Artwork by Ed Nolde, Artist & Sierra Club Maine Volunteer
April 2024
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Film Screenings: Covenant of the Salmon People
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Sierra Club Maine is honored to be hosting two film screenings of Covenant of the Salmon People (COTSP): April 17 at Brunswick High School’s Crooker Theater & April 18 at the Gracie Theatre in Bangor. We hope you'll join us! Secure your ticket below.
COTSP is a 60-minute documentary portrait of the Nez Perce Tribe as they continue to carry out their ancient promise to protect the Chinook salmon. The film explores the intertwined fate of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce), salmon, and the landscape from which both evolved. Learn more about the film here. Doors open at 6pm, screening begins at 6:30pm. A panel discussion will follow.
Presented by Sierra Club Maine, Nez Perce Tribe, Wabanaki Alliance, Penobscot Nation, Natural Resources Council of Maine, Atlantic Salmon Federation, and Downeast Salmon Federation. |
Earth Day Events April 20th!
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Sierra Club Maine is celebrating Earth Day by getting outside and giving back! Join us Saturday, April 20th* as we clean up our communities and hike the great outdoors! *Rain date April 21st
COMMUNITY CLEAN UPS
Calling all volunteers and nature lovers! Give back by joining one of our community clean ups. Learn more here.
SEARS ISLAND CLEAN UP & HIKE
Earth Day is the perfect time to get outdoors to appreciate the beauty of Maine. Join us for an outing on Sears Island on April 20th* from 10am to 1pm! We will hike the island’s various trails, admire the local ecology, and pick up any litter along the way. Learn more & register here.
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As the 131st Legislature inches towards its statutory adjournment date on April 17th, the Maine Chapter volunteer Legislative Team continues to track and advocate for our priorities at the state house! Here are some highlights: -
LD 2007, the Tribal Self-Determination bill, was amended and advanced out of committee. The amendment is significantly pared down from the original bill, but tribal representatives are still supportive. In an interview with the Maine Morning Star, Ambassador Bryant said “Though only a small step, it is forward.” Sierra Club Maine will continue to support LD 2007 and plans to keep Tribal Self-Determination as a priority in future sessions.
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LD 2261, An Act Designating New Motor Vehicle Emissions Rules as Major Substantive Rules, was introduced in an attempt to delay the passage of the Advanced Clean Cars II Rules. Sierra Club Maine testified in opposition.
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The Legislative team continued to monitor the Appropriations committee as they worked on the supplemental budget. Various Sierra Club priorities remain ‘stuck’ on the appropriations table waiting to be funded, including LD 993, Forest Advisory Board, and LD 1621, EJ Definitions & Framework.
Interested in getting involved with our volunteer Legislative Team? Reach out to Ania Wright at ania.wright@sierraclub.org for more information.
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Biddeford-Saco Climate Task ForceBy Nick Fuller Googins
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Since four of us first met last December, our new Climate Action Team has grown in leaps and bounds; it now includes over a dozen active members from Biddeford and Saco, with more joining each week. After getting to know each other and discussing what issues felt most important to us, we decided to pour our energy into meeting with local officials, networking with other environmental groups, and organizing a Climate Town Hall. The group's first Climate Town Hall will be held on April 23rd, 5:30-7:30pm, at Biddeford’s McArthur Library. It will be a listening, discussion, and informational session for residents to process the climate-related disasters we’ve all experienced this winter along the coast. The event will feature 3 citizen experts who will discuss what’s being done globally, nationally, and right in our backyard to combat the climate crisis. It will also serve as a jumping-off point for residents to join local initiatives, such as saving our beloved Clifford Park from low-density, luxury housing development.
In these most trying times, with climate catastrophe intensifying more rapidly than many of us feared, there may be no better antidote to despair than banding with others to fight the good fight. We can do nothing, or we can do something, and down here in Biddeford and Saco, we are just getting started. Interested in getting involved? Email Nick at fullergo@gmail.com. The team meets every other Wednesday (4/3, 4/17) at the Saco Amtrak Station's Community Meeting Room.
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Ecological Impact of Livestock Grazing on Public Lands
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Our friends on Sierra Club Massachusetts’ Plant-based Planet Team recently hosted a virtual talk on the ecological impact of livestock grazing on public lands. Their guest speaker, George Wuerthner
, is an ecologist and long-time grazing activist. George has been a member of the Sierra Club for 35 years, and currently serves on the Sierra Club's national Grazing Committee. In this virtual event, George discussed the ecological impact of livestock grazing on public lands, as well as the economic costs. We invite you to view the recording here.
