January-March 2013 Volume 42, Number 1 News of the Central Ohio Group

The Central Ohio

Sierran

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC All programs, meetings, outings, and events in this newsletter are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Arti-

cles appearing in The Central Ohio Sierran are the opinions of the authors and do

not necessarily reflect policy of the Sierra Club.

GET OUR NEWSLETTER VIA MAIL OR EMAIL Club members

who would like to receive this newsletter by mail, or would like to receive

email notification when current newsletters hit the web, please contact David

Donofrio daviddonofrio1(at)gmail.com or 614-327-6310.

Don't miss this opportunity to catch up on the Ohio Sierra Club and environ-

mental issues in Ohio and enjoy the Lodge's amenities and the park's trails

along the Clearfork-Mohican River. There will be great sessions on energy,

transportation, water, fracking, forests, coal, and nuclear issues—and a hike!

This retreat is open to all Sierra Club members and there is no registration

fee. It will start with breakfast Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and finish Sunday at 3

p.m. Reservations can be made for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. The Ohio

Chapter will provide meals and rooms are available in the Lodge for a group

rate of $59 per night if you register by Jan 15. For more details and to regis-

ter (deadline Jan 26), go to http://action.sierraclub.org/site/Calendar/, navi-

gate to the month of February, and select “Ohio Chapter 2013 Retreat” on the

calendar for that weekend.

Ohio Chapter Annual Retreat Sat Feb 9 and Sun Feb 10

Mohican State Park

In This Issue: Chair’s Corner .......................... 2

Sierra Club Meetings ................. 2

Dispatches from the Stream ...... 3

The COG Conservation Committee ........................................... 3

Association Formed to Protect Ohio’s Natural Areas and Pre-serves .................................. 4

Daughmer Bur Oak Savannah .... 4

Franklin County Gets “F” in Air Quality ................................. 5

Support Nature Preserves on Your Ohio Income Tax Return ........ 5

Sierra Club Plays Role in Dam Re-moval ................................... 6

Shopping and Donating is Green, but Beware ........................... 7

Yards Go “Green” and Get Certi-fied ...................................... 8

Help Migratory Birds in Your Yard ........................................... 8

Outings ................................... 9

“YAY BIKES! LET’S RIDE!” ....... 10

Community Events ................. 11

Directory ............................... 12

Rally for Sawmill Wetlands Education Area

The “Save the Sawmill Wetlands” rally in November drew almost 100 peo-

ple. The Ohio Sierra Club was one of the organizers of the event. (See the

article on page 3.)

http://action.sierraclub.org/site/Calendar/

Chair’s Corner, Winter 2013 Sierrans,

Happy New Year!

We’ve had a lot happen over the past year, and have won numerous victo-

ries for central Ohio. As we enter a new year, I want to highlight a couple

of things that demonstrate the most basic tenets of Sierra Club, as in our

motto: “Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet.”

Explore and Enjoy: Our Outings Committee, led by chairs Marilyn

Fiske, Linda Halverson, and our newest ExCom member Line Martineau,

meet at least every other month to plan walks and hikes throughout cen-

tral Ohio. From taking a simple stroll through Victorian Village in Co-

lumbus to venturing outside Franklin County to a state or metro park,

make sure to take advantage of these outings for all ages – some even cre-

ated explicitly for pets to join you! The full outings calendar is available

at the Sierra Club Central Ohio Group website.

Protect: Our staffers, led in Ohio by Jed Thorp, are – I believe – the

greatest payoff from your continued support. Just a few examples: Rashay

Layman works daily to move Ohio from coal toward renewables. Matt

Trokan works with the Aveda Institute to bring funding for our Clean

Water efforts. Ben Wickizer is pushing central Ohio to become multi-

modal with complete streets for transportation. This is but scratching the

surface! Be assured that all of our staffers work incredibly hard, seven

days most weeks, to ensure that here in Ohio we are leading the way to-

ward all things green.

I mention these points to show that as a club, even locally, we embody the

principles that John Muir laid out over 120 years ago. We are doing our

part, with your assistance, to keep pushing our country and planet toward

a better, cleaner and more sustainable future. To keep on pushing even in

the face of difficulty is a surefire sign, even the marquee, of progress.

So, onward into a new year! And thank you for all you do.

David Donofrio,

Chair, Sierra Club Central Ohio Group

Central Ohio Group (COG)

Executive Committee First Wednesdays at 6:45pm

Jan 2, Feb 6, Mar 6

Meets at Consider Biking, 4041 N.

High St., Suite 201. Contact COG

Chair David Donofrio at 614-327-

6310, SierraCOG(at)gmail.com for

more information or if you have an

agenda item.

COG Conservation Committee Third Wednesdays at 7 pm

Jan 16, Feb 20, Mar 20

Meets at the Sierra Club downtown

office, 131 N. High St. Press the

intercom and someone will let you in.

Open to all members. Contact COG

ConsCom Chair Amber Bellamy at

bellamy.41(at)buckeyemail.osu.edu to

verify the date or if you have an

agenda item.

Ohio Chapter Conservation and

Executive Committees Sunday, Feb 10 at the

Sierra Club Ohio Chapter Retreat

The first meeting of the year will take

place at the Chapter retreat at Mohican

State Park. Refer to the article on page

1 for more information.

Sunday, Mar 17

10 am ConsCom; 1 pm ExCom

Through the rest of the year, these

committee meetings are held every

other month at the Ohio Sierra Club

office, 131 N. High St. in downtown

Columbus. Lunch served at no charge.

Open to all Sierra Club members.

Contact Cent ral Ohio Group

representative to the Ohio Chapter

Sarah Cercone at sarahcercone.2(at)

gmail.com for more information or if you have a subject for the agenda.

