Loma Prieta Chapter eNewsletter: September, Volume 1
September 9, 2023
YOU Can Make a Difference; Read How in This eNewsletter
► Learn How to Help Protect Our Precious San Francisco Bay: register today for our free eight-week Bay Advocate Program.
► Take a hike! See the comprehensive list of activities available with your chapter into early October.
► Party with Friends at the 2023 Guardians of Nature Benefit, this year honoree Bay Hero Florence LaRiviere!
► Learn about the staggering decline of the key pollinators, such as butterflies, birds, and bees, and what you can do o stop and reverse this decline. Register for Biodiversity & Endangered Species: Butterflies. Birds, Bees, and Insects webinar.
► Read "There Are No Accidents" with Environmental Book Club.
Learn How to Help Protect our Precious San Francisco Bay!
Bay experts believe sea level rise, and how our region responds, is the single greatest overarching threat to the San Francisco Bay. Find out why through our 2023 Bay Advocate Program! You’ll learn about the impacts we can expect if we don’t act now: flooding, habitat loss, spreading contamination in our communities, and more, posing both an ecological and environmental justice crisis. Register today for the Bay Alive Campaign’s free eight-session advocate training program!
Learn more and register today! The program will be held via zoom on Thursday evenings 7:00 - 8:30 pm, September 21, 2023 to November 9, 2023.
Meet Our New Communications Specialist: Wils Cain
Please join us in welcoming the newest member of our Chapter staff, Wils Cain! Wils joined us as Communications Specialist in July and brings over 30 years' experience in marketing and communications to the Loma Prieta Chapter. Having transferred from a communications role with the Toiyabe Chapter, he is not new to Sierra Club and immediately hit the ground running (see his bio to learn why that pun was intended).
The recent toxic red algae bloom in East Bay waters, characterized by a brownish sheen, seems to have subsided, according to San Francisco Baykeeper. Last year's red tide resulted in innumerable and highly visible fish deaths, but this year's impact was relatively minor, with fewer than 100 fatalities. While the cause of the abrupt end to this year's bloom remains unclear, output from the region's 37 wastewater treatment plants and climate change are a big part of why the algae blooms can get so bad, says Baykeeper.
With climate change worsening and our communities growing, our Bay Alive Campaign advocates locally and regionally for policies and planning to strengthen the resiliency of our treasured San Francisco Bay ecosystems and shoreline communities. Learn more about the Bay Alive Campaign and how you can make a difference.
Basic/Wilderness First Aid Courses
Saturday, September 30
Sunday, October 1
8:00 am - 5:00 pm Peninsula Conservation Center
Certification provided by the National Association for Search and Rescue, is valid for two years, and is included in the course fee. Textbook NOT included. There are two training options. 1) Wilderness First Aid: both days; $80 for Sierra Club members; $100 for non-members. 2) Basic Wilderness First Aid: Saturday only; $50 for Sierra Club members; $60 for non-members. Register today!
Proud Sponsor of
Saved By Nature's 2023 Bat Fest
October 21st, 2023
4:00 - 9:00 pm
Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve
The Loma Prieta Chapter is very proud to once again be a sponsor of Bat Fest by our friends at Saved By Nature. Join this evening festival celebrating local animals of the night, with live bats, owls, and other creatures. It's a fun time under the stars! Learn more and buy tickets.
Join us to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Florence LaRiviere, a true champion for our beloved San Francisco Bay and a treasured member of our community. Our event promises to be a joyful occasion filled with gratitude, inspiration, and a shared passion for protecting and preserving our local environment. Come celebrate with us!
Enjoying Nature Responsibly with Pets
Many of us have pets in our lives, and many still consider them members of the family. As humans who love to spend time outdoors, we love it even more when the "family" can join us. We know the importance of "leave no trace" and that extends to enjoying nature responsibly with our pets. Share a picture of your pet enjoying the outdoors responsibly on social media and tag us!
The End: Supervisors Approve Agreement to Close Lehigh Cement Plant
“The Sierra Club appreciates the County’s focused and sustained leadership toward bringing multi-authority resolution and clarity to a complex environmental situation," said James Eggers, Director at Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter.
As part of Governor Newsom's Executive Order 82-20 in 2020, California committed to the goal of conserving 30 percent of
California lands and coastal waters by 2030. Your Chapter's 30x30 Task Force has been busy working on conserving 30 percent of land and water by 2030 for close to three years.
Even after decades of destructive policies diminished San Francisco Bay wetlands by 90 percent, what’s left represents 70 percent of the healthy wetlands in the entire state. We simply can’t afford to lose more of this critical public asset. All three Sierra Club Chapters surrounding the Bay are working together through the Bay Alive Campaign to promote regional solutions that enhance the resiliency of our Bay ecosystems and communities.
In this webinar we will assess the current status of wild species, particularly birds and insects. We will take an in-depth look at the staggering decline of the key pollinators—butterflies, birds, and bees, and discuss what we can do as individuals and members of environmental advocacy groups to stop and reverse this decline. Register today!
There Are No Accidents
by Jessie Singer Saturday, October 7th, 10:00 am
"A journalist recounts the surprising history of accidents and reveals how they’ve come to define all that’s wrong with America. [...] As the rate of accidental death skyrockets in America, the poor and people of color end up bearing the brunt of the violence and blame, while the powerful use the excuse of the “accident” to avoid consequences for their actions."
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.
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.
How can local cities and residents use nature-basedadaptations to sea level rise? Watch recordings of our webinar series with SF Bay experts and please share with your local elected officials.
Blast from the Past! 2017.01.20, Enid Pearson Arastradero Preserve, Chapter Director's first outing with Loma Prieta Day Hiking Section: 19.74 miles, 3,415 ft elevation gain. See outings on our Chapter Calendar.
“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself.
Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.”
― Franklin D. Roosevelt
Thank you to our 2023 Guardians on Nature Benefit Sponsors
Sierra Nevada Sentinels
Mary Buxton
Ranae DeSantis Foundation
Anonymous
Yosemite Hero
Anonymous
Sequoia Champions
Gail Barton
Sue Chow
Nancy and David Crabbe
Gladwyn D'Souza
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo,
16th Congressional District
Sid and Linda Liebes
Larry L. Lundberg
Kelly Maas and Landa Robillard
County Supervisor Joe Simitian and
Mary Hughes
Baylands Stewards
Shawn and Lisa Britton
Brian Carr
Peter and Melanie Cross
Rick and Karen DeGolia
Mary Gill
Jeremy Minshull and
Caroline Horn
Arthur Keller
Ginny Laibl
Susan Lessin
Ruth Stoner Muzzin
Kim and Gordon Ray
Richard Simpson and
Ann Reisenauer
Enid Pearson and Emily Renzel
Johanna Schmid and Edward Reed
Jerry Hearn and Rebecca Reynolds
Bruce Rienzo
Lenny and Mike Roberts
Charles and Jaime Schafer
Mayor Pro Tem City of Morgan Hill Rene Spring
Diana Stark
