White Pine Needle, 2020 White Pine Group, Northeast Iowa Sierra Club (Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Fayette, Clayton, Delaware,

Dubuque, & Jackson Counties.) Our Needle “prods” us to

“Explore, Enjoy and Protect” our Northeast Iowa environment.

Volume 40, No. 1 1/16/20

t

White Pine Hollow, Luxemburg, Iowa In this 2020 White Pine Needle: (2020 Overview) *EXCOM Election: Vote for 2 (Ballot; write-ins; or at Jan. 28 meeting.)

*White Pine 2020 Events Calendar: Program/Meetings & Outings; Other.

*Backbone Cabin Outing: Feb. 7-9, 2020. (May be just Sat. Feb. 8.)

*2020 Fundraiser Dinner: October 17, Swiss Valley Nature Center

*2019 Turkey Dinner Fundraiser REPORT:

*2019 Membership Report/Summary;

*2019 Outing and Program Reports/Photos.(Zoom emailed one to enlarge.)

*2020 Project AWARE, River Clean-Up, July 12-17, 2020.

Record events onto your wall, electronic, or other calendars.

In that regard: Seven 2020 Sierra Club Wilderness Wall Calendars are

available at White Pine, Eagle Watch exhibit, Jan. 18, or 563-582-2580. Participatory Camaraderie inspires and motivates ACTION. As Sierra Club

founder John Muir implored, “The battle we have fought, and are still

fighting . . . is a part of the eternal conflict between right and wrong, and

we cannot expect to see the end of it.” (January, 1896) Join the battle. Needle Publication and Distribution. Only this full-year Needle and an Autumn Update are distributed to

ALL members via mail and/or email. Other occasional Updates are

distributed only by email. THIS 2020 Needle is to be distributed to all

members by mail to help inform everyone of the email option as we are

uncertain of who actually receives and opens the emailed, full-color

version. Members for whom we have an email address WILL also

receive this 2020 Needle by email. Be certain to not have it blocked or

check your junk mail. Email delivery is via raworm@msn.com.) To be

added to email delivery, email to “raworm..” your name and full

mailing address including Zip Code). (This mailed issue is late due to a

delay in processing the labels order during the holidays. Sorry!)

.

Dubuque County Energy District The White Pine Group continues to contribute $100 yearly to support the Dubuque County Energy District. Its mission is to have the county be 100% sustainable with renewable energy by 2050 and is the 4th Iowa state county to set such a goal. Winneshiek County has had such an energy district for over 11 years. White Pine EXCOM Chair, Charlie Winterwood, represents Sierra Club interests on the District’s Board.

Global Warming/Climate Change The Sunday, December 22, 2019, Dubuque Telegraph Herald included in Letters to the Editor this headline: ”Predictions exaggerated on global warming.” The writer critiqued an earlier Dec. 6 writer on the subject by saying, “If the Telegraph Herald made sure letters are credible, your letters would never be published.” He went on, THEN, to apparently give credence to a Natural News article, August 30, 2019, that stated that “NASA admits that climate change is due to changes in earth’s solar orbit, and NOT because of SUV’s and fossil fuels.” (Hyperbole!) He also asked readers “to check out: Climate-ScienceNews.com.” So, I googled “Natural News.” Wikipedia: Natural News “is a conspiracy theory and fake news website.” “The site’s founder has been accused of using ‘pseudoscience to sell lies’” and is “seen generally as a quack and a shill by science bloggers.” Uhm, maybe the Telegraph Herald should make sure that the Dec. 22 writer’s letters are credible before publishing THEM! Other link headlines: “YouTube terminated Natural News”; “Facebook bans health and conspiracy site Natural News” (but allows political advertising lies, ed.); “Science supporters condemn Natural News”; “Don’t believe anything you read at Natural News”; etc. I also checked “Climate-ScienceNews.” NASA does understand that “very small variations in Earth’s orbit (does) change the amount of solar energy our planet receives.” Such has been the case over the past 650,000 years resulting in seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat,” ending abruptly 11,700 years ago. A side-bar beside that NASA quote, however, states: “Ninety-seven percent of climate scientists agree that climate-warming trends over the past century (just 100 years, ed.) are extremely likely due to human activities,…” Further on NASA states that “There is no question that increased levels of greenhouse gases must cause the Earth to warm in response.” A long list of examples of the evidence then follows. Another “Climate-ScienceNews” link went to “Climate Science”, a “ Pulitzer Prize-winning, non-profit, non-partisan, news organization dedicated to covering climate change, energy and the environment.” It states, “The scientific community is certain that human-caused global warming is disrupting Earth’s climate and that remedies are urgently needed. But public opinion and political rhetoric do not mirror the prevailing scientific consensus.” (Underlining by ed.) Public OPINION and political RHETORIC are not always based on SCIENCE!! Another NASA link was a graph showing the carbon dioxide level (in parts/million) based on ice core samples dating back 800,000 years. The highest levels shown never exceeded 300 parts/million… UNTIL 1950, after which the graph has risen virtually straight up to the current level of 410 parts/million. To the credit of the Telegraph Herald, the January 4, 2020, “other view”, titled “A decade of confirmation of climate science,” was written by a geophysicist. Check the sources. GO SCIENCE! (White Pine Group newsletter editor, Richard Worm.)

