Karen moved to NC where she took a faculty position in the Biology Dept. at UNCG. During her 30 years in NC, she and her family hiked, biked, canoed, and backpacked throughout this beautiful state. She has been a contributor to Sierra Club for many years, mainly financially, and participated in a Sierra Club organized backpack trip in Yosemite National Park. About three years ago she and her husband got involved with the Piedmont Plateau Group of the Sierra Club. She has been impressed with the tireless efforts of a core group of members, who maintain the group. Her participation in Earth Day activities and the “Save Our Trees” effort made her realize even more that change and progress are achieved through action and personal effort. Karen served as Vice Chair and also received her outings leader certificate in 2022.

Marie has been a member of the Sierra Club for over 3 years. She is a retired registered nurse, an herbalist and currently working on her North Carolina Environmental Educator Certification. She is active in several environmental organizations including Haw River Water Assembly, NC Native Plant Society, Piedmont Area Vegan Educators and Plant Savers United. Her interests are in preserving water quality, preserving ecosystems with native plants and protecting biodiversity in North Carolina. Marie served on PPG’s Executive Committee as a stream conservation advisor and event/outings leader in 2022. She looks forward to serving as Vice Chair of the executive committee.

As a long-time member, Tom has previously served as program chair, chief fundraiser, the organizer for the group’s annual photo contest, and organizer of PPG’s Meet-up page. Tom is looking forward to scheduling several enjoyable hikes and kayak outings during 2023.

Linda started serving on PPG’s ExCom in 2012. As program chair, she has scheduled numerous relevant programs and organized holiday gatherings and picnics. Many kudos to Linda for offering to serve as PPG’s recording secretary! She invites all of you to join us for PPG’s virtual meetings and speaker series. Linda looks forward to scheduling many other exciting and informative programs in 2023. 

Don Henza has been involved with the Sierra Club for 35 years. From Rochester, NY to Anderson, SC he has been active as an Outings Leader. He was the SC Chapter Outings Chair for 4 years before moving to Greensboro with family. During the last 16 years he has been an adventure outings leader, Quartermaster and Assistant Scoutmaster for local BSA Troop 101. Recently becoming concerned with local water quality issues and the shrinking arboreal canopy that is so wonderful in Greensboro. He joined the Haw River Assembly and participated in the Sierra Club Greensboro City Council presentation, “Save Our Trees!”. He enjoys hiking and mountain biking on local trails with his Therapy Dog, Bella. He is also a member of BIG, BikeWalk NC, Mountains to Sea UHR Task Force, and the Piedmont Fat Tire Society.

Hazel has been a member of the Sierra Club for 24 years. She served as the Group’s vice-chair, Group chair, and head of the Sustainability Speakers’ Group from 2011 through 2013. While serving as Sustainability Chair in 2019, her committee changed its name to GreenTeamPPG and established a website. During her terms as Vice-Chair (2020) and Group Chair (2021-2022), Hazel was head of the research and development committee for the “Where Have All Our Forests Gone” Slideshow and manager of the “Save Our Trees” petition & AddUp Campaign. She also served as editor of the PPG's E-news in 2021 and 2022.

"Boots" was born and raised on a dairy farm in Maine. He served in the Navy and then completed college at Oregon State University in microbiology. He lived in several states before moving to North Carolina over 30 years ago. His family has hiked and backpacked throughout the country and highly value our public lands, clean air and water, and conservation. He’s been a member of the Sierra Club for many years but only recently got involved in the Piedmont Plateau Group. Boots is currently serving as PPG’s Membership Chair and plans to expand the membership team and bring in new members by advertising and promoting PPG's activities and goals to more people in the community.