The Conservation Committee serves as an umbrella organization over all of the issue committees. The Conservation Committee recommends conservation policy for the Chapter, identifies conservation priorities, and directs grassroots conservation activities. Specific conservation initiatives are undertaken by one of the issue committees. For example if you have an interest in a water issue, chances are that it will be addressed within the Water Committee. Similarly, our Forest Protection Committee works on issues that affect the health of our forests. Members can create committees for new issues as they arise.
If you have questions or are not certain where your issue might lie, please contact our Conservation Committee Chair. The Chair will be glad to direct you to the appropriate person to talk with, or perhaps assist you with starting up your own issue committee. We meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 7 pm at the Peninsula Conservation Center.
Contact our Chair for more information at: conservation*lomaprieta.sierraclub.org
CONSERVATION FOCUS AREAS
To promote better air quality by monitoring the actions of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Recent actions by the Club have encouraged the District to be more protective of the emissions from the Santa Clara Valley.
Contact: Gary Latshaw glatshaw*gmail.com
For the preservation and protection of the wetlands adjoining the San Mateo and Santa Clara shorelines of San Francisco Bay.
Contact: Larry Marvet larry.marvet*comcast.net
Slowing climate disruption is a key priority for the Sierra Club and the Loma Prieta Chapter. Almost all of our efforts help slow climate disruption, from preserving open space to promoting transit oriented development in our cities. Our Climate Action Leadership Team (CALT) organizes and supports our Cool Cities' team efforts to limit climate disruption city by city within our region. To get involved,
Contact: Sue Chow sue2042*gmail.com
For good stewardship of all coastal resources, appropriate land use, adherence to the provisions of the California Coastal Act and Local Coastal Programs, consistency with CEQA and other environmental laws, protection of endangered species and coastal wetlands.
Contact: Harvey Rarback harvey.rarback*lomaprieta.sierraclub.org
Developing policy and programs to support urban agriculture as an approved land use in city general plans and exploring opportunities to improve our food literacy.
Contact: Gladwyn D'Souza godsouza*mac.com or Sue Chow sue2042*gmail.com
For the preservation, protection, and restoration of the ecological integrity and native biodiversity of the forests of California, with efforts extending to include the forests of the United States and other regions of the world as appropriate, through education, advocacy, and political action. The Forest Protection Committee meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7 pm, at the Peninsula Conservation Center.
Contact: Karen Maki 650/366-0577 karenmaki*earthlink.net
For a moratorium on fracking in California until stronger regulations are adopted and stronger regulations on fracking within our Chapter's boundaries.
Contact: Mike Kerhin mikekerhin*gmail.com
The historic mission of the Sierra Club lies in the protection of imperiled open spaces either by protecting it from inappropriate development or supporting its acquisition and stewardship by public or private entities.
Contact: Dave Poeschel dave.poeschel*gmail.com
To educate our community about optimum, least toxic methods of pest control and the laws which regulate pesticide use. This requires a basic understanding of how biological systems interact, of Integrated Pest Management, and of pesticides and how they work. To influence lawmakers and other decision-makers to recognize the essential nature of such methods. We are currently educating the public about the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) threat and methods of eradication or control.
Contact: Janet Hoffmann janet*hoffmann.net or Ruth Troetschler 650-948-4142 rebugging*att.net
The mission of the Soils Committee is to protect and regenerate healthy soils through education, advocacy, and political action. Healthy soils reduce atmospheric CO2 levels through sequestration of the carbon within organic matter, improve drought resistance through increased water retention, reduce erosion, improve nutrients in food, and support biodiversity that sustains life on this planet.
Contact: Anne Stauffer ib_annie*yahoo.com
To promote creating walkable, climate-friendly neighborhoods which group new homes, jobs, and shops near transit stations and corridors to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from transportation (the largest source of emissions in the Bay Area) and reduce development pressure on our open space and agricultural lands. The Sustainable Land Use Committee meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
Contact: Gita Dev gd*devarchitects.com
To promote the most cost-effective, equitable, least polluting, and least sprawl-inducing transportation systems possible. Special attention needs to be given to rectifying the imbalance between the resources devoted to automotive transport, and other modes, specifically, bicycle, pedestrian and mass transit.
Contact: Gladwyn D'Souza 650/804-8225 godsouza*yahoo.com
To promote sustainable water supplies and sustainable water systems that are resilient to potential climate change impacts; support programs to change water conservation behavior and programs to incentivize the installation of efficient plumbing fixtures and water infrastructure; advocate for sensible laws, plans and programs that equitably balance water supply needs of cities, agriculture, and the environment; and respond to local issues related to these objectives. Current issues: Urban Water Management Plans, water efficiency, water recycling, grey water, water supply and desalination.
Contact: Katja Irvin katja.irvin*sbcglobal.net
- We participate in policy making efforts and planning processes that affect wildlife in both urban environment and open space landscapes
- We Provide comments on environmental documents and advocate for adequate mitigation for the impacts that development projects impose on special status species, biological ecosystems, open space and agriculture.
- We work with other LPSC committees and building partnerships with other organizations to protect wildlife and habitat and to join advocacy efforts to protect and promote environmental legislation