Sierra Club and Trees Acadiana co-host IMAGINE the Future "Park at the Horse Farm"

The long effort to see the former UL-Lafayette "Horse Farm" land become a public park approaches the design and community participation phase of its plan.

Acadian Group of the Sierra Club and Trees Acadiana join forces to host directors David Calhoun and Elizabeth Brooks of Lafayette Central Park, Inc. on October 16, 2013 for a presentation on the upcoming visioning process to plan the development of the future Park at the Horse Farm.  Q&A discussion on the critical issues and other details bearing on the Park's future will follow.

The first round of workshops are set for 23-26 October 2013 to enable we the general public to be co-creators of the plan of development for the Horse Farm.
 Presenters will give an overview of the process, the issues, and how we can take the opportunity to be a constructive part of developing the plan for the future Park at the Horse Farm. 

Gather with us on October 16, 2013 at 6:30 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Downtown Lafayette at the corner of Johnston and Main Street and be sure to Bring a Friend.

 

 Some Issues of Public Concern: parking, bike and pedestrian access, traffic calming and management on Johnston Street, governance and other oversight opportunities by Lafayette Consolidated Government and the general public, and the infusion of $30 million in private development funding.  Other questions will be addressed such as the  'no trespassing' notices currently posted on the property and whether the green-space will be maintained as a passive recreation area.

 

Sponsored by Acadian Group of the Sierra Club & TreesAcadiana

Presenters:  David Calhoun, Executive Director, Lafayette Central Park, Inc.

Elizabeth Brooks, Director of Planning and Design

 

Hope to see you.  Have your voice heard.

Sign up for this event on Facebook, Invite your Friends and "Like" the Acadian Group.

September Paddle Outing to "Bayou of the Giant Clams"

Acadian Group of the Sierra Club announces outing: Paddle trip through the Bayou of the "Giant Clams," Lake Dauterive, Bayou Portage.

About this Destination: Bayou Grand Gueule is the french name for a bayou leading into Lake Dauterive named for the giant, slightly soft-shelled, freshwater clams in this inland historical bay, lake system. Gueule adapted from french meaning the action of shutting closed. This was the commoners word in use at the time by settlers of this area to refer to this clam.
 
Outing focus:
This outing will involve a one-way journey by canoe (or bring your own kayak) from Bayou Portage, Lake Dauterive and Bayou Grand Gueule on the afternoon of September 29th.  It is nearly 3 miles in length, so come prepared for a full afternoon on the water.  We will shuttle vehicles from the put-in and take-out locations.

The Sierra Club's Delta Chapter is updating the "Delta Country Trail Guide," last published by in 1997. We will complete a multimedia data collection and pre-publication of information on the Bayou Grand Gueule (Bayou of the Giant Clams) for the trail guide. GPS marking, anthropological and environmental data, as well as photographic and or video-graphic recordings are suggested and encouraged from participants. Volunteer assistance with this project is welcomed.

Need a canoe? Call Mr. Schoeffler.
Inexperienced? We can pair you with an experienced paddler.

Carpooling: Need a ride? Have one to offer? RSVP with Outing Director Harold Schoeffler by calling/leaving a message at 337-234-4042. Arrive at 3502 E. Simcoe, Lafayette, La 70506 by 1:00pm to complete prep for departure and rideshares. All members and friends must RSVP if planning to meet us at the put-in on your own.
Approximate Directions: http://goo.gl/maps/7M0Vo

After the paddle, we may have a picnic hotdog roast at the put-in location. Bring something to something for yourself or to share with all at the picnic.

ALSO FYI: Mr. Schoeffler rarely ever has to cancel an outing. If there is a forecast of slight chance of rain, assume the outing will go on. Call to confirm if in doubt.

Catch up with the outing on Facebook to place on your calendar: https://www.facebook.com/events/719634054719795/

Beachcombing Adventure on the Cameron Parish Shore

Acadian Group schedules return to Rutherford Beach on August 18th

The Vibrant recreational excursion program with the Acadian Group of the Sierra Club continues this month! We return to our annual summer scene of relaxing play along the shoreline of Cameron Parish for this quite possibly, the only hiking/walking adventure the group regularly makes throughout the year.

