Southern Sierran

SIERRA CLUB CORE VALUES

Sierra Club’s Board of Directors recently approved a set of core values for the organization that make us more powerful together as we collectively work to advance our mission. Here are Sierra Club’s core values, which are grounded in equity and inclusion:

• 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.

These core values were selected as the result of a 2+ year process led by a volunteer-staff Values Working Group.

WATCH IT BACK - Thank you to the City of Costa Mesa and everyone who attended the chapter’s Orange County Oil Spill Town Hall event Saturday evening, November 20. We had a great event with over 50 people attending in person and many more online. Read our recap and view the recording of the event here.

ACTIVIST GUIDE: THE OFFICE OF SPILL PREVENTION AND RESPONSE - Oil spills are catastrophic events that make all of us coastal activists in some ways. We must unify in our support in effective and meaningful responses that can make a difference. This is the first in a series on oil spills for coastal activists, and we start with understanding which agency is our first line of defense.

SIERRA CLUB SUES TO STOP HARMFUL SPRAWL - Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, and the California Native Plant Society filed a motion last week to defend a Calabasas City Council’s denial of a residential and commercial development proposed for the city’s fire-prone hillsides. In May city leaders unanimously voted against the 180-unit West Village at Calabasas project, citing wildfire risks and the loss of open space.

LEAVE A LEGACY

Consider naming the Angeles Chapter in your will or trust. Join our Planned Giving Luncheon Wednesday, January 26th at noon at the backyard of David Haake's house in Culver City - RSVP for the address (or online as a backup option.) Learn how the Sierra Club benefits from planned giving and how you can make a transformative impact for the environment.

ADD YOUR VOICE

PROTECT THE LOS CERRITOS WETLANDS FROM OIL DRILLING EXPANSION - We can intervene in a key moment to protect the Los Cerritos Wetlands from new wells and pipelines! Tell the California Coastal Commission Director and Project Manager you OPPOSE the Los Cerritos Wetlands oil consolidation and restoration project.

STOP L.A. ZOO'S PLANNED DESTRUCTION OF NATIVE WOODLANDS - At a cost of $650 million, the L.A. Zoo wants to expand its footprint in Griffith Park - destroying 23 acres of native habitat, including 227 City-protected trees. This is our chance to tell LA to choose the Environmentally Superior Alternative 1 for the LA Zoo "Vision Plan." This plan allows natural habitat areas to remain intact while modernizing the zoo.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

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.

OUTINGS & ACTIVITIES

OUTINGS BLOG - Local Long Beach student shares his experience enjoying the natural beauty of Bolsa Chica, one of the last remaining wetland ecosystems in Southern California.

Are you looking for an outdoor adventure, an opportunity to meet like-minded people, or something to do on a Saturday afternoon? Our schedule of activities is your guide to Sierra Club events throughout the region.

Here are a few activities to keep an eye out for this month.

WTC Intro Hike to Henninger Flats, Sunday December 12 at 7:30 AM
Fun, moderately-paced 6 miles round trip, 1400 ft gain hike on a fire road, the historic Mt Wilson Toll Road. Outstanding views of LA basin to a local gem of a destination. Learn about the Sierra Club's Wilderness Travel Course starting in January 2022, ask your questions, and maybe meet some future classmates! The WTC course will teach you how to be a better, safer hiker while also making new friends. Meet at 7:45 AM at the Pinecrest Gate, bring 2 qts water, hat, sun protection, a jacket and sturdy shoes to hike. Get more info here.

Santa Monica Mountains Trail Work (18+), Saturday, December 18 at 8:30 AM
We are the 'Trailies' of the Santa Monica Mountains Task Force! Our work includes trimming back overgrown vegetation; repairing erosion; removing invasive (non-native) plants; installing bridges, signage, and other structures; and more. Volunteer with us on Saturday mornings, October-June, from 8:30am until lunch, as little or as often as your availability allows. Get more info here.

Annual Henry Schultz New Year's Calorie Burner Hike, Saturday, January 1 at 12:00 PM
Join our annual New Year's Day Calorie Burner hike up the Los Pinetos Trail Moderate 6 mi, 1400' gain to ridge between San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys with outstanding views. Meet 12 noon at Walker Ranch entrance of Placerita Cyn Park. Get more info here.

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