Our Work

Our work is focused in 4 areas: Political, Conservation, Clean Energy and Equity, Inclusion & Justice

Political Team

To have elected officials who will make the right environmental decisions we need to elect the right officials. We in the Sierra Club have known that for a long time and that’s why we spend time and money every year making our endorsement decisions and backing the right candidates.

Our endorsement process includes candidates questionnaires and interviews, background checks, and analyses of campaign finance and candidate viability, all of which lead to support for those members of our community who will fight for environmental and equitable policy as elected officials.

2023 will be a critical year for regional, state and national elections. If you want to help our local area endorse environmentally and socially responsible candidates, help get environmentally friendly candidates elected or help inform elected officials on important issues contact glenna@suncoastsierra.org.

Sierra Club Florida PAC Fundraising

The Sierra Club does not engage in politics simply to win elections. Our goal is to protect the environment, the wildlife and the people, and address issues of equity, inclusion and justice. Doing so through our political endorsement process requires financial support for political communications. Please consider supporting our efforts by contributing to the Sierra Club Florida PAC

Legislative Advocacy

The Suncoast Political Team regularly meets with elected officials at the City, County, and State levels to advocate for policies that support Sierra Club Florida’s environmental and equity priorities including Clean Energy, Land Conservation, Smart Growth, Water Quality and Quantity, Democracy, Home Rule, and responsible allocation and administration of Budgets. In doing so, we help to shape policy at the level which most directly affects our lives, the local level.

Our efforts are currently focused on St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Dunedin, Largo, and Safety Harbor, but our goal is to engage in every municipality in the Suncoast region. To do this work we need teams of passionate supporter members to join us as we speak with political officials, attend meetings and workshops, and serve as changemakers. To learn more about how you can assist in these efforts, please reach out to Suncoast Political Team Chair Dan Huber (danh@suncoastsierra.org).

Conservation Team

Our conservation team is actively engaged in protecting Pinellas green spaces, educating the public on conservation issues and solutions and participating in activities to improve our environment and community. We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at various breweries and taco joints. See below list for upcoming events or email Kira for more info. barrerakira@gmail.com.

Save the West Klosterman Preserve

The West Klosterman Preservation Group, Inc. has signed a sales agreement with the Pinellas County School Board for purchase of the 14-acre west klosterman property in Tarpon Springs, FL. Thus far the PCSB has agreed theproperty should be preserved and has extended the deadline to August 2022 for a fundraising campaign.
Donations can be made through the Pinellas Community Foundation - it is time for the community to step up and #SaveWKP. Read about fundraising effort to save this pristine area in the Tampa Bay Times.

Save the Tides

Update May 26, 2021: YEAH! Pinellas County Commission blocks developer's plan for 273 homes on Tides Golf Club. Stay tuned to Save the Tides Facebook page, for what happens next.

Anclote Harbor

The Friends of the Anclote River had appealed the Tarpon Springs City Commission's decision to allow a developer to proceed with plans to build a 400+ apartment complex on the Anclote River. The project will impact significant upland and wetland habitat on the Anclote River floodplain located along a wildlife corridor, spanning 74 acres with Bald Eagles, Gopher Tortoises, and Great Horned Owls among its residents. However, due to an access road issue, the project is now back to square one! The latest from Tampa Bay Times here (11/26/22)

It's official! We saved the Gladys Douglas Preserve!

On May 13, 2021 the City of Dunedin finalized purchase of the 44-acre green space, previously referred to as the Douglas Hackworth property. The city hosted a small ceremony commemorating the land acquisition adjacent to Jerry Lake on the Douglas-Hackworth estate, followed by a sign-waving at the corner of Keene Rd. and Virginia Ave. to thank the community for their support.

Check out this article for the full timeline and hopes for the property. Photo courtesy of the City of Dunedin, click to visit website for more information. Thank you to everyone for their support throughout this conservation effort!

Clean Energy Team

Our Clean Energy Team is moving its focus to ensure Pinellas County along with St Petersburg, Dunedin, Largo and Safety Harbor implement their 100% clean energy commitments. Lend your talents to help make real & tangible environmental change in our community! We meet virtually on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 7 pm. Email Dave for meeting information or see below upcoming events.

Five cities representing half the incorporated population of Pinellas County have commitments to move to 100% renewable energy. St Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin and Safety Harbor are already working on plans to transition our local economy and environment to clean energy. Pinellas County in 2021 also committed to move the entire County to Clean Energy.

From Pinellas Website:

In November 2021, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution setting clean energy targets as a part of Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 campaign. The resolution sets goals to transition to renewable, zero-emission, clean energy use as follows:

50% of electricity for County government operations by 2030
100% of electricity for County government operations by 2040
100% countywide by 2050

The resolution directs all County departments to incorporate the clean energy targets into their policies and planning processes. The goals will also be incorporated into the County’s Sustainability and Resiliency Action Plan.

Equity, Inclusion & Justice

On March 2, 2021 the Suncoast Group ExCom voted unanimously to form an EIJ Taskforce, led by Vice Chair Erica Hall. Current Suncoast Chair is Melissa Fultz. This team’s purpose is to assess and provide recommendations that operationalize our EIJ values. This Taskforce proposes a collaboration with the Florida Chapter EIJ Committee aimed at setting, aligning and achieving the Suncoast Group and Florida Chapter’s common EIJ goals. Using the Suncoast Group as a pilot, the Chapter can co-evolve while building a model that supports future Group-level EIJ work. Want to be part of the movement? Email volunteer@suncoastsierra.org!

Leadership Team

Our group is run by volunteers. Monthly leadership meetings are at 6:30 PM on the second Thursdays of the month (except for January). Currently being held online. If you are interested in attending, please email volunteer@suncoastsierra.org. Leadership meetings are open to all Sierra Club members. In mid-January, we host our annual strategy session - to assign leadership roles and outline major events and goals for the year.