Happy Spring!News from the Chair
 No Kings Protest
Join us today for a Sierra Club co-sponsored No Kings/Fascists Protest at 1pm at the Oxbow Commons.
This protest will likely be the biggest protest in US history. Find your local No Kings event to make it clear that America rejects the regime's brutality at home and abroad. Click here for more information. ________________________________________  Earth Day 2026
Join us for Napa’s Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 18th at Oxbow Commons. We’ll be there from 11 am–4 pm with our booth, sharing the work we’re doing on key environmental issues in Napa County.
Stop by to meet our team—including our student interns—and learn how you can get involved. The event is presented by the Environmental Education Coalition of Napa County. More information, click here.
________________________________________  Wetlands Explorers Field Trip
This week, we had the opportunity to host a learning station for American Canyon fourth graders as part of the Wetlands Explorers field trips. With the help of three of our student interns, we led hands-on activities focused on the “superpowers” of wetlands—how they protect wildlife, improve water quality, and help buffer our communities from climate change and sea level rise.
The students asked thoughtful questions and made meaningful connections—exactly the kind of engagement that gives this work long-term impact. Please take a moment to read more in the article below.
________________________________________  T-Shirts for Sale
Our Napa Sierra Club T-shirts will be available at our Earth Day booth—but you don’t have to wait.
If you’d like to wear yours to the event, you can purchase one in advance. We can ship it to you or have it ready for pickup at the event. Every shirt supports our local work and helps fund future programs. See below for sizes and color choices.
________________________________________  Vine Trail Fundraiser
We’re inviting you to join the Napa Sierra Club & Friends team for the Vine Trail’s “Month of Movement” fundraiser this May.
The Vine Trail has become a daily part of life for many of us. Nearly 47 miles are complete, connecting communities from the Vallejo Ferry Terminal to Calistoga. With just 14 miles left, the finish line is within reach—but not guaranteed.
 You can help in two ways:
- Join our “Sierra Club and Friends” team and participate in the fundraiser
- Or donate directly to support the effort
Every contribution moves this project closer to completion. (The Napa Group voted to donate $500 to the fundraiser.)
Join the team or donate directly: Support Napa Sierra Club & Friends – 2026 Month of Movement Fundraising Challenge:
https://charity.pledgeit.org/VineTrail/teams/Napa-Sierra-Club-and-Friends
(If you’re already supporting another team—thank you. It all helps.)
Save the Date: stay tuned for more details about the fourth annual Napa Sierra Club Month of Movement Ride, scheduled for Sunday, May 17th. ________________________________________  Join a Subcommittee
Many people want to take action on environmental issues but aren’t sure where to begin. One of the most effective ways to get involved is by joining a subcommittee.
We currently offer three:
• Outreach & Education
• Land Use & Growth
• Water Conservation
If you’re interested, reach out—we’d be glad to help you find the right fit.
________________________________________  Save the Date! More Community Outreach Coming This Halloween
Because of the strong turnout and positive response to our November 2025 Community Outreach Event at Skyline Park, we’re planning another one: the afternoon of October 31st.
The real horror isn’t Halloween—it’s climate change! Come for the treats, connect with neighbors, and hear from local and state voices working on real solutions.
Details coming soon—stay tuned.
________________________________________ Please also take time to read the articles in this newsletter, written by our Executive Committee members and student interns. Their work reflects the range of efforts underway—and the momentum we’re continuing to build. ________________________________________ Our next Conservation Committee meeting will be May 18 at 6:00PM. If you would like to attend, just click on the RSVP button below and I'll send you a Zoom invite a few days before the meeting. Thank you. - Nick Cheranich, ExCom Chair
napavalleysierraclub@gmail.com
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Young Explorers Discover Big Solutions in the Wetlandsby Nick CheranichWhat can a handful of mud teach a fourth grader? Quite a lot, it turns out. At a recent Wetlands Explorers Program field day hosted by the American Canyon Community & Parks Foundation, local students rotated through the Napa Sierra Club station to investigate a big question: How do wetlands help protect our planet? Rather than simply telling students the answer, we challenged them to figure it out themselves.  Students explored how carbon, climate, and rising seas are all connected—and how wetlands help protect life, including our own. (Photo: a young scientist with her mother tests the taste of pickleweed.) For two days in the fourth week of March several of the Napa Group’s Executive Committee members and student interns helped with navigating the various hands-on lessons. (For a look at the lesson plan, please click here. If you're an educator, feel free to use it.) Students began by examining a small clump of marsh mud and considering an unexpected idea—that this ordinary-looking material might play an important role in slowing climate change. From there, they tested whether wetlands can actually protect communities from rising seas.  