Dear Supporter,
Happy Spring!News from the Chair Roland Dumas
Our friend and colleague, Roland Dumas, passed away last month. Please read our tribute (below) to this true environmentalist whom we hold dear. Roland was a scientist, environmental activist, and mentor who will be deeply missed.
____________________________ Tributes to Our Student Interns
Our student interns continue to impress. Both Gemma Roberts and Claire Mulligan received MCE’s Because of Youth Impact Award for their work promoting climate change awareness in the community.
 Helena Falk received a Youth Volunteer of the Year Award at the recent awards ceremony hosted by the Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership in Yountville. Executive Committee members Scott, Rich, and I were there as proud Sierra Club supporters cheering her on. She also delivered an excellent acceptance speech. (Photo: Helena speaking to the crowd)
Interns Speaking Publicly
Conservation Committee Chair Paulina Zambrano, student intern Kate Bit, and Napa Group Treasurer Scott Thomason recently gave a presentation highlighting the urgent need to preserve wetlands in the face of sea level rise driven by climate change. You can see the presentation here, on our YouTube page.
 Kate (pictured right), who is also co-president of Napa Schools for Climate Action, later spoke before the American Canyon City Council urging adoption of a “Climate Restoration” resolution that is also being forwarded to Congress by Representative Mike Thompson. An article about the presentation can be found at The American Canyon Current, here .
Additionally, two of our interns, Natalie Carr and Skylar Waite, wrote very interesting articles for this newsletter. Please see below for their contributions. ____________________________  Earth Day Celebration 2026
Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth at last month’s Earth Day Celebration in Napa. We met new friends from both inside and outside the community who were interested in the work we are doing on local environmental issues. It was extra fun having many of our student interns helping out as well. (Photo: Front row, L to R: Kate Bit, Helena Falk and Maia Medalle. Back row, L to R: Rich Richardson, Scott Thomason, and Nick Cheranich)
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 Groundbreaking Event in American Canyon
Please read about the recent groundbreaking ceremony for the Napa River Ecology Center, which marks the beginning of a beautiful new space where visitors can explore the wetlands and learn why their preservation is so important. (Photo: dignitaries including Mayor Washington, Belia Ramos and Mike Thompson help Parks Foundation Director Janelle Sellick kick off the construction of the site. Please see the article below.
____________________________  To E-bike or Not to E-bike?
I updated an article exploring why an electric bike may be worth considering. For most of the year, you just might keep that fossil-fuel vehicle in the garage, while having a great time. Please see 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. Please see below for sizes and color choices. ____________________________  Vine Trail Bike Ride Fundraiser
Several of us rode from Napa to the Napa River Ecology Center and back as part of the Vine Trail’s Month of Movement fundraiser. (Photo: cyclists on the Bay Trail heading to Green Island)
Along the way, we enjoyed a wonderful presentation by Janelle Sellick on the vision for the future Ecology Center. Even a strong north wind could not dampen spirits on what turned out to be a fun, educational, and inspiring 30-mile ride.
 LAST CHANCE: 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 ____________________________  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.
Come for the treats, connect with neighbors, and hear from local and state voices working on real solutions.
Details coming soon—stay tuned. ____________________________  Election News
In case you missed it, the Sierra Club has endorsed Tom Steyer for Governor. He was endorsed by a whole source of different environmental groups, unions, and non-profits. For all other Sierra Club-endorsed candidates, including local races, please check it out here. (Photo: courtesy of Wikipedia)
____________________________ Our next Conservation Committee meeting will be July 20 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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Roland Dumas: Scientist, Environmental Activist, Mentorby Nick Cheranich, photos by Roland DumasRoland Dumas, a highly respected colleague and former member of the Napa Sierra Club Executive Committee (ExCom), passed away recently after a prolonged illness. His memorial service was held on May 9 at Skyline Wilderness Park — a place he deeply revered and fought hard to protect. Dozens of friends, colleagues, and community members attended to honor his life and work.  Roland’s impact on our group after joining in 2020 was immediate. He stepped into the role of Conservation Committee Chair and quickly recognized that many of the environmental issues we were addressing lacked clear organization and coordination. Prior to his leadership, Excom members (myself included) often focused independently on issues tied to their own environmental interests. (Photo: Peregrine Falcon) Roland changed that. He helped organize Napa County’s major environmental concerns into focused subcommittees, including water conservation, land use and growth, and education and outreach. That structure strengthened our ability to stay informed, coordinate our efforts, and respond more effectively to the issues facing our community. Despite the seriousness of the work, Roland also brought a sharp sense of humor to meetings and discussions, often cutting through tension with a well-timed remark or dry observation. He also pushed us to  move beyond “shooting from the hip” or relying solely on ideological arguments. Roland insisted that our positions be grounded in sound science and careful research. He challenged us to do