May, 2012: In This Issue. . .
Save Winfrey Point - Take Action Now
On Wednesday night (May 2), the Executive Committee of the Dallas Sierra Club passed a resolution in
support of protecting the Winfrey Point Texas Last Steward prairie grasslands from a proposed
overflow parking lot for the Dallas Arboretum.
You can help.
First, we need signatures on the below petition to demonstrate how area citizens
value this unique land. Petition:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/protect-winfrey-point/
Next, attend a rally tomorrow, Saturday, May 5. The Rally for Winfrey will start at 8:00 am.
Gather in the Emerald Isle neighborhood at the intersection of Glenore and Timplemore. The
rally will proceed down Garland Road around 8:30 am to the gates of the Dallas Arboretum. Bring
your slogans, bring your signs, and most importantly bring friends.
Then call your Dallas City Council member and them them you want the Winfrey Point prairie protected.
Get more information at www.SaveWinfreyPoint.com.
General Meeting Program -
May 8, 7:00 pm - Refreshments at 6:30
We have two great programs lined
up for our May General Meeting. Don't miss them!
From the Fridge to the
Fire - Wildlife Contrasts
Over the past 10 years, Jeremy Woodhouse has spent many days in
the field in both Texas and Japan photographing wildlife. This presentation will highlight the
contrasts between the chilly winter months in Japan and the baking hot climate of South Texas, and how
the resident wildlife copes in each of these harsh environments.
Jeremy Woodhouse is an outdoor
photographer based in Dallas, Texas. He spends much of each year on the road, photographing
landscapes, cityscapes and wildlife. For the past five years he has been running photo tours to
destinations such as Japan, Italy, and Mexico.
Jeremy's photos have appeared in
print all over the world. He has received numerous international awards in the Wildlife
Photographer of the Year Competition, and he was overall winner of the 2002 Nature's Best
International Photography Awards. His images have been included in exhibitions at the
Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., the Dallas Museum of Natural History, and the Natural History Museum
in London.
Jeremy is a wildlife photographer
at heart, but due to the realities of the economy, he has diversified and now photographs a wide
variety of subjects which include travel, cityscapes, and lifestyles. He runs nature and
cultural photo tours to various locations around the globe. For more information about upcoming
tours, please go to http://www.pixelchrome.com/blog/?page_id=6
Safety in National Parks
Jerry Kasten will review his five year quest to identify and determine the who, where, and why of
people who went missing in America's National Parks from 1872-2002, and were never found. He
will provide a risk list based on his findings that you can use to protect yourself from becoming
another tragic missing person in the National Parks.
Jerry Kasten is a retired Dallas
high school teacher who began in 1960 to spend his summers working for the National Park Service as a
Seasonal Park Ranger in Rocky Mountain National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park, but most often at
Yellowstone National Park. In more recent years, Jerry has been a Volunteer at Yellowstone
National Park. He is a member of the Association of National Park Rangers and The National Park
Ranger Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Everyone is
welcome. You don't have to be a Sierra Club member. Just
show up. We'd love to meet you.
Our General
Meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. but come at 6:30 for snacks,
information and fellowship. Our meeting takes place at REI, 4515 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway,
Dallas, TX 75244. Click over to our
General Meeting
page of our website for more information and a map.
Outings Highlight
May 6 (Sun) Morning day
hike at Cedar Ridge Preserve
RESCHEDULED: Come walk off that Easter candy, break in your
new boots, get used to carrying your backpack or just shake off those tax season blues! Join us for a
pleasant hike at one of the best day hike areas within 50 miles of DFW. This 600 acre hidden jewel
contains over 10 miles of trails that range from easy to strenuous . Some nice elevation changes,
heavy cedar cover and a view of Joe Pool Lake. We'll start from the picnic table area at 10:00 am and
hike a variety of trails for about 3 hours, followed by an optional picnic lunch. Bring $3 for
admission, wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and bring a day pack, water, snacks and lunch. Hike will
cancel if raining due to slick trails. Call leader if weather in question. No reservations - just show
up. Cedar Ridge Preserve is located southwest of Dallas, at 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas,
75249. From I-20, exit Mountain Creek Parkway and turn south. Drive about three miles and CRP will be
on your right. For more information about the Preserve, go to http://www.audubondallas.org/cedarridge.html
Leader:
Wendel Withrow 214-287-1046
May 12 (Sat) White Rock
Lake Cleanup
Walk and talk while helping to pick up trash and recyclables at the Sierra
Club's adopted section of White Rock Lake Park. Meet at 8:15 AM at the Love of the Lake office on the
Northeast corner of Garland Rd. and Buckner Blvd. Look for a crowd of people drinking free juice and
coffee. Gloves, trash bags, etc. provided. Our area includes one of the wonderful prairie restoration
areas, so there are always birds and wildflowers to enjoy. The lake and your karma will thank you.
