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 Loma Prieta Chapter. Look 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. |
Attention San Jose Residents: San Jose could slash funds reducing community engagement and technical assistance
What is happening?
The City Manager's Budget Addendum (MBA) #21 includes cuts in San Jose's Climate Smart non-personnel funding, which is mainly used for engaging with community based organizations for program development and implementation, and technical assistance. These funds would be cut from $400,000 to $200,000.
This addendum is currently not part of the FY2023-24 budget, but it is on the list of items for Council consideration. Let's make sure Council avoids MBA #21, a proposal which the city's memo admits will "slow the implementation and development of programs" and "require less input and community engagement."
What can you do?
Please tell San Jose City Council to preserve or increase our climate funding and don't slash funds that could help the community engage in San Jose's Climate Smart goals.
Click here to sign this joint letter to San Jose City Council
Click here to email San Jose City Council
Attend and give a public comment via zoom or in person: June 13th, San Jose City Council Meeting (zoom link in the agenda)
Click here to read the details of MBA #21 |
BIG NEWS! YOU had a significant victory in court this month.
On Thursday, May 18th, the Court found that Valley Water violated environmental review requirements for the geotechnical investigations needed to build the proposed, controversial, and expensive Pacheco Dam Project.
The Coalition filed a petition in June 2022, which was later amended to include the Amuh Mutson Tribal Band and Sierra Club, that challenged Valley Water’s decision to avoid environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Court ruling against Valley Water’s attempt to exempt the project from CEQA is a huge win. As a result, a proper environmental review of the extensive geotechnical activities needed to complete the engineering of the new dam must now be conducted.
Click here to sign the petition: No EPA Funding for Destructive New Dam on Pacheco Pass, California |
Greenland Glacier Discovery Shows Sea Level Projections are Too Low
Click here to read more.
"Why it matters: The study reveals that seawater is intruding deep into northwest Greenland's Petermann Glacier, thinning the ice from below.
The study has big implications for what may happen at marine-terminating glaciers elsewhere in Greenland as well as in Antarctica, the study notes.
It suggests that current sea level projections are too low.
"We have reasons to believe that the current [sea level rise] projections are too low, not too high. They could be as much two times too low."
Want to learn how to protect your community and ecosystem from sea-level rise using nature-based solutions? Click here to get involved in our Bay Alive Campaign. |
Are you a Chapter activist or volunteer looking to be more infuential?
Do you have non-profit leadership experience and would consider serving on the Executive Committee 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) |
Join us for an exciting evening in honor of 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 protecting Bair Island. Enjoy delicious food, and wine while reconnecting with your fellow Sierrans, community leaders and friends of the Chapter. Secure your spot here. Find out more about sponsorship opportunities here.
To volunteer at the event, please email our development coordinator Justyna Guterman.
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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! |
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 |
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 |
"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!
Tue 6/13/23, 6:00 PM. Saint Joseph's Hill Preserve, Los Gatos (Front Country)
Wed 6/14/23, 10:00 AM. Hike San Pedro Valley Park
Thu 6/15/23, 9:30 AM. Hike Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve
Sun 6/18/23, 9:00 AM. LGBTQ Pride Day Hike, Saint Joseph's Hill Preserve, Los Gatos (Front Country)
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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/
Recent Victory! 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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Photo above, from left to right: Lornett Vestal, James Eggers, Mary Buxton, Lisa Barboza, Jayah Paley.
Loma Prieta Chapter Military Outdoors Program
Photo above: May 31st, Executive Committee Members Mary Buxton and Lisa Barboza, as well as Chapter Director James Eggers, attended a special pole hiking training for Executive Committeemembers in the coastal wilds of Pacifica on Wednesday, May 31. Instructor, Jayah Paley, taught best practices in going up and down terrain, stairs, and flat trails as well as pole use safety and etiquette. Lornett Vestal, national coordinator for Sierra Club Military Outdoors, came from Georgia to attend and meet some of our chapter leaders.
Please see this National SC article about Loma Prieta Chapter work.
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
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. |
Artificial light at night dilutes our view of the night sky, swallowing stars and planets alike.
80% of the world lives under light-polluted skies, and the Milky Way is hidden from more than one third of humanity. The damaging effects of light pollution go far beyond our loss of beauty; artificial light at night negatively affects living beings across the spectrum of biodiversity, humans included.
Fortunately, there are straightforward solutions (known as Dark Sky Policies) to mitigate light pollution, both at an individual and societal level!
Click here to watch our Symposium and read more about our expert speakers. After watching the webinar, you should have a solid understanding of the light pollution and what you can do about it! |
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 is 90 Years Strong
We were founded June 18th, 1933, at Hidden Villa
Historic events in June
June 3 (1st Sat in June), National Trails Day
June 12th, 1944, Big Bend National Park established
What other important events happened in 1933?
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.
1933 June 6, birthdate of Joan Rivers, US comedian
1933 June 11, birthdate of Gene Wilder, US actor/comedian
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I went to see a therapist. And she said, what seems to be the trouble?
And I said I want to give all my money away. And she said, how much do you have?
And I said, I owe $300. She stared at me for several seconds, and she said, I see.
Well, let's get to work. And maybe by the time you do have some money,
you'll be wise enough to know what to do with it.
~ Gene Wilder
I hope that "you'll be wise enough" to support your Loma Prieta Chapter.
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| 2023 June 4: thanks to Loma Prieta Day Hikers for hosting their Chapter Director on a hike in Big Basin Redwoods State Park (photo above), for a hike of 18.5 miles and 2700 ft elevation gain. |
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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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