YOU Can Make a Difference; Read How in This eNewsletter
► Victory for Loma Prieta Chapter: court ruled against Santa Clara Valley Water District.
► Local Environmental Hero has been announced as 2023 Guardians of Nature Honoree.
► Recently Published: your 2022 Chapter Summary! See what your support of the Loma Prieta Chapter made possible in 2022 (and previously)!
► Take a hike! Here's what's available with your chapter.
► Join our Environmental Stewardship Program 8.0 for thought-provoking educational presentations and opportunities to take local action to protect our environment.
► Do you receive too much Sierra Club email? Probably >90% is from Sierra Club National, but you can control what you receive, keeping the few monthly communications about local work from your chapter. See below for the simple tutorial.
► Find ways to protect local nature: Protect Coyote Valley, Save Redwood Shores, Learn at Environmental Stewardship Program, Preserve & Restore San Francisco Bay, Fight Air & Water & Plastic Pollution, Join Environmental Book Club, Learn about Home Electrification, Boycott Dirty Banks, Recruit Photographers, Consider Your Legacy. |
We are excited to announce that the 2023 Guardians of Nature Benefit for the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter will honor Florence LaRiviere, who has dedicated half a century to advocating for the protection of San Francisco Bay wetlands and has been instrumental in establishing the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the Bair Island Ecological Reserve. Our event will take place at the Mitchell Park Community Center in Palo Alto on Friday, October 6th, from 6 to 9 p.m. Please read more about the event here. |
Hot of the press, your 2022 Loma Prieta Chapter Summary Is Here!
"Explore & Enjoy" great photography, great stories, great successes, and great opportunities!
Your gifts dedicated specifically to the Loma Prieta Chapter are fully used to support our local work for clean air and water, and to protect local wildlands and wildlife, so we are grateful to all our donors. With great appreciation, we present our 2022 Chapter Summary, highlighting the work which you have inspired and enabled. We hope that what you read will fill you with pride and joy!
BTW, note above your chapter's new & locally created 90th Anniversary logo! |
Is Sediment a Solution for Sea Level Rise!?
San Francisco Bay is known as one of the world’s best natural harbors yet its average depth is only about 12 feet. Modern container ships require water at least 30 feet deep. So every year millions of cubic yards of sediment are dredged from the floor of the bay, to make paths for ships to travel, and mostly disposed of offshore in the Pacific.
Now, sea level rise is threatening to drown the healthy wetlands that border the Bay and nourish bay ecology. While any filling of the bay requires regulatory clearances, would a steady supply of clean sediment, to slowly raise their levels, be a strategy for wetland survival? For more see San Jose Merc and Sediment for Survival |
New Study: Hundreds of Toxic Sites at Risk of Flooding
According to a new study, climate-driven coastal flooding could put over 120 hazardous facilities at risk, including oil refineries and sewage treatment plants by 2050, with over 400 at risk by the century's end if carbon pollution remains unchecked. This poses a significant danger to nearby residents, disproportionately impacting socially marginalized populations.
Bay Alive is working with frontline community members in the SF Bay Shoreline Contamination Cleanup Coalition to mobilize for the safe, comprehensive, and immediate cleanup of all toxic and radioactive contamination near the SF Bay shoreline.
To learn more about our Bay Alive Campaign, contact Jennifer Chang Hetterly |
Are you a Chapter activist or volunteer looking to take a more senior leadership role in Chapter advocacy?
Do you have non-profit board experience and want to serve on the board of your local Sierra Club Chapter?
Are you an aspiring leader of an environmental justice community looking to partner with other local environmental groups?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you might be a good candidate to serve on the Loma Prieta Chapter’s Executive Committee. Five ‘at-large’ positions will be elected at the end of this year to serve for two years.
Click here to read here to find out more about the position.
Contact the Nominating Committee by emailing both Nathan Chan (chan.nathan.th@gmail.com) and Lisa Barboza (lisa.barboza@gmail.com) |
The Future of Coyote Valley: Let’s Focus on Regenerating Historical Ecology
The Open Space Authority (OSA) is taking public input to define the future of Coyote Valley. A Spring 2023 community survey is now open for us to express our vision and priorities for the land.
The focus of the survey is on how people use the land rather than on ecosystem restoration for biodiversity.
Are we losing the opportunity to regenerate a vast (and long gone) valley floor ecosystem, where a tapestry of wetlands, grasslands and oak woodlands once dominated the landscape?
For more information on how you can maximize the impact of your survey answers, click here.
To go directly to the survey, click here.
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| Navigate more sustainably with Google Maps which offers more sustainable navigation options, like walking, cycling, buses, and trains. You can easily find transit routes and connections, shared bikes and scooters in over 500 cities around the world. Maps is a very well done transport app, which makes transit and micromobility viable, and can be stored on your phone for use in low cellular coverage areas. |
From our friends at Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful
Embedded Way BioBlitz
Location: 800 Embedded Way, San Jose, CA 95138
Sunday, June 11th, 9 am - 11 am
A BioBlitz focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. At a BioBlitz, scientists, families, students, and other community members work together to get an overall count of plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms that live in a place.
