An Update from Your Chair: Important Conversations

Shoals to the Shores, Casie Jones

Sierra Club volunteers, from the shoals to the shores, gathered for the Alabama Chapter Annual Retreat on the weekend of October 11th-13th. Some Alabama Sierrans enjoyed natural views of the Camp McDowell property on a cool, Autumn morning hike, while others were enthused by an eco-tour of the Camp’s  alternative energy methods. Afterwards, participants engaged in presentations from speakers including John Hughes from the Alabama Hiking Trail Society, Joe Watts from the Alabama Audubon Society, and Daniel Tait from Energy Alabama. These presentations provided a fluid representation of the many outdoor-recreational aspects of our state and the steps we need to take to protect those resources. There were many unique and inspiring conversations related to these topics.

These Sierrans ended their relaxing retreat with a little bit of work to do. They met for a collaborative meeting that sparked unique and inspiring conversations on the environmental issues we are facing in our state today. Details on those topics and conversations are included below. Please see the survey at the end of this article if you are interested in becoming involved with any of these issues. We can only make a difference with the passion and expertise of volunteers like YOU!

Access to Clean Energy

  • We need to teach about energy efficiency and how to decrease energy consumption.
  • We should partner with groups such as, Alabama Rivers Alliance, Alabama Environmental Council, and our Waterkeepers to build momentum.
  • We need to develop non-partisan delivery methods and find common ground when sharing information about climate change.
  • We should consider examples, such as, Camp McDowell and other state’s initiatives towards renewable energy and relay the benefits to communities for adopting these sustainable practices.

Coastal Conservation

  • We need to advocate for proper dredging and management practices in the Mobile Bay ship channel and the need to protect our barrier islands and other coastal habitats.
  • We should use the Sierra Club, Alabama Chapter film, “A Disrupted System” to educate on the effects of dredging.
  • We need to advocate for public and protected land expansion for our wetlands and coastal areas.
  • We should partner with other organizations to gain momentum.
  • We need to move towards access to alerts for Red Tide, Green Algae, and other coastal concerns.

Environmental Education

  • We need to advocate for implementing more Nature Preschools around the state, such as Camp McDowell’s Magnolia Preschool.
  • We should use our resources such as, sustainable farms, state parks and other public lands, and nature centers to provide more environmental education.
  • We should use schools, in general, to reach our population on environmental issues an education.
  • We would benefit from community outreach including public events, such as, family outings and picnics, concerts and film festivals, and farm tours.
  • We would benefit from educational and informational outreach such as, voter education, clean energy job training, home weatherization workshops, public meetings, conferences, and symposiums.

Environmental Justice

  • We need to make diversifying our membership base a priority.
  • We should work with communities to enhance voices across the state.
  • We should engage with schools and universities to connect with communities and youth.
  • We should make our meetings, outings, and events more public-friendly, inclusive, and welcoming.
  • We should organize public meetings and communicate with local leaders.
  • We should make information on environmental issues accessible to all citizens and community members.
  • We should partner with communities and existing organizations to gain momentum.
  • We should integrate frontline communities into our policy work using stories and experiences to increase exposure and action.
  • We need to make our social media campaigns more inclusive and inviting by including more diverse images.

Lobbying

  • We should offer lobby training to volunteers around the state and include a lobby day for participants.
  • We should engage with National Sierra for lobby training.
  • We need to partner with other lobby groups to gain momentum and enhance human rights campaigns.
  • We should include the general public in opportunities to participate in letter writing and legislative educational sessions.
  • We need to gain perspective from other states and groups who are viewing environmental sustainability, such as, renewable energy as a priority.
  • We need to address the Public Service Commission to insist on support for environmental issues.
  • We need to engage and build relationships with our legislators to gain momentum.

Outings

  • We need to diversify the way we advertise our events to the public and what groups we are advertising to.
  • We should appeal to university and college campuses to engage youth using delivery methods such as, school newspapers, public radio announcements, and social media.
  • We need to partner with other organizations that already have successful outings programs.
  • We should provide different levels of activities for groups such as, youth, families with children, adults, and senior adults.

Protecting Our Rivers and Waterways

  • We should work towards the closure and removal of coal ash ponds located near our water sources.
  • We should partner with other organizations such as, local river groups and Alabama Rivers Alliance to gain momentum.
  • We need to increase access to our water sources and recreation to grow compassion and concern for preservation.
  • We should implement more opportunities for water-testing training and locate funds to help with cost of chemicals.
  • We should focus on environmental education with stream walks, macroinvertebrate ecology, stream health, and other types of aquatic ecology.
  • We should work with fisherman and hunters to help protect waterways important to their sports.
  • We need to increase validity and access to water quality reporting for the general public.
  • We should educate and advocate for the protection of riparian barrier zones.

Public Lands

  • We should host events and outings that encourage communities to use public lands.
  • We need to be present in communities and on public lands removing litter and advocating for a clean environment.
  • We need to insist on legislative funding for state parks and Forever Wild lands.
  • We should educate on whole-forest ecosystems and non-monoculture initiatives.
  • We need to partner with organizations such as, 4-H groups, Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs and make scholarships available.
  • We should be educating and inspiring youth to use these lands.

Sustainable Agriculture

  • We should partner with other organizations such as, Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network and Camp McDowell Farm School to gain momentum.
  • We should also partner with these organizations to move towards developing a guide to local meat and dairy producers and other farmers.
  • We need to work with and support small family farms and businesses and avoid “green washing” from big agriculture.
  • We should advocate on removing threats for bees and educate on their role in agriculture and environment.
  • We should research and educate on the best practices for agriculture in our state to preserve our environment and agricultural history.

Are you interested in implementing a project in your local community or being involved in state-wide leadership on any of these issues? We rely on the passion and expertise of volunteers like YOU!

Please complete the BRIEF, 2-question survey below to express any interest, comments, or ideas!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9R8CHGW