Program “Lethal Seas” Report (PAGE 2)

Six members including four of the EXCOM attended our October 22, 2019, meeting/program showing the PBS/NOVA movie, “Lethal Seas” as a lead-in to the November 9, Fundraiser Dinner Program, “SCUBA Diving and Coral Bleaching.” The movie, which has been purchased so is available for additional viewing, describes the “deadly recipe” that is threatening “the survival of countless creatures throughout Earth’s oceans.” It has been known for years “that oceans absorb about a quarter of the carbon dioxide”on our planet. Human-caused carbon emissions increase the acidity. As a result, the skeletons and shells of marine creatures that form the foundation of the web of life are dissolving. This silent killer is entering the seas at a staggering rate – raising the oceans acidity’ From notes taken during the movie (total accuracy not guaranteed!):

¼ of the species in the sea live in coral reefs.

Oysters in an oyster farm die as shells are deformed & dissolving.

A 5% increase in ocean acidity each recent decade due to CO2.

Woods Hole research: Limestone reefs are 1 % of ocean floor.

Papua, New Guinea, has “champagne” water due to high volcanic levels of CO2. Could life there adapt? Some, but of a different form and not well enough. Much less diversity. Fewer fish.

Seems to be a 1-2% die-off of coral each year. Ocean changing too rapidly for adaptation. Hundreds of species at risk. Human diet will be impacted.

Cold water absorbs more CO2. Polar areas have tiny plankton, terra pods; sea snails. Bottom of food chain. Dire results if they die-off due to being dissolved by increasing acidity.

Georgia Institute of Technology research: predator/prey balance is upset when high CO2 impacts the prey’s brain chemistry and behavior so it is less able to avoid predators.

Best solution (no pun intended!): Stop adding CO2 to the atmosphere and oceans. Fix the cause.

Posters & 4 Photos of pictures projected: Nov. 9, “SCUBA and Coral Bleaching” Fundraiser Dinner program by local diver, Jim Puls:

Ocean Conservancy

REPORT: Turkey Dinner

Fundraiser, Nov. 9, 2019

Swiss Valley Nature Center Tables were set for 48 members and guests, but another was added as attendance reached 58. Many thanks to the members, the Mississippi Trails Hiking Club, the Larry Troester contingent, and others who made this Fundraiser another success. ALSO, thanks to all who additionally contributed in other ways: Jane Worm (supervisor who also prepared the Kevin Kane turkey dressing recipe and batches of sweet potatoes. Mike Muir who donated, cooked, and mashed additional potatoes provided by Cindy Recker; Linda Schroeder and Winterwood’s (vegetable casseroles); Barb Shaffer and Jane Worm (cranberries); Linda Schroeder (cornbread). Hyvee was the source for the purchase of the turkey, gravy, dinner rolls, apple juice and crackers. And, of course, KNOWN contributors of desserts: Ellen O’Connell, Cinda Welu, Jim Fahrion, and Jane Worm. And, especially, KNOWN donations of cash: Gerald Gordon, Ann Ernst, Bob Carr, Joe Garrity, Mary Waldmeir, Carol McClenahan. Yearly calendar purchases of more than one were also appreciated: at least Natalee Berg, Paul Swartzel, Joe Garrity, Dick Worm. Other calendar purchases before, at, and since the Dinner by other members and friends have also helped the cause. Kitchen help was by Linda Schroeder and then numerous others after the dinner; table and display set-up was by Dick Worm (table setting by Dick & Jane Worm); and table take-down and arrangement by nearly “everyone” saved precious time !

White Pine donated Table set-up Displays of outing and the Greeter Turtle program topic photos. Door prizes included an Ocean Conservancy t-shirt, guest passes to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, and several other items also donated by members and guests. Poster Boards of Outings and Program topics:

Autumnal Sunset Backbone Cabin Ocean/Coral topics Also, see www.facebook.com/whitepinegroup Some of these poster boards will also be displayed at the January 18, Bald Eagle Watch, Grand River Center, Dubuque. After net income and expenses, the Dinner and, still continuing, calendar sales will have netted over $1000.00. Our current Group Treasury is at $2,642.20 (before this newsletter!) Suggestions are welcome for projects of benefit to conservation causes.

2020 White Pine Needle: PAGE 3.

Puzzle Prizes at Eagle Watch During the Bald Eagle Watch on January 18, the White Pine Group exhibit will include jigsaw puzzles for kids or anyone to put together. Young folks who complete a puzzle or two may add their name and phone #/address to a list for a prize drawing… the prize being a stuffed toy eagle.

2020 White Pine Events Calendar Explore, Enjoy, and Protect with White Pine Group

This events listing includes White Pine Group

Program/Meetings and Outings and other events of

Sierra interest. For questions about details or

cancellations, or to RSVP for an outing, please

CONTACT Newsletter Editor, Dick Worm, (563-

582-2580; Cell: 563-590-2557); raworm@msn.com);

or the outing CONTACT included with each outing

description. Program/Meetings are held at the former parsonage

for St. Peter Lutheran Church, 3200 Asbury Rd.,

Dubuque. The walk-in, ground-level meeting room

with a big window is at the back of the home on the

right when entering the church parking lot.

Meet/Greet at 7PM. Program: 7:15. Adjourn

business by 8:30 PM. (Never have hit capacity!)

