Southern Sierran
Newsletter of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter
August 2021
ON THE BLOG
HOW TO EFFECTIVELY COMMENT ON REGULATIONS
Making a passionate public comment before a government agency to protect a public good is not enough to sway a decision, the comment must cite law and why the law supports a vote for or against an issue being decided.
THE PUBLIC LANDS ACT WILL HELP US FIND REFUGE IN NATURE
This is the final entry in a three-part series on the Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act. Juana Torres, an environmental activist in Los Angeles, discusses the spiritual power of the outdoors, and how the PUBLIC Lands Act will protect landscapes and waters in the San Gabriel Mountains and expand access to these powerful places.
NEWS & UPDATES
MAXINE WATERS & KATIE PORTER TO HEADLINE THIS YEAR'S POLITICAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS
The California Sierra Club Political Action Committee (PAC) is holding its annual fundraiser online THIS WEEK, Sunday, August 8, from 4-6 PM PT, and it's not too late to buy your ticket or become a sponsor! Proceeds from ticket sales for the event will go to the PAC which provides financial contributions for Sierra Club-endorsed candidates in state and local elections in California. Learn more about the event details and how to become a sponsor or buy a ticket here.
VICTORY FOR PUBLIC LANDS!
The Santa Clarita City Council unanimously voted last month (July) to uphold the decision of the Santa Clarita Planning Commission, which denied the Sand Canyon Resort plan last month with a 5-0 vote citing concern with inadequate emergency ingress/egress, water use, negative traffic impacts, and also a promise that the land would be designated open space in perpetuity. The denial was made with prejudice, meaning the proposed project's developer cannot submit an application for a similar project for a year. Thank you to everyone who signed petitions, gave public comment, and supported Club and community organizers.
ANGELES CHAPTER BOOK CLUB
The Angeles Chapter Book Club meets again this month Wednesday, August 25, at 6:30 PM online. We'll discuss Octavia Butler's critically acclaimed and award-winning post-apocalyptic novel Parable of the Sower. This novel—set in California in 2024—provides commentary on climate change and social inequality that is so frighteningly prescient it's tough to put down.
"In the ongoing contest over which dystopian classic is most applicable to our time, Butler's "Parable" books may be unmatched."
—The New Yorker
Click here to learn more and RSVP to the meeting.
ANGELES CHAPTER ELECTIONS
Elections for Chapter and Group Executive Committee members are happening this fall. Voting is open from October 4th to November 15th. Angeles Chapter members will receive information about how to vote on or around October 4th. If you would like to petition to get on the Chapter ballot (deadline Aug 23rd) or if you are interested in running for your regional group executive committee, contact Election Committee Chair Jason Islas at jason.islas@gmail.com
SIERRA CLUB IS HIRING
We find ourselves in a pivotal moment in the fight for clean air, safe water, land protection, and a vibrant natural world, and we are looking for passionate and dynamic campaigners to join our team. Apply to one of our open positions listed below!
- Senior Campaign Representative - Beyond Dirty Fuels
- Associate Regional Press Secretary - My Generation Campaign California
- Policy Advocate - Sierra Club California
The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.
The Wilderness Travel Course will offer its legendary course in 2022! Registration will open on September 1. 2021. Some restrictions will be in place. Be patient as Information is being updated in order to be ready for registration. Visit their website to learn more.
OUTINGS & ACTIVITIES
Here are a few fun day-hikes to keep an eye out for this month. Hurry though, space is limited!
Return of the Magnificent Stairhikes #2
Thursday, August 5, 2021 6:30 - 9:00 PM
Renew your love for Silver Lake! After months of lonely isolation, here's a chance to enjoy city views, architectural gems and long, steep staircases guaranteed to get both your spirits and cardio up. The long-running stair hikes are back! Besides clambering up or down over 1,100 steps, learn about the Sierra Club's Wilderness Travel Course starting in January 2022. This course will teach you how to be a better, safer hiker while also making new friends--just what we need after a pandemic.
Enjoy the views of the Pacific Ocean from Solstice Canyon Photo by National Parks Service
Easy Thursday Hike at Solstice Canyon
Thursday, August 26, 2021 8:00 AM PT
Easy paced 3 miles of flat, easy, shaded and picturesque trail that travels through the Santa Monica Mountains and features a waterfall (Solstice Canyon Falls), historic ruins (Tropical Terrace Roberts Ranch) then back along the canyon through oak and walnut groves by the stream.
Outings are now on, but we are reopening slowly. No vaccine or tests are required on most Sierra Club outings. You are potentially on a trip with individuals vaccinated and unvaccinated. You are welcome to wear a mask if it makes you comfortable. Please, stay home if you are sick or experiencing any possible COVID symptoms.
Bee and Cactus - Huntington Gardens, by Robert Cates
See this photo and many more in Focal Points Magazine, courtesy of the Angeles Chapter Camera Committee. Instructions to subscribe are in Focal Points or contact the editor.
VOLUNTEER CORNER
There are many volunteer opportunities for Sierra Club members. You can sign up for a volunteer 1:1 and we will find you a position, or you can use the Sierra Club’s Volunteer Connection and scroll through 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:
- Front Desk Volunteer to greet visitors, help answer and route all incoming calls, maintain inventory of office supplies, sort mail, prepare shipping labels and more - email jane.macfarlane@sierraclub.org
- Newsletter Editor to solicit materials to be published, determine the features of a publication, set and enforce deadlines, and make a final determination about what will be published in each issue.
- Environmental Journalist to help write informative and entertaining copy related to environmental and sustainability issues.
- Water Activist in Orange County 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.
In Memoriam
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.