Sierra Club Meetings

Page 2

Right: Picture

of bur oaks of the Daughmer

Prairie Savan-

nah Nature

Preserve in

Crawford

County, OH

taken by Bill

Fisher. (See

article on page

4.)

mailto:SierraCOG@gmail.commailto:bellamy.41@buckeyemail.osu.edumailto:sarahcercone.2@gmail.commailto:sarahcercone.2@gmail.com

By Ben Wickizer,

Conservation Program Coordinator

With winter now upon us, service

activities have wound down for Sier-

ra Club Clean Water Campaign vol-

unteers. In the last four months of

2012, these volunteers amassed an

impressive 450 project hours on trash

and debris clean ups, as well as inva-

sive honeysuckle removals. This puts

us on target to meet our goal of 1,500

volunteer hours by August 2013.

Thank you to all the volunteers and

members who have helped us work

towards this goal, and helped us pro-

tect our waterways and environment.

Our campaign to save the Sawmill

Wetlands Education Area in north-

west Columbus continues. The

Sawmill area consists of approxi-

mately 8 acres of high quality season-

al vernal pools, intermingled within

17 acres of mature forest. We recent-

ly organized a community event and

tour at the wetlands to illustrate the

degree of community support for pre-

serving the area, and had over 80 in-

dividuals attend. (Check out the

Friends-of-the-Sawmill-Wetlands

Facebook page for more photos and

information.)

The next step in the fight for the

wetlands is to oppose the developer’s

permit application for an Isolated

Wetlands Permit for the site, which

would enable the filling and destruc-

tion of the wetlands. The Ohio Envi-

ronmental Protection Agency is re-

sponsible for administering the per-

mit, and there will be a permit hear-

ing where the public can testify about

the wetlands. Although the date has

not yet been set, we plan to publicize

the event once it is scheduled and

hope that central Ohio Sierrans will

attend and speak to the importance of

preserving wetlands.

The central Ohio campaign also

recently trained a new crop of Water

Sentinels on how to monitor our wa-

terways for pollution. These new

Sentinels will be out on our streams

and rivers sniffing out pollution and

ensuring that our waterways remain

healthy. One of the pollutants that

Sentinels will be focusing on is sew-

age contamination, both from com-

bined-sewer overflows and failing

home sewage treatment systems

(HSTS). To learn more about what

locations in Franklin County are like-

ly to have illicit sewage discharges

f r o m HT S T s , v i s i t h t t p : / /

www.myfcph.org/npdes.php#maps.

Don’t forget to “Explore, Enjoy, and

Dispatches from the Stream

Page 3

The COG Conservation Committee

By Amber Bellamy, ConsCom Chair

Your Conservation Committee (ConsCom) has been busy the past couple of months assisting efforts to save the

Sawmill Wetlands Education area in northwest Columbus. See Dispatches from the Stream for more information on

this effort.

We have also begun restructuring, forming subcommittees that focus on specific aspects of conservation, including

Fracking, Water, Energy, Transportation, Forests, and Green Jobs. The ConsCom subcommittees are still in the pro-

cess of becoming functional and there are still positions that need to be filled. All subcommittees are currently seek-

ing new members and some need chairpersons.

Some duties of those who serve on a subcommittee may include: reaching out to other members (particularly those

outside of Franklin county) and encouraging them to get involved, assisting staff with ongoing projects, starting new

projects in central Ohio that focus on environmental issues that are not currently being addressed by COG, and com-

municating progress with other ConsCom members on a regular basis.

There may also be efforts put forth in the near future to reach out to outlying counties in the Central Ohio Group by

hosting movie screenings in different counties. If you would be interested in hosting a movie screening as an out-

reach event in your county, or are interested in becoming more involved with ConsCom, please contact Amber

Bellamy (bellamy.41@osu.edu).

Sierrans touring the Sawmill Wetlands.

http://www.myfcph.org/npdes.php#mapshttp://www.myfcph.org/npdes.php#maps

Page 4

Compiled by Maryann Kafer

In recent years, the Ohio Department of Natural Re-

sources suffered severe budget cuts that affected the De-

partment’s programs and activities. Dismantling of the

Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (DNAP) started

in 2009 when the Scenic Rivers Program was transferred

to the Division of Watercraft. The Natural Heritage Pro-

gram was transferred to the Division of Wildlife in 2010.

Further changes, including the transfer of management to

the Division of Parks and Recreation, have left a once

nationally recognized system of state nature preserves in

jeopardy. Many are now rapidly deteriorating, their rare

and endangered plants and animals threatened. Many pre-

serves are being overrun by invasive species and un-

checked natural succession and the Division of Parks and

Recreation simply does not have the staff or capacity to

respond as well as it needs to without additional funding,

commitment, and experienced, biologically trained per-

sonnel to do so.

Until the Ohio General Assembly can be convinced to

replace the tax dollars needed to support the program,

volunteers must do most of the work, especially in moni-

toring the preserves, habitat management, and educational

activities on the preserves. Even if funding and qualified

leadership are restored in the future, the Ohio nature pre-

serve system will always need the help of dedicated vol-

unteers. Realizing this, stakeholders held a Natural Areas

Constituency Strategic Planning Meeting in early 2012

and recommended formation of an organization to re-

establish and re-energize a statewide constituency or

"Friends" group for the Division of Natural Areas and

Preserves and to marshal a large, dedicated volunteer

workforce to assist in managing these areas in Ohio.

Three retired DNAP officials applied for non-profit cor-

poration status with the Ohio Secretary of State. The Ohio

Natural Areas and Preserves Association (ONAPA) be-

came a reality on April 5, 2012. The first full meeting of

the board was held on June 29, 2012, during which by-

laws were adopted, officers elected, and the IRS 501(c)(3)

application reviewed and approved.

In general, the main role of the association is to (1) help

(Continued on page 5)

Compiled by Maryann Kafer

The Division of Natural Areas & Preserves protects natu-

ral areas with ecological and/or geological significance

under provisions of the Natural Areas Act of 1970. Many

of these areas include some of the finest remnants of

Ohio's natural heritage. Some areas are so fragile that the

division requires a permit for access.

State nature preserves are not parks. Instead, they are

sanctuaries for rare plants and animals. For this reason,

preserves are suited for minimum impact activities such

as birdwatching, hiking, nature study and photography but

not picnicking or camping. Preserves are open daily from

dawn to dusk. Each year a variety of programs are pre-

sented regularly at the preserves. Scheduled events and

preserve regulations are posted on area bulletin boards.

