Hon Hon Hon Hon Henrenrenrenrenryyyyy

RRRRRicharicharicharicharichard Rd Rd Rd Rd Reiseiseiseiseis

Joint MemberOnly

Leaders of the Sierra Club are chosen democratically from candidates who volunteer their time and talent to protect our Earth. Please honor this democratic tradition by voting.

Joint Member Only

Joint Member Only

�


The Chesapeake is published quarterly by the Maryland Chap-ter of the Sierra Club. Annual Sierra Club membership dues payfor subscription to this publication. Non-members may sub-scribe for $20.00 per year.

The opinions expressed in this newsletter are in general alignedwith those of the environmental community in Maryland butare strictly those of the authors and not necessarily officialpolicy of local, state or national Sierra Club entities. The SierraClub prides itself on being a grassroots volunteer organization.The concerns and opinions of all its members are welcome inthese pages.

Items for publication are best submitted by email to<[email protected]>or <[email protected]> with “For Chesapeake” andtitle in subject line. Items must include the author’s addressand telephone numbers. Material may be edited for length, con-tent or clarity at the discretion of the editor. Photographs, illus-trations and other works of art are welcome. Materials cannotbe returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self addressedenvelope.

Change of address: send address changes to the Sierra Club, 85Second Street (2nd Floor), San Francisco, California 94705-3441.For fastest service, please include your old and new addressesalong with your 8-digit membership number. For local mem-bership information contact the Maryland Chapter Office 301-277-7111 or write: Maryland Chapter/Sierra Club, 7338 BaltimoreAve (Suite 101A), College Park, MD 20740.

Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and in-formation, contact:Editor, The ChesapeakeSierra Club Maryland Chapter7338 Baltimore Ave, Suite 101College Park, MD 20740

Credits

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Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club Winter 2007-2008

The Maryland Chapter wishes to thankthose who contributed to this issue ofChesapeake.

Writers and Contributors: Bonnie Bick,Betsy Johnson, Laurel Imlay, Lisa Mayo,Kim Stenley, Mary Corddry, DavidProsten, Gregor Becker, Kim Birnbaum,David Hauck, Sam White, Janis K.Oppelt, Claire Miller, Annie CollierRehill, Dan Soeder

Editors: Betty Brody, Mary Corddry,Donna Engle, Becky French, LaurelImlay, Betsy Johnson, Sue Kunkel, CindyParé, Annie Rehill, Darla Tewell, JoanWilley

Outings Editor: Dan Soeder

Layout and Typography: Darla Tewell

(And there’s more, too.)

Donna Edwards: Conservationist of the Year!A Challenge to Congressman GilchrestAre Christmas Trees Invasive?Jamboree HighlightsFighting Waste Incineration in Central Maryland2008 E2008 E2008 E2008 E2008 Exxxxxcccccom Eom Eom Eom Eom Elecleclecleclection Btion Btion Btion Btion Ballotallotallotallotallot

Remember to Vote!

Maryland PrimaryFebruary 12

Elections 2008

donna edwards receives 2007 conservationist of the year … · chesapeake 2 winter 2007-2008 ......

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