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Black Lives Matter
“We all deserve to thrive in safe communities, yet the inhumane, daily assaults on Black and Brown people directly threaten our ability to maintain a healthy planet. The cruel, public lynching of George Floyd is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We cannot expect to come together to protect the planet if racism continues to tear us apart."
“The Sierra Club is committed to confronting the inequality embedded into our society that has allowed these tragedies to persist. If we want to create communities that are truly safe, just and equitable, we must continue fighting for the humanity and the dignity of all people.“
- Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune and Kamau Wilkins, the Executive Committee Chair of the Sierra Club's Minnesota Chapter
Read more:
From Outrage to Justice, by Michael Brune
Sierra Club statements condemning the violent, racist killings of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor
The Sierra Club has joined forces with environmental justice groups and national environmental groups to launch an Equitable and Just National Climate Platform |
Become an Advocate. The Sierra Club is Here to Help.
Join the Bay 2030 Advocate Program:
The San Francisco Bay is a vital buffer against climate change impacts and was once a vibrant ecosystem teeming with wildlife. Now it is under siege as developers rush to fill our remaining baylands in order to build more offices and more high-end housing.
The Sierra Club is organizing a unique free virtual program series to prepare Bay Area residents for the advocacy work that will be needed if we are to save one of the most valuable wildlands in our midst. Click here to apply.
With the Bay 2030 Advocate Program you will learn about Bay habitats, restoration projects in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, and climate change resilience. Advocates will build skills and confidence to influence cities and agencies to adopt needed policies and regulations and improve bayshore projects.
Register for free and learn more about the program here.
For more information, contact Susan DesJardin at (408) 480-6057 or Gita Dev at (415) 722-3355.
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Would You Like Your Town to be a Better Place to Live, Work, and Play?
Join our Chapter's Sustainable Land Use Committee (SLU) and help us influence urban design and planning in your city for a healthy future.
We will provide you with all the support you need to successfully advocate for healthy and sustainable communities. Experience in urban design, planning, environment, and architecture is helpful but not necessary.
Keen interest is most important!
We meet monthly (currently online), and possibly more often when working on projects and campaigns.
Time requirements: 2 hrs a week
For more information contact SLU Co-Chair, Gita at gd@devarchitects.com |
Above Photo: Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge by Conservation Committee Co-Chair Gladwyn d'Souza
Do You Want Your City to Take Stronger Action on Climate Change?
Join our Climate Action Team and help us fight for strong Climate Action Plans and other local climate policies in your city to ensure a healthy future. Many Cities are updating their Climate Action Plans and are updating their building codes, which present great opportunities for real change.
We will provide you with all the support you need to successfully advocate for climate safe communities. A background in energy management, planning, environment justice and policy, and climate data analysis is helpful but not necessary. Keen interest is most important!
We meet monthly (currently online), and possibly more often when working on projects and campaigns.
Requirements:
- Keen interest in climate justice issues and solutions
- 2 hrs a week
For more information contact our Conservation Assistant, Dashiell at Dashiell.Leeds@SierraClub.org
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Los Altos, Do You Want to Reduce Housing Costs, Reduce Emissions, and Improve Public Health?
Support the Proposal for an All-Electric Reach Code in Los Altos
Los Altos is considering an all-electric reach code, which is a local law that applies to new construction. The law would require that new buildings be all-electric, preventing the construction of new gas pipelines.
There are many benefits to an all-electric code: A UCLA Department of Environmental Health Sciences study found that by cooking for just 1 hour, gas stoves produce levels of indoor air pollution that would be illegal if recorded outside! New electric induction stoves are healthier, more powerful, and more precise. Fracked methane gas is a major contributor to climate change, and the cost of adding in new gas lines makes gas homes more expensive to build than all-electric homes. In this era of climate change, there is no reason to keep building more gas pipelines.
The most effective way you can support this climate action is to send a short email to the City Council (council@losaltosca.gov) telling them you support the all-electric reach code.
Read more about Los Altos' reach code proposal here. |
Above Image Source: Sunnyvale Community Workshop Posterboards
Sunnyvale Residents: You Can Improve Your City!
Your voice is powerful, and even from home you can have a real impact on local policies!
Voice Your Opinion on the Future of Moffett Park in this 5 minute survey.
The City of Sunnyvale is updating the Moffett Park Specific Plan, which covers 1,156 acres of industrial land and borders a vital and vulnerable wetland habitat along the San Francisco Bay.
Please take the community survey here, which takes less than 5 minutes.
When you do, please consider checking these boxes:
“Mitigate the impacts of climate change and sea level rise”
“Support urban ecology to enhance biodiversity”
“Connect people to nature and the Bay”
“Create a well-connected walking and biking network”
“Design for no net new vehicle trips”
“Promote housing at all income levels”
Click here for the project overview of the Moffett Park Specific Plan |
San Jose Leaders Should Protect Residents From Traffic and Environmental Hazards
The City of San Jose is considering updating their sign ordinance to allow the proliferation of illuminated electronic billboards in the City. If Council members continue to push this, you can expect to see digital advertisements along highway 237 and 87, and on on transit and public structures downtown.
