Loma Prieta Chapter eNewsletter: December, Volume 1
December 15, 2025
For generations, people have turned to the Sierra Club because they believe in protecting nature and the natural places we love, and ensuring a livable future. From the founding of our National Parks system to today’s fights for clean energy and climate justice, members join to be part of something bigger: a movement that blends conservation, community, and action.
The Loma Prieta Chapter is proud to be one of the first and most active chapters in the nation because of members like you. Your support of volunteers with dedication have fueled strong environmental victories, from protecting our local ecosystems to advocating for policies that safeguard the planet for future generations.
In this issue, we highlight the many ways your support is making a difference and how you can become involved today.
Support the Work That Protects Our Planet, by Casting Your Vote Today! Votes must be received by December 15th.
YOU Can Make a Difference. Read How Here.
► Vote in Chapter elections by December 15th.
► Consider a year-end gift to help shape a healthier future for our region.
► Write your state legislators to support AB1083.
► Learn about wildfire gardening and ignition resistant homes at our Forest Protection Forum.
► Take a hike! See the comprehensive list of Chapter activities available through mid-January.
Your Vote Must be Received by December 15th for Chapter and Regional Group Executive Committes
Each year, your Loma Prieta Chapter volunteers contribute tens of thousands of hours to successfully protect the natural places we love, from public education campaigns to advocating for many climate solutions. Their dedication keeps your local Chapter vibrant and effective.
Now it’s your turn to support Chapter volunteers and our local environment, by voting for candidates that you believe will best fulfill the Sierra Club's mission.
You should have received your mail-in ballot before November 15th.
Chapter Executive Committee votes must be received by December 15th. Please vote early, and don’t forget to sign your ballot so your vote counts!
Save your envelope! It has your membership number and group number too! You need these when you complete the ballot.
Together we can continue the vital work of protecting our planet and our future.
Your Year-End Gift Shapes What We Can Achieve Together
By now, or very soon, you should receive our year-end letter inviting you to help shape a healthier future for our region. If you’ve already made your gift, thank you; your generosity is already protecting the places and wildlife we all cherish. If you haven’t yet had a chance to give and prefer not to wait for the letter, you can donate directly here.
70% of our Chapter’s budget comes from individuals like you, so your support holds an extraordinary power to create tangible change.
Thank you for being a member of our community and for the positive impact you make possible.
Action Item: Support Assembly Bill 1083 (AB1083): Contact your state legislators
Assembly Bill 1083 (AB1083) will be introduced later this month. This bill is known as a “clean up bill” as it will mitigate the worst effects of SB131, which was just passed during the 2025 legislative session.
Senate Bill (SB131), a bill pushed by housing advocacy groups and Big Tech, will exempt many highly-polluting “advanced manufacturing” facilities from environmental review, even facilities that have emissions that are known to be toxic.
Please write or call your state legislators. A simple message like “Please protect our environment and our health by supporting AB1083” would suffice. Learn more about supporting AB 1083.
Forest Protection Forum
“Living with Fast Fires through Wildfire Gardening and Ignition Resistant Homes” December 15th, 4:00 pm Presented by Ralph Bloemers
Understand the dominant factors in community loss, properly define the problem, and the solutions will follow. Misapprehend the problem, pursue legacy solutions and continue to lose communities. Join us for a presentation of fast fires and the mitigations that matter to prevent conflagration. Engage in dialogue about how we support the culture change we want and need to live with fire. Learn more about the Forum.
Call Your California Senator to Urge Them to Vote NO on "Sell Off Steve" Pearce
Trump has nominated former New Mexico Rep. Steve Pearce to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), despite his long record of undermining public land access, pushing for land sell-offs, and supporting expanded drilling. His nomination will go before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Sen. Mike Lee, who earlier this year proposed a major public land sell-off before bipartisan backlash forced him to withdraw it.
The hearing has not yet been scheduled, but is expected sometime in January.
How Do We Adapt to and Prepare for Sea Level Rise?
In our most recent article we focused on the hidden threats from sea level rise. Now, we’re going to focus on how we need to adapt to and prepare for sea level rise.
While there are no true solutions, there are ways for us to adapt in preparation for and with sea level rise in order to minimize the risks and impacts to the Bay itself and our communities, especially our most vulnerable communities. The two types of adaptations that the Bay Alive Campaign supports and recommends are natural and nature-based solutions.
However, what does this mean? What are natural and nature-based solutions? Natural and nature-based solutions (NNBS) utilize nature itself to protect against shoreline erosion, buffer against storm surge, and absorb unwanted inundation. NNBS provide flood resilience for our communities while also creating conditions for our natural ecosystems to adapt and survive. In the long run they can be cheaper than man-made structures such as sea walls, because they can naturally adapt to changing conditions, and they often offer more benefits to communities. Read the full article.
