Vinny Spotleson, 702 285-6588, vinny.spotleson@gmail.com
Olivia Tanager, 504-400-3113, olivia.tanager@sierraclub.org
Amy Dominguez, 801-928-9157, amy.dominguez@sierraclub.org
Reno, NV – The Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter is thrilled to announce Olivia Tanager as the newly selected Chapter Director. Olivia assumed her role in March, and brings knowledge, experience, and perspective to the role. The Sierra Club’s Toiyabe Chapter covers Nevada, the Tahoe area, and Mono and Inyo counties in California.
As a resident of Reno, Olivia has seen firsthand the impacts of climate change, lack of transportation infrastructure, and problems caused by urban sprawl. In her previous role as Environmental Justice Program Manager with the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN), Olivia worked with communities most impacted by climate change and worked to support the clean energy transition in Nevada. Before joining PLAN, Olivia was employed by the Bureau of Land Management and brings a background in environmental science, ecology, geology, and public policy to her advocacy work.
Climate change is top of mind for Nevadans. With Reno being America's fastest warming city, and Las Vegas the second, bold climate action from Nevada is absolutely critical. The Toiyabe Chapter is fighting for increased access to clean energy and rooftop solar for all communities in Nevada and the Great Basin, not just wealthy ones. The Chapter is also working on expanding public transportation, as well as land and water protection efforts across the region.
“We are at a critical juncture here in the west,” said Olivia Tanager, Chapter Director for the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter. “If my future children are going to have a shot at a livable planet, heck if I will, we need to decarbonize quickly. We only get one shot at the energy transition, and we have to do it in a way that minimizes harm to communities, human and nonhuman, and we have to do it now. The Toiyabe Chapter is well positioned to bring the boldness and knowledge needed to move us in the right direction. We must get candidates in office from city council to the Senate who will prioritize climate action and conservation, and work with people in power to move our priorities forward. The Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter is the largest grassroots environmental organization in Nevada, and we plan to use our people power for the betterment of our collective future.”
“We are confident that under Olivia’s leadership, Sierra Club will grow into an even more potent force to advocate for solar in our cities, a clean and efficient mass transit system, and the conservation of our beautiful natural areas," said Vinny Spotleson, Toiyabe Chapter Executive Committee Chair.
###
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.