Sierra Program: New Mexico Wilderness When: October 26, Wednesday 6:00 PM Refreshments and silent auction 7:00 PM Program Where: Lodge at Jester Park Polk County Conservation Board 11407 NW Jester Park Dr Granger, IA On October 26th at the Lodge at Jester Park, Nathan Small of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance will give a multi-media talk about Otero Mesa, New Mexican wild lands, and impacts the current energy policy is having on Western public lands. The Central Iowa Group of the Sierra Club is sponsoring the talk to emphasize the importance of responsible energy policies to wild public lands everywhere. As energy prices reach record highs, domestic drilling for oil and gas is soaring to unmatched levels. This drive to drill enriches oil companies at the expense of the American taxpayer and the wild public lands we treasure. America's wildest grassland, Otero Mesa, over 1.2 million acres in size and located in southern New Mexico, is threatened with destruction from irresponsible oil and gas development. This treasured landscape is home to Native American rock carvings, mule deer, mountain lions, a prized herd of pronghorn antelope, independent ranchers, and an underground pool of drinking water large enough for a city of more than 1 million people for over 100 years. Otero Mesa is also a mecca for sportsmen and all those who love wild places. Come and learn more about this American gem and how you can help protect Otero Mesa and demand a sound energy policy for America. Local contact: Jane Clark [log in to unmask] 515-223-5047 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/