YOU Can Make a Difference; Read How in This eNewsletter
► Find ways to protect local nature: Learn about potential toxic site flooding, join our Bay Alive Campaign, run to be an Executive Committee member, apply to learn Environmental Stewardship, fight "forever chemicals", join our Water Committee, join local cleanups, take a deep dive into being a naturalist, mark your calendar for 2023 Electric Home Tour, learn about home electrification, find electric appliance rebates, and more!
► 2023 Guardians of Nature Celebrates Florence LaRiviere.
► Gain inspiration from local leader Mayra Catalán-Orozco.
► Take a hike! See the comprehensive list of activities available with your chapter.
► Read "Rescuing the Planet" with Environmental Book Club.
► Do you receive too much Sierra Club email? You can control! Look below for a tutorial. |
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New Study: Hundreds of California 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
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Photo: Loma Prieta Chapter Water Committee members Katja Irvin (center) and Les and Susan Kishler joined Sierra Club California to support Northern California tribes at the Day of Action for California Water Justice and Salmon rally in Sacramento.
Tribal leaders, Environmental Groups (Including Activists from Your Loma Prieta Chapter) Rally for a Better Water Rights System
"Brandon Dawson, director of Sierra Club California, said California’s current water rights system leaves tribes and communities of color at a disadvantage.
'When you think about who colonized California, who had the ability and the opportunity and the privilege to go to the government and say we were here first and we actually have the water rights systems, then you can get at exactly how inequitable that system is that they've taken advantage of,' he said.
Dawson said in the future, he’d like to see those senior water rights reallocated more equitably."
Read the full article. |
Join us for an unforgettable evening honoring Florence LaRiviere for her inspirational passion, dedication, and decades-long tireless effort that has led to the permanent protection of thousands of acres of San Francisco Bay. Raise a glass in tribute to Florence, and connect with our community members, friends, and local leaders.
Please secure your place at this memorable event today.
Thank you to local leaders who support the 2023 Guardians of Nature Benefit
City of San Jose Councilmember Arjun Batra, City of Morgan Hill Councilmember Gino Borgioli, City of Burlingame Mayor Michael Brownrigg, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority Director Helen Chapman, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez, City of San Mateo Deputy Mayor Lisa Diaz Nash, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, City of East Palo Alto Mayor Lisa Gauthier, City of San Mateo Councilmember Rich Hedges, City of Gilroy Councilmember Zach Hilton, City of Belmont Vice Mayor Davina Hurt, City of San Jose Councilmember Sergio Jimenez, City of Mountain View Councilmember Ellen Kamei, Congressman Ro Khanna, City of Brisbane Councilmember Clifford Lentz, City of Mountain View Councilmember Lisa Matichak, Town of Los Gatos Councilmember Rob Moore, City of Menlo Park Councilmember Betsy Nash, 2019 Guardian of Nature Honoree Enid Pearson, 2019 Guardian of Nature Honoree Emily Renzel, Town of Los Gatos Mayor Maria Ristow, 2018 Guardian of Nature Honoree Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian, City of Sunnyvale Councilmember Murali Srinivasan, City of Palo Alto Vice Mayor Greer Stone, City of Palo Alto Councilmember Vicki Veenker, City of Cupertino Mayor Hung Wei
To volunteer at the event, please email our development coordinator Justyna Guterman. |
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San Francisco Bay Alive Campaign
Sea level rise presents an existential threat to our Bay. With the State of California encouraging local jurisdictions to plan for 3.5 feet of sea level rise by 2050, and scientists predicting 7-10 feet of sea level rise or higher by 2100, adaptation to sea level rise will require a dramatic re-envisioning of the region’s relationship to the Bay. At risk as the waters rise are shoreline communities and the Bay’s vibrant but fragile ecology, already weakened by a century in which humans destroyed nearly 90 percent of Bay wetlands.
Join the Sierra Club in advocating for urgent, regional and nature-based solutions for the Bay. |
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Volunteer Spotlight: 20s-30s Group Membership Chair and Leader Mayra Catalán-Orozco
Mayra initially joined the Sierra Club as an event coordinator to help out with organizing and managing events. However, most of her involvement revolved around the 20s-30s group where she served as a membership chair. Furthermore, to ensure she was fully qualified for the role, Mayra completed all the necessary courses. With this new knowledge, she actively contributed to the group by leading hikes and backpacking trips. This role has been Mayra’s main focus throughout the chapter, which allowed her to combine her love for nature with her leadership skills and create an environment to help fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
Read more about Mayra's journey to 20s-30s Group leadership. |
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Greenland Glacier Discovery Shows Sea Level Projections are Too Low
"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? Get involved in our Bay Alive Campaign.
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Would you like to be more infuential for local environment protection?
Are you an aspiring leader of a local environmental justice community looking to partner with other local environmental groups?
Do you have non-profit leadership experience, or would like to (fund-raising, conservation, environmental politics)?
Consider joining leadership of the local chapter of the nation's largest, oldest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with 80,000 local supporters.
Five ‘at-large’ positions will be elected at the end of this year to serve for two years.
Learn more about the position.
Contact the Nominating Committee by emailing both Nathan Chan and Lisa Barboza. |
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Environmental Stewardship Program 8.0
Applications Open for 2023
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After a pandemic-induced hiatus of three years, we are resuming our highly successful Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP), 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 ESP 8.0 will focus on critical environmental issues, and we will mentor participants who choose to work on advocacy projects. Learn more about ESP 8.0 and how to apply.
Learn about the environmental journey of ESP alumnus Mary. |
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!
