Southern Sierran
Newsletter of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter
April 2021
'Super Bloom' or Bust
There will be no 'super bloom' in SoCal this spring thanks to a dry winter. But for those who still need their flower fix, check out this beautiful photo essay of blooms past..
View the photos and let us know your favorite
An Uncertain Future
To protect, or not to protect, that is the question: Do the pros outweigh the cons of western Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) joining California’s endangered species list?
What does the future hold for this Mojave Desert icon?
ADD YOUR VOICE
Here are a few campaigns that need your help now:
Yes We Can
The City of LA released the long-awaited LA100 study, which lays out four detailed paths for the city to achieve 100% renewable energy as early as 2035 without causing blackouts or breaking the bank. Sign our petition to continue building community support, solidify 2035 as the target date and ensure green investment goes to Environmental Justice communities first.
The End of Oil in L.A.
Call on elected leaders in Los Angeles to phase out oil drilling in 5 years with protections for communities and workers. Help us reach 1,000 signatures!
The Problem with Poseidon
Poseidon’s proposed billion-dollar desalination plant is the most expensive and environmentally-damaging way to secure Orange County's future water supply. The best way to increase your impact is to signup to speak at the public hearing on April 23rd. Let us know so we can support you.
Chapter News
Celebrating Women's History Month
Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate women’s momentous contributions to the environmental movement. It is now more clear than ever that we need major structural change and leaders who are prepared to tackle these intertwined crises — women leaders.
Vote for Sierra Club's Board of Directors
Your participation is critical for a strong Sierra Club. Those eligible to vote in the national Sierra Club election will receive in the mail (or by email if you chose the electronic delivery option) your national Sierra Club ballot in early March 2021. The ballot will include candidate information and links to additional info on Sierra Club’s website.
Angeles Book Club
Do you like reading great books and socializing with plugged-in fellow readers around themes of Environmental Justice? If so, our staff-led book club is the place for you! This season's pick is Toxic Communities: Environmental Racism, Industrial Pollution, and Residential Mobility by Dorceta Taylor. Everyone is welcome to this FREE community event. Wednesday, June 2 from 6:30-8:00 pm PT.
'Trash Talk' Saturdays
Dust-off your grabber, gloves and headsets, and dial-in to the Central Group conference line for a curated park cleanup! Saturday, April 17, 2021 from 9-11 am PT. Click here to learn more and get involved.
Photo of the Month
Yosemite's 'firefall' illuminates El Capitan by Susan Manley. This natural wonder has become an obsession for photographers aiming to land the perfect shot. See this photo and many more in Focal Points Magazine, courtesy of the Angeles Chapter Camera Committee.
Outings
Sierra Club Outings remain on hold through July 4, 2021. Our Angeles Chapter program is working on ways to support and encourage leaders while developing future outings during this time. Look for a few Travel Adventures ready to go, and more wonderful adventures to be added soon, even if their status is “Tentative."
Coming up on April 24th the Sierra Club Leadership Training Committee (LTC)
LTC will be offering another virtual navigation workshop. The webinar covers a variety of navigation topics and will help prepare participants for future navigation checkoffs. Sign up two weeks in advance by contacting the event organizer.
Entity Spotlight: Desert Peak Section (DPS)
DPS is a desert backpacking and climbing section of the Angeles Chapter Sierra Club. Their goal is to explore and enjoy the desert mountain ranges of the American West. Read more about their history here. DPS is a desert backpacking and climbing section of the Angeles Chapter Sierra Club. Their goal is to explore and enjoy the desert mountain ranges of the American West. Read more about their history here.
Volunteer Corner
There are many volunteer opportunities for Sierra Club members. You can sign up for a 1:1 volunteer match and we will help find you a position, or you can use the Sierra Club’s Volunteer Connection and scroll thru posted volunteer openings and roles.
If you visit our chapter website’s Volunteer Page, you can read our blog dedicated to Volunteer News and find the following highlighted volunteer needs:
- Finance Committee Chair to provide oversight of the finances for the Chapter and brief the Executive Committee about the financial status of the Chapter
- Environmental Journalist to help write informative and entertaining copy related to environmental and sustainability issues.
- Water Activist in Orange County (OC) willing to help with important water issues like Poseidon, Bolsa Chica and other Coastal OC issues.
- Grassroots Journalist to help write action inspiring copy that motivates readers to write letters/emails to decision makers, attend (virtual) government meetings and sign petitions.
- Skills based volunteers with Marketing Technology/ IT backgrounds who can assist with email campaigns, SalesForce, Drupal, Google Analytics and other Information Technology tools used by the chapter.
- Social Media Volunteers who can help create and post relevant content to our Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn platforms.
- Mountain Open Space Activists to join the Santa Monica Mountains Task Force and help secure and protect more land, while coordinating discussions on open spaces, trails and Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) conservation.
Lives We Remember
The Sierra Club is indebted to the contributions of members who are no longer with us. This page is one way we remember their lives and their impact. If you have recently lost a loved one and would like them to be remembered here, please let us know here.
