The Santa Margarita Group at Primal Pastures

      Join the Santa Margarita Group at Primal Pastures on Oct. 15^th

We did it.  We had a great day touring the facility.  We learned about their objectives and their services.  

We had a picnic lunch sitting under the shade trees.  We are truly grateful to Pam Nelson for organizing the tour.   

                                             

 From their website:  

We are a small family farm passionate about making a big change in the local food system.  We are located in Murrieta, CA and our products include pastured chicken, pastured lamb, pastured pork, pastured beef, wild caught seafood and raw, local unfiltered honey.

Do you know where your food comes from? Do you know what it's fed, injected with, or what quality of life it experiences? We think you should. Our goal at Primal Pastures is to produce food that we feel good about feeding to ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren – food that is grown responsibly, sustainably, and according to nature's brilliant design. We believe that there is a better way – a higher calling if you will – that we truly are or will become what we eat.

           

 Farmer John

The Santa Margarita Group at Primal Pastures

      Join the Santa Margarita Group at Primal Pastures on Oct. 15^th

We did it.  We had a great day touring the facility.  We learned about their objectives and their services.  

We had a picnic lunch sitting under the shade trees.  We are truly grateful to Pam Nelson for organizing the tour.   

                                             

From their website:  We are a small family farm passionate about making a big change in the local food system.  We are located in Murrieta, CA and our products include pastured chicken, pastured lamb, pastured pork, pastured beef, wild caught seafood and raw, local unfiltered honey.

           

   

Farmer John: Do you know where your food comes from? Do you know what it's fed, injected with, or what quality of life it experiences? We think you should. Our goal at Primal Pastures is to produce food that we feel good about feeding to ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren – food that is grown responsibly, sustainably, and according to nature's brilliant design. We believe that there is a better way – a higher calling if you will – that we truly are or will become what we eat.

Sierra Santa Margarita Group activities, October 2016

Michael H. Momeni, Environmental Nuclear Scientist

   

Visit our interactive blog “What’s up” at: http://sierraconservation.blogspot.com/

Sierra Santa Margarita Group report was submitted to Palm and Pine for publication.

We are back

After our brief summer vacation, we started working hard on our agenda.  We met at the pool at Laurie and David Webster's house (Fig 1). 

Figure 1: Members of Executive Committee and Associates

Those attended were:

Pam Nelson, Laurie Webster, Margaret Meyncke, Michael Momeni, Jim Mitchell, Fred Bartz, Ray Johnson, Teri Biancardi, Bob Audibert, George McMackin, Caren Hanson, Scott Smith, Elena Garcia. 

Transportation Task Group

Exhaust from gasoline engines has been a major contributor to the air quality of Temecula Valley.  We are tasked to examine local transportation problems, seek methods to promote mass-transit systems, and collaborate with other organizations pursuing similar objectives.  Multiple studies have identified air pollution as an initiator for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and lung cancer.  

Highway 15/215 in Temecula Valley is the main artery for connecting San Diego to the highways 10, 40 and route 91.  In addition, it is the principle route for commuters to Los Angeles, Riverside, Escondido and San Diego.  These vehicles all have contributed to the airborne pollution in our valley. 

The existing train connecting Perris to Riverside is infrequent and very slow to be useful for commuters.  The proposed rapid train linking San Francisco to Los Angeles or San Diego would be many years to come; in addition, it would be infrequent and could not function for commuters.  The frequently stated justification for these deficiencies has been few commuter are using the present transit system in town; the commuters complain the system is infrequent, or not in existence, and very slow to be practical.

What are the solutions?  Our Task Group will be examining both short term and long term practical objectives.  We will pursue a greater access to local public transportation within our community.  Our agenda includes:

• participating in the T-Now meetings;
• organizing outings using mass transit systems.

Wildlife Corridor

The Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve and the Santa Margarita River are essential to wildlife in the region and should be permanently protected.  Highway 15 in Temecula divides the natural routes for wildlife passage between the western section of Cleveland National Forest, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, and the eastern section of the Forest (Fig. 2).

