Programs/Events

Our special programs are free and open to the public.

These programs are usually held virtually. Please register by clicking on the link of the program you are interested in, and you will be sent zoom instructions. Occasionally, in-person events are held at Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton, located at 1255 Big Bethel Road 23666. Sandy Bottom Nature Park is an Environmental education preserve on 456 acres with a lake and nature center set on reclaimed land.

The programs for the second half of the 2025-2026 season are as follows:

General Assembly 2026 Update by Bob and Corrina

Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 7:00-8:00 p.m., via ZOOM (not in person)

The annual General Assembly Update is coming up with two exceptional speakers. Bob Shippee is the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter Legislative Chair and Corrina Beall is the Sierra Club Virginia Legislative and Political Director. They are highly talented in the legislative process and are already guiding the chapter’s legislative agenda during the session. Working with them are the members of the VA Chapter Legislative Committee, who meet weekly during session to discuss the numerous bills and determine by committee vote on whether to support or not support legislation. Broad categories of VA Chapter Sierra Club include energy issues, climate, transportation, environmental justice, good government, water, wildlife, PFAS and other toxins. Bob and Corrina will review our wins and losses to date and encourage participation by members in the legislative process. The GA Session began on January 14 and will end on March 14, a “long session”. This is a joint program with the York River and Coastal Virginia Groups, and other members and friends are invited.

Concluded.

Keeping Nature as Part of Fort Monroe's New Vision - This Includes Creating a Green Oasis

Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 7:00-8:00 pm

We will hear from Scott Martin, CEO of Fort Monroe Authority on their Fort Monroe Landscape Action Plan. This is an opportunity to hear about ways we can protect the natural environment of Fort Monroe and showcase the beauty for visitors. The design firm Hargreaves Jones has been selected to begin a plan for the next era of Fort Monroe. The design will address how the rich history of Fort Monroe will be preserved and how new activities can interact with historical spaces. This includes business development, adoptive reuse of historical buildings, nature trails, tree plantings, and shoreline resilience. The firm will engage with the community and stakeholders to shape the plan and will incorporate environmental strategies for natural systems to thrive in a “green oasis.”

Concluded.

Our Climate Future

Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Sandy Bottom Nature Park, in person only

Welcome: from Steven Brown, Vice Mayor of Hampton

Speakers: Whitney Katchmark and Quan McLaurin will speak about the First Climate Action Plan for Hampton Roads, now submitted to the EPA, and the next steps for implementation of the plan which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The strategies and actions incorporate six focus areas: energy supply, buildings and energy use, transportation, solid waste and wastewater, agricultural and natural lands, and industry.

Grants from Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities has installed teams working in Hampton and Newport News, and we will hear about their clean energy initiatives with speakers to include Scott Smith, Coastal Resiliency Engineer for the City of Hampton and Jennifer Privette, Sustainability Manager for the City of Newport News.

Location: Sandy Bottom Nature Park, Nature Center Conference Room, 1255 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, VA 23666

Directions: https://www.hampton.gov/981/Directions

Contact: Tyla Matteson, Chair, York River Group Sierra Club, 804-275-6476, tmatteson1[at]mindspring.com

The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Meet Your State Delegates

Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Sandy Bottom Nature Park, in person only

Program: New and Returning State Delegates will speak about their priority legislation from the General Assembly Session 2026, which ended on March 14, to include environmental and environmental justice topics.

Speakers Invited:

Delegates Mark Downey HD 69, Shelly Simonds HD 70, Jessica Anderson HD 71, Marcia “Cia” Price HD 85, Virgil Thornton HD 86, and Jeion Ward HD 87. These state delegates represent areas of the lower Virginia Peninsula, including or parts of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, and Counties of York, James City, New Kent, and Gloucester.