Dear %%[ if not empty(FirstName) then ]%%%%FirstName%%%%[ else ]%%Friend%%[ endif ]%%,
|
The time is always right to do what is right.
~ Martin Luther King Jr.
|
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. |
Announcing the 2020 Guardians of Nature Benefit: Honoring Byron Sher
Friday, October 9th, 7-9 PM
We are excited to announce our 2020 Guardians of Nature Benefit for the Loma Prieta Chapter in celebration of former California Senator Byron Sher for his decades of exemplary environmental leadership through authoring many critical environmental protections.
This year's event will be like none before; it will be all on-line using Zoom. We promise to evoke the spirit and excitement of past galas while protecting the health of our guests.
You can find more details about the 2020 Guardians of Nature Benefit on the event's webpage or contact our Chapter Development Coordinator, Justyna Guterman at justyna.guterman@sierraclub.org.
We hope you will join us! |
BREAKING NEWS: Sierra Club California has taken support positions on 8 bills identified by the California Legislative Black Caucus
Listed here are eight bills identified and described by the California Legislative Black Caucus. They are designed to help end systemic racism. Sierra Club California has support positions on these bills.
ACA 5 Restore Affirmative Action
AB 3121 will establish a Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans
SB 144 Families Over Fees Act would end the assessment and collection of administrative fees imposed against people in the criminal justice system
AB 1460 Ethnic Studies Education requires the California State University system to have an ethnic studies graduation requirement.
AB 1950 Probation Reform amends the California State Penal Code to limit probation to a maximum of one year for misdemeanor offenses and two years for felony offenses.
AB 1994 Medi-Cal Eligibility ensures that juveniles have uninterrupted access to health care services upon release from a public institution. This bill also ensures that when juveniles are leaving the system, they have easy access to healthcare.
AB 2019 Pupil instruction: College and Career Access Pathways partnerships: county offices of education
AB 2054 Emergency services: community response: grant program
ENCOURAGE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO SUPPORT
To find who your state legislators are (by looking up using your address) and get links to their webpages, where you can find information about district office contact, go to http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/.
If you have any questions, contact Kathryn Phillips, Sierra Club California’s Director, at Kathryn.phillips@sierraclub.org |
Get Climate Smart!
Our friends at Mothers Out Front invite San José residents to join an exciting Climate Smart Challenge. This web-based platform provides a visual picture of your personal climate impact showing where you’re doing well and where you can improve. Choose from a menu of climate-smart actions to reduce your impact and earn points towards prizes for every action you take. Participate on your own or gather some friends and neighbors to participate as a team.
Join today; for the question “How did you learn about the Challenge?” select “Mothers Out Front.” Learn more at an interactive webinar! |
Do We Really Need More Distractions and Hazards in San Jose?
Electronic Billboards in San Jose -- Public Meeting
July 13, 2020 at 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Please Zoom in and help us ask hard questions about the impacts of electronic billboards along our highways.
After a 30-year ban on new billboards, the City of San Jose wants to allow electronic billboards on private property. These billboards may advertise anything - from Vegas to accident injury attorneys! Most identified sites are along Highways 237 and 87, including several sites adjacent to the Guadalupe River Park.
Has the City fully considered the aesthetic impacts, the impacts of nighttime lighting on animals (especially birds) and people, the traffic safety impacts and more? Is there analysis showing the benefits to our economy that leaders claim? Do we really need more distractions and hazards in San Jose?
San Jose residents deserve to see the hills from Highway 87, the beautiful stars in the night sky above 237. 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 protect the residents and wildlife in San Jose
Contact Katja Irvin for more information, katja.irvin@sbcglobal.net
|
| Joseph D. Grant Ranch (Santa Clara) County Park, view from Edwards Loop to Mount Hamilton, 20200606, Chapter Director's solo hike. See video on Loma Prieta's YouTube channel. |
Webinar: Learn About the Major Threat to the SF Bay Delta
Sierra Club California's "Biodiversity and Water in SF Bay" Webinar is now available online.
