Chapter Chair's Column

by Andy Sawyer - Mother Lode Chapter leaders recently met with Ben Jealous, the Sierra Club’s new executive director.

Ben is a longtime activist for equity, justice, and inclusion, having served as president and executive director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and president of People for the American Way, experience that will be invaluable in his new role. The Sierra Club recognizes that to protect the environment and achieve a sustainable future we must attain social justice and human rights.

Environment, Population, and Progress of the Sierra Club from White Privilege to Recognition of Indigenous People as Masters of Sustainability and Environmental Preservation

by Karen Gaia Pitts - I live in Sacramento, ancestral home of Maidu, Nisenan, Miwok and Me-Wuk Indians. Sacramento is also the location of Sutter’s Fort, and not far from where Sutter’s men discovered gold in 1848 in Coloma California.

When I visited Sutter's Fort with my grandchildren, nothing was said by the docents about the accusations of the "kidnapping, food privation, and slavery" that Sutter used to force Indians to work for him. Next to Fort Sutter is the Indian Museum, where you can learn about Ishi, the last surviving member of his tribe, the Yahi.

An Explosion of Distribution Warehouse Development in California: What is the Sierra Club Doing About It?

by Eric Parfrey - The growth of distribution warehouses has become an epidemic in southern California for the last decade. Now, the environmental impacts of increased air pollution from diesel truck emissions is being felt in the Sacramento region and in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties.

The Sierra Club is working to slow the growth and mitigate air quality and greenhouse gas concerns, with the help of State Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Air Resources Board.

Who Represents the River?

by Kent Mitchell - In 2018, the state Water Resources Control Board elicited input from the public and then published its draft of new regulations to protect the Delta. The draft stated that roughly 40% of natural river flows should make it to the Delta, and most into San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Local water districts and the city of San Francisco warned that the 2018 plan would take too much water from farm and city users. Governor Newsom bent to monied interests and discarded the 2018 plan. He urged the water districts and San Francisco to negotiate a compromise.

Trey and the Old Goats

by David Zelinsky -

Our friend, Trey Washburn, passed away this December.

His wife posted a picture of him as he would like to be remembered, wearing his old goats t-shirt, and with his back pack on.

The Old Goats, with a core group of five dads, would every year take a spring “shake down” backpacking trip, and then a longer, more serious, summer backpacking trip.

Announcements

The Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center is looking for Sierra Club members who would like to spend a week camping in Yosemite National Park to assist with interpretation. The YCHC is open from May 1 through September 30 from 10 am until 4 pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Volunteers receive free entrance into Yosemite National Park, free camping at the designated YCHC campsite, and have Monday and Tuesday to enjoy the Park. There are no accommodations for family members, friends or pets. All volunteers bring their own tents, food, and supplies. Contact Bonnie Gisel at Bonnie.Gisel@sierraclub.org or call 209 347-7300.

Did you know about our Environmental Justice in Tobacco Control Podcast!!

Listen in to our very first Podcast episode featuring Amanda Simpson, the projects Policy Analyst, and find out about tobacco control in California and how you can take action locally!!

Listen to the first episode here!!