FAQ:
Question: Who is this Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) for?
Answer: Our ESP program is for everyone who wants to learn about critical environmental issues and participate in climate and
conservation actions. It is also for people who are already involved in the environmental movement--including elected officials and staff--because the topics that we will be presenting include cutting-edge ideas that are being currently debated and may well be implemented in the near future. So, this is a chance for everyone- including seasoned environmentalists and public officials--to get up to speed on current issues and play a role in shaping our future.
Question: I know that there are currently a number of similar programs offered by various environmental groups—most of them are very new and have little or no track record. What is the history of the Sierra Club’s ESP program, and do you have a track record of the results?
Answer: ESP was a program that ran for 7 years from 2013. The program was paused in 2020 because of the pandemic and resumed in 2023. And yes, we do have a track record, if by track record, you mean how it has impacted graduates. Some ESP alumni from previous years have gone on to become elected officials as well as local government staff and participants in sustainability/environmental commissions. Also, ESP alumni have become leaders in our Chapter, so you can say that our program has been a reliable leadership pipeline for the environmental community.
Question: I believe this program is in person. Will remote participation also be possible?
Answer: When we resumed the ESP program in 2023, it was offered as a webinar on Zoom. However, it is now returning to its original, in-person, format. It is clear that the relationships formed in the in-person, social setting of the ESP program are deeply valued by the participants and provide lasting benefits for advocates. There will NOT be recordings of our in-person seminars, in large part because many of the award-winning documentaries we will be showing are very new to cannot be circulated copyright free. In other words, you will NOT be able to access some of the films for free in the public domain.
Question: How much support will I have if I decide to embark on an advocacy project during the program?
Answer: Some participants take on projects while with the program. You will receive as much support as you would like to have. We can also assign a mentor to work with you. Just let us know what you need.
Question: If I attend all of the program meetings, will I receive a Sierra Club certificate at the end of the program?
Answer: Yes, you will. We understand that people may want to receive a certificate that officially acknowledges their participation in environmental advocacy, so we do offer a Sierra Club Environmental Advocacy certificate to members who attend most of the project meetings.
Question: If I would like to receive a certificate, do I have to attend all of the program meetings?
Answer: We hope you will be sufficiently interested, so that you will be eager to attend most of the meetings. All of the meetings are valuable opportunities for you to acquire the knowledge and skills that will enable you to become an effective environmental leader! But, of course, if you have an important scheduling conflict that prevents you from attending a particular meeting, or if something important comes up unexpectedly (such as illness), please let us know, and we will try our best to fill you in on the information that you missed. However, we would much prefer that you attend the meetings instead of relying on someone to convey information indirectly. If you attend all of the meetings, you will receive your certificate with distinction.
Question: I am over 60 years old, and I am also immune-compromised, so I was wondering if you have a masking policy, especially since Covid-19 is still around and studies show that one's chances of having serious health problems increase with each reinfection by the Covid-19 virus? I know that in cities like Seattle, some enclosed public places (such as museums) require masking 1 day each week and that has enabled a lot of people in my situation (seniors and folks with health issues) to participate.
Answer: We will have masks available, and we encourage people who want to decrease their chances of catching infections to wear masks, especially during the winter season when Covid and flu viruses spike. In other words, we don't have a rigid policy about having to wear a mask--at least not now-- but we will accomodate people and provide compostable masks, because studies show that masks are highly effective in preventing Covid and other infections.
Question: I have heard that the Sierra Club is the most famous environmental organization in the U.S. Can you tell me a bit more about the Sierra Club?
Answer: You are right—the Sierra Club is the most well-known environmental organization in the U.S. because it is the oldest (established in 1892) and largest organization that not only engages in important environmental advocacy work but also provides recreational opportunities such as hikes/outings. There are 60 chapters in the U.S. (13 in California) and the overall membership is approximately 3.8 million members and supporters. From the early 20th century on, the Sierra Club has notched many impressive accomplishments. Without the Sierra Club's advocacy successes, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and much of the Florida Everglades and Alaskan forests may have disappeared a long time ago. The Sierra Club also played a major role in pushing through landmark federal environmental legislation such as the ones that established the Wilderness Act (1964), Environmental Protection Agency (1970) and the Clean Water Act. (1977).
By joining the Environmental Stewardship Program and receiving a Sierra Club advocacy certificate, you will become part of America’s oldest and largest environmental organization known for its many conservation accomplishments and recreational opportunities.