Tim Dever
My educational background is in Social Work and currently am employed as a High School Transition Coordinator. On the side I have an intense interest in how we humans can act to better our world in a variety of ways, but especially protecting our natural resources. I love to be outdoors, particularly growing food, observing wildlife, learning about birds and flowering plants, as well as hiking and camping. I believe each of us has a responsibility to act in concert with each other to bring about the most sustainable human existence possible. I am especially concerned about plastic pollution, the urgency of harnessing renewable energies, getting all groups of humans to cooperate on slowing climate change, sustainable agriculture, and preserving biodiversity. I also have a passion for indigenous peoples rights.
I have been a Sierra Club member for almost six years, and a Vice Chairperson in Kaskaskia Chapter for three years. I was recently added to Illinois Excomm as a Southern Illinois Rep at Large, and am currently serving as Co-Lead on the Plastics Reduction Team.
Linda York
I have certainly enjoyed my time with the Kaskaskia group of the Sierra Club of Illinois for the past several years. We have an active group and are involved in many projects throughout our region. As the political landscape is changing so dramatically, I am glad to be a part of an organization that takes environmental issues so seriously. It is so important to have our priorities straight and to focus our efforts on the good that can be done in our area and in the nation as a whole. I am particularly fond of our book drive on behalf of East St. Louis area schools. It is my hope that we will be able to expand our efforts into a new project that will also benefit these children. Our local group is also getting more involved in outings. Going out into nature, learning, enjoying, and helping to facilitate outings for others, will be an important part of the future of our group. Continuing to maintain our Pollinator Garden, which has been established for a few years now, will always be a crucial project. To see the success of our garden is a very special joy. I am employed as a medical assistant and live in Belleville with two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Sandy Loftus
I grew up in St. Louis Metro-East, where industry has dominated for over a century. Remnants of forgotten industries still stand, polluting the area. Superfund sites and brownfields surround us, and corporate interests often leave their messes behind. They build "money-makers," like data centers, only to abandon them later, leaving pollution and ugliness in their wake.
Every day, I think about the environmental challenges we face, especially microplastics and PFAS, which threaten the health of the planet. No organism is spared from their impact. Recent efforts to curb plastic pollution failed in Geneva, as oil-producing nations push for continued plastic production under the guise of recycling—a narrative that ignores the reality of its ineffectiveness.
As a conservationist and environmentalist, I am involved in various initiatives, including the Sierra Club, where I use my voice to fight polluters and participate in the democratic process.
