Monday September 25th 6 - 7:30 PM ET
Location: Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oBbH1jxNyjxkRt3S7
This month's program is a special time to see where the conservation movement has been, what is means to us, and where we hope to see it go - all through the lense of our local environmental warriors! Get to know Cherokee Group's members and be encouraged and inspired to get into the fray! Conservation work has been a tough fight for some time - and LOOKS TO BE GOING FORWARD! We all could use encouragement and benefit in seeing the human side of this struggle.
Come have a listen and there will, as always, be time at the end to ask questions, share your concerns - hopes - or personal conservation story!
September 16th 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM ET
Location: Walden Ridge Civic League
2501 Fairmount Pike,
Walden TN
For the second time this year, Southeast Tennessee has an inaugural eco-fest! Rock the Ridge with happen on September 16 (10am-4pm) atop beautiful Signal Mountain. This first-time festival will feature food vendors, live music, native plant sales, wildlife rehabilitators and more. Over two dozen exhibitors will be present, including Sierra Club. One of Cherokee Group's members, Tony Wheeler, will speak about the ecological situation of the region.
Organizer, Barbara Womack, is delighted to see this event take shape after years of planning. A longtime environmental advocate, her motivation is to promote the awareness of our natural surroundings AND of organizations to turn to for help in protecting them.
Rock the Ridge takes place from 10am - 4pm.
Find out more on: Facebook, Instagram, or email Barbara at bgwomack@epbfi.com
September 17th 1 PM ET
Location: Walnut Street Bridge
Cherokee Group will participate in Climate Week (Sept 17-24) in coordination with the U.N Climate Ambition Summit 2023 and NYC Climate Week. There will be a march across Walnut Street Bridge on September 17 starting at 1:00pm on the south end and ending in the Coolidge Park field. For additional events during the week, visit the Cherokee Group Facebook page.
This year will feature a wider variety of plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles: cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and more. Area EV owners will be on hand, showing their electric vehicles from various manufacturers and answering questions from the public on what it's like to drive an EV, charge an EV, use solar with an EV, etc. Area dealerships representing their electrified inventory and local leaders in sustainable mobility will also be featured.
This year's event will be held on the campus of Chattanooga State Community College. Representatives from the college will be on hand, talking about new and exciting areas of study focusing on EVs and the infrastructure that supports them.
Never been in an EV? Now is your chance! Test rides will be available to event participants, free and open to the public from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m
The Tennessee Chapter's Fall Retreat will be at Pickett State Park (October 13-15). This retreat is geared toward fun, member engagement, and outdoor activity. It should be a wonderful time to enjoy the fall foliage! Accommodations and events include meals, lodging, hikes, music, forest bathing (clothing required) and a silent auction. Plan to enjoy this wonderful park and affordable event - it may be the last time held at Pickett!
Chattanooga was the site for a TVA Listening Session on August 23rd and a quarterly Board Meeting on the 24th. Members of the TVA Board and CEO Jeff Lyash sat for nearly two hours as speakers approached a lectern to say their piece during three minutes allotments.
The main topic of discussion during the Listening Session was TVA's proposal to establish gas-fired generators at the Kingston Fossil Power Plant and in Cheatham County near Ashland City. Speakers expressed opinions and concerns both for and against the plans. The majority of comments were opposed to the gas plans, citing the problems of emmisions, pipelines, noise, and cost. The alternative championed by those against was for solar with battery storage. Opposition speakers hailed from across the state and TVA region. Among them were concerned citizens and conservation group representatives, including many from Sierra Club. Amy Kelly of the Tennessee Chapter urged halting of further gas investment until environmental reviews and the upcoming Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) are complete.
Cherokee Group hosted a debriefing/social event following the Listening Session at green|spaces. Delicious local pizza and refreshing beverages abounded. It was well-attended by many concerned with the proposed gas plans. A lot of great ideas were expressed and connections made toward the battle ahead.
We are the Cherokee Group of the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club, the world’s oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization. With over 3.5 million members and supporters, the Sierra Club has the resources to empower people and to influence public policy through community activism, public education, lobbying, and litigation.
Our mission is to explore, enjoy and protect the planet for our families and our future. We speak for the trees!
Our mission is to Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet.