Special arrangements for guided programs and additional

parking for groups can be made with preserve managers.

One of the newest preserves in Ohio’s system is the

Daughmer Prairie Savannah in Crawford County, dedicat-

ed in the summer of 2012. At 34 acres, Daughmer Prairie

Savannah is thought to be the best and most intact of its

kind remaining in the region. Used for grazing and never

plowed, the preserve features massive bur oaks thought to

be over 150 years old, a mesic prairie community and two

distinctive types of wet prairie.

Learn more about the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and

Preserves at http://ohiodnr.com/tabid/867/Default.aspx, or

go to http://ohiodnr.com/ and click on “Nature Preserves.”

Association Formed to Protect Ohio’s Natural Areas and Preserves

Daughmer Bur Oak Savannah - Ohio’s Newest Preserve

Bur oaks at Daughmer Prairie Savannah —Photo by Bill Fisher

http://ohiodnr.com/tabid/867/Default.aspxhttp://ohiodnr.com/

Page 5

Franklin County Gets “F” in Air Quality By Susan Belair

The American Lung Association (ALA) compiles an annual State of

the Air report card, broken down by state, county, and type of air pol-

lution. The scores for some of Ohio's counties for 2012 can be found

at http://www.stateoftheair.org/2012/states/ohio/.

Like the other Ohio counties that house large cities, Franklin County

gets an overall “F”. Licking, Delaware, and Knox counties were also

listed and received C ratings. All these results were primarily due to

ozone pollution. None of the Ohio counties listed on the report card

received an A grade.

Power plants, vehicles that run on fossil fuels, chemical plants, facto-

ries, and gas stations are some of the sources of the nitrogen oxides

and hydrocarbons which react to form ozone in the presence of heat

and sunlight.

Ozone is a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms. It is extremely

reactive; when breathed in, it damages lung tissue and possibly the

heart. Research has shown that ozone consumption shortens the

lifespan. According to the ALA, five groups of people are especially

vulnerable to the effects of breathing ozone:

• children and teens

• anyone 65 and older

• people who work or exercise outdoors

• people with existing lung diseases

• “responders,” who are healthy but for unknown reasons react

strongly to ozone.

Visit the State of the Air website for some actions you can take to help

the ALA.

establish and support local nature preserve

friends groups throughout Ohio for both

state and non-state natural areas; (2) pro-

vide a support group for the sustainable

management of state nature preserves as

well as other natural areas around the state;

(3) educate, promote and advance natural

areas issues within the Ohio General As-

sembly as well as with the general public;

and (4) promote the protection of rare spe-

cies of plants and animals and rare ecosys-

tems.

The three incorporators of the organization

are naturalist Richard E. Moseley Jr.,who

built the Ohio Natural Areas Program from

scratch in 1970 when the law was passed,

and became the first Chief of the Division

of Natural Areas and Preserves when the

program became a division of ODNR in

1975, making it one of the most successful

natural areas programs in the country; natu-

ralist Guy Denny, the first assistant chief

of the division and later chief of DNAP for

5 years until his retirement in 1999; and

natural resources administrator Robert

McCance, who put together the DNAP

Ohio Natural Heritage Program and the

Income Tax Check-off Program, two of the

most successful such programs in the coun-

try. These three, along with ten other

highly qualified individuals, comprise the

ONAPA Board.

More than 70 individuals attended an open

meeting of ONAPA in November, where

they learned about the organization’s mis-

sion and had opportunities to comment and

to volunteer for committee work. Member-

ship in the Ohio Natural Areas & Preserves

Association is open to all individuals and

organizations throughout our state. Mem-

bers have the option of being passive sup-

porters of the natural areas movement or

very active volunteers directly engaged in

habitat management, monitoring and re-

search projects on natural areas and dedi-

cated state preserves.

Learn more about ONAPA by visiting the

association’s web site at www.onapa.org.

Association Formed Continued from page 4

Support Nature Preserves on

Your Ohio Income Tax Return The nature preserves check-off on the Ohio personal income

tax return started with the 1983 tax return; since then the Ohio

Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (DNAP) has received

over two million donations! Clearly Ohioans care about natural

area protection; they have given almost $16 million and have

made a huge improvement in the quality of nature protection in

Ohio. Check-off donations now represent about one-fourth of

all monies available for the Division’s work, and have been

used for land protection, public use facility development, en-

dangered species and natural community research, and special

projects.

http://www.stateoftheair.org/2012/states/ohio/http://www.onapa.org/

By Pat Marida with David Roseman

If you’ve driven down Olentangy River Road by The

Ohio State University, you’ve no doubt noticed a large

bare spot along both sides of a much smaller river. The

physical process of breaching and removing the Fifth Av-

enue Dam began in late August. Approximately one-

third, or about 180 feet, of the dam has been completely

removed. The rest of the dam was shaved down by 2 feet.

It was not necessary to remove all of the dam, as the

smaller river now runs free, and work has begun on a new

embankment which will cover the remainder of the struc-

ture. For a great visual of the process, watch “5th Avenue

dam removal begins” on YouTube.

History

The planning process for the dam’s removal began over

10 years earlier. The Sierra Club was instrumental in ini-

tiating the process. Our legal action against the City of

Columbus for its illegal sewer overflows—in violation of

the federal Clean Water Act—was responsible for two

Consent Decrees Columbus reached between the city and

the Ohio EPA. Previously, the Ohio EPA had given the

city a pass on any fines, but the Consent Decrees mandat-

ed that Columbus pay fines and directed those moneys to

go toward the removal of the dam.

The dam needed to be removed because it was deemed an

environmental impediment, making the Olentangy River

an impaired waterway that was not in environmental

“attainment.” Built in 1935 for cooling water for Ohio

State University’s coal-burning power plant, the 475-foot

wide, 8-feet high dam was no longer

needed. Furthermore, the university be-

came convinced that the dam removal

would be advantageous, adding extra

ground and removing the stagnant and

polluted pool above the dam.