- Wednesday, July 26th, 10:00am - Hike Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail
- Thursday, July 27th, 10:00am - Hike Huddart County Park
- Saturday, July 29th, 10:00am - Alameda Regional Creek Trail Hike (Front Country)
- Friday, August 4th, 9:30am - POLE Walking for Balance & Maintaining Mobility, Peninsula Vet Center
- Sunday, August 6th - Saturday, August 12th - Marble Mountain five-day Backpacking Trip
- Wednesday, August 9th, 10:00am - Hike Gazos Creek State Beach
- Thursday, August 10th, 10:00am - Hike Half Moon Bay Trail South
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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. |
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 Dr. Sue Chow, Loma Prieta Chapter, Chair of Environmental Legislative Action Committee. |
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Loma Prieta Chapter's Environmental Book Club Reading List for 2023
To join, contact Gladwyn d'Souza
- 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
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Opinion: Delta mega-tunnel is not the answer to state’s water challenges
"Climate change is rapidly affecting California’s environment. From drought to catastrophic floods and landslides occurring from unprecedented atmospheric rivers, to sea-level rise and reduced snowpack, there are many water challenges facing the state.
The solution to these problems is not a $16 billion mega-tunnel paid for by ratepayers that won’t be completed until 2040 at the earliest. We need solutions now — solutions that won’t cause further damage to already overburdened ecosystems and communities."
Read the full article.
Learn more and get involved in your Loma Prieta Chapter's Water Committee. |
Clair Tappaan Lodge an Outdoor Enthusiast Hub for Nearly 90 Years
The Clair Tappan Hut, a Sierra Club destination since the 1930s, is a great place to check out the emergence of Spring in the High Sierra. Convenient to Hwy 80, and the amazing Range of Light, it offers a chance to meet and greet other Sierra Club members who are interested in exploring and protecting our planet. And in the winter, when the days are short; night long, and temperatures frigid, If you want a roof over your head and a cast iron stove to provide some warmth in the middle of winter, there's nothing quite like a Sierra Club hut.
Read more about the Clair Tappaan Hut. |
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Plop Plop, Fizz Fizz, Oh, what a Cleanup it is! - Creek and Trail Cleanup
Sunday, August 13th
9:00am - 12:00pm
Location: TBD
Click here to RSVP
Come help us clean the Coyote Creek and Trail!
Spend a few hours and help Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful, work together for a healthy creek while we beautify the Coyote Creek trail and the creek through a community cleanup. Come celebrate the Earth by improving the environment and enjoying nature!
Free litter kits!
Community service hours available.
Groups Welcome.
Cleanup - Get Your Cleanup Here! - Creek and Trail Cleanup
Saturday, August 19th
9:00am - 12:00pm
Location: TBD
Click here to RSVP
Celebrate World Honey Bee Day by helping Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful clean the Creek and Trail through a community cleanup!
Community service hours available.
Naturalist Training - A Deeper Dive
Wednesday, August 23rd
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Click here to RSVP
During the second presentation we will discuss how to make better observations, add them into projects, and how to add fields, tags, and annotations. All these features will help your observations stand out, and will make it easier for experts (and you!) to find it and use it. We will also demonstrate how to efficiently search and filter observations. All these features will not only improve the "quality" of your observations, but also your ability to learn from the process.
This is Part 2 of a new series of naturalist presentations.
Co-hosted with BioBlitz.club
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SAVE THE DATE: 2023 Electric Home Tour
Saturday, October 14th
10:00am - 4:00pm
Please save the date and attend the southbay Electric Home Tour where you will learn about the benefits of electric home appliances from homeowners who have successfully made the switch. Electric homes are cheaper, healthier, and safer in general. For more info contact infoElectricHomeTour@gmail.com
To get involved in home electrification please contact our Climate Action group.
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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! Explore the benefits of an all-electric home and learn about how you can swap from gas to electric!
Incentives are available, learn more here! This tool allows you to find the right incentives that apply to you. |
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.
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 for the specific language for your estate planning and/or read more here. For additional information about planning a bequest please contact Julia Curtis, (800) 932-4270.
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In Case You Missed It
IN THE NEWS
Valley Water Landscape Rebates Program
Future Forests of America
Planes, Trains, and Decarbonization
Found Objects
Atlas of the Biodiversity of California
New Study Finds Increase in California Forest Fires Over the Past Half-century is Attributable to Human-caused Climate Change
POWER of the RIVER: Expedition to the Heart of Water in Bhutan
Photographers, see the great images in our Chapter Annual Summaries and help protect local nature with your images! Share with us your high-resolution photos of local nature, with or without people, to inspire local residents to support Loma Prieta Chapter work. Please contact Chapter Development Coordinator Justyna Guterman.
History fans, your Loma Prieta Chapter has been on the front lines of many progressive movements so our rich inspirational history needs to be documented. If this interests you, please contact your Chapter Director, BA History.
Music fans, the Loma Prieta Chapter was the first in the Sierra Club to establish a Spotify Channel. Ours is for music SINCE 2000 that advocates for the environment. Please send suggestions to your Chapter Director.
Too much Sierra Club email? You have control! See this simple tutorial.
How can local cities and residents use nature-based adaptations to sea level rise? Watch recordings of our webinar series with SF Bay experts and please share with your local elected officials.
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2023.07.14: Thanks to the Loma Priete GLS outing section for hosting Chapter Executive Committee Members, their Chapter Director, and members from other chapters on their boat tour of Alviso Slough.
Note: the Slough water is not tilted, but clearly your Chapter Director was while making this panorama photo. |
Your Loma Prieta Chapter is 90 Years Strong
We were founded June 18th, 1933, at Hidden Villa
Other historic events in July
Aug 2nd, 1924: birth of James Baldwin
Aug 9th, 1916: establishement of Lessen Volcano National Park |
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"The point is to get your work done, and your work is to change the world."
James Baldwin
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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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