The Bay Delta's ecosystems are already in decline due to excessive water diversion, the introduction of nonnative invasive species, and water pollution.
Now, the Bay Delta is under the threat of an 11 Billion dollar tunnel proposal that would divert more water and cause even more ecological damage. Watch now to learn about the future of the Bay Delta.
For more information and facts about the Bay Delta, check out Sierra Club California's website. |
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
|
We Need Your Help to Urge Los Altos to Become a Climate Leader!
With the federal government rolling back environmental protections and key climate actions, local cities must lead the way forward.
The Los Altos City Council is poised to take this leadership role, but they need your support. The City is considering a strong climate law called an all-electric "reach code".
An all-electric reach code will ensure that new buildings we construct no longer use gas. New buildings will be fully electric and will take advantage of the extremely green energy supply from Silicon Valley Clean Energy. All electric buildings are cheaper to build and healthier to live in.
Gas pipelines and appliances pollute our homes with chemicals like formaldehyde and release extremely potent greenhouse gasses into our atmosphere. It would be a tragedy to build more gas pipelines today that will continue to leak for decades to come.
In less than 5 minutes you can play a key role in passing a strong reach code. Click here to show your support to City Council. |
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 |
From our friends at the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition:
Come to the 10th Annual Silicon Valley Bike Summit this August 6 & 7 to join other active transportation leaders and discuss how to get more people biking in our area and create a safe street environment for all" (Tag @bikesiliconvalley on Facebook/Instagram and @bikesv on Twitter!). |
Closing the Digital Divide Can Also Help Clean Up the Air
from Conservation Committee Co-Chair Gladwyn d'Souza
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." |
Complete The Census to Ensure that Your Community is Funded!
Want to make sure that your parks, greens spaces, and trails receive federal funding? The Census is critical in making sure that the proper amount of federal funds are allocated to your local community. Respond to the 2020 Census here: https://my2020census.gov/ or call 844-330-2020 |
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
For Updates on Santa Clara County Parks
Click Here: Santa Clara County Parks COVID 19 Updates
Here is a wide-trail map to help you enjoy trails with safe social distancing
|
| Joseph D. Grant Ranch (Santa Clara) County Park, view from Washburn Trail overlook, 2020060614, Chapter Director's solo hike. See videos on the Loma Prieta Chapter YouTube Channel. |
Ollie Mayer Hiker's Hut Temporarily Not 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. |
JUST PUBLISHED: The 2019 Loma Prieta Chapter Annual Summary
Discover What Your Support Helped to Achieve!
The majority of our chapter's work is through our volunteer led local sections, committees and groups, which depend upon support from our chapter's professional staff. Graphics show the big picture of work and accomplishments, while short testimonials give personal insights from local leaders and activists, all in the 2019 Loma Prieta Chapter Annual Summary.
If you would like a more detailed look at our conservation work, discover our great local successes and remaining challenges, in the 2019 Loma Prieta Chapter Conservation Review.
|
| Pacific gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer catenifer) sunning on Heron Trail, Joseph D. Grant County Park, 20200606 Chapter Director's solo hike. Click the photo for a video of this snake; more hike videos here. |
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.
|
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. |
Top Posts recently on Loma Prieta facebook page
Follow us on facebook and you'll see these stories before the eNewsletter,
and other stories and action alerts that don't make it into the eNewsletter.
#3. 6 Survival Skills You Can Practice in Quarantine
#2. Racism is Killing the Planet
#1. A “Possible Record” Number of Blue Whales Visit the Farallones |
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 |
| Clay Mariposa Lily (Calochortus argillosus), Long Ridge Open Space Preserve, San Mateo County, 20200606120 Chapter Director's solo hike. See videos on the Loma Prieta Chapter YouTube Channel. |
The beauty of the universe consists not only of unity in variety,
but also of variety in unity.
~ Umberto Eco
|
Health and justice to all,
James Eggers, Director
Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter
|
|
|
|
Thank you to our 2019 Guardians of Nature Benefit Sponsors
|
Sierra Nevada Sentinels
Anonymous
Mary Buxton and Ron Hess
|
|
|
