by Jim Tolbert
Now ready for distribution and signatures is a new 2014 Initiative Petition. It reads:
The undersigned ask that the El Paso City Council pass the following ordinance:
The City of El Paso shall preserve, in its natural state and in perpetuity, all of the undeveloped
land owned by the City of El Paso (including that controlled and managed by the PSB) on the
western side of the Franklin Mountains that is north of Transmountain, east of the EPNG
Pipeline Road and south of the New Mexico/El Paso boundary; and shall also preserve, in its
natural state and in perpetuity, all of the undeveloped land owned by the City of El Paso
(including that controlled and managed by the PSB) on the eastern side of the Franklin
Mountains that is north of Transmountain, west of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and south of
the New Mexico/El Paso boundary. The City shall take all steps necessary to preserve all of this
land and to prevent it from being developed with either private development or major public
roadways.
Based on the total number of voters in the last city election (May 2013), a minimum of 2,310
signatures are required for the petition to be validated and taken up by City Council. Any person who is a registered voter in the City (not just the County) of El Paso may sign the petition. If City Council fails to pass the initiative as an ordinance, citizens may circulate and sign the same
petition and, if validated, that petition must be put on the ballot of the next city election for
approval by the voters of the City of El Paso, Texas.
Petitioners believe that preserving the land will alleviate the heavy tax burden placed on all
El Pasoans because of sprawl. Rather than paying for itself, unchecked sprawl increases city and school district expenses. Preserving land will also help El Paso conserve its most precious
resource: water. Preserving land will require El Paso to use smarter ways to develop - ways that will decrease our travel and energy expenses and improve our health and our neighborhoods.
The petition is available online at
http://elpasonaturally.blogspot.com/p/2013-initiative-petition.html.
If you would like to help El Paso become a healthier, happier place to live by gathering signatures, please contact Jim Tolbert at diegotolbert@gmail.com or 915-525-7364.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Summer is drawing near in at the Franklin Mountains State Park
by Adriana Weickhardt
At the end of last March, we introduced a new program that ultimately was a huge success – “Yoga on the Rocks”. The wonderful ladies from Hot Box Yoga came out to lead the program -about 30 participants enjoyed an opening yoga session at the trailhead before heading up to the Aztec Caves for a very cool yoga experience, reconnecting with nature in the caves themselves. Canyon Wrens and White-throated Swifts sang their songs in and around the caves, their calls echoing and bouncing off of the walls and they even seemed to enjoy some of the OM chanting. We are very excited to offer this Yoga on the Rocks with Hot Box Yoga again this month and look forward to seeing you all then!
June is another month full of fun summer activities at the Franklin Mountains State Park. Starting on June 7th, “National Trails Day”, we’ll be offering an intense hike along the Ron Coleman Trail as well as bike rides in the northeast section of the park. We’ll have astronomy programs and mine tours in the middle of the month and we’ll conclude with a campout celebrating a national event, the “Great American Backyard Campout”.
The following are upcoming events for t June and July – one of the new activities to look forward to is our Women Only Mtn. Bike Workshop. For more information or to make your reservations call (915) 566-6441.
June is another month full of fun summer activities at the Franklin Mountains State Park. Starting on June 7th, “National Trails Day”, we’ll be offering an intense hike along the Ron Coleman Trail as well as bike rides in the northeast section of the park. We’ll have astronomy programs and mine tours in the middle of the month and we’ll conclude with a campout celebrating a national event, the “Great American Backyard Campout”.
The following are upcoming events for t June and July – one of the new activities to look forward to is our Women Only Mtn. Bike Workshop. For more information or to make your reservations call (915) 566-6441.
JUNE
Sat., June 7: 7:00 a.m. National Trails Day – Ron Coleman Hike
Fri., June 20: 7:00 a.m. Women’s Hike – Schaeffer Shuffle Trail
Sat., June 21: 8:30 p.m. 1st Day of Summer Astronomy Program
Sun., June 22: TBD “Yoga on the Rocks”
Sat., June 28 – 5:00 p.m. “Great American Backyard Campout”
Sun., June 29: … continued “Great American Backyard Campout”
JULY
Sat., July 12 – Time: TBD - Franklin Mountains SP Volunteer
Orientation and Campout
Sun., July 13 – Time: TBD -Franklin Mountains SP Volunteer
Orientation and Campout
Friday, March 21, 2014
Spring has Sprung in the Franklin Mountains State Park
by Adriana Weickhardt
The signs of spring are popping up all over the mountain from hints of purple Lyreleaf Twist flowers
and yellow Desert Evening Primrose, to colorful butterflies fluttering over the hills and slithering
lizards darting across the trails. It’s a beautiful transition period to another season in our
Chihuahuan Desert!
