The Harvey Broome Group (HBG) is one of four Groups within the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club, a national environmental organization with over two million members. Our motto is Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet.

HBG works to protect the natural world via education, advocacy of issues, support of local political candidates who support our goals, by building and joining coalitions, and when necessary, litigation. Also, we seek to enhance appreciation of the outdoors through our outings and programs. We encourage you to join us.

Our namesake, Harvey Broome (1902-1968), was a founding member of the Wilderness Society and a native of Knoxville, TN.

Conservation: We work on a variety of conservation issues that are local, state-wide, and national in scope. Our initiatives range from the nationwide Beyond Coal Campaign that promotes using clean, renewable energy vs. fossil fuels, to stopping mountain top removal coal mining, to local support for expanding Knoxville's greenways, to helping elect environmentally responsible candidates at the local, state and national level, to getting the Little Tennessee River Watershed designated as a native fish conservancy area - and more. See the Issues page for more information and how you can get involved.

Outings: Each year we offer backpack trips, day hikes, canoe/kayak day trips, and a snorkeling adventure - usually around 20 outings per year. Outings are rated Easy, Moderate or Difficult. Also, we lead "urban hikes" in and around Knoxville. Our Inspiring Connections Outdoors (ICO) program actively engages low-income inner city youth and adults in safe and enjoyable outdoor experiences. Our outings are for everyone, whether you’re a Sierra Club member or not.  See the Outings page and calendar for details.

Monthly Programs: Each month we have a free program that is open to everyone. Programs range from educational such as "The Value of Trees for Sustainable Urban Water" by Dr. John Hathaway, associate professor UTKnoxville, and a discussion of the evidence for climate change with Dr. Peter Thornton from Oak Ridge National Laboratory. See the Programs page and calendar for details. See the Programs Page for details.

Our monthly programs are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Our business meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of each month at The Church of the Savior, 934 N. Weisgarber Rd. Knoxville, TN 37909. Both start at 7pm. Both are free and open to the public.

In order to be more responsible and accountable allies as individuals and as a Sierra Club community at large, we commit ourselves to living out our five values: anti-racism, balance, collaboration, justice, and transformation. These values drive the decisions we make as we fight for the livable planet we all deserve. Learn more about our values in detail at www.sierraclub.org/sierra-club-values.

• Anti-Racism: We commit to shifting power away from white supremacy, repairing harm, and ending structural racism.
• Balance: Our effectiveness comes from committing to caring for ourselves and others.
• Collaboration: We believe in just relationships that support collective work.
• Justice: We are accountable for our actions, our work, and how we show up with trust and respect.

• Transformation: We commit to changing our relationships to power, privilege, and oppression—for ourselves and for the organization.

For questions, concerns, or suggestions, please contact:

theharveybroomegroup@gmail.com

For questions or concerns about the website or electronic newsletter, contact:

Allison Gonzalez - Webmaster and E-Newsletter editor

Email: agonza49@alum.utk.edu

Header image credit: No Kings 2025 on Western Avenue in Knoxville TN. Photo by Jerry Thornton