Environmental Expression Through Art
Visualizing What Could Be
When advocating an environmental vision, we often find a picture to be worth a thousand words. In this session, we will discuss how to work with graphic artists and landscape architects to visualize environmental possibilities.
Moderator:
TBD
Presenters:
Robin Chiang, Robin Chiang & Company

Living Well
Population Balm: Education and Access to Family Planning Locally
What do we do about the fertility rate of the U.S.? Comprehensive sexuality education and access to family planning are key.
Moderator:
Carl Pope, Sierra Club
Presenter:
Roger-Mark DeSouza, Population Reference Bureau
David Landry, Guttmacher Institute
William Smith, Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States

Natural Heritage
Nature Nearby: Keeping Nature in Our Communities
Learn how communities grow in value when they invest in more parks, open space, and access to nature. We'll discuss examples that show how you can help to make the case for nature in your own community.
Moderator:
Peter Tyler, Sierra Club Stopping Sprawl Campaign Committee
Presenters:
Tom Radulovich, Transportation for a Livable City
Martin Rosen, Co-founder and Past President, Trust for Public Land. Member Board of Directors Trust for Public Land, Earthshare, and Landscape Architects Foundation

Visionary Solutions
How Good Is Good Enough? A Dialogue with Starbucks
What role should the activist community play in moving companies in the right direction environmentally? At what point do activists hit a point of diminishing returns when it comes to pressuring companies to improve their sustainability performance? How good is good enough? Learn how different sets of players help each other meet their respective agendas, which often turn out to be surprisingly similar.
Moderator:
Jim Dougherty, Sierra Club Board of Directors
Presenters:
Joel Makower, Greenbiz
Ben Packard, Starbucks
Elizabeth Sturcken, Environmental Defense

Working Smart
Talking the Talk (You Can Say That Again!)
What lessons has the Sierra Club learned about promoting its message of protection for the environment? Discover what works (and what doesn't) when you're trying to engage new supporters in your community.
Moderator:
Jennifer Ferenstein, Sierra Club Board of Directors
Presenters:
Kim Haddow, Sierra Club
Javier Sierra, International Media Consultant

Deliberative Session -- Optional

Environmental Expression Through Art
Sketching and Painting in Nature
Learn techniques for mastering the challenges of painting and sketching directly from nature -- from capturing the quality of light to the movement of water, and more.

Read a report on this session.

Moderator:
Helen Sweetland, Sierra Club
Presenter:
Cathy Johnson, Artist/Writer/Naturalist

Living Well
Consumption, Work-Time, and the Environment
If the whole world adopted the American lifestyle, we'd need at least four planets. A new "Take Back Your Time" movement focuses on the changes needed to be made now to keep up with the consumer dream -- health, family life, friends, happiness, and above all, free time -- as American working hours lengthen steadily. Making these changes will allow us more time to appreciate nature and to be better stewards of the planet.
Moderator:
Johanna Zetterberg, Sierra Club, Simplicity Forum, and the "Take Back Your Time" campaign
Presenter:
John de Graaf, Co-author of Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic and the National Coordinator of the "Take Back Your Time" campaign

Natural Heritage
Seeing the Forest and the Trees
Our nation's forests have been at the heart of the Sierra Club's mission since 1892. Learn how the challenges have changed, and how we will face them going forward.
Moderator:
Sean Cosgrove, Sierra Club
Presenters:
Gloria Flora, Sustainable Obtainable Solutions
Jim Furnish, Retired USDA Forest Service

Outdoor Adventure
Things That Go Bump in the Night
Learn some basic and not so basic wilderness survival skills gleaned from many years of first-hand experience and lots of research! Then, test your knowledge with a fast moving game -- complete with prizes -- to challenge even the most experienced outdoors-person's knowledge!
Moderator:
TBD
Presenter:
Jay Baldwin, Jay Baldwin Ecological Design

Visionary Solutions
Targeting Toxics: Where to Start
The modern world seems to harbor a bewildering number of toxic materials. Discover how you can help to get rid of them.
Moderator:
Doris Cellarius, Sierra Club Water Committee
Presenters:
Kristin Schafer, Pesticide Action Network
Gregg Small, Washington Toxics Coalition

Working Smart
Local Level Action!
Grassroots politics and community activism often end with a campaign, but Donna Frye has brought them into office with her. Learn from this leader how to effect positive change in your community.
Moderator:
Richard Miller, Sierra Club, San Diego Chapter Chair
Presenter:
Donna Frye, Councilmember, San Diego City Council