Brunch afterwards. Leader:
Carol Nash 214-824-0244
May 19 (Sat) Trail
Maintenance at the Cedar Ridge Preserve near Duncanville and Dallas Texas
Its fun and its
helpful to get out to the Cedar Ridge Preserve in Dallas to help upgrade some of the beautiful walking
trails. The address is 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75249. It's a great morning workout, and
the scenery is exceptional. No tools are required, (maybe gloves) just show up and be ready to lend a
hand or two. We'll work from 9 AM to 12 or so, and then walk around the preserve and admire the
wildflowers and fauna! Bring some water for sure. Its on Saturday the 19th of May, please see their
website www.audubondallas.org/cedarridge.html for directions and info.
Their number is 972-709-7784. If you wish to carpool, then let me know, and we'll arrange a
meeting spot. Come on out and stay green, people! Organizer: Ginger Bradley Leader:
Ginger Bradley 469-223-7902
Jul 3-9 (Tue-Mon) Fourth of July Bus Trip to the Pecos Wilderness in New Mexico
SIGN UP NOW for a truly memorable Fourth of July experience backpacking in the high, cool Sangre de
Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico. Leave Dallas at 7 PM on July 3 on our overnight sleeper bus
and return by 6 AM on July 9. Choose an adventure from five trail options, including opportunities to
walk up Santa Fe Baldy after adjusting to altitude, exploring the Skyline Trail, La Vega, Holy Ghost
Creek or Horsethief Meadow. Our most gentle trip ends with a night in Santa Fe. Two epic
hikes for agile backpackers traverse the magnificent Santa Barbara Divide from Carson National Forest
into Santa Fe National Forest. Escape the summer heat into the aspens, firs and tundra wildflowers of
this wilderness treasure. Experience sights you cannot possibly see from your automobile! All hike
options require at least one previous overnight backpacking experience. Full details, including
sign-up instructions, are in
this PDF file. You'll love the Pecos Wilderness! Bus trip leader:
Mark Stein 2 214-526-3733
For a complete list of our outings,
visit our calendar.
Calendar
Here is our calendar for the next two months. For complete listings, visit us at
www.dallassierraclub.org.
 May
5 (Sat) Cedar Ridge Preserve Hike-a-Thon
The Hike-a-Thon is a fundraiser to raise money
for improvements at Cedar Ridge Preserve. In addition to hiking, The Preserve will host several
informational booths. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Of course, The Preserve will be
open to non-participants, but we encourage you to help the preserve and join in the fun. Registration
is $20 per person, $5 per child (6-12). Cash only. Full details
here.
(This is not a Sierra Club sponsored
event.)
 May
6 (Sun) Morning day hike at Cedar Ridge Preserve
RESCHEDULED :Come walk off that Easter
candy, break in your new boots, get used to carrying your backpack or just shake off those tax season
blues! Join us for a pleasant hike at one of the best day hike areas within 50 miles of DFW. This 600
acre hidden jewel contains over 10 miles of trails that range from easy to strenuous . Some nice
elevation changes, heavy cedar cover and a view of Joe Pool Lake. We'll start from the picnic table
area at 10:00 am and hike a variety of trails for about 3 hours, followed by an optional picnic
lunch. Bring $3 for admission, wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and bring a day pack, water, snacks and
lunch. Hike will cancel if raining due to slick trails. Call leader if weather in question. No
reservations - just show up. Cedar Ridge Preserve is located southwest of Dallas, at 7171 Mountain
Creek Parkway, Dallas, 75249. From I-20, exit Mountain Creek Parkway and turn south. Drive about three
miles and CRP will be on your right. For more information about the Preserve, go to
http://www.audubondallas.org/cedarridge.html Leader:
Wendel Withrow 214-287-1046
 May
8 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting
Our May General Meeting features two great
programs. First up, we have a short program about safety in National Parks. Our main
program is by award winning wildlife photographer Jeremy Woodhouse. Jeremy's presentations is
titled From the Fridge to the Fire - Wildlife Contrasts. Full details are on our
home page.
 May
12 (Sat) White Rock Lake Cleanup
Walk and talk while helping to pick up trash and
recyclables at the Sierra Club's adopted section of White Rock Lake Park. Meet at 8:15 AM at the Love
of the Lake office on the Northeast corner of Garland Rd. and Buckner Blvd. Look for a crowd of people
drinking free juice and coffee. Gloves, trash bags, etc. provided. Our area includes one of the
wonderful prairie restoration areas, so there are always birds and wildflowers to enjoy. The lake and
your karma will thank you. Brunch afterwards. Leader:
Carol Nash 214-824-0244
May
16 (Wed) Outings Committee Meeting
Meet in the upstairs program room at REI (on north side
of LBJ between Midway and Welch), at 6:30 PM. Bring your ideas for the Dallas Sierra Club Outings
program. We will be planning local outings and bus trips. All outings leaders, future outings leaders,
and interested Sierrans welcome. Ask Bill to be placed on the email list for an agenda. Contact:
Bill Greer 972-247-0446
May
19 (Sat) Trail Maintenance at the Cedar Ridge Preserve near Duncanville and Dallas Texas
Its fun and its helpful to get out to the Cedar Ridge Preserve in Dallas to help upgrade some of the
beautiful walking trails. The address is 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75249. It's a great
morning workout, and the scenery is exceptional. No tools are required, (maybe gloves) just show up
and be ready to lend a hand or two. We'll work from 9 AM to 12 or so, and then walk around the
preserve and admire the wildflowers and fauna! Bring some water for sure. Its on Saturday the 19th of
May, please see their website www.audubondallas.org/cedarridge.html for directions and info.
