2025 Volunteer and Partner Recognition Picnic. Photos by Justin Bahr.
Grand Canyon Chapter Recognizes Volunteers and Partners at Annual Picnic
by Sandy Bahr
On a gorgeous Sunday in November, more than 40 volunteers, staff, and partners gathered at the Big Ramada in South Mountain Park and Preserve to recognize and celebrate people who did outstanding work in 2025. Jim Vaaler, our chapter chair, led a short hike prior to the picnic and delicious food was provided by Testal Mexican Kitchen. We also filled up a box of non-perishable food for the food bank!
While 2025 was a challenging year, it was also inspiring to see everyone who engaged and continued to do the work and raise their voices for the lands, our communities, and everyone who lives here.
At the picnic, we recognized Ben Sidoti, Heidi Alton, and Shriya Dwivedi for their work on the Grand Canyon Chapter’s Arizona Water Sentinels program with Ben getting the Behind the Scenes Award, Heidi receiving the Outstanding Service Award, and Shriya being recognized with the Outstanding Youth Award. Shriya also accepted the award for the Arizona Youth Climate Coalition–
they received the Outstanding Youth Group Award for all of their great work on climate, including pushing for schools to adopt climate plans and utilities to stick to their climate goals.
Jazmin Moreno Dominguez and Alexis Delgado were recognized for their great partnership and strong actions on extreme heat and climate, including their work as part of the Climate Action Coalition. They received our Environmental Partner Award.
Our last award was for Leadership. It went to Selina Barajas with Mountain Mamas for her strong leadership on protecting public lands and communities and engaging more people in enjoying, defending, and protecting the lands.
David Ashby and Jim McCarthy were recognized and thanked for their 50 years of membership in Sierra Club. We could not do the work we do without that sustained support and all of the fantastic contributions of our members, supporters, and partners.
If you missed the picnic this year, we hope you will consider joining us for one of our other events and next November for the picnic. If you run into any of our awardees, please thank them for their awesome work.
Sandy Bahr is the chapter director
