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As I write this, chaos is swirling in our markets and in the media because of coronavirus. If you're like so many others in the world, you may be spending a lot of time alone in front of the computer in the coming days, weeks, or months.
Although many activities may be on hold, activism is still available. You may not be able to travel, go to meetings, or attend concerts and festivals, but you can be an effective activist while self-isolating. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the environmental issues you care about. And spend time writing and calling the decision makers in your life to effect the policies you seek.
This March Toiyabe Chapter enewsletter is a good place to start.
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 Welcome New Toiyabe ExCom Members
Sierra Club's power begins with the grassroots—with caring people like you. Your local Sierra Club, the Toiyabe Chapter, is guided by a volunteer board comprising members elected by our membership. Four new members were installed at our Executive Committee meeting on February 8. Here are your 2020 ExCom members:
- Anne Macquarie – Chair
- Cathy Schmidt – Vice Chair
- Janet Carter - Secretary
- Lisa Tilzey - Treasurer and Southern Nevada Group Representative
- Ann Brauer
- Tobi Tyler
- Rory Lamp
- Laura Richards
- Tina Davis - new
- Kait Krolik - new
- Connie Howard - new
- Manny Becerra - new
- Lynn Boulton – Range of Light Group Representative
- Jo Ann Cobb - Tahoe Are Group Representative
- Rhonda Jarrett - Great Basin Group Representative
Thanks to all of the above for their volunteer service to our region's environment.
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 Senator Cortez Masto Introduces the End Speculative Leasing Act
Since Trump took office, nearly 2.5 million acres of YOUR public lands in Nevada have been leased for oil & gas exploration. Despite the fact that the BLM has determine the vast majority of these lands have low to very low potential for oil and will never be developed, the leasing continues, often selling to fossil fuel companies for less than $2 an acre.
On January 17, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto introduced the End Speculative Oil and Gas Leasing Act of 2020. "This speculative leasing on low-potential lands wastes BLM resources and ‘locks up’ precious areas that could be used for wildlife preservation, recreation, grazing, or renewable energy development," she said.
Thanks to efforts like this, Nevada's public lands are beginning to be respected for the true values they possess—beauty, wildlife habitat and migration routes, indigenous heritage, aquifers and our state's $12.6 billion outdoor recreation economy.
Please take a minute to call the Senator to thank her for putting the true values of Nevada's public lands ahead of the profits for fossil fuel companies.
Las Vegas: 702-388-5020
Reno: 775- 686-5750
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 Smart Growth Can Save People and the Planet.
Since the flight of the upper and middle class to the suburbs, the American urban landscape has completely changed, with crumbling urban centers surrounded by sprawling neighborhoods being the norm. This history of sprawl has created vast economic and racial inequalities; ecosystems have been completely wiped out, city water is polluted or is dwindling; urban air is harming the health of millions nationwide; green spaces and wilderness are in short supply in many major urban centers, threatening or contributing to the extinction of American wildlife and the biodiversity that supports us.
This shift hasn’t just changed our cities and our environment, it’s changed us. We spend our lives in our homes, in our cars, at our jobs, and back again, with little exposure to outside air and nature unless we make the concerted effort to do so. Anxiety and depression are on the rise nationwide, but both have been shown to be mitigated by exposure to green spaces and nature.
We can change how our lives impact the planet and ourselves through advocating for a holistic change to our current urban planning paradigms. Smart growth has been applied in communities around the country. Nevada can follow suit, but we need you to help us advocate for cleaner, healthier, more enjoyable communities.
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 What is Climate Action?
Experts tell us we have about a decade to take meaningful action to avert the worst impacts of global warming. But what does meaningful climate action mean? How can we mitigate the worst impacts here in Nevada and the Eastern Sierra? And what can you do to help? As with most challenges that appear overwhelming, the key is to break the problem down to manageable pieces, then get to work on the lowest-hanging fruit first.
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 The Desert Wildlife Refuge is Still Under Attack
As you have probably heard, the US Air Force has proposed to expand their military ground and bombing operations over more than 75% of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, the largest wildlife refuge in the Lower 48. In December, Senator Cortez Masto, introduced legislation to restrict the military expansion, designate wilderness over much of the Refuge, and provide greater access and oversight by wildlife officials and local tribes, for whom these lands are sacred. Now both proposals are dueling in Congress to see what protections, if any, are included in the upcoming must-pass National Defense Authorization Act.