Deliberative Session -- Optional

Environmental Expression Through Art
Cartoon Planet
Three successful cartoonists talk about their unique blend of humor, art and commentary -- and how it can drive discussion and action.
Moderator:
Ted Rall, Universal Press Syndicate
Presenters:
Mark Fiore, Animated Political Cartoonist
Stephanie McMillan, Cartoonist, Creator of "Minimum Security"

Living Well
Color Your House Green
Learn about green building and new products that can transform your house into a home that is beautiful, energy-efficient, and healthy for you and the planet.
Moderator:
Bonnie Dahan, VivaTerra
Presenters:
David Arkin, Healthy Home Plans
Pam Pennington, Pamela Pennington Studios
Jennifer Roberts, Author

Natural Heritage
Coast Guards: Protecting Coastal Ecosystems
Though often thousands of miles apart, activists working to protect our nation's different coastal areas are learning important lessons from each other. Discover how they are working to stop threats to these ecologically and economically critical environments.
Moderator:
Vivian Newman, Sierra Club Marine Wildlife and Habitat Committee
Presenters:
Peter Douglas, California Coastal Commission
Chad Nelsen, Surfrider Foundation USA
Wallace J. Nichols, California Academy of Sciences

Outdoor Adventure
Leave No Trace
Learn the framework of Leave No Trace principles of outdoor ethics -- from planning ahead to what you should and shouldn't leave behind.
Moderator:
Bill Shecket, Sierra Club Member, National Outings Trip Leader, and Master LNT Educator
Presenters:
Amy and Dusty Allison, Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics

Working Smart
Wave of the Future
"New-fashioned" organizing in the 21st century is a lot like old-fashioned organizing -- talking to people, building networks, getting things done at the local level. Learn how from leading "on the ground" strategists.
Moderator:
Bob Bingaman, Sierra Club
Presenters:
Gina Glantz, Service Employees International Union
Naomi Roth, Green Corps

Youth
Introduction to the Sierra Student Coalition
Meet the leaders of the Sierra Student Coalition. Find out who we are and what we do.
Moderator:
TBD
Presenters:
Rachel Ackoff, Sierra Student Coalition Executive Committee, Swathmore College
Charlie Fredrick, Sierra Student Coalition, Midwest Regional Coordinator
Nathan Wyeth, Sierra Student Coalition, Columbia University

Environmental Expression Through Art
Finding Your Muse in Nature
Artists from various disciplines talk about how the natural world influences them, and what they do to tap into this powerful, inspirational force.
Moderator:
Vivian Bergenthal, ExCom of the Lower Hudson Group, NY, Sierra Club and Artist
Presenters:
Jack Perla, Music Without Walls
Brenda Way, ODC
Linda Hogan, Writer

Visionary Solutions
Population Balm: Empowering Women Globally
What can we do about the world's growing population? Empowering women is the key.
Moderator:
Annette Souder, Sierra Club
Presenters:
Sarah Craven, UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund
Ellen Marshall, International Women's Health Coalition

Living Well
Moved by the Spirit
Many of us feel a profound spiritual connection with the life of this planet. Learn how we can build and strengthen this connection through the actions of our lives.
Moderator:
Bernie Zaleha, National Vice President, Sierra Club
Presenters:
Cassandra Carmichael, NCC Eco-Justice Program
Cal DeWitt, Au Sable Institute
Vernon Masayesva, Black Mesa Trust

Natural Heritage
Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival
The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival is now the largest festival of its kind on the West Coast. The director will share two wonderful and inspiring films courtesy of San Francisco's Video Project, as well as share details about hosting a film festival as a fundraiser in your community.
Presenter:
Kathy Dotson, RiverPeople Director, Film Festival Director, South Yuba River Citizens League

Outdoor Adventure
Tots in Tents
Discover how to engage children of all ages in wilderness activities, and generate joyous memories that will span time and generations.
Moderator:
Mary Menconi, Sierra Club Outings
Presenters: Mike MacFadyen, Sharon Vaissiere, and family, Sierra Club National Outings

Working Smart
Addressing Corporate Power and Accountability
Learn how to challenge corporate polluters and regain accountability to our communities.
Moderator:
Drusha Mayhue, Sierra Club: Corporate Accountability Committee, Confronting Corporate Power Task Force, Wolf Working Group, Montana Chapter
Presenter: David Cobb, 2004 Green Party Presidential Candidate

Youth
Making Organizing Cool
Learn how we can make organizing cool again: how to add intelligence, humor, and artistic savvy to any campaign.
Moderator:
Rachel Ackoff, Sierra Student Coalition
Presenters:
Andrew Boyd, Founder, Billionaires for Bush
Malia Lazu, Cities for Progress, Institute for Policy Studies