Last summer, Conservation Coordinator Devin Martin documented the journey to the area Harold calls Hackberry Island with a post here on the blog.  Most folks know this by its other name, Rutherford Beach, where the Mermentau River historically flowed to the sea before the 20th century shipping canal diversion straightened its path.  The Mermentau returns as a setting for us this month as we paddled last month on its more northern reaches near the town of the same name. This summer we'll get back to the beach and this we'll be doing a little work to update the Delta Chapter's signature recreational publication, the Trail Guide to the Delta Country.  The guide covers the recreational, aesthetic, naturalistic, environmental history and pollution challenges of our most loved places to get out and explore these parts.  Cameron Parish as you might know has some of the most polluted beaches in the country, suffering not from unconscientious tourists, instead she is visited by ocean born detritus coming ashore and bacteriological impairments from near shore and bayou runoff.  Despite those challenges, it is a relaxing late afternoon near the sound of surf lapping along the shore, and an endless treasure hunt of shells to be found.

As usual, we'll be incorporating a purpose to this outing, so bring some bags to help pick up the worst of the litter that would be harmful to wildlife. We can't remove all the debris, but we can do our part.  This will be a family friendly event too.  After the a good exploration, we'll settle down for a hot dog roast at sunset and you're welcome to bring your own veggies and light meats to roast.

We hope you'll join us. Please be sure to RSVP with Harold Schoeffler by phone whether you'll be carpooling with us from Lafayette or driving on your own.  Invite a friend to come with you, let them know on our Facebook event page.

Sunday, Aug 18, 2013
Hackberry Island beachcomb,
Meet at Harold’s 1:00 pm
3502 E. Simcoe, Lafayette
Carpool from Harold's, visit Rockefeller National Wildlife Refuge along the way as we travel the scenic Louisiana Highway 82.  Swimming option, beachcombing, litter pickup, weenie roast, kids welcome
RSVP/REGRETS - important, please help trip organizer with this info
Call Harold’s house leave message – (Three-Three-Seven) 234-4042

Herbicide Spraying in Louisiana Water Bodies - June 19th Conservation Meeting

A staff person from Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries' Noxious Plant Program, an $8 million program to control water hyacinth and giant salvinia, will be a guest speaker at the next Conservation Meeting of the Acadian Group of the Sierra Club on Wednesday June 19.  We have invited the department to send a representative to listen to community concerns on this issue and present information on their program.

Citizens have expressed concerns regarding the use of herbicides on aquatic and shoreline plants in and around public bodies of water in the state.  Some expressed concerns include human health impacts, impacts to wildlife especially birds, as well as total habitat availability along the shoreline and systemic ecological effects.  Our organization recently was made aware of a concern at Lake Martin where shorelines have been sprayed on an ongoing basis.  Our recreational outing for the month of May to the Lake followed on a member's presentation so that we could investigate further.

We will also be hosting a special visit from the young people of Ride for the Future who are traveling exclusively by bicycle from New Orleans to Houston to explore and highlight stories of the effects, challenges and solutions stemming from use of fossil fuels, environmental justice, and sustainable strategies for development and clean energy.

Our meeting starts promptly at 6:30pm.  All members, friends of the Sierra Club, and the general public are welcomed to attend, listen, and participate.

Location: First Methodist Church - Lafayette, Louisiana, corner of Lee/Main/Johnston downtown.  Meeting Hall upstairs, enter through rear doors facing parking lot. http://goo.gl/maps/IiXfB

To Sign up for this event and follow the Acadian Group through Facebook, click here.

Rabbi Weinstein Visits the Acadian Sierra Club

Acadian Group of the Sierra Club is pleased to be hosting a talk on the Jewish thoughts on Ecology.  Rabbi Barry Weinstein of Temple Shalom will be joining us on this WEDNESDAY June 12th to make a short presentation and receive your questions as we engage in a stimulating discussion.
 

Rabbi Weinstein will be driving in from Baton Rouge to talk with us about Jewish views towards approaching Ecology. A 15-20 minute talk followed by time for an inspired Question and Discussion on Jewish views of honoring land and water.