Docents will guide you and teach you to use the iNaturalist app on your smartphone to record all the living things you encounter.
Click here to RSVP |
Trashy Tuesdays Cleanup!
Location: Tully Ballfields, 800 Tully Rd, San Jose, CA 95111
Tue, June 6th, 5 pm to 7 pm
Come join us for Trashy Tuesdays 5 - 7 pm once per month for a fun Creek and Trail Cleanup at the Tully Ballfields!
Spend a few hours and help us work together for a healthy creek while we beautify the Coyote Creek trail and the creek through a community cleanup.
Free litter kits!
Community service hours available.
Groups Welcome
Click here to RSVP |
"The Environmental Stewardship Program held by the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club is not to be missed. I attended the first three years of the program, and since the program is different each year, that is a lot of learning! I appreciate the depth of knowledge of the guest speakers, the moving documentaries, the engaging discussions, and the connections that can be made. As a City Councilmember, it is very helpful to have experts to tap into on a wide variety of environmental topics, and now I have a deep bench of connections in the environmental sustainability area. Don't hesitate to sign up for this - you will not be disappointed."
Lisa Matichak, Councilmember, City of Mountain View
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Environmental Stewardship Program 8.0
Applications Open for 2023
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After a pandemic-induced hiatus of 3 years, we are resuming our highly successful Environmental Stewardship Program, which provided participants with thought-provoking educational presentations and opportunities to take action. ESP graduates have gone on to run for office and have assumed leadership positions in their local communities, including leadership roles in the Sierra Club. This year’s Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) 8.0 will focus on critical environmental issues, and we will mentor participants who choose to work on advocacy projects. Click here for more information about ESP 8.0 and to apply.
Click here to learn about the environmental journey of ESP alumnus Mary. |
Redwood City Residents: Electric Leaf Blower Rebates are Available!
Residents are eligible for up to a $250 rebate on a newly purchased electric leaf blower.
Businesses with an active Redwood City business license are eligible for up to a $500 rebate on a newly purchased electric leaf blower.
Residents are eligible for up to a $250 rebate on a newly purchased piece of electric lawn care equipment, (string trimmers, hedge trimmers, edger, or tiller/cultivator).
Click here to apply and for more details. |
Take a hike! Here's what's available with your Loma Prieta Chapter.
Note: regardless of the name/origin of the outing section, all are welcome!
Wed 5/31/23, 9:00 AM. SCMO POLE Hiking Training for Sierra Club Leaders, Volunteers, Committee Member
Wed 5/31/23, 9:30 AM. Hike El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve
Thu 6/1/23, 10:00 AM. Hike Cowell Purisima Trail
Sun 6/4/23, 9:30 AM. Palo Alto Baylands to Ravenswood and back (Front Country)
Wed 6/7/23, 10:00 AM. Hike Sanborn John Nicholas Trail
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Stopping the destructive, expensive and unneeded Pacheco Reservoir is a high priority for the Loma Prieta Chapter; see article via the link below. Pacheco would primarily hold imported water from the San Francisco Bay Delta. For more information or to get involved, email the Loma Prieta Water Committee water@lomaprieta.sierraclub.org.
https://socalwatersierraclub.org/pacheco-dam-a-prop-1-zombie-project/
Victory This Week!
Court Rules Valley Water Violated CEQA, Mandates Environmental Review for Pacheco Dam Project
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Taking the Measure of Success at the South Bay Salt Ponds
The South Bay Salt Pond Restoration project is creating critical and invaluable natural assets for sea level rise resilience - supporting a biodiverse Bay ecosystem and protecting our shoreline communities by mitigating climate change and protecting us from floods and rising tides.
Click here to learn more about the history and successes of this visionary project and consider joining our Bay Alive Campaign to support nature-based sea level rise adaptation strategies around the Bay.
To join our Bay Alive Campaign and learn more, contact Bay Alive Campaign Manager Jennifer Hetterly at jennifer.hetterly@sierraclub.org. |
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Loma Prieta Chapter Military Outdoors Program
Maintaining Mobility
Sierra Club Military Outdoors (SCMO) program provides training for veterans (and their family members), skills which enable what we call Outdoor RX. Being outside, we are able to experience, and hope to share, the healing power of nature with those who have served our country.
3 levels of training are offered: Pole Walking for Exercise, Pole Hiking and Pole Walking for Balance & Maintaining Mobility. In this episode, we will discuss a few of the many benefits this training provides for those with mobility challenges.
If you know a veteran or service member, please share this information and website: https://www.sierraclub.org/loma-prieta/military-outdoors |
You can help combate toxic "forever chemicals" by joining our Beyond Plastic Group.
