Foothills Photo Mosaics

In celebration of Earth Day, and to gather activists in support of Winston-Salem's tree ordinance, the Foothills Group held a photo petition. Take a look at the results:

Hiking with Kids

Josh Thomas, our one and own Central Piedmont Group Chair, has a new post over at Ecochildsplay.com. So go over there and check out his seven tips; for now, here's a small preview:

1. Give kids real responsibility

Captain (hiking leader), Cook (snacks holder), Chief Navigator (map
holder/user), Lead Photographer, etc. These all work. Just be sure you have a
role for each child.

2. Switch roles frequently

If you have 4 kids or fewer on the trip, switch often enough (roughly every 7-8
minutes for four kids) so that all can be Captain at least once per half
hour.

3. Think Journey, Journey, Journey

Every time you announce a role change, remind yourself that this is
about the journey, not the destination, and that the kids are
dictating the pace (30 photos of tree sap? Of course that’s a good idea!)

Sierra Club Volunteer on Raleigh's Comprehensive Plan

Responding to Raleigh's Comprehensive Plan
by Marvin Woll, Capital Group

The City of Raleigh recently introduced the Raleigh Comprehensive Plan for 2030. A large number of Raleigh citizens and city employees did an excellent job in developing this plan. It is a good plan; however, there are some sections that need to be revised.

In the section entitled Element C: Environmental Protection there is Policy EP 7 that calls on the city to "Increase the use of renewable energy to meet 10 percent of Raleigh's peak electric load". This is a section we need to respond to and change. We should be able to meet 30 percent of Raleigh's peak electric load with renewable energy by the year 2030.

In the section entitled Element B: Transportation there is B.2.4 which concerns Public Transportation. Action T25 mentions providing fixed guideway transit services within "10 to 15 years". Raleigh has been waiting a long time to develop a light rail system and we should change the timeline on this action section to "within the next 3 to 6 years".

You can respond to the Comprehensive Plan by going to http://www.raleighplanning2030.com/. You can also provide your comments to the plan by attending one of three workshops to be held on January 13,14 and 15. Information about these workshops can also be found at the previously mentioned website.

We only have December and January to respond to this plan and make changes. Your response is vital to the process of improving the environmental and transportation sections of this plan. The future of Raleigh and our environment will depend on your actions.

From Swain Cty to the Eno - Sierrans in the News

In her review of the ongoing (but nearly finished) struggle to allocate funds to Swain County in lieu of the North Shore Road, or the 'Road to Nowhere' in politico-speak, Mountain XPress writer Danny Bernstein turned to Ted Snyder, our very own Western North Carolina czar:

Ted Snyder—a retired lawyer, former national Sierra Club president and vocal environmentalist—has been working on this issue for decades and is probably the foremost expert on the North Shore Road’s history and politics. He believes there are other ways for Swain County to get the money besides pursuing four-party negotiations. Congress could appropriate the money directly, or the Department of the Interior could either ask for an appropriation or find the funds within its 2009 budget, Snyder argues.

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In other news, a Sierra Club hike at the Eno River made the Durham Herald Sun. Possible development on a 60-acre parcel adjoining Eno River State Park will in all likelihood create substantial runoff problems for the park. Hike leaders hoped to educate potential allies about the issue, its major players, and alternatives to rezoning the area for development. The hike came two days after Durham's city council discussed handing off the issue to the NC Dept of Parks and Rec.

One Sierra Club Member's Solution to a Growing Problem

Are you worried about high gas prices? What about greenhouse gases emitted by your car? Sierra Club member Craig Melby has found a smart way to combat these issues and have a dependable method of transportation!

Craig is an owner of a street legal, all electric golf cart termed a "low speed vehicle." The vehicle goes up to 25 mph, has a 50 mile range, and is legal on all streets with a speed limit 35 and under. These vehicles cost around $6500 and are run on electricity that currently costs 1% of the price of gasoline!

The vehicle is perfect for trips to the neighborhood grocery store, school, library, and restaurants. Thanks for this great idea Craig!