OUTINGS: Participants sign a liability waiver. ---------------------------------------------------------

WINTER:

Jan., Feb., March, 2020. Jan. 18 (Sat.) Bald Eagle Watch. Grand River Center,

500 Bell St., Port of Dubuque. (9 AM – 4:30 PM)

9:30; 12:15; 3:00 -- Live Birds of Prey, U MN Raptor Center, St. Paul.

Meet winged ambassadors. www.raptor.umn.edu .

11:00; 1:45 – The RARE Group; Raptor Rehab and MORE birds.

Iowa City, IA. (Run by volunteers, www.theraregroup,org)

White Pine Group will have a 2-table exhibit shared with Keep Dubuque

County Clean and Green (KDCCG).

Other Exhibitors and Vendors and Children’s Activities all day.

Also, Ice Fest, 10 AM – 5 PM. National Mississippi River Museum and

Aquarium. Winter Festival also on Sunday and Monday. Snow

sculpturing, winter crafts and games; and special programming.

Jan. 25 (Sat.) OUTING; Jackson County Recreation Trail.

X-country ski / snowshoe / hike. “4 mile (level) railroad

right of way trail bordered by Maquoketa River & limestone

bluffs.” Carpool from Banworth Udelhoven furniture,

Dubuque, at 8:30 AM (south edge of Dubuque at

intersection of US 52 and US 151/61.) Or meet around 9:15

at the Trailhead off County Rd. Z-34 (the road south of

Bellevue that runs to or from Preston between US 52 and IA

Rt. 64) just south of the Damon Canoe Access, Maquoketa

River bridge. Depending on interest, etc, could shuttle a

vehicle to the south end of the trail at Spragueville; or just go

south a ways and then come back out. (Maybe lunch

together afterward in the area.) CONTACT: Charlie

Winterwood, 563-588-2783. cwinterwood@yahoo.com.

Jan. 27 (Mon): Sierra Club, National Board of Directors,

Electronic Ballot approval deadline. Rare opportunity among

environmental and conservation organizations.

.***Jan. 28 (Tues): White Pine Program/Meeting.

EXCOM Election and Results. Vote or attend.

Program: “New York City’s American Museum of Natural

History and Hudson Yard climb/hike attractions. All U.S. Federal

Government officials – like the current President and certain U.S.

Senators -- should spend at least two days exploring and learning

from the SCIENCE on display. Their visit of the Theodore Roose-

velt exhibit alone would be worth their (and OUR beneficial) time!

(3200 Asbury Road, parsonage back door. 7 PM.)

Feb. 3 (Mon): Iowa Caucus for U.S. President. Uhmm. Take

your pick. Register early. Sign nomination papers for all sorts of

local, state and federal offices. GO Abby Finkenhauer, U.S.

Representative for NE Iowa, endorsed in 2018 by the Sierra Club.

MANY of the current Federal and even state government officials

do the environment more harm than good. Think LONG TERM.

(From a speech inspired by Chief Seattle: The white man

“kidnaps the earth from his children. And he does not care.”

“Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the sons and daughters of the

earth.” “Continuing to contaminate his own bed, the white man

will one night suffocate in his own filth.” “The end of living and

the beginning of survival.”) THINK LONG TERM, ACT NOW.

February 7-9 (Fri-Sun): “Backbone State Park Cabin Outing.”

[***These full three days are in limbo depending upon

availability of cabins now still closed due to deck and other

repairs. If cabins are unavailable, the outing will become a

Plan B, Day-Outing just on Saturday, meeting at 9 AM at the

shelter in the beach area just inside the South Gate entrance

1.3 miles north out of Dundee on W69. After entering the park

from W69 immediately turn right to the beach area. Activity

will center from there during the forenoon. THEN, we may

transfer to the WEST Gate Entrance, Six Pines Campground,

east out of Lamont, for a bonfire lunch (bring your own) at a

slightly more sheltered shelter! Afternoon activity will center

from there. See activity options mentioned hereafter.]

IF cabins become available, here is a description of how past

outings have gone: (We are also on a wait list for the single

story cabins A, B, C, and D if available and the Deluxe cabins

are not. They each have one bathroom and two bedrooms.)

4 PM Fri. to Noon Sun. White Pine Group: Deluxe, 2-story

Cabin #11. Cedar-Wapsie Group (Cedar Rapids) Deluxe Cabin

#12. Each cabin has a Full-kitchen (refrigerator, electric stove,

2020 White Pine Needle/Event Calendar (page 4)

microwave, 2 bathrooms, 1 shower, 2 bedrooms each with a double bed, 2

fold-out futons, a single bed, and a listed capacity of 11.

Share indoor and outdoor activity and the Sat. evening potluck dinner

with Cedar-Wapsie and Iowa City Area Groups. Snow shoe, x-country

ski, hike, crevice slide, table games and socializing camaraderie. Via miles

of trails, the major park attractions include the Backbone, Devil’s Oven,

Richmond Springs, and a cave. A nearby eagle’s nest and Bixby Park’s ice

cave and Steamboat Rock at Edgewood are other possible destinations.

Treks can begin from the cabins near the lake.