The park is also experiencing transitions as we prepare to welcome back one of our own from his
absence while attending police academy. Jonathan Murphy will be back on the mountain soon and
will soon be protecting and serving the park and visitors, but also be integrated into leading
additional park programs. And as we eagerly welcome one ranger back, we are also preparing to say
goodbye to another; Richie Sanchez has infused this park with positive energy and given it a tune up
with the monthly mountain bike rides that he’s led over the past year. We are overjoyed, though, for this new chapter in Ranger Richie’s life as he will soon embark on the journey of marriage and school. Congratulations to both Jonathan and Richie on your
accomplishments!
Another transition that comes with the spring season is the more frequent migrations of your rangers down from the mountains and into the city. The park presence will begin being noticed more and more throughout the community during spring and into summer as schools continue to invite your rangers out to career fairs, science project contests and science fairs, and summer camps. We also will be participating in many of the Earth Day festivities throughout El Paso during the month of April.
The park programs are also preparing to transition to our warm weather and summer fun activities like mine tours, astronomy
programs and mysteries of the night hikes. Our annual “National Kids to Parks” event is also around the bend on May 17, 2014 – mark your calendars, you don’t want to miss it!
For all of our guided park programs, one must have a reservation to participate. Make your reservations by calling: (915) 566-6441. You can also share your photographs and keep up with the daily activity at our park by visiting the Franklin Mountains State Park facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FranklinMountainsSP?ref=hl.
If you are interested in being added to the email list to receive the monthly park event flyers, please contact: Adrianna.weickhardt@tpwd.texas.gov
The signs of spring are popping up all over the mountain from hints of purple Lyreleaf Twist flowers
and yellow Desert Evening Primrose, to colorful butterflies fluttering over the hills and slithering
lizards darting across the trails. It’s a beautiful transition period to another season in our
Chihuahuan Desert!
The park is also experiencing transitions as we prepare to welcome back one of our own from his
absence while attending police academy. Jonathan Murphy will be back on the mountain soon and
will soon be protecting and serving the park and visitors, but also be integrated into leading
additional park programs. And as we eagerly welcome one ranger back, we are also preparing to say
goodbye to another; Richie Sanchez has infused this park with positive energy and given it a tune up
with the monthly mountain bike rides that he’s led over the past year. We are overjoyed, though, for this new chapter in Ranger Richie’s life as he will soon embark on the journey of marriage and school. Congratulations to both Jonathan and Richie on your
accomplishments!
Another transition that comes with the spring season is the more frequent migrations of your rangers down from the mountains and into the city. The park presence will begin being noticed more and more throughout the community during spring and into summer as schools continue to invite your rangers out to career fairs, science project contests and science fairs, and summer camps. We also will be participating in many of the Earth Day festivities throughout El Paso during the month of April.
The park programs are also preparing to transition to our warm weather and summer fun activities like mine tours, astronomy
programs and mysteries of the night hikes. Our annual “National Kids to Parks” event is also around the bend on May 17, 2014 – mark your calendars, you don’t want to miss it!
For all of our guided park programs, one must have a reservation to participate. Make your reservations by calling: (915) 566-6441. You can also share your photographs and keep up with the daily activity at our park by visiting the Franklin Mountains State Park facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FranklinMountainsSP?ref=hl.
If you are interested in being added to the email list to receive the monthly park event flyers, please contact: Adrianna.weickhardt@tpwd.texas.gov
Resler Canyon Needs Your Help
by Janaé Renaud Field
The Frontera Land Alliance needs wattles and seeds to prevent erosion on the site of recent
improvements to stormwater infrastructure in the Wakeem/Teschner Nature Preserve at Resler Canyon in El Paso.