Our meeting starts promptly at 6:30pm.  All members, friends of the Sierra Club, and the general public are welcomed to attend, listen, and participate.

Location: First Methodist Church - Lafayette, Louisiana, corner of Lee/Main/Johnston downtown.  Meeting Hall upstairs, enter through rear doors facing parking lot. http://goo.gl/maps/IiXfB

To Sign up for this event and follow the Acadian Group through Facebook, click here.

Acadian Group's Outings with a Purpose

Acadian Group Outings with a Purpose
May through July 2013

May 19, 2013
Canoe, eco hike, and motor boat tour of Lake Martin with Marcus Delahoussaye. We will meet at Lake Martin (see map) near the boat launch on the east side at 2:30 pm and finish the afternoon with a picnic social and weenie roast social at 5:00 pm. Boats will be provided on an RSVP basis or bring your own! See map at http://goo.gl/o3HwB

Need a Ride? All desiring carpool transportation can meet 2:00 pm at home of Harold Schoeffler, 3502 E. Simcoe, Lafayette, LA 70506. Bring something in a cooler to share with all at the picnic.

Outing focus: We will look at the damage to aquatic and shoreline plants from chemical application for abatement of water hyacinth. Acadian Group wants to study the issue of chemical spraying for weeds on south Louisiana waterways. Come with us, have some fun and join in the discussion.
We are also in process of updating the Delta Country Trail Guide, last published by Sierra Club Delta Chapter in 1997. We will go through the process of writing up outing information for the guide.

Please RSVP by email (preferable) to Woody Martin at hrmartin2sc@gmail.com or leave phone message at 337-232-7953.

June 23, 2013
Bayou Ami from Catahoula Lake canoe paddle
Circle route 1 ½ hrs paddle. We will meet at Catahoula Lake near the boat launch at 2:45 pm and finish the afternoon with a picnic and weenie roast social at 5:00 pm. Boats will be provided or bring your own.  All desiring transportation can meet 2:00 pm at home of Harold Schoeffler, 3502 E. Simcoe, Lafayette, La 70506. Bring something in a cooler to share with all at the picnic. See map at http://goo.gl/8iL8i

Outing focus: We are in process of updating the Delta Country Trail Guide, last published by Sierra Club Delta Chapter in 1997. We will go through the process of writing up the Bayou Ami outing information for the guide.

Please RSVP by email (preferable) to Woody Martin at hrmartin2sc@gmail.com or leave phone message at 337-232-7953. Let me know names, how many people and contact email or phone.

July 14, 2013
Bayou Nezpique canoe paddle
2 ½ to 3 hrs, 9.8 mile canoe paddle Jennings to Mermentau River. Put in at Jennings Bayou Nezpique boat ramp, take out at hwy 90 bridge in Mermentau. See map at http://goo.gl/aIfpN

Meet 1:00 pm at home of Harold Schoeffler, 3502 E. Simcoe, Lafayette, La 70506. Bring snacks. Canoes will be provided for those who RSVP.

Outing focus: Updating the Delta Country Trail Guide, last published by Sierra Club Delta Chapter in 1997. We will go through the process of writing up the outing information for the guide.

Please RSVP by email (preferable) to Woody Martin at hrmartin2sc@gmail.com or leave phone message at 337-232-7953. Let me know names, how many people and contact email or phone.

An Engineering Look at the Cause of BP's 2010 Blowout and Oil Spill

Offshore Drilling Expert/Author to speak at Lafayette Southside Library April 17, 2013, 7:00 pm

On this third anniversary of the Macondo disaster we can honor not only the 11 who died, but the 115 who survived and all of those who continue to work on this new ultra-deep water, ultra-high pressure frontier.

Lafayette - John Turley spent two years studying Macondo well data and investigative reports and published a book in September 2012 about the drilling of the well and how it went wrong. That was months before announcements including BP's and Transocean's blowout-related, multi-billion-dollar criminal charges; the indictment of two BP company men; and BP's civil trial, which started 25 February 2013.