Learn more about the Plant-based Planet Team, check out their plant-based fact sheet, and get inspired with their plant-based recipes.
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Photo by Igan Ness on Unsplash
Green Tip of the Month:
Use Less Water Without Even Trying
By Michael Trombley, Sierra Club Maine Volunteer
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Did you know you can easily reduce your water usage for only a few bucks? The sinks in your home are probably using aerators (little screens at the end of the faucet) that they came with. Standard ones flow at 2.2 gallons per minute (GPM). You can buy replacement aerators that will restrict the flow anywhere from 1.5 GPM all the way down to 0.5. They’re easy to replace without any special tools—usually, they twist off like a bottle cap. Aerators will only set you back about $7 each at your local hardware store.
If you want to save even more water, look at your shower head. According to the EPA, a household could save around 2,700 gallons per year by switching to a low-flow shower head. In 1992, the EPA mandated a max flow rate of 2.5 GPM for shower heads, and that’s likely what you have. But it’s possible you’d be fine with a WaterSense-certified shower head that uses even less. Replacing a shower head isn’t hard—there are hundreds of YouTube videos that can teach you. Of course, remember to keep your showers short, so your water savings don’t go down the drain.
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Here are some of the meetings and events we have coming up. We hope to see you soon!
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Legislative Team Meetings: Mondays at 4:30pm
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Help us organize events to educate and engage Mainers across the state.
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Events Team Meetings: Biweekly on Thursdays at 4pm
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Help us organize events to educate and engage Mainers across the state.
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April 5, 7:15pm: Maine Mariners Climate & Sustainability Night Fundraiser
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Don't miss an exhilarating evening of hockey and support a great cause at the same time! Sierra Club Maine invites you to a special fundraiser at the Maine Mariners vs Worcester Railers game at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. Doors open at 6:15pm and puck drops at 7:15pm. This isn't just any game—it's Climate and Sustainability Night! We have volunteers and staff working at a concession stand as a fundraiser for the chapter. We have purchased a block of 30 discounted tickets—get yours here!
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April 7, 9:30am-4pm: New England Youth Ocean Summit at UMass Boston
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Learn how you can make a difference for the ocean, inspire your peers and make real change. Hear from experts about the problems facing our ocean, learn advocacy skills and inspire each other to make change. Registration is free, and travel stipends are available for students. Register here.
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April 10, 8-11:30am: Conservation Lobby Day
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Join us at the State House in Augusta for an impactful morning talking to your legislators and connecting with activists from across the state. Learn the basics of lobbying and hear from leaders fighting to advance clean energy and climate action, further environmental justice, and protect the environment. Sign up here!
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April 16 at 12pm: Clean Energy Team Meeting
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Join our team and ensure a clean and just energy future for Maine, specifically focused on renewable energy development!
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April 17 & 18, 6-8:30pm: Covenant of the Salmon People Film Screenings
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Join us for a screening of the documentary film Covenant of the Salmon People. Doors open at 6pm with the 60-minute film screening beginning at 6:30pm. A panel discussion will follow.
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April 20: EARTH DAY Community Events!
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10am-1pm: Sears Island Hike & Clean Up
Join us for an outing on Sears Island in Searsport! We’ll hike the island’s various trails, admire the local ecology, and pick up any litter along the way. Register here. -
Community cleanups: Join us as we pick up litter in our communities throughout the state! Learn more here.
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April 23, 5:30-7:30pm: Biddeford Saco Climate Action Team's Climate Town Hall
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The Biddeford Saco Climate Action Team invites you to attend their first Climate Town Hall, which will take place at the McArthur Public Library in Biddeford. The event will begin with a panel presentation featuring climate scientists and local advocates. After the panel, attendees will be welcomed to share their own thoughts, concerns, and questions in a town hall format. Light refreshments will be served.
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Volunteer With Sierra Club Maine
Interested in helping to protect Maine’s environment? We invite you to join us at our next volunteer orientation— view our events calendar here! No matter your background, we have a role for you—no experience necessary. We are always looks for photos from across the state to feature in our marketing materials. Professionals and amateurs alike are encouraged to submit images of Maine landscapes, nature, and wildlife. Please submit your photo here.
Questions? Email us at maine.chapter@sierraclub.org.
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