Wattles are straw-filled, biodegradable net tubes staked out across areas subject to erosion. You
see them next to highways. They’ll be used in the Canyon to slow down rain runoff and let water slowly soak into the soil. The wetter the soil, the better the chance that seeds can germinate and
hold the soil in place. And when plants take hold and grow, the leaves reduce the impact of
raindrops, further cutting back on erosion. The wattles come in 100 foot lengths; we need over
5,000 feet to adequately protect the site. We’ll be gathering surplus seeds from Canyon shrubs,
but we must also buy about 80 pounds of fast-growing, native grass seed to quickly generate
ground cover. The cost of the erosion control and reseeding is $25,000.
You can help by sponsoring a wattle or a 10-pound bag of seed. Each wattle length costs $100. The seed is $200 per bag. Even smaller contributions will help. Your sponsorship is tax deductible.
Your name will appear on a marker to celebrate your contribution.
For more info about contributing to this important conservation project contact Janaé Renaud Field, Frontera's Executive Director, at (915) 351-8352 or janae@FronteraLandAlliance.org.
The Frontera Land Alliance needs wattles and seeds to prevent erosion on the site of recent
improvements to stormwater infrastructure in the Wakeem/Teschner Nature Preserve at Resler Canyon in El Paso.
Wattles are straw-filled, biodegradable net tubes staked out across areas subject to erosion. You
see them next to highways. They’ll be used in the Canyon to slow down rain runoff and let water slowly soak into the soil. The wetter the soil, the better the chance that seeds can germinate and
hold the soil in place. And when plants take hold and grow, the leaves reduce the impact of
raindrops, further cutting back on erosion. The wattles come in 100 foot lengths; we need over
5,000 feet to adequately protect the site. We’ll be gathering surplus seeds from Canyon shrubs,
but we must also buy about 80 pounds of fast-growing, native grass seed to quickly generate
ground cover. The cost of the erosion control and reseeding is $25,000.
You can help by sponsoring a wattle or a 10-pound bag of seed. Each wattle length costs $100. The seed is $200 per bag. Even smaller contributions will help. Your sponsorship is tax deductible.
Your name will appear on a marker to celebrate your contribution.
For more info about contributing to this important conservation project contact Janaé Renaud Field, Frontera's Executive Director, at (915) 351-8352 or janae@FronteraLandAlliance.org.
Pay Attention to Impact Fees
by Jim Tolbert
Impact fees are designed to reduce ugly urban sprawl and help preserve open space. Although
El Paso Water Utilities requested a significant increase in impact fees, City Council decided to
delay and debate the issue for a year. Impact fees cover the cost of necessary new water and sewer
infrastructure. Either developers and builders pay the costs associated with their growth, or the
current and future rate payers will pay increased fees.
To stay informed on this issue follow Jim Tolbert’s blog: www.elpasonaturally.blogspot.com.
Impact fees are designed to reduce ugly urban sprawl and help preserve open space. Although
El Paso Water Utilities requested a significant increase in impact fees, City Council decided to
delay and debate the issue for a year. Impact fees cover the cost of necessary new water and sewer
infrastructure. Either developers and builders pay the costs associated with their growth, or the
current and future rate payers will pay increased fees.
To stay informed on this issue follow Jim Tolbert’s blog: www.elpasonaturally.blogspot.com.
Support your Local Sierra Club
Your local El Paso Group of the Sierra Club asks for a moment of your time to hear a new message, a message of renewal and redirection.
Only a year ago we were asking for help to reduce out huge legal fee debt for fighting TxDot’s “overblown” plan for Transmountain Road. Before that it was a plea for help to fight the reopening of ASARCO. While you responded generously with donations ranging from $10 to $5000, the average was about $20, not enough to make a dent in our $50,000 legal bill. It was ultimately the generosity of Lowerre, Frederick et al, who stopped sending us bills, that is allowing us to move forward with our renewal.
Now, with your votes, we have a new Executive Committee team and a new sense of direction. The defensive battles, which fatigued us and sapped our treasury, have given way to a determination to work on offense, developing inspirational new initiatives.
A few of these ideas are: National Monument status for Otero Mesa (which includes Alamo Mountain), returning the Mexican Wolf to its former territory in Big Bend, more renewable energy for El Paso, rainwater harvesting for El Paso homes, and a glass recycling program for our city.
We realize that many of us Sierrans work locally in single-issue groups on specific areas of our environment. Thank you for your support of those worthy causes. But won’t you help us do some things in the name of the Sierra Club? SC is challenged to “cover the waterfront” of environmental causes. With your contributions and participation we can do almost anything.