Each private bedroom for 2 people, preferably, is $50 for 1 night; $80

for 2 nights. The cost for open area usage (futons, single bed, floor, porch)

is $20/person for one night; $30/person for 2 nights. First reserved/first

served is the reservation policy for accommodations. A Saturday, day-

use fee of $5/person is charged for non-overnighters for whom potluck

participation is okay, but please RSVP. Meet at Cabin #11 by 8:30 AM

Saturday to enjoy a day-outing! RSVP so arrival is expected. Dick

Worm: 563-582-2580 before noon Friday, or Cell 563-590-2557. Or,

MikeWyrick: 319-350-1063. (Deluxe Cabin rental is $216.) Other cabins

MAY be available: Reservations (877-427-2757) or later by concessionaire

booking (563-933-2273).

Overnight participants provide their own towels, toiletries,

bedding/sleeping bag, and mattress pad/cot for floor space. Hand sanitizer

& soap, hand towels, and a night-light will be provided in the White Pine

bathrooms, but a head-lamp or flashlight is recommended. Meals (Fri.

night, Sat/Sun breakfasts & lunches are by personal provision or partial

potluck with sharing) and beverages are also of personal provision.

Saturday night’s potluck will be in Cabin 11. The potluck encourages

provision of a main course item, salad, or dessert. Refrigeration, micro-

wave, electric stove, and cupboard space are available.

For the potluck, silverware, plates, some bowls, small cups, kitchen sink

washing/drying supplies, and additional potluck tables and chairs will be

available. A personal mug/cup is recommended. Slippers or house shoes

are suggested for use after leaving wet or muddy boots on rugs by the front

or back, lower level door. Only the South Gate into the park is open in

the winter (via Dundee), and via which the cabins are accessed after a

quick right turn to go past the beach. CONTACT:

(raworm@msn.com). Home: 563-582-2580; Cell: 563-590-2557 for even

more outing details by email or mail and for a park map & directions.

Feb. 18 (Tues.): “Shortly before dawn, the waning crescent Moon arrives

at Mars’ position and slides in front of the Red Planet,” an event first

recorded by Aristotle on May 4, 357 B.C. While this stunning occultation

can be seen with your naked eyes, binoculars or a telescope will reveal

more detail. Jupiter and Saturn are nearby. Isn’t SCIENCE wonderful!

(Astronomy, February, 2020)

***Feb. 25 (Tues): White Pine Program/Meeting. Program: Pennsylvania Poconos and Delaware River/ Tennessee

Fairfield Glade and waterfall rich state parks.

7 PM meet and greet, 7:15 Program. Business Meeting by

8:15 PM. 3200 Asbury Rd. (See page 3) (Somethin’ to do.)

Feb. 27 (Thurs): “Decoding the Driftless” documentary shown at

the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival last year. Tri-State

geological history. FREE showing at the Hotel Julien, Dubuque.

Feb. 29 (Sat.): OUTING: Leap Day Hike/Snowshoe. Dick and

Jane Worm took a leap and added 9.69 acres to the Faraway Farm

locale. Explore this rugged inland addition. Meet at their home, 9

AM; 3680 Echo Hills Drive, Bellevue (2 miles off US 52 on St.

Catherine Road from Lombardi’s, 6 mi. south of US 61/151 at

south edge of Dubuque. CONTACT: Dick Worm, 563-582-2580.

March 13-15 (Fri-Sun): “Canoecopia”, Alliant

Energy Center, Madison, WI. (1919 Alliant Energy

Center Way, Madison, WI 53713.) GREAT exhibits,

programs, paddlesport vendors; outfitters/organizations.

CONTACT: Dick Worm: May share a 3-day pass.

563-582-2580; 563-590-2557. raworm@msn.com

www.canoecopia.com or google “Canoecopia 2020”.

Or, www.Rutabaga.com

Portage to the Kek, 2018. Project AWARE, 2019.

March 20 (Friday): OUTING, Vernal Equinox, First Day of

Spring Sunset and hike. Horseshoe Mound, Galena, IL

(Blackjack Road.) Meet at 5:45 PM to carpool from the East

Building (nearest the river) Diamond Joe National River

Center, Gift Shop entrance parking area, Mississippi River

Museum and Aquarium. 7:10 PM DST, sunset. “Entrance

Road to Horseshoe Mound Now Paved!” CONTACT Dick

Worm, 563-582-2580; or Cell 563-590-2557.

March 21 (Sat.): Popcorn and Program, “Racing to Extinction”

Emmy nominated film; 7-8:30 PM. Galena Territory Owners’

Club, 2000 Territory Dr., Galena, IL. Doors open 6 PM.

$10/non-members Joe Daviess Conservation Foundation.

Produced by Louie Psihoyos, exposes the hidden world of

extinction with rarely-before-seen images of precious and

endangered species. RSVP’s not required, but seating may be

limited. (Carpool 5:30 PM, from same Mississippi River

Museum location as described above.) CONTACT: Dick

Worm (above).

(http://jdcf.org/event/popcorn-program-racing-extinction/)

March 24 (Tues): White Pine Program/Meeting. 3200 Asbury

Rd. 7 PM, back of home to right in church parking lot.

Program: England/Scotland SCIENCE topics: Glasgow

Science Center to Edinburgh’s “Our Dynamic Earth”. Loch Ness

to Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope. Ichthyosaur to Fish Ladders.