Who really wants more glaring advertisements in their life and in their face, especially when those ads are designed to distract us while we drive and are known and proven to increase the risk of accidents?
This increase in artificial light at night has consequences for both humans and wildlife. For millions of years living beings have evolved under the natural cycles of day and night. Bright artificial light at night disrupts our circadian rhythms and can lead to long term health impacts in humans, and in other mammals, birds, insects and even trees!
San Jose residents deserve the right to see the beautiful stars in the night sky. The last thing we need is more light pollution that inundates us with commercial advertising pollution. We should expect our elected leaders to stop targeting us as consumers, and respect and the residents and wildlife in San Jose. |
The Wildlife Conservation Board Approves More Funding to Protect Coyote Valley
May 21, 2020: "The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved $10 million to help purchase Sobrato South in Coyote Valley, and $1.5 million to buy additional land up on Coyote Ridge. Matt Freeman from Open Space Authority spoke on both items and did a fine job. They were recommended by WCB's staff."
Thank you to Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter member Brian Schmidt for this update. |
Above Image by Fabric Artist Linda Gass © 2019
Green Streets for Sustainable Communities Symposium Rescheduled for Sep 10, Sep 25, and Oct 8
Dear Friends,
Please save the dates below for our virtual Green Streets for Sustainable Communities Symposium. We had originally planned an in-person day-long symposium in March 2020. We moved the date to the fall with the hope we would be able to meet in large groups by then. Instead, we have decided to transform our in-person format to a series of three, connected interactive, information-rich three-hour sessions. Our streets are a crucial community resource, now more than ever. We hope that you will reserve the time and join for all three sessions.
Each day will begin at 8:30 am with an informal & optional networking time.
Each program will begin at 9 am and conclude by 12 noon.
Day 1 – Vision and Economics (Thursday, September 10, 2020)
Day 2 – Case Studies (Friday, September 25, 2020)
Day 3 – Funding Strategies (Thursday, October 8, 2020)
If you are already registered, we will enroll you in all three sessions. If you are not yet registered, please sign up at this link.
Scholarships are available by request.
Sincerely,
Yoriko Kishimoto, Board Chair
Marianna Grossman, Board Vice Chair
Transportation Choices for Sustainable Communities |
Conservation Committee Chair Gladwyn d'Souza: Closing the Digital Divide Can Also Help Clean Up the Air
Excerpt from Gladwyn's op-ed in the San Jose Spotlight:
"We can end the constant bumper-to-bump traffic during the morning and evening commutes for essential workers, keep the skies blue and no child gets left behind or has to go to a local coffee shop where there is Wi-Fi to get their work done.
A public internet utility company is the ideal combination of environmental stewardship with environmental justice.
The Sierra Club supports a public internet company proposal authored by Santa Clara County Board President Cindy Chavez discussed at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting because it chips away at the digital divide inequities in disadvantaged communities and is one of many systemic changes needed post-pandemic."
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San Mateo County Begins Phase 2 of Park Openings
"San Mateo County Parks is following its COVID-19 park management plan moving to Phase II which includes reopening of more parks, parking lots and restrooms. See a list of all open parks below that will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In accordance with current San Mateo County Health Orders playgrounds, picnic areas, and visitor centers remain closed. Because group activities are also prohibited, all department and park partner events remain canceled through June or until Health Orders are revised that would allow these activities."
Read the Full Press Release and List of Park Openings Here
View the Full List of Park Advisories Here
For More Information On the Coronavirus in San Mateo County, Visit Here |
Low Risk Activities Permitted in Santa Clara County Parks
From the County website:
"As stewards of Santa Clara County Parks, we are honored to provide a natural respite from the area's shelter in place health order. Together, we have successfully demonstrated the ability to use parks in a safe manner which has provided on-going access to park trails, bathroom facilities and parking lots during the health crisis.
In accordance to the County's Recreation Guidance and Facilities order, we are pleased to announce the reopening of low risk park activities including golf courses, archery ranges and disc golf courses. We are excited to reopen these areas and ask for your continued support in helping us to keep these areas open by abiding by the safety protocols.
- Stay at home if you feel sick or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.
- Recreate alone or only with members of your same household.
- Do not use parks or range/course facilities for social gatherings.
- Continue to practice safe social distancing of 6-feet at all times.
- Face masks are strongly urged. You should have one on your person and ready for use."