Using a hands-on wave demonstration, students compared two model shorelines—one with wetlands and one without. We asked them to hypothesize what might happen if a large storm or tide hit. All answers were accepted. As waves rolled in on the model town we had constructed, the difference was immediate. Without wetlands, the “homes” flooded. With wetlands in place (using two large sponges), the waves were slowed and absorbed. The conclusion came quickly: wetlands act as natural shields against storm surge and sea level rise. “The plants stop the water before it hits the houses,” remarked one bright-eyed young student. “They absorb the waves,” explained another. “That’s so cool.”  Next, students explored the “secret life” of wetland mud using handheld microscopes. They searched for pieces of plants breaking down beneath the surface and discovered a key concept: in wetlands, dead plants are buried in mud instead of decomposing in the open air. This process traps carbon in the soil rather than releasing it into the atmosphere. Through this simple observation, students connected wetlands to climate—less carbon in the air means less warming, and slower sea level rise. “So the carbon gets stuck in the mud instead of going into the air,” exclaimed another young student scientist.  The investigation continued with a bird-spotting activity, where students scanned the marsh for signs of life. From the water’s edge to the mudflats and marsh grasses, they began to see wetlands as “wildlife cities,” providing food, shelter, and nesting areas for a wide range of species. Finally, the group participated in an interactive food web demonstration. Students took on the roles of plants and animals and quickly saw what happens when wetlands disappear: the entire system collapses. When wetlands were “restored,” the ecosystem came back to life—an immediate and memorable illustration of how interconnected these habitats are.  One student, who had been quiet for most of the lesson, shouted, “If the wetlands go away, everything else goes away too. Maybe even us!” By the end of the session, students were able to articulate the three “superpowers” of wetlands: • protecting communities from flooding • storing carbon and helping slow climate change • supporting diverse plant and animal life More importantly, they understood how these functions are connected. Programs like this remind us that environmental education doesn’t have to be abstract. With the right mix of hands-on investigation and clear storytelling, even complex issues like climate change and sea level rise can become tangible—and meaningful—for young learners. And sometimes, it all starts with a little bit of mud. |
California Youth Climate Data Initiativeby Skylar Waite, Student Intern Did you know that there are millions of tons of plastic floating in the Pacific Ocean forming what's known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? I first learned about this in the fourth grade, while developing a report on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch for our school’s weekly bulletin. After finding out that over 100,000 marine mammals are killed by anthropogenic impact annually, environmental policy has remained at the forefront of my mind. I was inspired to make a difference, and I wanted to help others make that same difference. (Photo: courtesy of theoceancleanup.com) Sinc  e it is no longer a debate whether action is needed for the preservation of the environment, it is crucial that we, as a nation, stop placing climate literacy aside, and start treating it like the urgent issue it is. I joined the California Youth Data Initiative, sponsored by Ten Strands, to aid my school in inspiring others to take climate action, through incorporating climate literacy in the classrooms and eco-friendly practices around school. (Photo: the author at a recent Napa Sierra Club event.)  Ten Strands approaches the urgent issue of climate literacy by weaving people together and advocating for increased environmental literacy in public schools. Through collaborative work with local education agencies, environmental education providers, and funders, the Ten Strands team works diligently, creating a state-wide environmentally literate public education system. They believe that youth have the power to foster change, and during these crucial developmental years, it’s important to introduce the dangers of ignorance, and provide the tools to combat that ignorance. Article continues here. |
Eco Unfiltered, A Student Intern Podcast by Gemma Roberts and Claire Mulligan, Student Interns  Hosted by two passionate teenage climate activists, our own Claire Mulligan and Gemma Roberts, Eco Unfiltered podcast dives into the environmental challenges facing our community today. From climate justice to land-use issues, no topic is off-limits as they explore real solutions, share inspiring stories, and spark honest conversations. Whether you're a student, activist, or just curious about the planet, this podcast proves that age doesn’t define impact—action does. Link to the new March podcast. (Left, Claire Mulligan; right, Gemma Roberts.)   |
American Canyon Updates by Scott Thomason ACCPF receives major grant from California Coastal CommissionSince our last newsletter, we are delighted to report that the American Canyon Community & Parks Foundation (ACCPF) has been awarded a $2.7 million grant from the California Coastal Commission earmarked for renovating the Napa River Ecology Center. This grant, and a $2 million federal grant awarded to ACCPF in February, thanks to the continuing efforts of Congressman Mike Thompson, brings the amount of grants and donations received to date to nearly $9 million. All of these funds will be used to create a year-round, environmental education facility that will be open to the public. Groundbreaking is scheduled for some time this spring and we will give more information as we receive it.
