MoValley Winners 2025

Statement of Mary Green

I have been a member of the Sierra Club for as long as I can remember—my parents took me and my siblings on Sierra Club hiking/camping trips in the Rockies and the Sierra mountains when we were children. (The trips used to be a very affordable way to have a family vacation 50+ years ago!) I joined the Sierra Club as an adult when I was just out of college and have been a member ever since.

Shortly after moving to Omaha in 1993, I attended my first MO Valley Group Sierra Club program (it was on EMFs and childhood cancer clusters) and at that meeting I inquired about additional SC programs—and I was asked to organize the programs! While I don’t know the date I officially started in that role, I have been doing that ever since—sometimes as an elected board member, and many years in an unelected volunteer capacity. I returned as an elected board member in 2023.

I have also served a few years on the NE Chapter Ex-Com in various roles, including a term as NE Chapter Chair. And before email changed the way we all communicate, for many years I organized our Sierra Club “Legislative Phone Tree.” I enjoy organizing our monthly programs, although we still haven’t fully recovered our momentum since Covid started.

My priorities are making sure we have good communication with our members about what we are doing, and how members and the public can get involved in helping improve our environment, both in our state and our world. Now more than ever, we need to hold our elected leaders accountable to making wise environmental choices to protect our planet.

I have a social work background, and spend a lot of time gardening, especially at the Dundee

Statement of Sharon Clawson

My husband and I have been members since the mid-70’s. I became intrigued hearing about this National Environmental Club while studying at UNL, and soon started attending meetings here in Omaha and became a member.

I have a master’s degree in Life Sciences from UNL and have 3 adult kids and 3 grandsons.

I was quite active with the Group and Chapter back then, working on getting the Niobrara designated a Wild and Scenic River, lobbying in Washington for the Alaska Lands Act, participating in and leading outings, and served in various leadership positions – Conservation Chair, Secretary, Vice Chair and Chair. I remember when the Chapter had active members and active Groups across the state, with Chapter meetings held in various parts of the state, often combined with a fun Outing. 

I took a break from being active in the late 90’s.  Then decided it was time to get started again in 2016 –you can probably guess why.  The last few years I have been active on the Political Committee, which I currently chair.  I will continue to be active if I’m elected to the MVG ExCom, and will remain active even if I’m not.  We need to stay involved in advocating for environmental regulations, for renewable energy and for ways to fight climate change.

Statement of Bruce Clawson

I grew up camping with my family and became a lifetime backpacker and passionate about our outdoors and preservation of the environment. With that, I have been a Sierra Club member for over four decades. I have been active with various committees in that time and currently serve on the Political Action Committee.

I have retired from being an attorney but am an active member of boards of directors and trustees. I am inspired by those in our Nebraska Sierra Club leadership and volunteers and would like to increase my participation in the health and success of our group in protecting the Earth that is so critical not only for our enjoyment but for our very existence.

We are at a critical point with so many environmental protections under attack and must do our part to be good conservationists. Our work is particularly critical in addressing local issues. It appears that the Sierra Club has lost membership nationally, we must strive to keep our Chapter and Groups healthy.  Nebraska has unique qualities to be protected.