Other Credits

Friends of the Lower Olentangy Water-

shed (FLOW) has contributed numerous

volunteer hours to the Fifth Avenue

dam's removal and the river's restoration,

educating the public about the project

and even manually relocating stranded

mussels to other areas of the river.

The Columbus Department of Public

Utilities puts the cost of the dam re-

moval and river restoration at $6.9 mil-

lion. It cites the Ohio EPA as the

source of $3.6 million and The Ohio

State University as contributing $2

million.

The Future

Restoration will continue on The Ohio State University's

section of the Olentangy, defining the river channel and

adding riffles, bends, pools and wetlands. The project

includes planting native plants and keeping invasive

weeds and plants from becoming established. Restoring

the river to a more natural state will improve water quali-

ty, encourage greater biodiversity and create improve-

ments in aquatic and riparian life. Restoration will even-

tually go from King Avenue to Lane Avenue.

The Ohio State University has long-range plans, consider-

ing the area to be an important part of its green reserve.

Its vision is for the area to be a living learning laboratory

for the campus. The university wants to relocate Cannon

Drive, setting it back further from the river and making it

the dividing line between the buildings and the natural

riparian area. St. John Arena and the French Field House

will be replaced with smaller structures and the Drake

Union will eventually be removed. The university's vi-

sion is to create a wider green space and greater connec-

tivity along the river, with the bikeway being rearranged

to be part of that corridor.

Page 6

Sierra Club Plays Role in Dam Removal

Above: The Fifth Avenue dam undergoing removal .

A heron in the river.

Page 7

by Pat Marida

Reuse is important, and usable items needn’t be tossed as

refuse into the landfill! Donating your used items can pro-

vide others with needed resources, and second-hand pur-

chases are guilt-free. Even if the item was originally

made in a sweatshop, no one will profit from slave-like

labor through your purchase.

Retail Nonprofit Second-Hand Stores

Goodwill Industries Besides operating retail stores and

donation centers, Goodwill provides employment and

training services for immigrants, people with physical and

developmental disabilities and others. Goodwill also pro-

vides personal and family support services. In 2011the

organization took in $4 billion in revenue. Though it has

been accused of excessive executive compensation, it has

received three out of four stars from Charity Navigator.

Volunteers of America Like Goodwill, Volunteers of

America operates retail stores across the nation. This reli-

gious-based organization also provides housing, health,

mental health and substance-abuse services as well as

serving the homeless, children and youth, seniors, and

people with intellectual disabilities. It has received three

out of four stars from Charity Navigator. Besides donat-

ing items at VoA stores and drop-off bins, truck pickups

can be scheduled.

Salvation Army While its bell ringers soliciting dona-

tions during the holidays may be familiar, less familiar is

the controversial anti-gay and anti-abortion stances of this

international organization founded in 1865 in the United

Kingdom. The Salvation Army advertises that it provides

housing, homeless, substance abuse and other community

services, does disaster relief, and works to fight human

and child trafficking. They have, however, been accused

of heavy-handed proselytizing to those receiving aid.

Charities Giving Used Items for Free

Many churches, food pantries, nonprofits, civic organiza-

tions and even government agencies collect donations and

give them away at specific locations. They may require

shoppers to have evidence of need such as eligibility for

Medicaid or food stamps. Donate dolls or stuffed toys to

organizations that give them away; federal sanitation reg-

ulations on resale of these items cause some retailers to

discard the bulk of them.

The Methodist Free Store at 946 Parsons Ave. in Colum-

bus is an example of a large and well-run operation. Do-

nation hours are listed online at www.4allpeople.org/

freestore.html.

The Furniture Bank of Central Ohio donates good used

furniture to people establishing new homes, including

immigrants and people coming out of homelessness. They

will pick up major items at your home. This is an effi-

cient and well-run organization, winning an award from

the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio for keeping

items out of landfills. www.furniturebankcoh.org/

For-Profit Second-Hand Stores

These stores sometimes arrange to use a charity’s name to

collect donations in exchange for a flat fee or a percentage

of the revenue. Often this arrangement is not generally

publicized, and the percentage that a charity makes may

be less than 5 cents for every dollar buyers spend. This is

true of the Kidney Foundation, which has arrangements

with the for-profit Ohio Thrift Stores. KF will schedule

pickup services, but trucks are unmarked because they

aren’t part of KF. “High-End”, consignment and other

stores of this type can be good places to shop. Some

stores buy used clothing, but they won’t want every item

you have and the payment they offer is often small.

Beware of Donation Bins

People don’t usually think of used textiles as the multi-

million-dollar industry that it is. Most of us want our do-

nations to go to legitimate charities. A surprising number

of donation or drop-off box operations are actually run by

for-profit companies. Businesses with bins in their park-

ing lots are often unaware that the bins are not charitable.

While for-profits help keep items out of the landfill, they

compete with charities. Even more problematic is when

these outfits pretend to be charitable or when they run

questionable operations.

Planet Aid’s ubiquitous, usually yellow drop boxes ad-

vertise that they take clothing and shoes. The boxes say

that clothing is sold and profits go to charity. As a gen-

eral practice, clothing goes to warehouses where it is tied

into bales which are sold to a used clothing broker, who

resells them, mostly abroad.

Planet Aid, its founder Morgens Amdi Pederson, and its

business practices have been reported on extensively.

Planet Aid has been investigated and is accused of selling

donations and keeping the profits. According to the

American Institute of Philanthropy, Planet Aid’s 2004 tax

filings show that it spent $2 million on “international aid”

and $6.6 million on expenses related to “clothing collec-

tion.” The U.S Better Business Bureau has refused to rec-

ognize Planet Aid as a charity.

Shopping and Donating Used is Green, but Beware

http://www.4allpeople.org/

Yards Go “Green” and Get Certified By Toni Stahl Habitat Ambassador, National Wildlife Federation

If you follow the simple steps in my article “Create Your Sus-

tainable Dream Yard” on page 9 of the March/April 2012 Cen-

tral Ohio Sierran, you’re right on track to have a backyard

wildlife habitat-certified by the National Wildlife Federation!