Isle of Skye mountains to Glencoe’s Three Sisters. We try.

,2020 CALENDAR OF EVENTS: (Page 5)

March April, May, June

March 28 (Sat.): OUTING: Indian Bluff Wildlife Management Area.

Level hike from parking area to the main bluff overlooking Jordan

Creek, a tributary to the Maquoketa River. Scramble along the bluff

and to a shallow cave with fossils on the face of the bluff; and/or just

along the bluff toward the Maquoketa River are options. Another

option is to park where Butterfield Road dead ends at the Maquoketa

River and hike along Jordan Creek to the base of the bluffs and a rock

column. Location: Take Butterfield Road south from US 151 less than

a mile west of Cascade. Follow Butterfield Rd. south/southeast to a

four way intersection where Butterfield Road takes a turn to the right

(east) and then on south/southeast to the parking area. Carpool from

Banworth Udelhoven Furniture at the intersection of US 52 and US

61/151 at the south edge of Dubuque at 8:30 AM. Or, meet at Indian

Bluffs around 9:15 AM. Bring snacks and/or a lunch. Explore more

widely during the afternoon is another option. CONTACT: Charlie

Winterwood, 563-588-2783.

April 4 (Sat.): Possible Catfish Creek/Mines of Spain clean-up. Mines

of Spain, water- level permitting. 9 AM at boat dock on Catfish Creek.

But do check with CONTACT, Dick Worm, 563-582-2580. May just do

trail maintenance and/or postpone to May 23. (See May 23 description.)

April 18 (Sat.): OUTING Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area, Jackson

County. Hike to the main Maquoketa River bluff overlook; then down

to the picnic/camping/pit toilet site along the river. Meet to carpool at

8:15 AM at Banworth Udelhoven Furniture at intersection of US 51

and US 61/151 at south edge of Dubuque or meet at the Buzzard Ridge

parking area around 9 AM. Buzzard Ridge location: From US 61

about 6 miles north of Maquoketa or 6 miles south of Otter Creek, take

County Rd. E17 about 10 miles west toward Canton. Turn south onto

30th Ave. and in less than 1 mile turn right, west, onto the Buzzard

Ridge access lane to the parking area.

CONTACT: Charlie Winterwood, 563-588-2783.

April 21: John Muir’s Birthday

April 22: Earth Day.

Planet Earth is in our hands!

April 22-26 (Wed –Sun): Julien Dubuque International Film

Festival.” Julienfilmfest.com The festival brings to downtown Dubuque the finest in independent

features, documentaries, and short films from across the country and

around the world. Check web-site to preview film scheduling, logistics,

and categories. Discover, HOPEFULLY, environmental examples.

Festival “headquarters” is in Hotel Julien, 200 Main Street. For some

orientation by a past, active, movie attendee, contact Dick Worm,

563-582-2580. There were several, great conservation oriented

documentaries last year and years before. The February 27 and March

21 events described above are examples of past JDIFF documentary

films. Make time for a few of this year’s films – morning, afternoon,

evening!

April 28 (Tues.) Program/Meeting: Program: “Wilderness

Lands in Southern Utah” Clayton Daughenbaugh, Chair of the

Sierra Club’s National Wildlands and Wilderness Team and of

the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) . His program

typically lasts 1 ¼ hours depending on Q & A. It includes an

award winning short advocacy film. “Wild Utah: America’s Red

Rock Wilderness,” as well as a power point bringing everything up

to date.

He writes: “Southern Utah has the largest network of

undesignated wilderness quality land remaining in the lower 48

states. The Utah Wilderness Coalition campaign to protect it is a

national one, due to the recalcitrant opposition of the Utah

congressional delegation. It’s been kind of a good news/ bad news

story the last couple of years. The bad news of course is President

Trump. He’s trying to shrink Bears Ears National Monument by

85% and Grand Staircase Escalante by 50%, not to mention the

epidemic of oil and gas leasing he’s pushing on the public lands.

The good news is that despite it all we’ve been able to pass …the

largest wilderness bill in 20 years in the current political

climate…” This “suggests we’re doing something right.”

Clayton has put our Sierra Group on his midwestern swing

schedule. Sierra Club members should welcome his work on behalf

of all that is truly great about this GREAT AMERICA. Meet and

Greet, 7:00 PM. Program, 7:15 PM. 3200 Asbury Rd., West End

Dubuque, St. Peter Lutheran Church’s former parsonage, ground-

level meeting room at back of the house on the right side of the

parking lot. Big Window room! “West Obsessed”

May 16 (Sat.): OUTING. “Bowstring Bridge Wildflowers.”

Bowstring Bridge is a relatively new Dubuque County natural

area at the southern extremity of Dubuque County. Part of its draw

is the opportunity to see shooting stars and other natural prairie and

woodland vegetation, and birds. From US 61 at Zwingle, take

Washington Mills Road west about 5 miles to the park sign before

a bridge, turn right and follow the road to the historic bowstring

bridge. Park there—do not drive across the bridge. Carpool, yet

again, from Banworth Udelhoven Furniture store at south edge of

Dubuque (US 52 and US 61/151 intersection stoplight at 9 AM, or

meet at the park around 9:45 AM. CONTACT, Charlie

Winterwood. (563-588-2783) cwinterwood@yahoo.com

May 23 (Sat): OUTING (April 4 OPTION): Catfish Creek /

Mines of Spain Clean-Up. 9 AM: meet at Catfish Creek boat

launch parking lot near the north end of Mines of Spain Road

(from Julien Dubuque Drive off Grandview Avenue.) 2 canoes

can easily be provided or bring your own. RSVP to determine if

additional canoes may be needed. Some REQUIRED PFD’s can

be provided or bring your own. Wear long legged pants and sturdy

shoes in case shoreline or trail clean-up becomes a relevant option.