Environmental Expression Through Art
Outdoor Photography
Understanding the creative process behind taking great outdoor photographs.
Moderator:
Bruce Burtch, Publisher, World's Greatest Photography
Presenters:
Charles Cramer, Master Printer and Renowned Outdoor Photographer
Brenda Tharp, Renowned Travel Photographer

Living Well
Ten Consumer Choices That Can Change the World
Find out which consumer choices actually make the biggest difference for the health and quality of the environment and why.
Moderator:
Bob Schildgen, Sierra Club
Presenters:
Fred Kirshenmann, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University
Jim Motavalli, E: The Environmental Magazine
Mindy Pennybacker, The Green Guide Newsletter
Bob Schildgen, Sierra Club

Natural Heritage
The Grandness of Alaska
It's been 25 years since the great Alaskan Lands Act, but people from all over our nation have never stopped working to preserve this incredible vast natural treasure.
Moderator:
Melinda Pierce, Sierra Club
Presenters:
Karsten Heuer, wildlife biologist, adventurer and author, Being Caribou
Sara James, Gwich'in Steering Committee

Outdoor Adventure
Vacations That Make a Difference
From eco-tourism to service trips, there have never been more options for those who wish to explore the planet we're trying to protect. Find out how your vacation can make a difference.
Moderator:
Rebecca Mirsky, Sierra Club Service Trips
Presenters:
Bill Glenn, Sierra Club Service Trips
Bill Hass, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Rebecca Mirsky, Sierra Club Outings Committee

Visionary Solutions
With Justice for All
What does "justice for all" really mean?
Moderator:
Andy Bessler, Sierra Club
Presenters:
Tom Goldtooth, Indigenous Environmental Network
Richard Moore, Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice

Working Smart
Technology and Organizing: A Civics Laboratory
2004 was the year that technology truly revolutionized grassroots organizing. Learn from those who fostered this revolution about the best ways to engage today's technology for action.
Moderator:
Cathy Duvall, Sierra Club
Presenters:
Zachary Rosen, CivicSpace Labs
Joan Blades, MoveOn.org
Christian Crumlish, Extractable Solutions

Youth
Storming the Dorms
Explore the most effective ways to organize on campuses to harness energy and idealism -- and learn how to get tangible results.
Moderator:
Jared Duval, Sierra Club
Presenters:
Nick Algee, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Dan Firger, Rainforest Action Network
Billy Parish, Energy Action

Environmental Expression Through Art
Salvage Artists: From Trash to Treasure
You could call them the ultimate recyclers, but that's too mundane for these unique visionaries who create fabulous art from what others have thrown away. Paul Fresina will lead a panel discussion with artists from the NORCAL Waste Systems, Incorporated's Artist in Residency Program.
Moderator:
Paul Fresina, Director, NORCAL Waste Systems, Inc., Artist
Presenters:
Mike Farruggia, Artist in 2005
in Residency Program
Dee Hibbert-Jones, SF Recycling & Disposal

Living Well
Eating Smart: Alternatives to Industrial Foods
If we are what we eat, then what have we become? Learn what to avoid and what to seek out to keep both your body and your planet healthy.
Moderator:
Hank Graddy, Sierra Club Water and Agriculture Committees
Presenters:
Fred Kirshenmann, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Guillermo Payet, LocalHarvest

Natural Heritage
Celebrating Wilderness
How can we best honor the wilderness advocates whose lives and work have changed the face of our world? We can continue adding to the great legacy they left us!
Moderator:
Len Broberg, Chair, Wildlands Campaign Committee
Presenter:
Doug Scott, Campaign for America's Wilderness
Vicky Hoover, Sierra Club

Outdoor Adventure
Women Who Rock
Hear from women climbers who've literally climbed to the top and brought back both lessons learned about themselves and incredible experiences to share.
Moderator:
Jenny Coyle, Sierra Club
Presenters:
Arlene Blum, Distinguished Climber and Author
Lynn Hill, Distinguished Climber and Author

Visionary Solutions
Solutions to Global Warming: Moving Beyond Oil and Coal
America's energy future can be clear and bright -- if we invest in and build with renewable energy and efficient technologies. Hear about the solutions that can make a difference today.
Moderator:
Steve Crowley, Sierra Club
Presenters:
Jim Motavalli, E-Magazine
Ron Pernick, Clean Edge

Working Smart
Keeping Hope Alive
Join Paul Loeb, author of The Impossible Will Take a Little While, as well as other contributors to this must-read book, for a discussion of "hope" and how we can keep it alive during trying times for environmental activists.
Moderator:
Paul Rauber, Sierra Magazine
Presenters:
Mark Hertsgaard, author
Paul Loeb, author
Rebecca Solnit, author

Youth
Young Guns and Old Timers
Hear about successful strategies for effective collaboration between Sierra Club volunteers, staff, and students.
Moderator:
TBD
Presenters:
Bonnie Bick, Sierra Club, Southern MD Group ExComm, Chapman Forest Foundation
Melissa Damaschke, Sierra Club
Michelle Rosier, Sierra Club North Star Chapter and Harvard University JFK School of Govt.

