Atlantic Chapter

Welcome to the Atlantic Chapter's website - learn more about the work we are doing to protect New York's air, water, communities, and remaining wild places!

• Politics & Issues

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  Remembering our Chapter Chair, Kate Bartholomew

  • It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our dear friend and Chapter Chair, Kate Bartholomew.
  • Kate touched so many lives and was a fearless warrior for justice, especially where there were threats to the natural world. For two decades she was a volunteer leader with the Sierra Club and for the past 8 years served as the chair of the Atlantic Chapter, managing the organization’s day-to-day environmental campaigns across New York State. Kate also served in many capacities within the national Sierra Club and was a forceful advocate for preserving the volunteer core and grassroots soul of the organization. She played a major leadership role in achieving NY’s fracking ban, fought tirelessly against the proliferation of nuclear energy and weaponry, and supported efforts to protect endangered species, wolves especially. Her background as a high school science teacher grounded her as an advocate both in the fastidious establishment of fact and the patience and diplomacy to build agreement among the most strident activists. By her own admission, Kate herself was a bit rough-around-the-edges and did not mince words when she felt passionate about an issue. It was that quality, along with her difficulty in saying “no” to any cause in need, that advanced her to many leadership positions. The void she leaves behind within the Sierra Club is immense, and we know the bonds of friendship she forged through fierce compassion and advocacy will help sustain the Chapter that she has led for more than a decade. It will take time to process this devastating loss, but we will honor Kate's legacy and dedication through our continued work here in NYS (and beyond).
  • Kate's obituary can be read here. A memorial service will be held outside at “The Knoll”, Davis Farms, 5281 Peach Orchard Pt. Rd., Hector, NY, Friday, October 2, 2026 at 4 p.m.
  • The Sierra Club will also be hosting a virtual celebration of life for Kate to be held on October 20th at 12pm EST. RSVP here. 💚🐱🐺🌳🌎☀️

• New mini-documentary from the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter shows how upstate NY towns are taking the lead in fighting the spread of toxic sewage sludge on farmland in NYS

  • Dangerous PFAS “forever chemicals” are found in sewage sludge, the solids left over from wastewater treatment plants, yet the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation allows big companies to dump them on farmland and golf courses in the state, billing it as fertilizer. Working with the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter's Farm & Food Committee, Documentarian Alexa Tumbarello interviewed neighbors in the towns of Thurston and Cameron, NY (Steuben County), as well as impacted community members in Albany county. These community members took on the big companies like Casella Organics - who spread toxic sewage sludge on nearby farmland - and these community members are continuing to fight for the health of streams and fresh groundwater -- and themselves -- even as some neighbors’ wells are shown to be contaminated.  

• Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter's Statement in Response to Governor Hochul's Plan to Build New Nuclear in Central New York (June 23, 2025)

  • Sierra Club Decries Governor Hochul's Plan to Spend Billions Developing New "Advanced" Nuclear Energy in New York
  • Read full statement here

Click here to take action on important issues in NYS!