What does being certified mean?

The Certified Wildlife Habitat program was started by the Na-

tional Wildlife Federation. It’s caught on in the past five years

as people are more aware of the importance of going “green.”

It’s easy and rewarding to make simple, small changes in your

yard – and more than 150,000 Americans have done it!

In 1973, scientists discovered that you only need to share a

small area of your yard to support wildlife by meeting the mini-

mum requirements in the four basic elements of a wildlife habi-

tat, or natural living environment.

What changes do I need to make?

Provide the components of a wildlife habitat - Food, Cover,

Places to Raise Young, and Water. See examples by scrolling

down the center at www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-

Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Certify-Your-Wildlife-

Garden.aspx.

In my yard, I added native plants (indigenous to Ohio around

200 years ago – those that existed before the Europeans settled

the U.S.) to meet the criteria for Food, Cover, and Places to

Raise Young. Bird feeders are supplemental food sources that

bring birds out where we can see them. I put out a birdbath to

provide clean water for drinking and bathing.

See “How Do I Do This” at www.backyardhabitat.info and

click on fliers for more information about plants, wildlife and

maintaining your yard.

Sustainable gardening is recommended because reducing chem-

icals, controlling invasive plants, and adding deep-rooted native

plants has a positive effect on wildlife, air and water quality,

and energy usage.

How do I register?

Complete an online application with a credit card at

www.nwf.org/CertifiedWildlifeHabitat/UserAccount/SignIn.

You will see some extra Benefits listed on the right side and the

Certified Sign on the left side. You’ll have an option to pur-

chase the sign when you complete the application.

I find that people stop and read the sign in my front yard. It

helps them understand what I am doing and why. In response,

some people are making changes to their yards.

What kinds of wildlife might I see in my yard?

I have a small, city yard (100’ X 50’ lot - mostly house). One

year, I counted:

• 33 kinds of Butterflies (including the Giant Swallowtail, the

largest butterfly in Ohio).

• 37 kinds of Birds (including migrating songbirds).

• 9 kinds of mammals.

• many other kinds of insects, 51 of which I could identify,

including the beautiful Hummingbird Moth.

I also see butterfly caterpillars, which turn into chrysalises in

the yard. Some turn into butterflies that live their entire lives in

my yard!

To see videos of some of the wildlife in my yard, go to

www.backyardhabitat.info/youtube_videos.htm.

As quoted in Dr. Seuss' The Lorax: "Unless someone like you

cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.”

Let’s work together to help wildlife, one yard at a time.

Help Migratory Birds in Your Yard By Toni Stahl

Spring is coming and with it, returning birds.

Migratory birds face many challenges from man-made gaps in

migratory flyways and always come across our Ohio backyards.

With crisscrossing flyways in complex patterns, I never know

what may drop into my yard!

Journeying north, birds rely on larvae found at the top of cano-

py trees and journeying south, they need insects and native, fall

-ripening berries. Here’s how to create a native forest edge,

which looks like home to migrators:

• Plant canopy trees (Oak, Black Cherry, Hackberry).

• Remove invasive plants (Bush Honeysuckle, Garlic Mustard).

• Plant native sub-canopy trees/bushes/shrubs (Grey Dogwood,

Spicebush).

• Plant Wildflowers and Ferns (Sweet black-eyed Susan,

Brown-eyed Susan, Cinnamon Fern) and vines and ground-

cover (Virginia Creeper, Common Blue Violet).

• Eliminate chemicals.

Add the sound of running water in bird baths to bring the mi-

grators out where you can see them.

Email marc-a@columbus.rr.com with questions or to receive

my ‘Nature Scoop’ email. Go to www.backyardhabitat.info to

learn more.

Page 8

Monarch butterfly. Photo by Marc Apfelstadt

http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Certify-Your-Wildlife-Garden.aspxhttp://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Certify-Your-Wildlife-Garden.aspxhttp://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Certify-Your-Wildlife-Garden.aspxhttp://www.backyardhabitat.info/http://www.nwf.org/CertifiedWildlifeHabitat/UserAccount/SignInhttp://www.backyardhabitat.info/youtube_videos.htmmailto:marc-a@columbus.rr.com

Page 9

Fri Jan 11, 7 pm: German Village,

Ratings: E/S 1/1. 3 miles. Meet at

Schiller Park (Deshler and Jaeger).

Optional dinner after. [sturdy footwear,

fashlight and reflective clothing] Leader:

George Huntley.

Sun Jan 13, 9 am: Mohican State Park

Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 4/4. 10+ miles.

[water, lunch, boots, suitable attire] Meet

in the far end of Target’s parking lot on

Polaris Pkwy, west of exit # 121 on I-71

north of Columbus. Leader: Jose Cabral.

Fri Jan 18, 7 pm: New Albany,

Ratings: E/S 2/2. Meet at 200 Market

Street in New Albany and park at the

northeast corner of the library (far right

corner). [Fashlight and reflective

clothing] Optional dinner afterwards.

Leader: Line Martineau.

Sun Jan 20, 10:30 am: Highbanks

Metro Park, Ratings: E/S 3/4. 10 mile

hike begins on the 3 mile dog trail.

Additional 7 miles on trails where dogs

are not allowed. [Hiking boots, water,

snack] Meet at the nature center. Leader:

Jim Halverson.

Fri Jan 25, 7 pm: Grove City, Ratings:

E/S 1/2 . See the older section of town.

Meet at the Library parking lot, 3359

Park St. [Flashlight, reflective clothing]

Optional dinner afterwards. Leader: Eric

Schaumann.

Sun Jan 27, 9 am: Clear Creek Metro

Park Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 3/4.

Approximately 10 miles. [sturdy shoes,

water, lunch] Meet behind the

McDonald’s at Winchester Square, at the

intersection of U.S. Rte 33 and Gender

Rd. Leader: John Fiske.

Fri Feb 1, 7 pm: Upper Arlington,

Ratings: E/S 1/1. Meet at the Lane Road

branch of the Upper Arlington Public

Library. Optional dinner afterwards.