our homework — to fully understand complicated environmental issues and, whenever possible, propose thoughtful alternatives and solutions. He understood that getting the facts wrong could damage not only the credibility of our local group, but also the reputation of the State and National Sierra Club. For Roland, accuracy and integrity were essential parts of effective environmental advocacy. (Photo: Great horned owl)  Roland also contributed numerous articles to our newsletter, helping educate the community on a wide range of environmental topics. Many of those articles can still be found on our website. He was an avid birder, always at the ready to capture one in flight with his Canon camera. Beyond Napa, he also played an important role in the leadership of the Redwood Chapter’s Conservation and Executive Committees. To me personally — and to many others in the Napa Group — Roland was more than an environmental activist. He was an inspiration and a mentor who showed us how to advocate effectively, thoughtfully, and responsibly. He will be sorely missed, but his influence and example will not be forgotten. Roland Dumas Born: June 7, 1950 Died: April 6, 2026 |
Napa River Ecology Center Groundbreaking by Scott Thomason Congressman Mike Thompson and a host of local elected officials led groundbreaking ceremonies at the new Napa River Ecology Center May 6th in American Canyon. (Photo: Scott Thomason) “Today is where the transformation begins,” said Janelle Sellick, Executive Director of the American Canyon Community & Parks Foundation which will oversee the Ecology Center’s transformation from an old maintenance facility into a year-round environmental learning center. “I think it can’t be understated how important it is to have a beacon of stewardship, and that’s what this building is going to signify for generations to come," stated Sellick. The actual renovation is expected to take a year and when completed, will be open year-round to people of all ages.  Thompson was instrumental in getting nearly $3 million federal funding, while the City of American Canyon has donated the facility and another $1 million to help underwrite the cost of renovation. (Photo: Griffin Jones) Sellick and her staff have secured another $4-5 million in grants, including a $2.7 million grant from the California Coastal Conservancy. The Napa Sierra Club Group has been working closely with ACCPF for more than three years in presenting outdoor education lessons to students, focused on the importance of the American Canyon wetlands in combating sea level rise now and in the years to come.  “We are thrilled to be an ongoing part of such an important environmental project,” says Scott Thomason, Napa Group Treasurer, donor and former president of the Parks Foundation’s Board of Directors. (Photo: rendition of the future Eco Center) “Hopefully, today’s students will become stewards of our environment in the decades to come,” says Thomason, “and what better way to educate them than an Ecology Center with year-round programs that teach them about climate change, sea level rise and the importance of protecting and preserving our wetlands?” Napa Register article is here. |
Fostering Connections to the Mountains and Friends: My Yosemite Adventureby Skylar Waite, Student Intern“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” - John Muir  The sun dipped below the trees as we bundled around the campfire. Our only worry was handing out sticks for roasting marshmallows. Our feet hurt from the long day behind us as scents wafted from dehydrated meals. Each and every one of us was satisfied with our excursion as we laughed about our challenges, our feats, and the next day’s adventures. (Photo: view from the top of Yosemite Falls)  Vintage High Backpacking Club holds about thirty members – about one third go on each trip. The trips range from the sandy slopes of Point Reyes to the expansive mountaintops of Yosemite. The club connects youth through their sense of adventure, their love for nature, and their willingness to do hard things. In the month of April, amidst prom, preparing for AP exams, and for many of us, sports championships, we embarked on our much-needed Yosemite excursion. (Photo: the author (second from left, first row) and her student friends)  Connecting with nature is one of the most important things a youth can do for his/her well-being, and it is often the first step towards a life-long journey with environmentalism. The Vintage High Backpacking club fuels this connection by providing teen adventurers with the campsite and community necessary for a genuine connection with nature. (Photo: Yosemite Falls) It’s no secret that society is becoming increasingly dependent on technology. Whether it be through AI usage or endless scrolling through social media posts, technology has become an integral part of many individuals' daily lives. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by this constant source of flowing information, especially while transforming into adulthood. To combat this overflow of information–this dependence on technology, escaping from it is necessary. The environment offers this escape. Article continues here. |
What Really Drives the Climate Crisis? Exposing Big Oil's History of Lobbying, Misinformation and Environmental Damage by Natalie Carr, Student Intern
 I consider myself an avid supporter of climate justice— after all, if I weren’t, I would not be interning for the Sierra Club. But being so passionate about climate justice means I can go down rabbit holes of information on the horrifying things powerful groups have done to make it difficult for us to protect the resiliency of our ecosystems. One example of this is Big Oil. Big Oil, referring to a collection of international oil monopolies such as BP, Shell, or Chevron, have had a stronghold on global politics and economics ever since the Industrial Revolution. These companies’ only goals are to keep their profits up, but at what expense? (Photo: Mario Tama - Getty Images)
The environment of course.