Their number is 972-709-7784. If you wish to carpool, then let me know, and we'll arrange a
meeting spot. Come on out and stay green, people! Organizer: Ginger Bradley Leader:
Ginger Bradley 469-223-7902
 May
19-20 (Sat-Sun) Canoe / Kayak Camping At McGee Creek Natural Area
We have done many
backpack trips to McGee Creek State Natural Area and we usually hike down to an arm of McGee Creek
Reservoir that adjoins the Natural Area. For this trip we'll paddle about 7 miles to a
designated canoe camping site in the Natural Area. Our route follows a winding arm of the
reservoir that has no current. If you're looking for white water this isn't your trip.
Expect a leisurely paddle to camp with stops for lunch, snacks, and maybe a swim. We'll camp
Saturday night in the Natural Area and return to the put-in Sunday. Camp Friday night near your
car or get up really early and drive up Saturday morning. Leader:
Bill Greer 972-247-0446
 MMay
25-29 (Fri-Tue) Memorial Day Weekend in the WHITE MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS
Wa-hoo! This
destination, near Ruidoso, New Mexico, is perfect for beginner backpackers with at least one overnight
backpacking experience who want to move up to a 3-day, 2-night trip at altitude. Veteran
backpackers will love it, too. Ascend the eastern slopes of the Sierra Blanca Mountains to the Crest
Trail for amazing views of White Sands and the black Malpais lava fields on the desert floor far
below. Choose from four consistently popular hikes and a route never before offered. Hop on a
sleeper bus Friday evening and return Tuesday morning before work. Full details are in
this PDF document. All
seats on this trip were SOLD as of early April, but you may register for a short WAIT LIST or sign up
now for a trip later this summer. Call or reply for status. Bus trip leader:
Mark Stein 214-526-3733
Jun
6 (Wed) Dallas Sierra Club Executive Committee Meeting
The Executive Committee (or Excom)
is the elected governing body of the Dallas Sierra Club and meets at REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway, Farmers
Branch, TX 75244 (north side of LBJ between Midway and Welch). Contact the
Dallas Group Chair for more information.
Jun
9 (Sat) White Rock Lake Cleanup
Walk and talk while helping to pick up trash and
recyclables at the Sierra Club's adopted section of White Rock Lake Park. Meet at 8:15 AM at the Love
of the Lake office on the Northeast corner of Garland Rd. and Buckner Blvd. Look for a crowd of people
drinking free juice and coffee. Gloves, trash bags, etc. provided. Our area includes one of the
wonderful prairie restoration areas, so there are always birds and wildflowers to enjoy. The lake and
your karma will thank you. Brunch afterwards. Leader:
Carol Nash 214-824-0244
Jun
12 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting
Everyone is invited to the Dallas Sierra
Club's General Meeting. Full details will be on our
home page about a month before the meeting.
Jun
20 (Wed) Outings Committee Meeting
Meet in the upstairs program room at REI (on north side
of LBJ between Midway and Welch), at 6:30 PM. Bring your ideas for the Dallas Sierra Club Outings
program. We will be planning local outings and bus trips. All outings leaders, future outings leaders,
and interested Sierrans welcome. Ask Bill to be placed on the email list for an agenda. Contact:
Bill Greer 972-247-0446
Jul
3-9 (Tue-Mon) Fourth of July Bus Trip to the Pecos Wilderness in New Mexico
SIGN UP NOW
for a truly memorable Fourth of July experience backpacking in the high, cool Sangre de Cristo
Mountains of northern New Mexico. Leave Dallas at 7 PM on July 3 on our overnight sleeper bus
and return by 6 AM on July 9. Choose an adventure from five trail options, including
opportunities to walk up Santa Fe Baldy after adjusting to altitude, exploring the Skyline Trail, La
Vega, Holy Ghost Creek or Horsethief Meadow. Our most gentle trip ends with a night in Santa Fe.
Two epic hikes for agile backpackers traverse the magnificent Santa Barbara Divide from Carson
National Forest into Santa Fe National Forest. Escape the summer heat into the aspens, firs and
tundra wildflowers of this wilderness treasure. Experience sights you cannot possibly see from
your automobile! All hike options require at least one previous overnight backpacking
experience. Full details, including sign-up instructions, are in
this PDF file.
You'll love the Pecos Wilderness! Bus trip leader:
Mark Stein 214-526-3733
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