Please stand up for wildlife and public lands today. Sign this petition!
#Don'tBombTheBighorn
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 Earth Day
April 22 will be the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. We've been working hard to plan for celebratory activities throughout our region. Although events are up in the air, save the dates for these celebrations. Fingers crossed they're not canceled.
Reno
Truckee Meadows Earth Day
April 26, 9am-3pm, Mayberry Park
Las Vegas
Earth Week Celebrations. Between April 18th and 26th, we have a series of events planned — Electric Vehicle Drive events, Bee Walks, Art Exhibits and Book Signings. Time will tell whether they get canceled. Tune into the Sierra Club's Southern Nevada Group Facebook page for updates.
Earth Day 50 Art & Essay Contest
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2020, the Sierra Club – Southern Nevada Group invites you to write an essay or create a piece of art on the theme:
"What Earth Day Means to Me."
We’ve created a $2020 prize pool of cash awards in four categories plus a Grand Prize for the Best Entry overall. The contest is open to Clark County, Nevada residents of all ages. There is no fee to participate and no purchase is required. The deadline for entries is March 19, 2020. Details at http://www.tinyurl.com/2020earthday. #EarthDay50
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 Help Clark County Choose Sustainability Over Sprawl
In January, Senator Cortez Masto released a discussion draft of legislation to address both conservation and development in Clark County.
The bill would protect hundreds of thousands of acres of beautiful landscapes in Clark County. At the same time, it would expand Las Vegas' development footprint by 42,000 acres (that's 1.5 times the size of San Francisco), threatening the region with continued sprawl, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, more flooding, and intensifying heat waves.
But it doesn't have to be this way. At a time when climate scientists tell us
we have less than a decade to take action to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, this legislation is an opportunity to propose solutions like better community design, support for mass transit, and technologies that reduce urban heat islands and greenhouse gases.
Nevada's Congressional delegation and the Clark County Commission need to hear from you! Click the link below to urge them to act.
If we don't act, Southern Nevada's desert tortoise may not survive, and our own lives will get a lot more uncomfortable.
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 The Washoe Public Lands Bill is Back!
Defend Your Opens Spaces and Quality of Life Today!
Washoe County is once again pursuing federal legislation to
- designate wilderness and other protected lands in northern Washoe County,
- sell off or transfer YOUR public lands in and around the Truckee Meadows for development (some of these transfers may be for reasonable public purposes; some are clearly giveaways to developers).
Its working title is the Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act. A similar effort in 2018 was thwarted by concerned citizens who spoke out in defense of our wild heritage and quality of life (thank you if you were among them!). If you care about open spaces, wild places, clean air & water, efficient and affordable infrastructure and the quality of life that make the Truckee Meadows great, please engage.
Learn about the bill here at the County's website.
Read Sierra Club's comments on the proposal here.
Submit your comments to the County's feedback page here.
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 Northern Nevada 5 R Revolution
Have you been reading the news? Sustainability is HOT! See this article about decreasing Las Vegas food waste in The Nevada Independent and this one about plastics in Rolling Stone.
Here in Reno, the Northern Nevada 5R Team has a vision – to transform the way consumers, producers, and retailers approach the concept of waste to improve our quality of life, save energy, and show respect for the world’s resources.
Our aim is to influence legislation, provide education, and engage in positive campaigns to decrease single-use plastics, increase composting, and influence the community to make the 5R move toward zero waste. We love our volunteers and are looking for more. Join us to help make sustainability a reality here in Northern Nevada! |
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Join the Sierra Club
Thanks for reading. Become an environmental champion by becoming a member! The Sierra Club is the largest, oldest, grassroots environmental organization in the nation. Your support will make us stronger!
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Already a Member? Donate Today!
Your financial support will stay right here in Nevada and the Sierra, working for clean air and water, building a renewable-energy economy, protecting public lands and wildlife, and holding elected leaders accountable! Thanks for your support! |
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