The 2021 legislative session experienced some big wins. COVID protocols morphed the Legislature into a virtual space, which made traditional lobbying more challenging, but allowed for more Sierra Club Maine volunteers to participate than ever before. Although we couldn’t physically get to legislators as easily, neither could industry lobbyists! Zoom allowed us to mobilize many more individuals to take action who otherwise would have had to drive to the State House to participate. We hope the Legislature will permit individuals to virtually participate in the future as it allowed democracy to flourish!
This year, we had our most engaged Legislative Team in Chapter history. Bolstered by the 2020 election, we had 23 active volunteers, more than ever before. Furthermore, 16 of these volunteers contributed to the Chapter’s 61 submitted pieces of testimony - the most testimony our Chapter has ever submitted. See all of our submitted testimony here. Out of the over 1,700 bills introduced, our team closely followed 200 bills.
Throughout the legislative session we organized advocacy trainings to empower our volunteers. These trainings, now available on our YouTube page, provided the skills and knowledge needed for volunteers to lobby their legislators and write testimony - many of whom had never done so in the past.
Thanks to the commitment of our volunteer Legislative Team, staff, lobbyist, and all of our members, 77 critical climate and environmental justice related bills that we supported have either passed or are expected to pass soon. Thank you for making this possible by clicking on our action alerts, calling your legislators, and sharing information on bills across social media and by word of mouth. By doing this you were able to influence decision makers and ensure the people’s voice was heard!
Chapter Supports Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Research
Offshore wind energy is urgently needed to combat the climate crisis and, therefore, Sierra Club Maine strongly supports the floating research turbine being tested off the coast of Monhegan. At the same time, Sierra Club Maine supports a vibrant, well-managed, and long-lasting fishing and lobstering industry in Maine. We adamantly believe these two groups can not only harmoniously exist, but need each other. The fact is, the gulf of Maine is one of the fastest warming bodies of water in the world and lobster cannot survive in waters 68 degrees or warmer. We need offshore wind to combat the climate crisis, to save the Gulf of Maine, and our fishing industry.
Do you want to make a meaningful difference by helping Sierra Club Maine ensure a clean and just economy, elect pro-environment candidates, and protect Maine’s woods and waters for generations to come? Consider serving as a member of Sierra Club Maine’s Executive Committee. The committee sets the Chapter’s priorities, goals, and strategies which directly impact our state.
Committee positions are available to all Sierra Club members. If you’re a member (or know a member) with an interest in supporting Sierra Club’s work in Maine, please complete this form by August 3rd. The Sierra Club is committed to seeking a diverse pool of candidates and encourages members from any geographical region in Maine, background, race, gender, age, or identity to apply.
Sierra Club Maine Outing Part of National Pilot Program
By Tomas Dundzila, Outings Team Volunteer
Sierra Club Maine was selected by the national office in May to participate in an outings pilot program to assess safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Memorial Day, five masked members of the Chapter met in Portland for a three-mile hike through Oat Nuts Park and Presumpscot River Preserve to enjoy the outdoors, discuss the conservation efforts that led to preserving these urban areas, and provide COVID-19 protocol feedback to the national office.
The history of Oat Nuts Park is unique. In 1902 a Boston-based food company placed ads in a local newspaper to promote Oat Nuts cereal. Customers that collected five box tops and paid $2 would receive deeded land in northern Portland. The plots were too small to build on, but property taxes were due each year. As owners abandoned the lots, leans were placed on much of the land and they eventually became the City of Portland’s property. In 2018 the city purchased the last nine plots to protect water quality in the nearby Presumpscot River, preserve a buffer between the park and residences, and enhance the open spaces. Oat Nuts Park is relatively narrow, but a vital part of Portland’s greenspace.
Calling all photographers! Sierra Club Maine is seeking photos from across the state to feature in our marketing materials. From social media posts, to our annual calendar and more—your photo could be featured! Professionals and amateurs alike are encouraged to submit images of Maine landscapes, nature, and wildlife. Don’t wait—photos for consideration in our 2022 calendar are due July 15th! Submit your photo here.
Warmer weather is here and folks are actively getting their hands dirty and working in their gardens. When planting flowers, remember – go native! Native plants are crucial for our environment, especially in the face of the climate crisis and biodiversity loss.
As our friends at the Wild Seed Project explain, “native plants grown from seed:
Provide habitat that supports populations of butterflies, bees, birds and all forms of life.
Make our landscapes more adaptable to future environmental stressors due to climate change, like temperature swings, drought, flooding and pest outbreaks.
Signal a region’s unique character, imbuing a sense of place and beauty.”
Take action to urge Senator Collins to support the For the People Act (S1/HR1)! This is a powerful bill that would protect our freedom to vote, help get big money out of our politics, stop partisan and racial gerrymandering, and hold the government to a high ethical standard.
Advocating for the Environment is one of the first environmental books to focus on advocacy and policy-based solutions, arming readers with the tools they need to take action and enact change. To order: check your local bookstore or purchase from Penguin Random House or Amazon.
Prof. Rich Borden will interview Author Susan Inches live on stage at COA. They will discuss Inches’ new book, Advocating for the Environment, How to Gather Your Power and Take Action. Their conversation will focus on how people can come together to build a better future.