IN THE NEWS Redwood Shores: There's No Place Like Home
"As the holidays grace our homes and we share feasts, gifts, and visits with friends and family, we also share our knowledge that Redwood Shores is more than a neighborhood — it’s a living, breathing symphony of nature. Each morning begins with a chorus of shorebirds, their cheerful chatter rising with the sun. Te Bay stretches out before us, changing hues as the day unfolds. Te breezes carry whispers of salt and calm, reminding us that we live at the gentle edge between land and sea." Read the full article "Redwood Shores: There's No Place Like Home."
COMMENT LETTER Request for Amendments to 1548 Maple Street Development and Subdivision Agreements
"Since this project was originally proposed and permitted, the regulatory and environmental landscape has changed substantially, particularly for shoreline-adjacent parcels such as this one bordering Redwood Creek. This stretch of Redwood Creek is tidal and already experiences flooding from both storm-driven creek flows and storm drain discharges, as well as Bay storm surges and rising high tides. In addition, rising ground water is of concern. Newly enacted legislation now places additional responsibilities on both the City and the applicant with respect to sea level rise adaptation. In October 2023, SB 272 was passed, requiring all California cities to develop Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plans that meet BCDC standards. In December 2024, BCDC adopted the Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan, establishing clear guidelines and expectations for all Bay Area jurisdictions. Any extension of entitlements for shoreline developments should reasonably align with these updated requirements."
Sea Level Rise Webinar Series
Learn how nature can help 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.
What Does Your Chapter Executive Committee Do? Watch This Short Video then Please Vote to Show Your Appreciation!
What is Outdoor RX?
It's what we call the Healing Power of Nature. And it's what your very own Loma Prieta Chapter brings to veterans all over the Bay Area. We are honored to be part of a special program that offers outdoor experiences to veterans and their family members. The goal of Sierra Club Military Outdoors (SCMO) is to improve the lives of veterans and their family members via outdoor activities and to foster camaraderie, connection, and community.
Our recent visit to the US Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model to celebrate Veterans Day is a heartwarming example of bringing veterans together in a way that enriches lives and touches hearts. Learn more about Loma Prieta's Military Outdoors.
The Pescadero Creek County Park Climate and Habitat Resiliency Plan
Pescadero Creek County Park is a 5,943-acre park located in the Pescadero Creek Watershed near the town of Loma Mar, CA. The characteristics of the park are largely shaped by a history of extensive logging, especially during the mid-20th century, when much of its land was actively harvested for, primarily, redwood and Douglas fir.
In addition, the park has faced extended periods of drought, overly aggressive land development, misguided wildfire management practices, diseases, and the impacts of climate change.
In response to the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire, which burned over 2,800 acres of the park, the Pescadero Creek Climate & Habitat Resiliency Plan was developed. The plan “focuses on nurturing Pescadero Creek Park’s native species, habitats, and ecosystems to cultivate a forest that is more resilient to climate change and landscape events, such as disease and fire.”Learn more about the Climate and Habitat Resiliency Plan.
Loma Prieta Chapter Celebrates Three 2025 Leadership Awards from Sierra Club California
We are thrilled to share that three leaders within the Loma Prieta Chapter have been selected for this year's Sierra Club California Leadership Awards! Sue Chow, Peninsula Regional Group Chair and Environmental Stewardship Program Co-lead, received the Legislative Advocacy Award, for an individual who has served Sierra Club California in an area of legislative advocacy.
Justyna Lesniewska-Guterman, Chapter Development Coordinator, received the California Staff Excellence Award, for a paid staff member who has served the Sierra Club in California.
Finally, Kristen Lee, Forest Protection Committee Member and Stop Clearcutting CA Representative, received the California Public Lands Activist Award, for an individual who has served Sierra Club California in public lands activism or a person who has made a significant contribution to state parks in California. Congratulations Sue, Justyna, and Kristen!
"The Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance and the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter support the adoption of Palo Alto’s Dark Sky (Outdoor Lighting) Ordinance, and suggest a few critical corrections. We appreciate the extensive work by City staff, and the clear direction from the Planning and Transportation Commission and Council to develop a measure that protects migratory birds, nocturnal wildlife, and human health while conserving energy and restoring the City’s night sky. The ordinance follows best practices from DarkSky International and the Illuminating Engineering Society by ensuring that lighting is shielded, directed, and used only where and when needed. Please consider incorporating the following five requests. We have made changes in blue since our November 10th letter to the City Council on this subject."
