More than 65 Sierra Club members and guests came to the Napa Group’s second annual “Meet and Greet” social gathering on November 14th at Skyline Park Hall in Napa. Attendees were treated to an evening of food, environmental presentations and music in a relaxed atmosphere. (All photo credits: Jeff Vander Stucken.)
The Napa Group Executive Committee, including Nick Cheranich, Group Chair and Communications Director, Scott Thomason, Treasurer, Rich Richardson, Robert Raven and Paulina Viera Zambrano, Conservation Committee Chair, worked with a local catering company—Jujus—and several vineyards which donated three cases of wine--to make sure our guests were well-treated and well-fed. Live music was provided by saxophone artist Ashley Jemison of Oakland.
Ms. Zambrano, a Latina student at Napa Community College, emceed the evening and spoke of the importance of protecting and preserving the environment and what that means to her.
“The event was a success,” said Ms. Zambrano. “It was a wonderful evening filled with amazing people. I loved seeing people from so many different communities join together that evening to support each other on the environmental issues that concern us all. It makes me very happy to be a part of such a strong community and of the Napa Sierra Club, I look forward to next year's event!”
Also helping during the evening were several Napa Group student interns, including Natalie Carr, of Justin Sienna High School, Helena Falk and Gemma Roberts, both of Napa High, and Claire Mulligan who attends Vintage High School.
“I enjoyed engaging with likeminded individuals and expanding my knowledge on positive change that is occurring in my county,” offered Ms. Roberts.
Ms. Mulligan added, “I had a wonderful time at the Sierra Club Social Event. It was really great to see so many people come together as a unified community of climate activists, and I left the event feeling empowered and comforted by the amazing actions of my fellow environmentalists. Furthermore, there were some incredible speakers who shared work that the Sierra Club is doing both regionally and locally to address pressing issues. Overall, the event was a great success, and I am very grateful that I got to take part as a student intern for the Napa group.”
Helena Falk, one of our newest interns, said, "“The Meet and Greet was such a great experience; connecting with everyone in person really reminded me why I love being part of this program. The energy in the room was positive and inspiring, and it made me even more excited for the work we’re doing together.”
Environmental presenters included Alicia Bales, Redwood Chapter Director, Janelle Sellick, Executive Director of the American Canyon Community & Parks Foundation (ACCPF), Mark Stephenson, President of the Napa-Solano Audubon Society, and Charlie Schneider, Connectivity Program Manager of Cal Trout.
Congressman Mike Thompson’s Field Representative, Anna Chouteau, read a letter from Mr. Thompson highlighting the importance of the work done by the Sierra Club in Napa County, and the new environmental legislation he is introducing to Congress.
Ms. Bales, of Ukiah, spoke with great passion about several of the current environmental issues within the Redwood Chapter.
“I was dazzled by the crew of Youth Interns staffing the event tables, emceeing and speaking to the group, and generally lighting up the place, Ms. Bales remarked. “In my talk I highlighted the important grassroots advocacy of the six groups in the Redwood Chapter, to show that "action is the antidote to despair" and invite attendees to join us. Thanks to Nick and the Napa Group for an amazing event!”
Ms. Sellick presented a plaque to Mr. Thomason, thanking the Sierra Club for being one of the sponsors of ACCPF’s recent annual fundraiser—“Evening at the Ruins” in American Canyon.
“We are thrilled to be working with the Sierra Club on our Wetlands Explorers program, and the plaque is richly deserved. We look forward to continuing our close relationship with the Sierra Club, educating students in American Canyon about the importance of protecting the wetlands and the threats that sea level present to our residents,” Ms. Sellick added.
Mr. Stephenson, a long-term advocate of protecting bird wildlife and animal habitats within Napa and Solano counties, and himself a photographer, showed several pictures of local birds which he has taken.
He also related a special trip he made to the East Coast to see first-hand one of the rarest of all North American birds, the endangered Kirtland’s warbler that was close to extinction, with only 400 individuals remaining by the 1970’s. As a result of the Endangered Species Conservation Act, their critical breeding habitat has been expanded and preserved and there are now 1,000 breeding pairs, according to Mr. Stephenson.
“I thoroughly loved the Sierra Club’s November gathering,” said Mr. Stephenson. “It was so important to hear the work that other like-minded agencies are doing to preserve natural habitat and the work that young high school mentors are doing for this cause,” he continued.
“I am excited by the synergy that our groups can have by working together, combining our efforts to protect and expand natural habitats, that are crucial for the survival of our native plants, animals and birds,” Mr. Stephenson concluded.
Mr. Schneider, from Cal Trout, spoke about river restoration of the Eel and Klamath Rivers and the return of spawning salmon. “Meet and Greet was a great event, and I didn't anticipate seeing so many people I knew, so it was very fun to connect,” stated Mr. Schneider.
Editor’s note: For a more in-depth look at the Eel and Klamath restoration, please see accompanying article by Rich Richardson which appears in this newsletter.
Also enjoying the evening were Napa County Board of Supervisors Belia Ramos, Amber Manfree, Joelle Gallagher and Anne Cotrell. Others included Napa Valley Wildlife Habitat Conservation Coalition Chair Yvonne Baginski, and Redwood Chapter members, Teri Shore, Maya Khosla, Paul Theiss and Robin Leler and her husband Bruce Hilbach Borger, who drove down from Willits.
During the evening, the Napa Group also unveiled its new line of t-shirts, pictured in this article and now for sale via the Napa Group website. Almost half the proceeds go directly to the Napa Group to support student interns and community conservation work.
“The best part of the evening was the collective spirit—the good vibe in the room as people engaged, learned, laughed, and gained real insight into local environmental issues. Everyone left with practical ways to help protect Napa’s environment, and they enjoyed doing it together amid good music, good wine and food, and good company,” reflected Cheranich.“ “I think we might have to change our motto to Education, Advocacy, and Fun!” he added. “Can’t wait til the next one.”
If interested in viewing several more photos from the event, please click here.