Sierra Club Outings help us get outside and appreciate nature.  Once you experience something it helps you to want to protect it.  In addition to increasing our activism it is also a lot of fun.  Even when we are looking at damaged lands we can feel energized about creating positive change.  You can see from the outings listed that there are a wide variety of options available for the interests and abilities of our diverse membership.  If you have an area of interest that you would like to discuss or are interested in joining the Outings Committee feel free to contact Jane Jontz at jontzja@hotmail.com or 716-628-6934.

Owl Prowl Scheduled for April 7

An "Owl Prowl" will be held on Saturday,April 7, 2007, at 8:00 PM at the North Tonawanda Audubon Nature Preserve. Those who are interested are to meet at the trail head at Meadow and Kinkead Avenues in North Tonawanda across the street from North Tonawanda High School. Flashlights and boots for walking in wetlands are advised. Chuck Rosenburg will be our owl caller. Eastern screech owls are commonly seen in the Klydel Wetland but great horned owls are also known to nest there.

Star Gazing Rescheduled for April 21st

Please join us for a stargazing evening at Beaver Meadow on April 21. The Buffalo Astronomic Association will be showing us the heavens through their five telescopes. We will see a crescent moon, first quarter moon, M81 and M82; small galaxies, Bellatrix, Beetlejuice; the gigantic red star and part of the Orion galaxy as well as many more items of the heavens. They will help us understand this part of our natural world. We will first convene for dinner at the Strykersville Village Pub for dinner at 7:00pm and then travel to Beaver Meadow.

Please RSVP to Jane Jontz at 628-6934 or jontzja@hotmail.com When you leave your message please leave your telephone number in case there is last minute change of plans due to cloud cover. Hope to see you there.

Tour of "Toxic" Communities - June 2nd

Joe Gardella will host an outing that tours various impacted communities in erie County and identifies community engagement by residents who live near toxic sites.

Planned visits include 858 E. Ferry on east side of buffalo, Hickory Woods, Seneca Babcock and Tonawanda Coke and the Huntley Plant in Tonawanda.

Joe Gardella will lead the outing and discuss communty engagement, environmental justice and other issues in Erie County. Contact Jane Jontz

Adirondack Trail Run June 16th

Come and join Jane Jontz at the Great Adirondack Trail Run June 16 in Keene Valley, NY. We will stay at the ADK Lodge and participate in either the 11.5 mile strenuous run or the 3.2 mile fun run. Then depending upon how fit we feel we may take in some additional trail time at a walking pace after a shower and good meal. These runs will acquaint us or reacquaint us with the sensitive river and mountain ecosystems. There is a tight enrollment period for these races so

Please respond ASAP. If you are not particularly interested in the races you can RSVP at your leisure but keep in mind the earlier the better for accommodations. Jane Jontz, 628-6934.

Jazz Festival and Gorge Hike August 25

The Lewiston Jazz Festival will take place on Friday through Sunday, August 24-26, all along the Center Street of Lewiston, beginning at 10:00 and maybe ending around 5:00 but many groups and bands may continue to play into the evening.

Let's meet at the Gazebo on Center Street in Lewiston on Saturday the 25th at 9:00a.m., hike in the Gorge for about 3 hours, and then return to Lewiston to enjoy the music and eat lunch together. We will see the beauties of nature created by the powerful erosion caused by the rapids above Niagara Falls. Bring a picnic lunch in a backpack!

Contact Charles Lamb for more information or to indicate your plans to participate.

Visit Buffalo's New Parks and Habitat Restoration Sites September 8

In the Last 15 years, the City of Buffalo has created four habitat restoration sies along the Buffalo River and Lake Erie and two additional waterfront parks. These places are hidden gems within the city boundaries. Come and spend the morning visiting these special hidden places Saturday, September 8th, 9am -12pm. Co-sponsored by Sierra Niagara Group and the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. Contact Lynda Schneekloth,883-4075.

Hike at Chestnut Ridge - September 15

Learn about our natural gas reserves during a hike at Chestnut Ridge, beginning at 1:00 pm on September 15. Meet at the Chestnut Ridge Casino. If you can come, call Jane Jontz at 628-6934.

Leadership Training for Outings Leaders Oct 12-14

Great opportunity for individuals interested in leading overnight outings. Outings that are away from the car. You will learn about emergency management, group dynamics, club liability, and how to make your outings fun. You will learn from national Sierra Club staff and spend a weekend with other outing leaders from the northeast.

The training will take place in Syracuse, New York, on the weekend of October 12 - 14th, 2007. Cost $35.00 per person includes all meals and accommodations. For more info contact Jane Jontz, Sierra/Niagara Group Outings Leader at 716.628.6938.