[flashlight, reflective clothing] Leaders:

John and Marilyn Fiske.

Sun Feb 3, 11 am and 1 pm: Blendon

Woods Metro Park, Ratings: E/S 2/2.

Hike 3 or 6 miles. Meet at the Nature

Center [boots, water, lunch]. Leader:

Chris Tisdale.

Fri Feb 8, 7 pm: Bexley, Ratings: E/S

2/2. 3-mile hike in historic Bexley.

Meet at the parking lot of the Bexley

Public Library. Optional dinner

afterwards. Leaders: David and Avalon

Espinoza.

Sun Feb 10, 9 am: Burr Oak State

Park, Ratings: E/S 4/4. 9-11 miles.

[water, lunch, boots] Meet behind

McDonald's at Winchester Square

Shopping Center. Leader: Jose Cabral.

Fri Feb 15, 7 pm: OSU West Campus,

Ratings: E/S 1/1. Meet behind Lane

Avenue Mall near China Dynasty

Restaurant—not in front lot. A walk of

3-4 miles will include a tour of the Byrd

Polar Research Center and the OSU

glass blowing studio! Optional dinner

afterwards. [Reflective clothing]

Leaders: Jim and Ellen McDonald.

Sun Feb 17, 10 am: Granville Day

Hike, Ratings: E/S 3/4 . [dog friendly

hike] 6 mile walk through town and

campus and 4 miles in the Denison

University Biological Reserve. [water,

lunch, and hiking boots] Meet behind

Tim Horton's on Cleveland Ave., just

north of Rte 161. Leader: Jim

Halverson.

Fri Feb 22, 7 pm: Gahanna Creekside

Night Hike, Ratings: E/S 1/1. Meet at

the VFW Park at 75 W. Johnstown Rd.

on the southwest corner of Big Walnut

Creek. [Flashlight and reflective

clothing] Leader: Chris Tisdale.

(Continued on page 10)

COG Winter Outings Outings are open to all; you do not have to be a member of the Sierra Club to par-

ticipate. In fact, if you are interested in joining the Sierra club, we encourage you to

go on an outing and get to know some Sierrans. To aid you in selecting outings that

fit your experience and fitness levels, please see our Outings Rating System.

Please refer to the COG web site for outings to see more information

about the hikes and the latest updates to the schedule at

www.ohio.sierraclub.org/central/GetOutdoors.asp.

General Outings Policies

- Outings are free of charge unless noted.

- In order to participate in one of these out-

ings, you will need to sign a liability waiver.

- Dogs must not be taken on hikes unless the

write-up mentions that they may be included.

- We encourage carpooling and voluntary

contributions of gas money to the driver.

Outings Rating System Each outing is rated twice. Both scales are

one to five; the E scale indicates the required

experience level and the S scale shows the

physical activity level anticipated.

E Scale

1 Novice - no experience required.

2 A little experience is required.

3 Moderate experience required.

4 Considerable experience required.

5 For the very experienced only.

S Scale

1 Not strenuous.

2 Could be strenuous.

3 Somewhat strenuous.

4 Strenuous.

5 Very strenuous.

If you are interested in an outing but are

unsure if you can manage it or if you wish to

meet the group at the trailhead instead of the

assembly point, call the leader to discuss the

trip. Be advised that longer day hikes re-

quire proper equipment. Hike leaders re-

serve the right to deny participation to any-

one deemed to be inadequately prepared.

What to Bring (): 1. Sturdy hiking boots or shoes. Make sure

your footwear is broken in before you at-

tempt a 10-mile hike.

2. Clothing appropriate to the season. Lay-

ering works best in cold weather to prevent

overheating. Raingear is essential for com-

fort as hikes may proceed rain or shine.

3. A small first aid kit with band-aids or

moleskin for blisters.

4. At least one liter of water (two liters in

warm weather). Water is usually unavailable

on the trail.

5. Snacks or lunch if mentioned in the hike

description.

Friday Night Hikes Friday Night Hikes are a great way to end

a week. These are usually 3 to 4 miles with

an optional stop afterward for refreshments

and conversation. So, have some fun and join

us on a Friday Night Hike! Note: heavy

weather generally cancels a Friday Night

Hike. If it looks questionable, check with the

leader for that particular hike. Please wear

reflective clothing to all urban night hikes,

especially during EST months.

http://www.ohio.sierraclub.org/central/GetOutdoors.asp

By Meredith Joy, Executive Director, Yay Bikes!

The language of transportation is the language of ma-

chines, infrastructure, engineering, logistics and numbers.

Its subjects are networks and populations, anonymous

flows of goods and people between nodes along a path.

We could be forgiven for forgetting that it is people who

make these trips discussed so objectively, at such a far re-

move. Mode shift advocates unwittingly perpetuate this

remove when we assume that the availability of active

transportation infrastructure—sidewalks, bike lanes, com-

plete streets, transit centers—is sufficient to get people

driving less.

Of course, our built environment does dictate the transpor-

tation options available to us, and better infrastructure is

an important advocacy goal. But it is as important to care

for the people we are calling upon to change transportation

habits. Because while they may admit to being afraid of

traffic and insist that bike lanes would make all the differ-

ence for them, what they might not say is how mortified

they are about exercising their bodies in public or being

thought of as stupid for not knowing how to properly ride

a bicycle in traffic. These fears can be overcome without

any infrastructure improvements at all, in the context of a

supportive community like the one Yay Bikes! is creating

for cyclists in Central Ohio.

ABOUT YAY BIKES!

Yay Bikes! is a grassroots member organization that cre-

ates opportunities for personal and community transfor-

mation through innovative campaigns and unconventional

partnerships that promote bicycling as an alternative to

driving. Of the “5 E’s” of Bicycle Friendly Communities,

as defined by the League of American Bicyclists (i.e., En-

gineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement and

Evaluation), we focus on cyclist education and encourage-

ment:

• Cyclist Education—Ensuring that all who ride a bicy-

cle know how to do so safely and legally.

• Social Marketing Campaigns—Engaging entire com-

munities in transportation behavior change.