Living Well
Building Healthy Communities
Poorly designed development isn't just consuming open-space and trapping people in their cars. It is literally sending them to the hospital in record numbers. Find out how good urban design and an apple a day can keep the doctor away.
Moderator:
Tim Frank, Sierra Club
Presenters:
Dr. Dick Jackson, Health Officer of California, formerly of the Center for Disease Control
Terry Watt, Planning Consultant

Visionary Solutions
Restoring the Wild
Even in today's modern world, it's possible to leave room for wildlife. Learn how to make it happen.
Moderator:
Clyde Hanson, Sierra Club
Presenters:
David Foreman, The Rewilding Institute
Brigadier General Mike Lehnert, U.S. Marine Corps

Working Smart
It's All About Leadership
What is it that attracts people to work together toward a shared vision of what could be? Successfully achieving our environmental goals depends on exactly this.
Moderator:
Greg Casini, Sierra Club
Presenter:
John Graham, The Giraffe Project

Youth
Beyond Recycling
Hear about hot topics and cool ways to do more for the environment than just recycle on campuses.
Moderator:
Camilla Feibelman, Sierra Club
Presenters:
Jesus Anglero-Figueroa, JUPPA and Sierra Student Coalition
Derek Brockbank, Sierra Club
Josh Lynch, Greenpeace

Living Well
Backyard Organics
Find out how to surround your home with a beautiful garden and yard that doesn't load up your life with toxic chemicals.
Moderator:
Tanya Tolchin, Sierra Club
Presenters:
Colby Eierman, COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts

Natural Heritage
Water, Water Everywhere
Wetlands and watersheds, rivers and lakes, they hold the essence of all life -- water. Discover how you can protect them for their valuable habitats and their value to all of us.
Moderator:
Robin Mann, Sierra Club
Presenters:
Scott Dye, Sierra Club Water Sentinels Program
Hiram Sarabia, Bi-national Water Quality Monitoring Program of the San Diego Baykeeper

Outdoor Adventure
Hunting and Angling for Solutions
Can hikers and kayakers find common ground with hunters and anglers? You bet! Hear from representatives of both camps who have worked together to save the places they love.
Moderator:
Bart Semcer, Sierra Club
Presenters:
Shane Mahoney, Conservation Visions Incorporated
Joel Webster, Partnership Program's "Natural Allies Campaign" and Executive Committee member of the Bitterroot-Mission Group Montana Chapter of the Sierra Club
Mary Zeiss Stange, Skidmore College

Visionary Solutions
Alternative Visions: Global Fair Trade
Who ultimately pays the price for global trade? Join us for a frank discussion of this challenging issue.
Moderator:
Larry Fahn, Sierra Club's Immediate Past President, and Executive Director, As You Sow Foundation
Presenters:
Liz Figueroa, California State Senate, Chair, Senate Subcommittee on International Trade Policy and State Legislation
Carla Garcia, Mexican Environmental Attorney
David Foster, U.S. Steelworkers of America, District #11
Mark Weisbrot, Center for Economic Policy and Research (CEPR)

Working Smart
What Affects Grassroots Effectiveness?
Why do some grassroots efforts take off while others peter out? Find out the key qualities of grassroots effectiveness from the author of Five Smooth Stones: Strategy, Leadership, and the California Agricultural Movement.
Presenter:
Marshall Ganz, Harvard University

Youth
Youth Caucus
Time for young people to get together to discuss regional and conservation issues.

Political commentator and satirist Arianna Huffington delivers Sunday's Luncheon keynote address. She is a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist who often focuses on economic morality, civic engagement, the Democratic Party, and public policy. She has written many books including Fanatics & Fools: The Game Plan for Winning Back America, a humorous analysis of American politics, and Pigs at the Trough, which exposes the excesses of American business. She is the cofounder of The Detroit Project, a national campaign linking fuel efficiency to national security and addiction to foreign oil.