Gloves and insect repellant are strongly suggested. A mid-

morning snack and a beverage may also be a good idea. Sort

Recyclables! CONTACT: Dick Worm (563-582-2580)

Cell (563-590-2557.) raworm@msn.com May 11, 2019 effort: See www.facebook.com/whitepinegroup

2019 Calendar of Events (Cont.): (Page 6) ***May 26 (Tues): White Pine Program/Meeting.

Program: “2019 Project AWARE on the Boone River, July 7-12.”

That 17th Annual AWARE began with a Meet & Greet camping in

Goldfield’s River Park on Sunday. Afternoon and evening programming

included: Rock Collecting & Gold Prospecting in Iowa; Goldfield and

Boone River History; “Aunt Bee, Barney Fife, & the Mayberry Jail”; Canoe

Skills and Safety; and tubing the rapids (where a dam once stood.)

Monday, 15.5 miles; concrete rubble rapids; camping at Briggs Woods

Park, Webster City (4 nights); Atlatl Throwing (Office of State

Archaeologist); Geology of Boone River Watershed; Burial Mounds in

Iowa, and the making of waxed sandwich food wraps.

Tuesday, 12.2 miles; a walk with a botanist; “Reflections on Iowa

Rivers and Their Future”; and “Climbing Everest” by Jen Loeb, first Iowa

woman to summit Mount Everest. (Concurrent evening programming.)

Wednesday, 15.5 miles; rock dam portage; Midway river stop

programming: stormwater wetland tour and “Doodle Bug Club of

America”; Evening programming: Brigg’s Woods waterfall hike;

Hamilton County History; Watershed Scale Conservation; and Adventure

Journaling for Kids.. of all ages..

Thursday, 16.1 miles; Rock Rapids; on river caution: Barner Wildlife

Area ledge; (280th St. Bridge Construction had to be skirted due to just too

much danger.. which shortened the day’s on river mileage); more evening

concurrent programs: Boone River Water Trail; Wilson Brewer Park tour;

and Native Flower Fridge magnets for Kids… of all ages.

Friday, 5.3 miles; Morning program: History of Bell Mills Park (from

where this day’s canoe trip began; Trip ended at noon at Boone Forks

Access with yet another school bus shuttle back to Brigg’s Woods.

ALL THIS WAS INCLUDED HERE TO SHOW THAT THERE IS

MUCH MORE TO A PROJECT AWARE EXPEDITION THAN JUST

GETTING DIRTY WHILE COLLECTING TRASH FROM WITHIN AND

ALONG A RIVER! (Information for all who are unable to attend this

White Pine Group program/meeting.) 7 PM, 3200 Asbury Rd, behind home

on right. PROJECT SCENES: (also: www.Facebook.com/whitepinegroup)

*June 6 (Sat): OUTING: Field Trip into Wisconsin.

John Muir’s Fountain Lake Farm near Montello; and Aldo

Leopold’s Shack and Farm near Lewiston. Both are located

north of Madison (a short way beyond Portage) off US 51.

Muir came to Fountain Lake at the age of 11 from Scotland in

1849. Leopold began purchasing his property in 1935 as a summer

retreat. . A trail goes around Fountain Lake. The Aldo Leopold

Foundation maintains a visitor center. Carpool from the parking

lot across from the Gift Shop of the National Mississippi River

Museum and Aquarium’s East Building, the Diamond Jo National

River Center, at 7:30 AM. Plan for an all-day exploration. Please

RSVP if you wish to join a carpool. Sandwiches and beverages

will be purchased along the way for lunch. More details later.

CONTACT: Dick Worm. (563-582-2580; Cell 563-590-2557)

June 20 (Sat.): OUTING, of sorts! (Gotta get up early once in a

while!) Summer Solstice Sunrise, 5:27 AM, White Water Canyon

Astronomical layout. (Time will be checked again closer to the

date.) So, get there by 5:00 AM! Oh, boy…. CONTACT: Dick

Worm (563-582-2580; Cell 563-590-2557) if you wanna try a 4:30

AM carpool; or just get there. Find a place for breakfast after?

Fillmore, Bernard?

.

NO June, July, or August 4th Tuesday Program/Meetings.

July 12-17: 18th Annual Project AWARE on the Middle and

South Raccoon Rivers in Guthrie and Dallas Counties. For insight,

CONTACT Dick Worm, who plans to participate in this, his 15th,

full week, Project AWARE. Also, info@iowaprojectaware.org .

Dick takes his own infamous P-11 (Private) canoe. The photo of 4

guys at the bottom of the left column here is Dick, on the left, with

his three canoe partners in 2019. The fellow next to Dick will be

featured in the Kekekabic,Trail, Fundraiser Dinner program,

October 17, as he was Dick’s canoe and backpacking partner

during the final Kek trek in 2018. The fellow on the far right is a

White Pine Group member from Manchester.