 Today, I will share some of the horrifying ways oil companies have manipulated public perception, research, and politics, through both money and misinformation. I split this into three sections plus a conclusion, each section giving some brief findings that I collected when writing a research paper on this topic last year. (Photo: Olga Rolenko - Getty Images)
 Liar, Liar
Bottom line: Oil companies are like a toxic ex-gaslighting (no pun intended), lying, being non-committal, and making false promises. (Photo: Charles Sykes - AP and Getty Images)
In 2024, Congress Democrats in the Senate Budget Committee and House Oversight committee conducted a hearing on how oil companies have fueled the climate crisis in the last fifty years. The findings were shocking. These oil companies may have known as early as 1959 about the climate crisis, but chose to do nothing about it. This hearing found that in the 1970s, Exxon recognized that “[t]he present trend of fossil fuel consumption will cause dramatic environmental effects before the year 2050” but instead “devised a campaign of climate change denial orchestrated to delay the enactment of greenhouse gas-reducing policies in the United States and globally” in 1988, in order to protect the company’s economic interests. Article continues here.
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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 March podcast. (Left, Claire Mulligan; right, Gemma Roberts.)   |
Thinking About Getting an E-Bike? Here's Why I Rarely Drive Anymore by Nick Cheranich It’s been about seven years since I bought an electric bike (e-bike), and I still love the thing. It’s become my go-to way of getting around—to the point where my fossil-fuel vehicle mostly stays parked in the garage. I thought I’d lay out some of the benefits and drawbacks, in case you’ve been thinking about getting one yourself. At its simplest, an e-bike is just a regular bike with a small electric motor that gives you a boost when you want it—what’s called “pedal assist.” You still pedal as usual, but when you need a little extra power—on a hill, into a headwind, or getting started from a stop—you can turn it on. The motor is run by a rechargeable battery that affixes to the bike. It’s basically a Tesla on two wheels (well sort of).  Most bikes have a few levels of assist. I tend to use the lowest level if I’m feeling a little tired or sore, or if there’s a decent uphill stretch. It’s also useful at intersections, just to get moving again. Otherwise, I usually ride it like a regular bike, with no assist, using the 9-speed shifter. The higher assist levels come in handy on steeper roads—Dry Creek or Soda Canyon, for example. And yes, even up the impenetrable Oakville Grade! The feeling of that assist kicking in is hard to describe. It’s like having Kate Courtney, the cross-country mountain bike champion, suddenly riding right behind you—and then, without a word, she starts pedaling with you. You can almost hear her: “Come on, let’s GO!” And just like that, the ride gets a little easier, a little faster. It still makes me smile every time. Article continues here. |
What Is Napa Green? by Ben Mackie  Driving up Napa Valley, with mustard blooms to your left and flocks of sheep to your right, you might also notice the NAPA GREEN signs hanging in front of wineries- but what does that sign even mean?  The honor of hanging a Napa Green sign is the finale for growers and vintners after completing the most rigorous winegrowing certification in the world. Our industry-leading certification was born out of a grassroots initiative by a local group of forward-thinking winegrowers in the mid-2000s. Napa Green has both a vineyard and a winery certification, addressing holistic sustainability from the soil to the bottle: water use, energy efficiency, packaging, farming practices, biodiversity, forest management, and, most importantly, employment practices that respect and elevate our community members doing the hard work. Another major part of our work is technical assistance & education: providing workshops, seminars, and our biannual RISE symposium to present cutting-edge initiatives and technologies to our community and raise the bar in the wine industry at large.  At Napa Green, we believe that the best wine in the world can enhance and regenerate the communities and ecosystems in which we farm and live. The stories of what happens in Napa are heard around the world, and we are committed to ensuring these stories are ones our grandchildren will be proud to tell. Napa Green is a community-based nonprofit focused on social justice and climate action in the wine industry. For more information follow us on Instagram, visit NapaGreen.org or email: Team@NapaGreen.org |
We Have Your Tees! Time to Gear Up for Spring and Summer 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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