February 2017 Chapter E-Newsletter

Mallows - Potomac National Marine Sanctuary will be the first new National Marine Sanctuary in nearly 20 years - and the first ever in the Chesapeake Bay!

Please support this nomination. Tell the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration you support Alternative D including the Mattawoman Creek and Chapman Forest shoreline with a visitors center in Indian head for fishing, recreation, education, research, and tourism.

Paste: "I strongly support Alternative D to be the expanded boundary of the Mallows Bay National Marine Sanctuary." into the NOAA comment site here.

Mattawoman Creek, Algonquin for "Where one goes pleasantly" photo by Jim Long, Mattawoman Watershed

Volunteer to make calls and enter data

Critical votes will be coming soon on multiple bills including fracking, antibiotics, energy efficiency, and the Forest Conservation Act.

Can you help make some phone calls? Let us know you can help call other Sierra Club members and supporters in key districts to ask them contact their legislators! Zack.Gerdes@mdsierra.org

Can you help enter data? We need 1600 Fracking Petitions data based! Laurel.Imlay@mdsierra.org

400 Attended Lobby Night 2017

We estimate an attendance of over 400 people from almost every legislative district in the state. Over 40 district captains, many first time volunteers, stepped up to lead their meetings. See photos on Facebook.

150 Fracktivists attended Western MDFracking-Ban Kick-Off

$fracking ban kick off 2.19.2017 by Jesse Wise$

The Western MD Fracking Ban Kick Off on February19th was quite a success! Over 150 attendees heard from many speakers, learned how to lobby their elected officials, posed for Don't Frack MD photos, made signs, and sang anti-fracking songs in preparation for the March 2nd March and Rally! More on our WMD Facebook page.

Help businesses comply with the Prince George's Styrofoam Ban

Prince George's Sierra Club Styrafoam Ban Training

Help monitor compliance with the Prince George's County ban on styrofoam food service containers! The ban went into effect in July 2016, but many businesses are still not aware. Join the team to brief businesses on the ban and monitor compliance at your local shopping center!
Contact: Martha.Ainsworth@mdsierra.org.

Hike Leaders in Training!

Outings Leader Training 101 practicing scenarios by Nick Yoder

15 people attended our Water Conservation Outings Leaders Training in February. We learned how to lead outings and trips with a clean water education component for the community. Interested in becoming a Sierra Club hike leader? Fill out the general volunteer survey here.

Follow us on Social Media

Social media is important to get our environmental message out. Help us continue to grow our social media following on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram !

Check our calendar
for upcoming hikes & events

Stewardship Weed Warrior Days

Helen Creek & Wildlife Preserve Bob Boxwell

2/25/2017 Piney Branch Piney Run Park in Carroll County 9 am -12 noon Details

2/25/2017 Mattingly Park on Mattawoman Creek in Charles County 9 am -12 noon Details

3/28/2017 Helen Creek and Wildlife Preserve in Calvert County 10 am -12 noon Details

More listings click here

3/2/17 March & Rally in Annapolis
to Ban Fracking in Maryland

On March 2nd, we're marching on Annapolis with one clear demand: ban fracking now. Join hundreds of Marylanders from across the state to show legislators just how powerful our movement is. We'll march through Annapolis and around the State House, then have a massive rally in Lawyers Mall. RSVP HERE & Sign up for bus seat.

If you can't make it out in person, share the fracking petition, particularly with friends and family in Frederick, Howard, and Baltimore County!

3/3/2017 Tour of Recycling Facility

Ever wonder where your curbside recyclables go and where they end up? Join us for a tour of the Prince George's County Materials Recycling Facility in Capitol Heights. County Environmental Planner Desmond Gladden and the facility's Senior Operations Manager, Jerald Boyd, will be on hand to answer your questions. Space is limited. Details

3/5/2017 Oregon Ridge Hike + Pancakes

Easy 5 mile hike, with some hills and stream crossings, optionally followed by pancakes. 9 am Details

3/6/2017 Free Film in Lexington Park

Join us at for a free public documentary screening of the acclaimed film "Groundswell Rising" to learn more about the reality of hydraulic fracturing, dangers for the future of our environment and public health. Learn how to get involved in the Don't Frack MD fight right here at home as well as other upcoming local environmental campaigns and outings. Details

4/29/2017 Peoples Climate March

The People's Climate Movement is seizing the first 100 days of the Trump Administration as our own and putting all of our energy toward stopping Trump's attacks on our climate, our communities, and our jobs and advance our vision of new American economy that protects our planet and people.

On Saturday, April 29 in Washington DC, we will come together for one massive march to bring our demands to the streets.

Let us know you're in, RSVP now.

We appreciate and depend on your donations large and small. Thank you so much for all your support for the SierraClub Maryland Chapter.

Thank you!