GRAND MERE ASSOCIATION __ Box 140 Stevensville, Michigan 49127 NEWS LETTER May 16th, 1970 Grand Mere Natural Study Preserve: The sunny face of May reawakens the delights of Grand Mere and our belief in its value. Robert Kerns, the new Director for this 22 Acre Preserve, did a terrific job of organizing scout troops and others for a thorough Spring Clean- Up of the Grand Mere area on April 25th. The young folks came from various parts of the county to help. Heavy winter snows felled many trees and broke numerous branches, and one or two trails may have to be moved a bit unless some strong armed men with saws can cut up several large trees that came out by the roots. The two mile stretch along Thornton Avenue never looked so neat...(every can, bottle and bit of debris was hauled away by the truck load. What's more Bob promises to see to it that it's kept neat and tidy. Their discovery of a nest of woodcock may be some incentive to future pick-up crews. One Friday evening group were thrilled to see a whip-poor-will fly off her nest and then proceed to fill the evening air with her unique call. Six large groups of various ages have already visited the Preserve this spring. The largest was the Michigan Botanical Club from Kalamazoo headed by Dr. Richard Pippen. Many of the day tours are accompanied by Mrs. Kerns and Mrs. Frank Cupp. Our secretary, Mrs. Albert Braga is also helping and just this week, additional volunteers have expressed their willingness to conduct tours... Mrs. Paul Taglia, Mrs. David Culver and Mrs. Jean Shepley. May has a particularly heavy schedule with as many as four groups in one day. PLEASE SET ASIDE JUNE 7TH. It's the day of the big Annual Hike. Professional naturalists will conduct tours at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 and one of the first two groups will travel the dunes as well. You may call Bob Kerns at 422-1156 for more information. (Note of interest from the Legislative Committee. Speaking of preserves they tell us "we are continuing our efforts to acquire additional preserve areas in Grand Mere with Federal and/or State funds and we will report on our progress just as soon as the information is available for release.") NEW Sanctuary Speaking of the Preserve and outdoor ramblings, we wish to congratulate the St. Joseph Valley Audubon Society on the opening of the Lew Sarret Sanctuary Field House. It will be open to the public the weekend of May 23-24. Ralph Williams former Grand Mere Preserve Chairman, is full time Director at the Sanctuary. Page 2 - LEGISLATION: The Legislative Committee worked hard toward the passage of H.B. 3055, which allows private citizens to file suit on behalf of their environment. It sailed through the House, but now faces passage in the Senate. If you have not already written or telegraphed yet, please do so at once. Urge Senators Oscar Bousma, Sander Levin, Gordon Rockwell, Basil Brown AND CHARLES 0. ZOLLAR to support their Senate Bill #1269, in its present form without any weakening amendments .Address these gentlemen at the State Senate Building, Capitol Building, Lansing, Michigan 48903. Do it today!::! The Grand Mere Association was among conservation groups invited to attend the Congressional Hearing in Grand Rapids called by Senator Philip Hart's sub- committee on Energy, Natural Resources and the Environment, on March 30th. Dr. John Sharon, the Chairman of the Action Committee of the GMA was invited to test- ify and he was accompanied by GMA's President and Vice President. Dr. Sharon spoke on the dangers of thermal pollution from the Donald C. Cook nuclear plant and recommended a system of closed cooling towers. His suggestion led to the discovery by the subcommittee that such systems are operating in Wyoming as well as in Europe. It is gratifying to note that this week the Department of the Interior is recommending and working toward a policy of "water discharged into Lake Michigan shall not be more than 1 degree warmer than the lake at the point of discharge". Carl Klein, assistant secretary of the Department of the Interior defends this policy and says that the action is necessary in order to "avoid the point of no return". He is most concerned about saving Lake Michigan,as we all should be. We recommend that letters of commendation for Mr. Klein's efforts should be written by every member in the Grand Mere Association. (Mr.Klein was a practic- ing Attorney in Chicago before being appointed to his post in the Department in Washington). RUMMAGE SALE: HELP! HELP! It may rain on our Rummage Sale in July unless we find a shelter- ing roof! If anyone knows of a large barn or suitable building for the Sale, con- tact Pete and Pat Roe immediately at 429-3185. Call the Roe's also for pick-up arrangements. LET'S GROW: The "Unique Grand Mere" show of 320 slides has been viewed in the past months by Garden Clubs, the D.A.R., North Berrien Historical Society, The Michigan Botan- ical Club, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Berrien County Sportsmen's Club, High School Classes, and various community groups. The show has stimulated interest to bring in new members. Among recent additions to the roll are persons from as far away as Washington, D.C. We are reminded that additional members are urgently needed to help with our cause for Grand Mere: Let's aim for 200 more members =- a reason- able goal if everyone (meaning YOU) brings two friends of conservation into the Association! A membership form is enclosed for this purpose.