P-11 in action (2019 on the Boone River.):

August 1: (Sat.) Iowa Chapter/Sierra Club Annual Meeting Cedar Falls. Program “How to be Politically Active.”

Details forthcoming. Being so close to us, carpool attendance

may be arranged. Environmentalists MUST be politically active as

the world’s natural habitats get more and more crowded out and as

big money corporations “buy” politicians. CONTACT: Charlie

Winterwood: 563-588-2783 cwinterwood@yahoo.com

White Pine Needle 2020 Page 7 August 3 -15 (approximately): A LOCO Folks Colorado Trip Offer

yet to have all details finalized. In general, Plan A:

1. Three Creede Repertory Theater productions camping at a

Marshall Park, National Forest site along the Rio Grande River.

August 3 drive; August 4-6 Creede.

2. Three Fourteeners: Dayhikes: Mt. Evans from Summit Lake and

Mt. Bierstadt from Guanella Pass. Backpack Base Camp: Mount

of the Holy Cross and side hikes/lay-overs. All 3 close to I-70.

August 7 drive; August 8-13 climbs; August 14-15 drive home.

CONTACT: Dick Worm 563-582-2580 raworm@msn.com. For

insight if interested.

August 22 (Sat): (Primitive Camp Friday night (8/21) is an option,)

Autumn Calendar Planning Potluck/Bonfire Picnic” at Dick & Jane

Worm’s Echo Valley Pond. Hike Faraway Farm’s Mississippi River bluff,

woodland, and prairie trails. Pond swims, canoeing, and fishing are

options. Meet: 11:30 AM for noon potluck picnic with a bonfire and

charcoal grill available. RSVP will help with logistic arrangements.

Program & Outing suggestions are always welcome. Location: Down the

hill from 3680 Echo Hills Dr., Bellevue, IA, 52031. Drive through the

upper green gate down on black top and then straight on down on gravel

through a red gate past Benglari Centre to the pond parking. [Echo Hills

Drive is off St. Catherine Road 2 miles from US 52, 6 miles south of the US

151/61 and US 52 intersection, south edge of Dubuque.]

CONTACT: Dick and Jane: 563-582-2580 or 563-590-2557.

SEPTEMBER: ALL members will receive an Autumn Update Needle,

Volume 40, No. 2.( Via Mail OR Email by mid-September, hopefully.)

Autumn program/meetings: Sept. 22, Oct. 27. Nov. 24. .

AUTUMN OCT, NOV, DEC, 2020

Until receiving the Autumn Update, here are some

expected Autumn events to mark on your calendar now:

Sept. 19 (Sat.): OUTING Plum Creek Park (Earlville) and Indian Hills

Wildlife Area near Earlville. Meet at Plum Creek Park at 9:30 AM.

Use Exit (uhm) 268? From the west on US 20, first exit east of the overpass

exit into Earlville. From the east, first exit to the north past the X-47 Exit to

Petersburg. Or, RSVP for a carpool shuttle from Menard’s Parking Lot

between the two frontage road exits into Menard’s, 9 AM. Plum Creek Park

has a picnic shelter so bring a Picnic Lunch for after the hikes. CONTACT:

Dick Worm (for assured Exit number from US 20!)563- 582-2580

Sept. 22 (Tues.); Program/Meeting. Program: The 3 Fourteener climbs in August, if all went well.

October 17 (Sat.): : Fundraiser Dinner. Swiss Valley Nature Center.

Program: “Kekekabic Trail, Boundary Waters Wilderness, Minnesota”)

Mississippi Trails Hiking Club hosts a Swiss Valley hike before Dinner.

Volunteers Make It Work! The official RESERVATION FORM will be

in the Autumn Update, but volunteers are welcome to step up ANYTIME!

Vegetable casseroles and desserts are the main food items to contribute.

Some regular helpers may still take care of the mashed potatoes and

dressing. Kitchen and set-up help is always very welcome. Date is earlier

this year due the election and early November’s usual conflicts.

October 27 (Tues.)” Program/Meeting: Program: ELECTION

PREPARATIONS. “Trump Memorabilia” Newspaper articles and

cartoons. A Bully Pulpit. Review the environmental attacks and

deregulations that Trump has mustered. Only six days

left before Nov. 3. Work to be UNIFIED!

November 3 (Tues): ELECTION DAY. Can we be certain that

every vote in the nation will get counted? What about the

gerrymandering and voter suppression?

Do all you can today to help GET OUT THE VOTE.

Nov. 4 (Wed.): Take a deep breath! Can we exhale?

Nov. 7 (Sat.): Eden Valley Refuge Hike. We still can DREAM

about an Eden! 1.5 mile south of Baldwin on 50th Ave. (Y 34)

Baldwin is about 8 miles west of Maquoketa on IA Rt. 64. Enjoy a

swinging bridge, an Observation Tower, and a variety of trails.

Carpool from Banworth Udelhoven at 9:15 AM. Be at the trail-

head parking by around 10 AM. Maybe lunch in Maquoketa.

Nov. 24: (Tues.): Program/Meeting. Coastal and other area

parks near Williamsburg, Virginia. Maybe the swamp near there

will have been drained! Come on out and FIND out!!