Here is a wide-trail map to help you enjoy trails with safe social distancing
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Santa Clara County Parks Campgrounds Will Not Open on June 5th
"On June 1, 2020 Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation received notification that we will be permitted to reopen our campgrounds on June 5, 2020 provided that specific guidelines must be met. Due to the amount of planning and coordination that it takes for the campgrounds open in accordance with the current Santa Clara County Public Health order and California State Requirements, we are unable to open on June 5, 2020. Until a plan to reopen has been approved, we cannot accept new reservations until further notice."
Read the full notice here. |
Ollie Mayer Hiker's Hut No Longer Taking Reservations The Ollie Mayer Hiker’s Hut is closed until further notice. The County of San Mateo, under strict protocol, has closed Sam McDonald Park to overnight camping. The Ollie Mayer Hiker's Hut will also be closed for the duration of this emergency. We are contacting guests who have already paid to arrange for either credit or refund. Sam McDonald Park has tentative plans to reopen for camping in August, if the virus outbreak trends continue without further spikes. We are holding August and September reservations from the general public in order to give priority to campers cancelled due to the shutdown. |
YOU Can Make It Happen!
Hundreds of caring people stand behind every environmental victory won by your Loma Prieta Chapter. These caring people choose to partner with us by donating.
Now you have an opportunity to join our engaged community by simply responding to our Spring fund drive.
Only a sliver of the membership dues which you send to Sierra Club National is returned to your local chapter, but 100% of your gift directly to your chapter will benefit our local environment. Read more about how we will use your support. |
What Does Your Loma Prieta Chapter Do?
Our chapter's major work is through our volunteer led local committees, which depends upon support from our chapter's professional staff.
See our 2018 Chapter Summary and our 2018 Conservation Review.
One arm of our chapter's work is through our Conservation Committee; see what they did in 2019 by viewing the 2019 Loma Prieta Chapter Conservation Review.
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Virtual Volunteering: Save the Planet with oral history reporting and/or video production skills!
Your Loma Prieta Chapter volunteers are doing effective incredible local environmental work; their inspiring stories need to be told!
We need volunteers to document oral histories and volunteers to make several short videos of chapter activist.
Please contact Chapter Director, James Eggers at james.eggers@sierraclub.org |
Join the Sierra Club's Battleground States Team
The upcoming November elections will be affect nearly every aspect of our lives. Our vulnerable ecosystems, our warming climate, our fragile democracy, and our principles of social equity will be at stake!
Trump is the worst environmental President in our nation's history, and Mitch McConnell's senate has consistently stood in the way of environmental issues.
Even as California residents, we can have a massive impact on critical elections across this country. Join our Battleground States Team and together we can join forces to protect our habitats and communities throughout the nation!
To get started, click here to join the team
If you want to make calls, click here
If you are ready to send texts, click here
When you’re ready to start writing letters, click here
And if you can volunteer 10-20 hours a week email us at answers.political@sierraclub.org.
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Let it go, let it go! When the trade-in value’s too low, let it go, let it go!
Your best move is donating your vehicle to support your Loma Prieta Chapter. Call 844-6-SIERRA (844-674-3772) or donate online. We accept cars, classic cars, trucks, boats, RVs, and more. Plus, your gift is tax-deductible.
VERY IMPORTANT: tell CARS that you want to support the Loma Prieta Chapter through the Sierra Club Foundation. |
Social Media Channels for the Loma Prieta Chapter
MeetUp: Chapter conservation and education meetings (2667 members),
Hiking events (5031 members), Singleaires outing section (1775 members),
Day Hiking section (1646 members), Guadalupe Regional Group (553 members), Peak Climbing (467 members), Gay & Lesbian Sierrans (403 members),
Black Mountain Hiking section (392 members), 20s - 30s (150 members),
Family Explorers (95 members) facebook: chapter, 20s – 30s, Sierra Singles YouTube; Twitter; Instagram; Spotify
Social media volunteers needed. Contact Loma Prieta Chapter Director James.Eggers@sierraclub.org |
Got Mail? Too much Sierra Club mail? You can take control; it's Easy!
Your Loma Prieta Chapter only sends two eNewsletters each month, but Sierra Club National is unrestricted, so if you feel overwhelmed you can easily manage what you receive. See the simple tutorial |
Taking Charge, Podcast Episode Three: The Future of Renewable Energy
Interested in renewable energy and solutions to the climate crisis? Listen to this discussion with Stanford Professor Mark Jacobson, who shares his research on renewable energy and potential solutions to the climate crisis. Learn more about the collaboration between the Solutions Project and the Sierra Club for the 100% clean energy movement.
Podcast Link (includes previous episodes of Taking Charge)
Spotify Link |
"Not everything that is faced can be changed,but nothing can be changed until it is faced."James Baldwinvideo of speech at Berkeley, 1979 |
Health and justice to all,
Sincerely,
James Eggers, Director
Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter
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Thank you to our 2019 Guardians of Nature Benefit Sponsors
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Sierra Nevada Sentinels
Anonymous
Mary Buxton and Ron Hess
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