BAWSCA’s Water Demand Model: Concerns and Opportunities for Collaboration
"Thank you for this opportunity to comment to the Policy Committee on BAWSCA’s water demand model (the Decision Support System, or DSS). While much work by experienced industry professionals has gone into developing the DSS model, we strongly believe that past performance data needs to be recognized and included in the model. The current DSS ignores BAWSCA members’ track record of conservation. We believe a more nuanced, evidence-based view of demand will allow better management of the Tuolumne River and its ecosystem—as well as preserve water affordability for ratepayers. This memo outlines our concerns and presents opportunities for collaboration."
Sailing Lake Habitat Island Restoration Alternative 2
"The Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance, Green Spaces Mountain View, Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, and Green Foothills strongly support staff’s recommendation to approve Habitat Island Restoration Alternative 2 (Repair Eroded Slopes and Expand Island Size) and Barrier Improvement Alternative C (Drilled Wooden Piles) for the Sailing Lake Habitat Island project. The island supports critical nesting and roosting habitat for sensitive and declining species, including Black Skimmers, Forster’s Terns, American Avocets, and Black-necked Stilts, making its protection a high priority for our members. We appreciate that Alternative 2 clearly advances ecological goals by restoring and expanding the island footprint, improving slopes to enhance fledgling survival, incorporating native and structurally diverse habitat features, and reducing ongoing erosion. These actions will strengthen shoreline biodiversity and long-term habitat resilience."
"In reviewing the letter sent by Stanford University to the City, the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter has some responses that are relevant to consider as Council deliberates on topics raised by this ordinance. 1. Safety concerns regarding motion sensor outdoor lighting are already addressed by the ordinance [...] 2. The lighting levels established by the ordinance offer sufficient lighting for public safety, and avoid the hazards of glare caused by overly bright and ‘cool’ lighting. [...] 3. The ordinance as written establishes clear precedence for state and federal laws."
Letter From Executive Director Loren Blackford on Recent New York Times Coverage
"I know many of you are reeling right now, inundated with questions from friends and supporters who read the New York Times article. Some find the article to be a vindication, a wake-up call, or a learning opportunity. I strongly believe in the importance of learning from what has worked and what hasn’t and constantly evolving to meet the moment. Our ability to do so has made Sierra Club the vibrant, powerful organization it has been for over 130 years and we are not stopping now! We must learn, heal and adapt to move past some difficult years, face some of the greatest challenges we’ve known, and together build a future worth being part of." Read the full letter.
Sign the Petition to Save San Bruno Mountain
A massive threat looms over one of our most cherished natural treasures. San Bruno Mountain is not just any mountain, it is a sanctuary for endangered butterflies, a haven for rare plants, and a refuge of unparalleled ecological significance. The proposed project threatens to unravel the delicate balance of this natural treasure, and we urge you to take action to protect it.
The City of Brisbane is considering a plan to build a massive 1.3 million-square-foot warehouse, 100 feet tall, right in the heart of San Bruno Mountain, at the historic Guadalupe Quarry.
This industrial facility would bring hundreds of workers (1,500!) and an incredible amount of traffic through our city and into the heart of sensitive habitat. Sign the petition today.
The Mercury News: Water District Picks Five Projects Totaling $3.9 Billion to Boost Water Supplies by 2050
"“The Delta tunnel is a huge mega-project like high speed rail,” said Katja Irvin, with the Sierra Club’s Loma Prieta chapter. “It’s going to continue to have problems. The cost is going to continue to go up. It’s unclear if water agencies are ever going to want to pony up to pay for it.”
With the state goal to conserve 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030 (30x30) and increased interest in conservation in the Diablo Range, members of the Sierra Club California/Nevada Wilderness Team took a three-day study trip through part of this vast mountain area which has tremendous potential to contribute to the 30x30 goal. The purpose was to better understand the value of the landscapes in the central Diablo Range, and the potential for greater conservation. Currently, only 28 percent of this landscape has any protection. Read the full Diablo Range exploratory trip report.
In the Community
Cleanups (December 14th and 20th), and Restoration (December 21st) from our friends at Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful.
California loves a good rivalry—Bay Area versus Los Angeles, north versus south, mountains versus coast. Most of the time, it’s all in good fun. But when that rivalry enters into water discussions, it stops being playful and becomes a problem. The debate over the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta has too often been seen as one part of the state hoarding water while another goes thirsty. In truth, the situation is much simpler—and more interconnected. Protecting the Delta benefits everyone, no matter where they live.
Your connection: Read this Southern California perspective about their reliance on exported water from the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta. The truth is that when it comes to water, most Bay Area counties are in the same boat as SoCal and we need to conserve and recycle water and question efforts to continue excessive diversions that decimate the Delta and San Francisco Bay ecosystems.
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.
“Look underfoot. You are always nearer to the true sources of your power than you think. The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are. Don't despise your own place and hour. Every place is the center of the world.” John Burroughs
2025.10.25 Chapter Director joined Day Hiking Section in Joseph Grant County Park: 15 miles, 3000 ft gain.