Figure 2: Temecula Valley and the natural wildlife habitats

Two proposed major developments in Temecula, Altair and Temecula Inn Golf Course, close to Highway 15 would further exasperate the problem.  The Altair development would be located on the western side of Temecula, adjacent to the Old Town (Fig. 3).  The Temecula Inn Golf Course Development would be located on the present golf course land. We are working and consulting with other local organizations pursuing the same objective of a wildlife corridor.  We have been examining the details for development of both projects.  We are recommending elimination of Phase 4 so that the wildlife crossing at Temecula Creek is less impacted.

Figure 3:  The rugged topography and Highway 15 within the southern section of Temecula.

Meadow Day

Teri Biancardi notes: “The next Meadow Day is on Saturday, October 29th. It would be a model for Riverside County’s watershed management.”  Among the topics to be presented are:

·       Grasslands and greenhouse gasses: California’s new energy policy;

·       Meadowview’s milestone stream restoration: a first for Riverside County;

·       Working with Nature to Heal the Harm;

·       Restoring the meadow: a comprehensive land management plan; 

·       A team on the ground: Meadowview’s service minded volunteers;

·       The state of the meadow: where we are and where we’re going

Election: Tim Sheridan

Maryellen Garcia recommended: “Tim Sheridan of California’s 42 Congressional District supports our Sierra Club goals.”  Tim will challenge Ken Calvert, who has had an abysmal anti-environmental record in the House. The Santa Margarita Group enthusiastically encourages voting for Sheridan in November.

Reflections on California Naturalist Certification Conference

Margaret Meyncke offered feedback: “This conference was Fabulous!   It is a great opportunity to get training as a naturalist and also connect with citizen science projects throughout the state of California.  

How do we connect this fantastic opportunity with the Sierra Club?

• Get the word out through social media and other means of communication.  This program is a solid fit with the mission and goals of the Sierra Club.
• Create a chapter-wide campaign of support that will unify us and provide a common cause to create connection.  
• Take personal responsibility.

Monthly Speaker

Professional investment advisor Scott Smith’s presentation, September 8, focused on investment in socially responsible companies that would not abuse or pollute the environment. 

Schedule of Events

·       October 15^th: Tour of Primal Pastures, a Murrieta humane and sustainable farm, including a picnic for the whole family;

·       November 6^th: Tour of Temecula Olive Oil Ranch. Located in Aguanga;

·       December 11^th: Holiday Party at Vail Lake Resort Village.

Hikes

·       August 6, Palomar Mountain State Park;

·        September 6, Suicide Rock above the town of Idyllwild.

The family: goats are beautiful and smart.

Sierra Santa Margarita Transportation Task Group

Exhaust of gasoline engines has been a major contributor to Temecula Valley environment.  The group is tasked to examine the local transportation problems, suggest avenues to remedy the problems, seek methods to promote mass-transit systems, and collaborate with other organizations pursuing similar objectives.

Over the years, multiple studies have demonstrated the role of air pollution with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and lung cancer.  In addition to the neurotoxicity and its adverse effects on the fetus in utero, submicron size particles would penetrate the subcellular environment and damage mitochondrion.   This process has been implicated as an initiator for Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and reduction of cognition.

 Highway 15/215 in Temecula Valley is the main artery for connecting San Diego to the interstate highways 10 and 40.  In addition, it is the principle route for commuters to Los Angles, Riverside, Escondido and San Diego.  These vehicles all pass through the hearts of Murrieta and Temecula, each contributing to the airborne pollution in Temecula Valley .   The present highway system is fully congested. 

The existing train connecting Perris to Riverside is infrequent and very slow to be useful for commuters.  The proposed rapid train linking San Francisco to Los Angeles or San Diego would be many years to come; in addition, it would be infrequent and could not function for commuters.  

What are the solutions?

Suicide Rock HIKE

Robert Audibert:

I wanted to remind anyone interested in Gary Marsalone's Suicide Rock Hike, please register with Gary and join us. 