• Community Building—Cultivating a positive, inclu-

sive bike culture in Central Ohio.

• Mobility Solutions—Ensuring that all people have eq-

uitable access to basic amenities.

• Cultural Mash-ups—Expanding the conversation

around bicycle transportation by intersecting it with

themes from other areas of life.

• Mobility Research—Seeking to understand how people

make transportation choices and how to influence their

behaviors.

• Economic Development—Leveraging bicycling to pro-

mote small businesses and retain talent.

HOW TO BE INVOLVED

We believe the best way to learn how to ride a bike in traf-

fic is to ride in traffic with friends, so come out with us!

An easy way to meet people and get comfortable on the

roads is our monthly “Year of Yay” series (free for mem-

bers and $5 for everyone else), which features casual 15–

25 mile rides with stops at several local businesses that fit

a monthly theme. Check our Facebook

page for other free or low-cost events in

2012—all are welcome, and we promise to

take great care of you and yours.

Outings Hike Leaders Please contact them for more information about their hikes.

Cabral, Jose 740-331-1161, cabral.1(at)osu.edu Dorsky, Dave 614-848-7879, valordave(at)hotmail.com

Espinoza, David & Avalon 614-403-7849

Fiske, John 614-457-3699, jrob48(at)aol.com Fiske, Marilyn 614-457-3699, mjean49(at)aol.com

Halverson, Jim 614-325-6415, jimhalvey(at)aol.com

Halverson, Linda 614-325-6415, lmat1010(at)aol.com Huntley, George 614-444-1970, gh6(at)earthlink.net

Martineau, Line 614-749-1447, linenmartineau(at)gmail.com

McDonald, Jim 614-262-2666, jmcdonald121(at)aol.com Ruf ,Tom 614-406-5336, tomruf85(at)yahoo.com

Schaumann , Eric 614-270-5951, schaumann(at)copper.net

Tisdale, Chris 614-260-2109

Page 10

“YAY BIKES! LET’S RIDE!”

Sun Feb 24, 10 am: Delaware State

Park Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 2/2 . [dog-

friendly hike] 5-8 miles. [Hiking boots

water lunch] Meet at the west end of the

Walmart parking lot on the east side of US

Rte 23 about 1/2 mile north of SR 750

(Powell Rd). This hike may be cancelled

if conditions are hazardous. Leader: Dave

Dorsky.

Outings Continued from page 9

The following activities are not sponsored nor administered by the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club has no information about the

planning of these activities and makes no representations or warranties about the quality, safety, supervision or management of

such activities. They are published because they may be of interest to our readers. These events are all open to the public. They

are free unless otherwise noted.

Non-Sierra Club Community Events

Columbus Metro Parks has a

spectacular range of programs.

Information and registration at http://

reservations.metroparks.net/programs/.

Sat Jan 12, 19 am: Grow-

ing Caterpillars. Jim

McCormac of the Division of Wildlife,

author of Birds of Ohio, Wild Ohio: The

Best of Our Natural Heritage, and the

column Nature in the Columbus Dis-

patch,will speak at Innis House at Innis-

wood Metro Park. Visit http://

www.wildones.org/chapters/columbus/

Fri Jan 18, 6:30 pm & Sat

Jan 19, 9 am: Permaculture. This 1.5 day workshop at

Stratford Ecological Center will teach the

fundamentals of creating a sustainable

homestead including Permaculture design

methods, green building, holistic water

management, regenerative landscaping,

gardening/farming techniques. Braden

Trauth of This-Land.org is the teacher.

Students will be eligible for a discount for

This-Land.org's 2013 Permaculture De-

sign Certifications. $35 per person. Call

(740) 363-2548 or email in-

fo@stratfordecologicalcenter.org to regis-

ter.

Fri Feb 1: Ohio Environmental

Council 2013 Legislative Sum-

mit. Details will be posted at

http://www.theoec.org/events.htm closer

to the time of the event.

Sat Feb 9, 9-11 am: Ohio Sus-

tainable Landscape Certificate:

Session I: What Is Sustainable

Landscaping? In this four-session class,

Dawes Arboretum’s Native Landscape

Manager will teach you to create a bal-

anced garden that is greener, healthier and

fully functioning. In session I, obtain the

base knowledge of sustainable landscap-

ing. Cost for four sessions is $80. Regis-

ter at http://www.dawesarb.org, (740) 323

-2355 or information@dawesarb.org. See

March 9 for session 2.

Mon Feb 11, 7:30 pm: Mohican State

Park. The Columbus Natural History

Society presents Cheryl Harner, President

of the Greater Mohican Audubon Society,

native plants specialist and administrator

of Flora Quest. The program will be held

in the auditorium of the Museum of Bio-

logical Diversity, 1315 Kinnear Road,

Columbus. Refreshments and socializing

begin at 7. More information at http://

www.columbusnaturalhistory.org.

Sat Feb 16 - Sun Feb 17: OEF-

FA's 34th Annual Conference:

Growing Opportunities, Culti-

vating Change. Ohio's largest sustaina-

ble agriculture conference will feature

keynote speakers, 80+ workshops, local

organic meals, a kids' conference, child-

care, trade show, and Saturday night en-

tertainment. It will be held at Granville

Middle School in Granville, OH. Visit

http://www.oeffa.org for registration in-

formation or call (614) 421-2022.

Thu Feb 21: Ohio Invasive

Plants Council's Research

Conference: Strengthening

the Bridge between Research

and Management. The conference will

be held at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm

Bureau 4‐H Center in Columbus. Key-note Speaker Dr. Mark Brand of the Uni-

versity of Connecticut will speak on

“Horticultural forms of barberry and eu-

onymus: Are they really that invasive?”

Registration is $30. Details at http://

oipc.info/research_conference2013.html.

Sat Feb 23, 10am–12pm: A

Green Life; Easy, Healthy-

Class 1: Household Cleaners. Karisa Grundey of Thrive: Personalized

Green–Life Consulting will lead this 3–

part series. Learn alternatives to cleaning

products and how to choose green clean-

ers. Create a take-home product! Class

will be held at Stratford Ecological Center

in Delaware. $10 fee. Register by calling

(740) 363-2548.