But your yearly $39 membership fee is not enough to help us brave those new environmental frontiers! We need your ideas. We need your contributions. If you can’t give time, why not give money, directly to the El Paso Group, for use in El Paso?
Please be generous. This is our only local funding appeal for 2014. Let’s think in three or four digits! Perhaps we can raise that $20 average?
Thank you,
Laurence Gibson, Chair
El Paso Group
Rio Grande Chapter
Sierra Club
915 309-5419
Only a year ago we were asking for help to reduce out huge legal fee debt for fighting TxDot’s “overblown” plan for Transmountain Road. Before that it was a plea for help to fight the reopening of ASARCO. While you responded generously with donations ranging from $10 to $5000, the average was about $20, not enough to make a dent in our $50,000 legal bill. It was ultimately the generosity of Lowerre, Frederick et al, who stopped sending us bills, that is allowing us to move forward with our renewal.
Now, with your votes, we have a new Executive Committee team and a new sense of direction. The defensive battles, which fatigued us and sapped our treasury, have given way to a determination to work on offense, developing inspirational new initiatives.
A few of these ideas are: National Monument status for Otero Mesa (which includes Alamo Mountain), returning the Mexican Wolf to its former territory in Big Bend, more renewable energy for El Paso, rainwater harvesting for El Paso homes, and a glass recycling program for our city.
We realize that many of us Sierrans work locally in single-issue groups on specific areas of our environment. Thank you for your support of those worthy causes. But won’t you help us do some things in the name of the Sierra Club? SC is challenged to “cover the waterfront” of environmental causes. With your contributions and participation we can do almost anything.
But your yearly $39 membership fee is not enough to help us brave those new environmental frontiers! We need your ideas. We need your contributions. If you can’t give time, why not give money, directly to the El Paso Group, for use in El Paso?
Please be generous. This is our only local funding appeal for 2014. Let’s think in three or four digits! Perhaps we can raise that $20 average?
Thank you,
Laurence Gibson, Chair
El Paso Group
Rio Grande Chapter
Sierra Club
915 309-5419
The eighth annual 2014 Franklin Mountains Poppies Fest on Castner Range
Saturday, March 29, 2014 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology at 4301 Transmountain Road.
The Poppies Fest Committee welcomes everyone to this free family fun day which features a
program of nature walks, educational exhibits and demonstrations by local environmental
organizations and wildlife displays include a live socialized wolf from the Wild Spirit Wolf
Sanctuary and Houdini the Harris Hawk from the El Paso Zoo at 11:00 am. A children’s activity center will offer a variety of arts and crafts led by local community members including Girl Scouts. Local performing groups will provide music and dance. Local vendors will be offering original and hand-made merchandise for sale. Lunch and snacks can be purchased from food vendors on-site.
Free parking will be off-site with handicapped accessible shuttle bus service provided from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, funded by the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department.
The Poppies Fest celebrates the marvelous open space in Northeast El Paso where the 15 acre grounds of the El Paso Museum of Archaeology are surrounded by the 7,000+ acre Castner Range, a former artillery range known for its unique cultural, geologic and biologic features. If the rain and weather cooperate, it is most known for its beautiful and vast display of Mexican Gold Poppies in the spring.
Information: Marilyn Guida, 915-755-4332, guidamr@elpasotexas.go
The Poppies Fest Committee welcomes everyone to this free family fun day which features a
program of nature walks, educational exhibits and demonstrations by local environmental
organizations and wildlife displays include a live socialized wolf from the Wild Spirit Wolf
Sanctuary and Houdini the Harris Hawk from the El Paso Zoo at 11:00 am. A children’s activity center will offer a variety of arts and crafts led by local community members including Girl Scouts. Local performing groups will provide music and dance. Local vendors will be offering original and hand-made merchandise for sale. Lunch and snacks can be purchased from food vendors on-site.
Free parking will be off-site with handicapped accessible shuttle bus service provided from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, funded by the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department.
The Poppies Fest celebrates the marvelous open space in Northeast El Paso where the 15 acre grounds of the El Paso Museum of Archaeology are surrounded by the 7,000+ acre Castner Range, a former artillery range known for its unique cultural, geologic and biologic features. If the rain and weather cooperate, it is most known for its beautiful and vast display of Mexican Gold Poppies in the spring.
Information: Marilyn Guida, 915-755-4332, guidamr@elpasotexas.go
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
