Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter222 South Hamilton St, #1, Madison, WI 53703

(608) 256-0565http://wisconsin.sierraclub.orgshahla.werner@sierraclub.org

Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter:2010 Highlights & Future Plans

The Sierra Club

Founded in 1892 by John Muir

Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States.

1.3 million members & supporters in North America

We use grassroots activism, public education, lobbying and litigation to protect natural resources.

Sierra Club Mission

To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth;

To practice and promote the responsible use of theearth's ecosystems and resources;

To educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and

To use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.

Sierra Club Outings

Thousands of exciting National, Chapter and Group trips each year

From backpacking in the Sierra Nevada to whale watching in Hawaii; from trekking in Nepal to bird watching in Brazil………

www.sierraclub.org/outings

64 Sierra Club Chapters in US and Canada: 2010 Assessment to

Highlight Strengths and Needs

Sierra Club – John Muir ChapterFormed in 1963, we are the statewide branch of the Sierra Club in Wisconsin

We follow the footsteps of legendary Wisconsin conservationists: John Muir, Aldo Leopold, Sigurd Olson and Gaylord Nelson. 

Executive Committee of Volunteer Leaders

Priority Issues: Promoting clean energy and efficiency and protecting Wisconsin’s water and habitats

15,000+ members/supporters and seven local groups in Wisconsin

Sierra Club Staff in Wisconsin

Chapter Coordinator: Jacinda TessmannCoal & Rail Programs Apprentice: Elizabeth WardChapter Director: Shahla WernerRegional Staff: Jennifer Feyerherm, Emily Miota,

Judy Hofrichter, Emily Green

John Muir Chapter Volunteer Leaders

2010 Officers Chair Eric Uram Vice Chair Jim Kerler Treasurer Harriet Iwamoto Secretary Liz Wessel

Committee Chairs Conservation Will Stahl Political Dave Blouin Legislative Caryl Terrell Fundraising Sarah Streed

Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter’s Local Groups

Groups: Coulee Region, Chippewa Valley, St Croix Valley Interstate, Four Lakes, Fox Valley, Great Waters, Southeast Gateway

Groups: The finger on the pulse of local issues and a local outlet for environmental education, outings and outreach; Ideal for Cool Cities activities & direct community action (like local roadside clean-ups, invasives removal or recycling programs)

 

John Muir ChapterRiver Touring Section

http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/rts/ Purpose: To coordinate paddling trips, to promote

on-the-water safety and improve paddling skills, to support river conservation organizations

John Muir Chapter: Inner City Outings (Madison)

Ann Catlett, (608) 233-5840 http://www.madisonico.org/ Purpose: ICO offers hiking and camping trips, boating and skiing

outings, and other outdoor adventures to underprivileged youth in the Madison area.

Sierra Student Coalition

http://www.ssc.org/

Purpose: The student arm of Sierra Club, Sierra Student Coalition is a broad network of high school and college youth (ages 17-30) from around the country working to protect the environment.

Chapter Priority Issue Teams: Focused on Clean Energy & Water

- Coal and Activist Network Trainings Aug 29 and Sept 12- 2010: GWS Team branches out to form Clean Transportation, Coal and Energy Efficiency- Water Team

2010 Clean Energy Activities

Protested offshore drilling at Hands Across the Sand Supported regional transit authorities, Clean Energy Jobs Act, Focus on Energy Quadrennial Review Boosted attendance at EPA Coal Ash hearings Coal Country screenings, Board of Regents comments delivery; UW-La Crosse rally, UW Oshkosh event for coal alternatives at state-owned plants Supported High-Speed Rail (petition, LTEs, 10-10-10 Parade for the Planet, 10-16-10 Rail Rally)

2010 Water Protection Activities

Worked for stronger CAFO regulation by weighing in on Livestock Siting Rule and General CAFO permit

Supported bills to protect groundwater and restrict waste spreading in karst

Supported Rules to limit Phosphorus Runoff and Point Pollution that are now the strongest in the country

Other Conservation Activities

Helped Chris Larson beat Jeff Plale in SD 7

Supported BPA – Free Kids Act, Mercury in Household products ban, Elecronics Recycling law (PASSED)

John Muir Chapter’s Future Plans

Reducing oil dependence by expanding transit with statewide RTAs and high-speed rail, Requiring WisDOT and Metro Planning Organizations to require greenhouse gas evaluations, low carbon fuel standards, electric vehicles

Passing enhanced renewable standards: 25% renewables by 2025

Passing energy efficiency standards: Reduce energy use by 2% per year

Transitioning coal plants to cleaner fuels or retiring them: Dairyland, Valley, Edgewater;

Continuing to work for groundwater protection, increased factory farm regulation

John Muir Chapter’s Organizational Plans

Implementing our new strategic plan: improving connections between Chapter, Groups, Sections, Outings

Increased programmatic focus, planning

Membership recruitment and increased emphasis on age, ethnic diversity

Expanding Our Fundraising Capacity

Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter: The case for membership

But I’m already a member of so many other organizations!

- Sierra Club has long history and proven track record- We educate through hands-on, statewide outings- We lobby for strong laws and rules - We sue polluters who break the law- We hold policymakers accountable w/our legislative

scorecard- We endorse candidates and elect conservation champions- We engage our members in grassroots activism and

provide them with conservation leadership opportunities