 Sea Level Rise Presentation to the City CouncilThe Napa Group Sierra Club, led by student intern Kate Bit, and Land-Use Chair Scott Thomason, have been asked to do a presentation to the American Canyon City Council on Sea Level Rise April 21st. (Photo: Thomason, Paulina Zambrano and Rich Richardson giving a similar slide show last January at the AmCan City Library.)  The slide show will include causes of sea level rise, threats to American Canyon and nature-based solutions. The public is invited and the City Council meeting is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. at the City Hall Chambers located at City Hall, Ste. 201 in American Canyon. (Photo: The Bay Trail next to Green Island Rd.) The meeting can be attended by Zoom using the following link: https://www.americancanyon.gov/Work/Local-Government/City-Hall/City-Clerk/Meetings-Agendas |
Helping Out with the Napa RCD, and the Solano Sierra Club Group by Rich RichardsonI have two adventures to review, first was my Linda Falls hike in early January 2026 nestled near the community of Angwin in Napa County. My second excursion took place at the end of January and the first day of February at Mare Island in Vallejo California attending the Winged Migration Expo/Festival.  Linda Falls Clean UpThe Linda Falls field trip came about via an invitation to the Napa Sierra Club Chapter from the Napa County Regional Conservation District (RCD) and the Land Trust of Napa County to introduce our interns from the Sierra Club to the RCD interns. The hike had two missions, first have the interns meet and share their work experiences and interests, and second, execute a cleanup removing French Broom a highly invasive fire risk dense growing shrub along the road at Linda Falls Preserve. As you can see by the picture of me in front of Linda Falls, the water was really running that day following the significant rainfall we had in December in Napa. Linda Falls Preserve is a 177-acre sanctuary within the Conn Creek Watershed. This waterfall is accessible via a 1.3 - mile out and back trail. Linda Falls is spectacular where the Conn Creek cascades over majestic volcanic boulders. The Linda Falls Preserve is owned and managed by the Land Trust of Napa County. (Photo: the author at Linda Falls.)  This easy hike and spectacular waterfall are a must see and it features a diverse habitat, rich plant biodiversity, varied ecosystems and it is an easy visit in our own back yard. It's a must see. I want to thank Ashley Kvitek, Senior Volunteer Project Manager from RCD for helping coordinate our wonderful visit and helping conserve, protect and restore Napa County naturals resources. I also want to thank the Land Trust of Napa County for preserving the character of Napa by permanently protecting our land. I need to acknowledge Clarisa Rosas, Assistant Stewardship Coordinator, Joe Clark, Stewardship Program assistant, and Whitney Wyche, Stewardship Program Assistant for their work supporting the daily efforts of the Land Trust of Napa and their efforts on preserving Linda Falls.
 Winged Migration ExpoOn both January 31st and February 1st, I attended the Winged Migration Expo on Mare Island, Vallejo CA. I am from the Napa Sierra Club Group, but I was there to help staff the Sierra Club table for the Solano Sierra Club Group, because they were short-handed. (Photo of bird and butterfly: Mark Stephenson)  I am a huge supporter of the wetlands which is critical for saving and preserving our vital ecosystems by playing a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, regulating water flow and mitigating climate change impacts. Wetlands also help protect the diversity and health of our global migrating bird populations. In the last 100 years California has lost 3.6 million acres of wetlands. The Winged Migration Expo attracted around 3,000 visitors interested in local environmental concerns. It was a lot of fun and very interesting, if you have time next year, I would mark your calendar and check it out.  The other area of major concern, discussion and interest was, and still is, the controversial California Forever project in Solano County. It was a major topic of conversation at the Winged Migration Expo particularly at our table. There was also a Suisun City anti - California Forever rally/march on Saturday. This is a very complicated issue which deserves considerable attention by all citizens regarding environmental concerns raised by scientists, local groups, and community members. What also raises a red flag is the possibility of influence by the Trump administration and members of congress and their conceivable involvement/influence in this potential $215-billion-dollar project and the potential of a looming multi-generational environmental disaster. What I enjoy most about the Sierra Club is the opportunity to meet people who are passionate, knowledgeable and who care deeply about our precious, fragile, vulnerable environment. The Sierra Club gives the average citizen an opportunity to have a voice in change and can make a difference in our community wherever that interest may lie. |
We Have Your Tees! Time to Gear Up for Earth Day 2026 
Napa Sierra Club T-Shirts For Sale!
We Have Them In Cocoa and Pine
Support Local Climate Action Each shirt is $30 (S–XL) or $35 (XXL), and about half your purchase goes directly to the Napa Sierra Club Group to support student interns and community conservation work. Great gift ideas for the holidays!
How to Order
Pick the size and color you want. At the checkout, add the quantity of the shirt, and click Buy. If you’d like more than one type of shirt (color/size), just repeat the process for each choice.
Pickup Locations
After your purchase, we’ll reach out so you can pick up your shirts in either Napa (at the Earth Day Event) or American Canyon—whichever is more convenient for you. Or, if you can't pick them up, we'll deliver them to you (no charge). Napa Sierra Club T-ShirtsUnisex fit • S–XL $30 • XXL $35 Cocoa T-Shirts | Pine T-Shirts |
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