Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Byron Sher, a remarkable environmental champion and a longtime public servant.
Byron’s legacy lives in many of the California environmental protections that safeguard our state’s people and nature. During his decades of public service, he authored numerous landmark environmental laws, including the California Clean Air Act, Integrated Waste Management Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act, and pioneered legislation promoting electronic waste recycling and preventing toxic contamination from leaking underground. He also championed stronger protections for forests, rivers, and lands affected by mining.
His extraordinary career spanned four decades as a teacher and five as a public servant. A longtime Stanford professor, he served on the Palo Alto City Council and represented our region as a California assemblymember and then senator.
We were grateful for the opportunity to recognize Mr. Sher during his lifetime and thank him for his service. We invite you to remember Byron Sher by revisiting our 2020 Guardians of Nature and watching the tribute video generously created by a Chapter volunteer, David Simon.