Sierra Club's Equity Journey
Sierra Club's Equity Journey
Photo above from 1915 "Line of Hikers" and Black Lives Matter protest in Washington DC and Arlington, VA on June 6, 2020, following the murder of George Floyd by police.
Photo iteration by Marion Randall Parsons (E.T. Parson’s widow) [#2038] and Javier Sierra
Examining our history, our founders, and our journey toward becoming an anti-racist organization.
For the first part of its existence, the Sierra Club was an exclusive social outings club established to explore, enjoy and protect the Sierra Nevadas. Membership was often denied to people of color. Such harm and discrimination must be openly acknowledged. Sierra Club is committed to being an anti-racist organization. Anti-racism is a key to eliminating polluted sacrifice zones and addressing the climate crisis.
A Timeline of Key Moments In Our Equity Journey
1940s? | First person of color approved for Sierra Club membership (need to confirm). |
1964 | Grand Canyon Dams stopped; the Sierra Club did not oppose the construction of coal-fired power plants on Navajo lands that would replace power to be generated by the new dams. |
1970 | Sierra Club promoted the first Earth Day, which led to landmark environmental laws to reduce pollution and protect species. |
1976 | Inner City Outings was founded; later renamed "Inspiring Connections Outdoors." |
1979 | City Care Conference in Detroit was held jointly with the National Urban League; local chapters and groups worked on joint projects with local Urban Leagues. |
1986 | First Person of Color elected to the National Board of Directors. |
1987 | Sierra Club formed the Native American Sites Committee to advocate for Native American Religious and Historic sites. |
1991 | Sierra Club formed Ethnic Diversity Task Force (EDTF), provide mini grants to chapters working with people of color leaders. |
1993 | Sierra Student Coalition founded and Environmental Justice National Policy adopted. |
1994 | Sierra Club published Unequal Protection: Environmental Justice and Communities of Color, by Robert Bullard. |
1996 | Sierra Club members rejected efforts to push it to adopt a restrictive immigration policy. |
1999 | New Environmental Justice Program established in five low-income BIPOC communities. |
2002 | First Sierra Club Dismantling Racism Training for staff and volunteers. |
2005 | Military Family Outdoors program launched and Sierra Club Board of Director adopted a Farmworker Rights Policy. |
2006 | The BlueGreen Alliance (BGA) was founded by Sierra Club and United Steelworkers. |
2013 | Sierra Club endorsed a "Path to Citizenship" immigration policy. |
2014 | Sierra Club Board of Directors adopted the Jemez Principles. |
2015 | Sierra Club Board of Directors adopted a Multi Year Equity, Inclusion and Justice Plan. |
2017 | Sierra Club published Deeper Shade of Green, an analysis of the Sierra Club’s history on race and environmental movement. |
2019 | Sierra Club updated the Multi-Year Equity, Inclusion and Justice Plan. |
2020 | Sierra Club engaged in developing the Equitable and Just National Climate Platform. |
2021 | Biden signed Justice40 executive order to direct 40 percent of federal climate investment benefits to disadvantaged communities. |
John Muir | Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, LC-B2- 1309-10 [P&P]
Our 45 volunteer-run ICO groups nationwide conduct more than 900 outings for approximately 14,000 participants each year.
Public Lands and Outings
"Defend the Sacred" in protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline | Photo courtesy of Dallas Goldtooth
Indigenous Rights
Protesting the Marathon Petroleum Corporation in Detroit, Michigan | Photo courtesy of the Sierra Club
The Trump Administration raised the need for the Sierra Club to support a fair immigration policy. | Photo courtesy of Javier Sierra
Climate Strike, September 20, 2019 in New York City | Photo courtesy of Frances Denny for The Luupe, theluupe.com
Sierra Club Today