NOVEMBER - HIKING at CAT ISLAND

NOVEMBER - HIKING at CAT ISLAND

Acadian Group is meeting up with our sister Group over in Baton Rouge for a hike at Cat Island  on Saturday, November 22,  2014

Meeting Times are 9:00am for carpoolers at the meetup in Baton Rouge and 10:30 hike leaves Trail Head.

Come and hike with us at Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge near Saint Francisville known for its old growth cypress trees.  The weather has cooled a bit. Its a good time for a hike! We will meet at Campus Credit Union at Perkins Rd and Quail Dr for carpooling. Contact Gwen Pine 225-272-5207 if you plan to attend.We may need to reschedule or make alternate plans if roads are too wet. The leisurely walk to the tree on the Big Cypress trail  is less than a mile round trip.  It is an easy walk because the trail is level and has just been improved.  After viewing the tree and surrounding area, we will head to the 2.8 mile Blackfork Walking Trail to observe other interesting flora and fauna.  If you prefer, you may opt for a shorter walk, or none at all. Bring mosquito repellent. There are no facilities on Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge.

More details at http://brsierraclub.blogspot.com/2014/11/cat-island-hike-info.html

Tunica Hills / Clark Creek Outing

Got a summertime hiking itch that needs scratching? Acadian Group of the Sierra Club can help with that. We're leading a hike at the Clark Creek Natural area on June 14. Members and Friends throughout Louisiana are invited to participate.

Clark Creek Natural Area in the Tunica Hills is a member favorite hiking destination despite being forgivably located just across the state line in Mississippi which was a part of the Delta Chapter in our founding years. This area has waterfalls and hiking trails deep in the Tunica Hills. There are improved steps on the hillsides, on some waterfalls, and most trails are maintained with primitive trails also available.

April General Interest Meeting - New Outings

 Acadian Group of the Sierra Club selects it's upcoming quarter of recreational outings.

At the General Interest Meeting on Wednesday evening, 4/16 we call for outings recommendations from our members for the May-July quarter. Also members with recreational outing leadership are always welcome to become an Official Outings Leader with the Sierra Club. We offer support for members to become certified. 

We'll also update on the Green Army and other environmental bills in the legislature and how to join the action team; update on the Atchafalaya West Levee Bike Path and other trails; update on Lake Fausse Pointe area National Monument proposal; update on Lafayette's Electrical Future partnership with the League of Women Voters, currently in the research phase; next Ecologic TV program, and other issues subject to call. We will also have an informational table during Festival International, corner of Jefferson and Vermilion next to the Boy Scouts.

Share this update, and please bring a friend! First United Methodist Church downtown Lafayette, corner of Johnston and Main. Rear Entry of Church Hall, door on the right, go upstairs and look to the right. We'll also go for dinner at Hub City Diner at your request. See you there!

Also keep up with us on our Facebook Page.

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

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.