Dec. 19: (Sat.): Nearly Winter Solstice Sunset Stroll. Mines of

Spain/EB Lyons’ Avenue of Trees. 4:05 PM Sunset. Be at the

parking area by 3:15 PM. View is from the end of the Avenue of

Trees. Dinner after the sun has disappeared. Maybe a Dairy Queen

Pineapple Sundae to enjoy yellow going down again?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DANIEL ERNST MEMORIAL:

Long time White Pine member and supporter passed away on Dec.

27, 2019. Dan loved Dubuque and the tri-state area, where he was

a member of the Mississippi Trails Hiking Club. He was also a

founding member of the Friends of the Mines of Spain. The above

Sunset Stroll at the MOS will be conducted in his memory. The

White Pine Group has also made a $50 contribution to the

Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque with a designation for

the Friends of the Mines of Spain. Dan always invited friends to

visit and stay over at his family’s summer home on Lake

Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay. His contributions live on!

2020 EXCOM ELECTION BALLOT: Vote for 2. Send to Jane Worm,

3680 Echo Hills Dr., Bellevue, IA 52031 by January 24 (postmarked by

Jan. 23) or cast your vote at the Jan. 28 White Pine Group meeting.

If mailed, include your complete return address on the mailed envelope for

verification of Single or Joint membership. Use or copy this form OR just

mail no more than 2 printed names. Each Joint membership has two votes.

Print the Write-in names! Sierra Club requires grassroots elections, rare

among national conservation groups. NE Iowa needs more Sierra activists.

_____ Dave Hansen (Masonville farm operator;.Backbone Park expert!)

Write in:

_____ ___________________________________________

_____ ___________________________________________

.

2020 Membership: January – November,: (White Pine Grp.)

*Total Adds: 173 Memberships / 195 members.

Total Drops: 176 Memberships / 202 members.

12/11/19: Total: 460 Memberships; 555 Members. Net -3 / -7

*Many Adds are Reinstated “Drops” who renewed. THANKS!

PLANET EARTH THANKS ALL LONG-TIME & CURRENT MEMBERS.

White Pine Group, N.E. Iowa Sierra Club

“The Needle” Newsletter Editor 2020 Needle

Richard Worm January - August

3680 Echo Hills Dr. Volume 40, #1

Bellevue, IA 52031-9557

2020 Calendar of Program/Meetings & Outings

2020 EXCOM Selection Opportunity

Backbone Cabin Outing option details.

2020 Fundraiser Dinner, Oct. 17, 2020, Swiss Valley

Mark Your 2020 Scheduling Calendar

EXPLORE ENJOY

PROTECT

White Pine Group, N.E. Iowa EXCOM *Expires 2019. Chair: Charlie Winterwood, 563-588-2783 cwinterwood@yahoo.com Vice Chair: Jim Fahrion, 563-556-2878 jlfahrion@gmail.com

Member/Newsletter: Dick Worm, 563-582-2580 raworm@msn.com

*Dave Hansen: Masonville, dhansen187@gmail.com

*Jane Worm, 563-582-2580 jworm924@msn.com

Appointed:

Fundraiser/Sec: Jane Worm

Treasurer: Mike Muir

Conservation: Gretel Winterwood Publicity and more: (open)

WEBSITE: www.sierraclub.org/iowa/white-pine-group (seldom used)

“Crawford County Group to Begin Study of Large Livestock

Operations,” Telegraph Herald, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020.

This story fits perfectly with the showing of “Right to Harm”

at our Nov. 26 meeting. (14 attended: 7 White Pine

members (4 EXCOM, 1 panel member, and 2 spouses); 3

local guests; 2 water quality activists from Wisconsin, and

2 panel members from Iowa City and Fairfield.) Failure

to regulate Confined Animal Feeding Operations

(CAFO’s) results in contaminated water and wells being

drilled deeper and deeper. Examples from around the

nation included a 4 million chicken operation smelled 12

miles away; hog industry lagoons spraying mists of animal

waste; a 7500 hog operation 174 feet away from a

neighbor’s home; karst areas, like NE Iowa, with cracked

bedrock that let untreated waste spread onto fields flow

directly to wells, etc. etc…. Encourage legislators to attend

showings of “Right to Harm.” “Hog Confinements and

Human Health…” e-book: www.civandinc.com click on

NEW Hog Confinement eBook (free and printable.)

Contact member Larry Stone (Lstone@alpinecom.net. )

Sierra Club Membership:

For a New Member brochure contact Dick Worm; or

membership brochures are in the SIERRA magazine; or

go to: www.sierraclub.org.

Membership renewal notices come from the national

headquarters. No $$ from national dues go to Local Groups.

Mailing labels on Sierra Club mailings may include

membership expiration date reminders: 1020 (Oct., 2020).

On magazine labels: J/A20 = final issue July/August, 2020.

S = Single; J = Joint memberships.

“3707” is the Identification Code for our White Pine Group.

A “Wilderness Guardian” membership of at least $10/month

reduces the amount of the Sierra Club, $ seeking, junk mail.

Like us at: www.facebook.com/whitepinegroup

Action: www.sierraclub.org/sierra-club-email/insider

Your membership is vital to carrying out Sierra

Club goals…seriously challenged by the current

U.S. Senate & President. Go U.S. House’s ABBY!