Sept. 10, (SAT) 8:00 AM Suicide Rock HIKE:

Enjoy a day in the mountains! Join us on a 7 mile out and back hike

to Suicide Rock. The hike is moderately difficult with about 1900 ft of

elevation gain. This trail is good in the summer because much of it is shaded

by pines and oak and the view from the rock is breathtaking. Directions:

From the Ranger Station in Idyllwild drive 1 mile north on highway 243. Park

on the north side of the road across from The County Park Nature Center. As always bring plenty of water, a lunch, comfortable hiking shoes, dress in layers and don't

forget the sunscreen. 

This hike will be limited to the first twelve (12).

that preregister. Would it rain, the hike will be canceled.

Gary Marsalone at (858) 663-1201 or hikesie@gmail.com SANTA MARGARITA GROUP

Season of Fun: Do Donate

Make a $50 donation to the Sierra Club Santa Margarita Group

And receive your

“Season of Fun” ticket Now!

Save the Dates and reserve your spots for Three Great Activities

·    October 15^th , 10am to 1pm:  Primal Pastures,      

A Murrieta humane and sustainable farm

Tour, learn and picnic for the whole family (add a $5 donation for each child)                                                                                                                                                 

·    November 6^th, 3pm to 5:30pm: Temecula Olive Oil Ranch;                

 Where the olives are grown and pressed.  Located in Aguanga  (20 minutes east of Temecula).               Tour, taste, learn and enjoy appetizers.                                                                    

 A short optional “waterfall” pre- hike(meet at 1:45pm).   

                                          

·    December 11^th, 3pm to 5:30pm:  Vail Lake Resort Village,      

            Holiday party, food, music and look-around.

                                                          

Tickets for the events above can be obtained separately for $25, $25, and $10, respectively;  children (up to age 18) added for $5.  These will be advertised before each event.

But, October 13^th is the last date for the discounted “season” tickets.

Send your check payable to “Sierra Club Santa Margarita Group”

to :  George McMackin (treasurer)

40335 Garrison Dr

Temecula, CA 92591

Or bring to our general meeting on Sept. 8^th or Oct. 13^th.

Environmental Education Collaborative: Serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties

These items were reposted from: http://www.enviroedcollaborative.com/

Please contact EECollaborative@gmail.com to be informed of opportunities for involvement.

"Over the last year a number of non-profit and K-12 Environmental Education providers have been meeting to explore how funding, influence and networking can be improved and affected in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.   The group became an EE Collaborative Task Force and set about exploring a collaborative approach to address these three EE issues.   Five documents and/or initiatives were reviewed to validate the need for a collaborative:  California’s Environmental Education Initiative (EEI), The Community Foundation’s Environmental Initiative, California Dept. of Education’s Blue Print for Environmental Literacy Task Force, The Children’s & Nature Network, and the North American Association of Environmental Education.

The group sought guidance on how collaborative are formed and what makes them successful.  A local social service non-profit agency, Reach Out, was approached because it has formed and manages a variety of collaborative and has worked in the community for over 30 years. The Executive Director, Diana Fox, agreed to volunteer her time to guide the effort.  The EEC Task Force was given “homework” to study Stanford’s Collective Impact Model as a vehicle to affect changing and solve problems.

After many work sessions to develop a plan to propose the idea of a collaborative to a larger group of EE providers and to the community, the task force set about to first enlist the support and input from Riverside and San Bernardino County Departments of Education.   They are in support of this effort.

The original EEC Task Force was/is comprised of:  CREEC (California Regional Environmental Education Community), Riverside Land Conservancy, Santa Rosa Plateau Nature Education Foundation, the Community Foundation, The Wildlands Conservancy and Reach Out, Inc.

July 10, 2014 the group held the first meeting to debut and expand the collaborative.

Feb 26, 2015 was the first EEC Symposium. Over 120 participants from 75+ organizations joined together to share ideas and lay the foundation for beginning a collaborative."

http://www.enviroedcollaborative.com/