Tue Feb 26, 7:30-9 pm: Cor-

nell Lab Citizen Science Pro-

grams. Jason Martin, Cornell

Lab Nestwatch Director, will

discuss citizen science programs at Cor-

nell. At 7:00 there will be a Columbus

Audubon Society "Short Program. » Held

at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center

(505 West Whittier Street in the Scioto-

Audubon Metro Park). Information at

http://columbusaudubon.org.

Sat Mar 9, 9-11 am: Ohio Sus-

tainable Landscape Certificate:

Session 2: Ideal Practices for

Maintaining a Sustainable Landscape.

Dawes Arboretum’s Native Landscape

Manager will teach you the sustainable

maintenance practices that reduce your

impact—including composting and water-

ing. Cost for four sessions is $80.00.

Register at http://www.dawesarb.org,

information@dawesarb.org or (740) 323-

2355.

Sat Mar 9, 10 am: Bees,

Bees & More Bees. Barba-

ra Altenburg of the Central Ohio Bee-

keeper's Assoc. will present on bees as

pollinators for native plants and what we

can do to attract honey bees to our yards.

Meet at Sharon Woods' Spring Hollow

Lodge. More information at http://

www.wildones.org/chapters/columbus/.

Tue Mar 19: Ohio Environmen-

tal Council's Environmental Lobby Day. Details will be post-

ed closer to the time of the event at http://

www.theoec.org/events.htm.

Mar 23, 7:45 pm: Vernal

Pool. Venture out to Stratford

Ecological Center's vernal pool

after sunset, listening for mating calls and

looking for salamanders, frogs and toads.

Bring the whole family for this state-wide

preservation effort for one of Ohio's dis-

appearing ecosystems. $3/person or $6/

family. For registration information, call

(740) 363-2548 or email in-

fo@stratfordecologicalcenter.org.

Page 11

http://reservations.metroparks.net/programs/http://reservations.metroparks.net/programs/http://www.wildones.org/chapters/columbus/http://www.wildones.org/chapters/columbus/mailto:info@stratfordecologicalcenter.orgmailto:info@stratfordecologicalcenter.orghttp://www.theoec.org/events.htmhttp://www.dawesarb.org/mailto:information@dawesarb.orghttp://www.columbusnaturalhistory.orghttp://www.columbusnaturalhistory.orghttp://www.oeffa.org/http://oipc.info/research_conference2013.htmlhttp://oipc.info/research_conference2013.htmlhttp://columbusaudubon.orghttp://www.dawesarb.org/mailto:information@dawesarb.orghttp://www.wildones.org/chapters/columbus/http://www.wildones.org/chapters/columbus/http://www.theoec.org/events.htmhttp://www.theoec.org/events.htmmailto:info@stratfordecologicalcenter.orgmailto:info@stratfordecologicalcenter.org

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT # 787 COLUMBUS, OHIO

Sierra Club Central Ohio Group

131 North High Street, Suite 605

Columbus, OH 43215-3026

Printed on 100% recycled paper.

Chair David Donofrio*

Vice-Chair Melanie Braithwaite*

Treasurer Kathy O'Keeffe*

Secretary & Communication Outreach Kalen Cap*

Political Committee Chair Thomas Lee*

Conservation Committee Chair Amber Bellamy *

Membership Chair Dave Roseman*

Outings Co-Chairs Marilyn Fiske Linda Halverson Line Martineau

Programs Coordinator Yang Xing*

Publicity Chair Amber Bellamy*

Representative to the Ohio Chapter Sarah Cercone*

Alternate Rep. to Ohio Chapter Dave Roseman*

At-Large ExCom Members Christina Steiner*

Social Networking Diana Huang

Newsletter Editor Susan Belair

Newsletter Layout Editor Madeline Shaw

Newsletter Copy Editor Maryann Kafer

Webmasters Bob Snider Matthew Baker

Page 12

Sierra Club Central Ohio Group Directory

For email addresses, see the Directory on the Central Ohio Group website at

www.ohio.sierraclub.org/central

Sierra Club Columbus Office Main Number ................. 614-461-0734

Nachy Kanfer National Beyond Coal Campaign .. Ext. 308 Rashay Layman Organizer, National Field Staff ..... Ext. 307 Teresa McHugh Manager, National Field Staff ...... Ext. 302 Jed Thorp Conservation Program Manager ... Ext. 303 Matt Trokan (Clean Water, Nat. Res.) Ohio Chapter Staff ...................... Ext. 311 Dan Sawmiller ........................................ National Beyond Coal Campaign .. Ext. 305 Neil Waggoner ....................................... National Beyond Coal Campaign .. Ext. 312 Ben Wickizer (Alt. Trans., Clean Water) Ohio Chapter Staff ...................... Ext. 316

The Central Ohio Sierran ...is published quarterly by the Central

Ohio Group of the Sierra Club. Printing: full

circulation twice a year to the membership,

as well as regular distribution to public loca-

tions and on our website to reach over 6,000

members and supporters.

Articles published in the newsletter also

appear on the Central Ohio Group website.

Visit our website at www.ohio.sierraclub.org/central

Join the conversation on

our Google+ page. Go to:

http://gplus.to/SierraClubCentralOhioGrp

We are on Facebook

as the Sierra Club

Central Ohio Group.

Follow us on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/Sierra_Club_COG

Our club email: sierracog(at)gmail.com

Send address changes to: Sierra Club Member Services

P.O. Box 421041

Palm Coast, FL 32142-1041

or Email:

address.changes@sierraclub.org

*Denotes member of the ExCom for 2012. The election results and 2013 officers will be posted online after January.

http://www.ohio.sierraclub.org/central/http://www.ohio.sierraclub.org/central/http://twitter.com/Sierra_Club_COGmailto:SierraCOG@gmail.commailto:address.changes@sierraclub.orghttp://gplus.to/SierraClubCentralOhioGrphttp://twitter.com/Sierra_Club_COG