Sierra Club has long been recognized as one of the country's most influential environmental groups. The Catoctin Group focuses on issues affecting Frederick and Carroll Counties, which can be at the local, state or federal level. We lobby for environmental protections and against any proposals that would roll back the protections that we currently enjoy. We work to educate leaders and the public about environmental issues in order to promote environmental leadership.
In addition to policies, our elected officials are a critical piece of the process of protecting the environment. We need to try to make sure we elect federal, state and local officials who prioritize environmental issues. Sierra Club Catoctin Group has a political committee that can interview candidates to determine if their views warrant an endorsement from the Catoctin Group. If you are interested in being a part of this process, please contact us!
2026 Maryland General Assembly
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On Thursday, February 5th at 7 PM we will hold our virtual Lobby Night Kick-off where we will share our legislative agenda and you will meet with other Sierra Club members in your district to prepare for your Lobby Night meetings. Then on Monday, February 9th (4-8 PM) we will hold our annual Lobby Night in person in Annapolis, where you will have an opportunity to meet with your district’s state legislators. We are asking everyone who plans to attend Lobby Night to also join the Kick-off event on February 5th. |
This year we will be lobbying on priority bills to:
🌎 Enact a statewide recycling-refund and litter reduction program for beverage containers (“Bottle Bill”), that would reduce beverage container litter and plastic pollution, capture at least 90% of the beverage containers sold in the state for recycling, increase the availability of food-grade materials for recycled content, reduce costs for local governments, and would be paid for by beverage producers, not taxpayers.
🚉 Shift investments away from highway expansion to more affordable and clean transportation choices including public transit, walking, and biking (“Transportation and Climate Alignment Act”).
🌟 Protect funding for environmental programs in the State's budget. These include the Strategic Energy Investment Fund that makes utility bills more affordable for low-income households while reducing emissions and Program Open Space that promotes conservation of Maryland's undeveloped lands and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Please mark your calendars! Maryland is counting on YOU to secure a greener future for our state. RSVP for Lobby Night here!
If you are unable to participate in any Lobby Night but would like to get involved in the future, click the Join button above, or go to our Contact page to send us a message! And stay informed on local actions you can take. Check back frequently on both this page and our Frederick and Carroll County Development Issues and Zero Waste pages. We are ramping up efforts once again to get the Beverage Container Deposit Bill across the finish line this year, and we can use all the help we can get!
Local Elections in Carroll and Frederick County
2026 is the year for mid-term elections, so we will be voting for our State and Federal representatives to the MD General Assembly and US Congress. In addition, counties and municipalities may have other elected positions to fill, such as State's Attorney, School Board, County Commissioners or Executives, etc.
You may think your local officials aren't as important as your Federal government representatives, but these officials can have a big impact on your daily life. If you care about climate change, zero waste, protecting outdoor spaces, and many other environmental issues, electing officials who also care about these issues is important. They can set the tone for change at the state or even national level. So we urge you to get involved!
If you live in an incorporated town, check your town government's website for more details about dates and deadlines for candidates to file. Make your voice heard by attending meetings and getting to know the candidates, or you might want to throw your own hat in the ring and run for office.