EPA's big deal upcoming regulation not to contaminate water with PFAS chemicals, also known as forever chemicals, will result in a massive industrial overhaul and lead to less use of these chemicals because health effects are now known through movies like Dark Water. To volunteer to work with our Beyond Plastic group, contact Dr Sue Chow at sue.chow@lomaprieta.sierraclub.org |
Help require big companies and investment managers to disclose climate information
Financial regulators are hoping to force big companies and investment managers to disclose climate information. If you'd like to join local grassroots effective work to make these changes happen, please contact Sue Chow, sue2042@gmail.com
Loma Prieta Chapter, Chair of Environmental Legislative Action Committee |
Loma Prieta Chapter's Environmental Book Club Reading List for 2023
To join, contact Gladwyn d'Souza
January: Water Always Wins- thriving in an age of drought and deluge, by Erica Gies
February: Nomad Century- How climate migration will reshape our world, by Gaia Vince
March: Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
April: The Intersectional Environmentalist- How to dismantle systems of oppression to protect people plus planet by Leah Thomas
May: Regenesis- Feeding the world without devouring the planet by George Monbiot
June: Euphoria by Lily King
July: The Flag The Cross, And The Station Wagon by Bill McKibben.
August: Rescuing the Planet- protecting half the land to heal the earth by Tony Hiss.
September: The New Wilderness by Diane Cook
October: There Are No Accidents- the deadly rise injury and disaster, who profits, and who pays the price by Jessie Singer
November: Bicycling with Butterflies by Sara Dykman
December: How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue |
Sierra Club California has released their 2023 Priority Bill List!
Sierra Club California (SC CA) is the legislative arm for the 13 local Sierra Club chapters in California. As bills move through the legislature, things change. Some bills are weakened and some are strengthened. SC CA will update the priority bill list with the status and relevant changes for each bill, and also add or remove bills as necessary. The legislature moves quickly, so watch the list as it is updated and keep an eye on the legislation page. |
Looking to electrify but don't know where to start? Begin here!
The Switch is On provides the resources you'll need to electrify your home, click here!. Explore the benefits of an all-electric home and learn about how you can swap from gas to electric!
Incentives are available! Click here to learn more. This tool allows you to find the right incentives that apply to you. |
From Loma Prieta Chapter's friends at Nuestra Casa
What Is Water Justice?
The latest Ventana Abierta is all about water justice and East Palo Alto. Nuestra Casa's program director and host, Vicky Avila Medrano, interviews our water justice program coordinator, Rosa Nelson. They talk about the history, sources, and quality of drinking water in East Palo Alto.
Click here to watch it on Youtube |
Rebates for electric applicances
Peninsula Clean Energy is providing homeowners in San Mateo County and the City of Los Banos interest-free financing and new rebates to install electric appliances and make other energy-efficiency upgrades.
The agency’s new Zero Percent Loan program will provide interest-free financing for as much as $10,000 per home for projects that include installation of electric heat pump equipment, including water heaters and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) units. Gas-powered equipment will not be eligible for the financing. |
Do You Need Space to Spread Your Wings?
Donate a Vehicle to Support the Critical Local Environmental Work of Your Chapter.
It’s easy to give and the pick-up is free; just call 844-6-SIERRA or 844-674-3772 or give online at https://careasy.org/nonprofit/Sierra-Club-Foundation-Loma-Prieta-Chapter.
If you would like to donate a Mazda Miata, please contact your Chapter Director directly.
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One of the best ways to safeguard a thriving and just future is by ensuring that your Loma Prieta Chapter remains a champion for the environment of Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Benito Counties. Naming us as a beneficiary in your bequest will provide meaningful and enduring resources that will allow continued local and powerful environmental activism.
Please contact our Chapter Development Coordinator Justyna Guterman at justyna.guterman@sierraclub.org for the specific language for your estate planning and/or read more here. For additional information about planning a bequest please contact Julia Curtis at julia.curtis@sierraclub or (800) 932-4270.
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Your Loma Prieta Chapter was founded in 1933, at Hidden Villa
What other important events happened in that year?
Keep reading the Loma Prieta Chapter eNewsletter this year to discover much more!
If you know of important local events that happened that year, then please let us know.
Historic events in May
May 25th, 1803, birth of Ralph Waldo Emerson
May 27th, 1907, birth of Rachel Carson
May 28th, 1892, founding of Sierra Club |
Science does not know its debt to imagination.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
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| 2023 May 21: thanks to Loma Prieta Chapter's 20s - 30s Outing Section for hosting their Chapter Director on a hike in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, here under the ancient Elbow Redwood. Boas aventuras to Jess & Bruno. |
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Thank you to our 2022 Guardians on Nature Benefit Sponsors
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| The COVID-19 crisis has not passed and continues to disproportionately harm Black, Indigenous, and Latinx people and other communities of color. The pandemic has revealed how the communities hardest hit are often the same communities that suffer from high levels of pollution and poor access to healthcare. The fight for environmental justice cannot be separated from the fight for racial justice. |
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