YOU Can Make a Difference; Read How in This eNewsletter
► See our recommendations for Sierra Club's Board of Directors elections.
► Attend our Environmental Stewardship Program and learn about our 30 x 30 and Light Pollution efforts.
► Register for the Bay Alive webinar on March 20th and learn how you can help locally.
► Learn how sea level rise spreads toxins.
► Attend our Wilderness First Aid Course for certification by the National Association for Search and Rescue.
► Take a hike! See the comprehensive list of Chapter activities available through March.
Sierra Club's Board of Directors
The Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter recommends a vote for Chad Hanson, Maya Khosla, Nancy Muse and Igor Tregub in the upcoming election for the Sierra Club’s Board of Directors.
The exact closing date for the election is 12:00 PM Eastern Time (noon) on April 23, 2025. Please be on the alert for your paper or email ballot.
Ben Jealous, Sierra Club Executive Director, is Coming to Stanford
"Defending Justice, Protecting Our Planet, and Building an Economy for All" March 10th Doors open 3:00 pm, Lecture 3:30 pm Reception to follow
In his keynote, Defending Justice, Protecting Our Planet, and Building an Economy for All, Ben Jealous will examine how the current political landscape and policies affect vulnerable communities, and our country’s role in protecting the planet. He will discuss the need to prioritize American families and their health and their wallets. He will also examine how staying steadfast to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as human dignity, is intimately connected with creating solutions to address the climate crisis and transitioning to the clean energy economy. Through a clear and well articulated commitment to addressing climate goals, Americans can come together to create an economy that truly works for all people and lifts all boats. Learn more and register.
The 30 x 30 Program: A Shared Roadmap to a Nature-Positive Future A bold vision for the future of biodiversity and the climate crisis for California and our local chapter. Speaker: Shruti Chandrasekhar, 30x30
Light at Night: A Glowing Hazard, Dark Skies and Bird Safety The damaging effects of light pollution harms all living beings across the spectrum of biodiversity including humans, birds and insects. Artificial light at night dilutes our view of the night sky, swallowing stars and planets alike. Speakers: Dashiel Leeds, Loma Prieta Chapter Conservation Coordinator and Shani Kleinhaus, Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance
Sierra Club California Statement on Newsom’s Suspension of CEQA and Coastal Act
"Over the weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom surprised the public and environmental experts with the release of an emergency proclamation related to wildfire preparation activities in California’s wild lands.
The order suspends a range of laws, including but not limited to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act. The suspension is made for broadly defined “critical fuels reduction projects”."
Help Save the Monarch Butterfly
With its iconic orange and black markings, the monarch butterfly is one of North America's most recognizable and loved species. Yet the entire population of monarch butterflies is at serious risk of extinction due to habitat destruction from pesticides, irresponsible development, and climate change.
Remembering Mike Flaugher, Milpitas Open Space Authority Director
"Mike was a statesman in the best sense and he used his positions of authority to solve problems rather than for self aggrandizement," said Dave Poeschel, former Loma Prieta Chapter Open Space Committee Chair and member of Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority Citizens Advisory Committee. "I was always comfortable bringing my interests and concerns to him since he was very approachable and didn't build a defensive wall like some. He would always listen and apply his problem solving skills -- perhaps developed in his career in technology -- as best he could. He enjoyed working "in the trenches" and it was not unusual to run into him in the day to day work events in the conservation field and civic affairs." Read more about Mike Flaugher.
The Bay is Rising, Let's Rise to the Challenge Together!
Join our sea level rise action network to help safeguard our Bay communities and precious ecosystems before it’s too late.
In December 2024, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) adopted the Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan (RSAP), a comprehensive framework to guide sea level rise planning for the entire Bay Area. This plan establishes robust regional guidelines and standards that local jurisdictions must follow to access prioritized state funding.
Now, it’s up to us to ensure that our communities implement the RSAP effectively to turn this strong plan into reality. Please join us on March 20 for our webinar "The Bay is Rising, Let's Rise to the Challenge Together!" to kick off this crucial campaign. Learn why the RSAP is so important, our key priorities for sea level rise adaptation, and how you can take action in your own community. As part of our sea level rise action network, you’ll receive tools and training to effectively advocate and take action locally to ensure strong, effective, and coordinated sea level rise adaptation all around the Bay.
BLOG ARTICLE The Threat From Beneath: How Sea Level Rise Spreads Toxins
San Francisco hides a dirty secret: toxic waste. Thousands of toxic sites have been identified around the Bay Area. As the public began to realize the volume and toxicity of industrial waste nationwide, state agencies and the EPA developed standards and methods for cleaning contaminated sites. Early cleanup methods used "capping," containing contaminated material in a pit with a concrete or asphalt “cap” installed over the area. Enter sea level rise. Learn about the threat of sea level rise spreading toxins.
COMMENT LETTERS
Scope and Timeline of Sea Level Rise Protection Efforts in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties
"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) decision to indefinitely postpone action in the Phase II area of Project E7 heightens the urgency of pursuing alternative strategies to protect critical shoreline assets. However, the proposed modifications to Project E7 and the previously agendized reallocation of Phase II funds risk excluding Environmental Impact Areas (EIAs) 1-4 from the benefits promised under this voter-approved local tax. Valley Water must ensure that the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program continues to direct substantial investments toward flood resilience projects in EIAs 1-4, as originally intended."