John Turley's goal in studying BP's Macondo blowout was to use his education and experience to cut through all the media and finger-pointing noise, so as to document the drilling of the 3-1/2-mile-deep well and the engineering, operating, and human causes of the disaster. Through those studies, he came away with a simple message for those touched by the disaster, for petroleum engineering students, politicians, regulators, the media, and for his oil-&-gas colleagues around the world. The message is this:

Only if we understand and care about
the cause of BP's Macondo blowout
will we know why it should not have happened
and why it should never happen again.

Mr. Turley's presentation is about his documented findings on this important oil and gas industry topic. This will be a one hour presentation with time for Q and A. The presentation is sponsored by Sierra Club Acadian Group.

John Turley began his offshore career as a company man for Tenneco out of Lafayette, Louisiana. He has worked as Gulf Coast drilling manager, operations manager, manager of worldwide drilling, and VP of engineering & technology for Marathon Oil. His academics include petroleum engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, ocean engineering at the University of Miami, and executive education at Harvard Business School. For additional information, see Mr. Turley's Website: JohnTurleyWriter.com

 
Per our custom, we may take dinner at a local restaurant after the meeting. Guests are welcome to join us.

Please also visit our new Facebook Page and RSVP for this event here  

March General Meeting and Guest Speaker

General Program Meeting - Guest Speaker Daniel Henderson of LALED, Inc. Wednesay, March 13, 2013 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm This month we host guest Daniel Henderson, VP at Louisiana LED, that's Light Emitting Diode LED's. Daniel will be visiting us to discuss his company's work in the design and manufacture of LED technology. These lighting devices have a diverse number of applications and we'll get to learn more about their use, manufacture, and economics. After this guest discussion, we will proceed to our ongoing general club business time permitting, which includes various coastal conservation, Atchafalaya Basin, Bayou Teche Scenic River designation, wildlife, legislative, energy efficiency, Lafayette's Power Future and other topics. Also, our group has a recreational outing on Sunday afternoon March 17th to Cole's Bayou in lower Vermilion Parish. This outing follows the State Delta Chapter Sierra Club retreat at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, which begins Friday evening and concludes Sunday morning. Members and new friends are welcomed to join us with their own tent, or just to visit for the day of activities on Saturday. As usual we meet in the upstairs meeting room of the First Methodist Church in Downtown Lafayette at 701 Lee Avenue on the corner of Main Street, just off of Johnston St.   Directions: From back parking lot entrance, ascend stairs then turn right, go into short hallway on the right, meeting room will be on the left. For info on LA LED --> http://www.laledus.com/About-Us_ep_7.html Per our custom, we may take dinner at Hub City Diner afterwards. Guests are welcome to join us. Also, we are trying out a new Facebook Page for the Acadian Group.  You can check-in or reserve a seat at the meeting table with our event listing here: https://www.facebook.com/events/100949980096677

January 2013 Greetings and Annoucements

Meetings Location:
First United Methodist Church
703 Lee Avenue
Lafayette, LA 70501
Directions: From back entrance, ascend stairs then turn right, go into short hallway on the right, meeting room will be on the left.

Executive Committee (ExCom) and Conservation Meetings
We host our ExCom/Conservation meeting at 6:30pm on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. The ExCom discusses environmental issues relevant to the Acadiana region, organizes outings, campaigns, other events, and handles other business of the Group. All are welcome to attend. Elections for the ExCom are held yearly and are open to all active members of the Acadian Group who are current with their dues.

General Meeting and Lecture Series
The Acadian Group holds a general meeting and/or hosts a guest lecture or film at 6:30pm on the 3rd Wednesday of every month Everyone is invited.

***The Acadian Group of the Sierra Club is always looking for speakers. Past speakers have talked about wildlife, native plants, invasive species, reforestation, environmental education, the news media, and environmental concerns of local or global nature. If you would like to volunteer or suggest a speaker for the general meeting please contact Harold Schoeffler, Acadian Group Chairman at 337-234-4042 or email <  cadistyle at aol.com > ***

Looking forward to and wishing you an engaged and lively 2013.