Draft Removal Action Workplan for the Harbor View Property Site in Redwood City, CA
"We have concerns that the RAW Alternative 4, recommended by the authors and preferred by DTSC, may not be protective against future human and Bay ecosystem exposure to asbestos-containing material (ACM) in the face of flooding or groundwater rise. Although the proposed plan will prevent near-term inhalation or dermal exposures by use of a clean soil layer and impermeable surfaces, and will require a land use covenant (LUC) to prevent future removal of the cap layer, there are uncertainties related to the potential for ACM to travel in flood water or groundwater. We also have concerns related to the proposal to move soil around the site without testing the excavated material for ACM content, increasing the risks of worker and offsite inhalation exposure from the earth-moving operations. We recommend the following changes to the plan."
Sea Level Rise Webinar Series
Learn how nature can help us fight sea level rise with cost-effective and sustainable solutions. Watch recordings of our webinar series with SF Bay experts and please share with your local elected officials.
Help Protect the Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes designating 760,071 acres in California as critical habitat for four distinct population segments of the foothill yellow-legged frog. The species is threatened by habitat degradation, climate change, and invasive species. Critical habitat includes streams and upland areas essential for survival and recovery, with half on federally managed lands. Efforts to balance conservation with wildfire risk reduction and water infrastructure operations are ongoing. Please comment by March 17, 2025.
Basic/Wilderness First Aid Course
Saturday, March 22nd Sunday, March 23rd 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) Basic Wilderness First Aid: Saturday only; $50 for Sierra Club members; $60 for non-members. 2) Wilderness First Aid: both days; $80 for Sierra Club members; $100 for non-members. Register today.
COMMENT LETTERS
Opposition to Removal of Two Coast Live Oak Trees at 5131 Ishimatsu Place
"The Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter and the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance strongly oppose the proposed removal of two mature Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) trees located at 5131 Ishimatsu Place, as detailed in the arborist report prepared by A Plus Tree LLC. These trees provide significant ecological, aesthetic, and community benefits, and their removal should be reconsidered in light of their continued viability and importance."
Response to City Manager’s Reply to the Boulware Park Sierra Club Comment
"Although we appreciate the promptness of the Boulware Park response from your staff we must express our disappointment with what we regard as the essence of that response. Artificial turf is not a perfectly acceptable alternative in the departmental toolbox requiring no analysis or notification to commissions or neighbors. It is controversial from a health standpoint and has been so for decades. Controversial materials should not be made known to neighbors only by its installation."
During 2019 and through 2021 there were multiple Community Meetings to discuss the upcoming project, and Community feedback was solicited and recorded. In 2022 Staff changed those plans apparently without contacting anyone from the Community or Council. Specifically, “mulch” in the planned dog park was replaced with “synthetic turf.” More egregiously, “synthetic turf” was added to the Boulware children’s playground area, previously assumed by the community to be natural grass. The City should remove synthetic turf from Boulware Park. It was never the public intention to allow plastic grass anywhere in the park but it appears to have been added in the final plan, somewhat surreptitiously, and in several areas.
Avroh Shah is Bay Nature's 2025 Local Hero Young Leader
Our Conservation leaders are fortunate to work with youth who are passionate, talented, and proactive in their advocacy for nature and the future of our planet. We are very pleased to see our friend Avroh Shah of the Palo Alto Student Climate Coalition selected as Bay Nature's 2025 Young Leader! Avroh brought together a diverse community that together, successfully averted the expansion of the airport into the Palo Alto Baylands, and continues to advocate for the environment.
Avroh will receive an award at Bay Nature’s 15th Local Hero Awards on Sunday, April 6. We hope you will be there to congratulate this outstanding local hero! For more information and to purchase tickets, see Bay Nature 2025 Local Hero Awards.
Protect California Water
Tell Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta to protect California water from the Trump Administration!
President Donald Trump has instructed the federal government to exert control over California’s water systems and we need your help in demanding that Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta stand up to him!
Join the 2025 Basic Backpacking Course in April! Learn the essentials of safe and enjoyable backcountry travel, including the gear, skills, and planning required to be responsible stewards of our precious wilderness ecosystems. The course consists of four Wednesday online sessions; an in-person Saturday demonstration and training hike; and overnight backpacking trips to Henry Coe State Park in May and the Sierra Nevada in June! Basic Backpacking has been offered by the Loma Prieta Chapter for over five decades. The class always fills up quickly, so act fast. Learn more and register.
Packaging waste is everywhere and plastic plays a large role. Eventually all plastic waste breaks down into micro and nano plastics, contaminating the entire earth. Nearly every package in our pantries is either plastic or contains a plastic liner, which is why we were so excited when with the rice flour box pictured above. No plastic! Not even an inner liner! Perfect. The next step is to tell other companies to fix their packaging. Come join us as the Plastic Pollution Prevention Committee works to eliminate unnecessary plastic!
In the Community
Cleanups (March 15th and 30th), Planting (March 16th) and Naturalist Training (March 19th), and BioBlitz (March 22nd) from our friends at Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful.
We were proud to celebrate Joe Simitian as our 2018 Guardians of Nature Honoree. Watch our tribute video.
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.
March is Women's History Month March 1, 1872: Yellowstone established as first National Park, by President Grant
In the year Loma Prieta Chapter was founded: 1933 March 2: the original film version of King Kong, starring Fay Wray, premieres at Radio City Music Hall and the RKO Roxy Theatre in New York City March 4: U.S. President Herbert Hoover was succeeded by Franklin D. Roosevelt. Frances Perkins becomes United States Secretary of Labor, and the first female member of the United States Cabinet. March 13: birth of Mike Stoller, songwriter March 14: birth of Quincy Jones, music producer and composer March 15: birth of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States _________________________________________________________________________________
“He who hears the rippling of rivers in these degenerate days will not utterly despair.” - Henry David Thoreau
2017.11.24 Chapter Director joined Loma Prieta Singleaires (now Pathfinders) Hiking Section in Big Basin State Park.
