Marley Davis, Cahaba Group
What are your specific environmental interests?
Ever since growing up in Warrior, Alabama, I have had a special connection to the environment. I grew up taking hikes, collecting rocks, and making bonfires on our land. I enjoyed Alabama’s beauty by hiking at Moss Rock, canoeing at Oak Mountain, and rappelling at Palisades Park.
After serving in the Peace Corps, my focus shifted to political activism for the environment. I learned about racial disparities in where people live, how they enjoy nature, and how they are disproportionately affected by climate change. For this reason, I’m interested in advocating for a more habitable planet for everyone by improving the quality of life through access to nutritional foods, potable water, and green spaces.
How are you helping Alabama explore, enjoy, and protect the environment?
The Sierra Club provides me with a platform to enjoy the outdoors and advocate for its protection. Through its lobbying efforts, I hope to encourage Alabama to shift to more renewable energy and environmental forms of transportation.
The Sierra Club’s monthly outings have been a great way to enjoy and explore new areas of my community. In my hometown of Mount Olive, there is an underutilized frisbee park that is great for biking. I’ve also enjoyed using the bike share apps to help my friends explore Pepper Place downtown.
What is one of your favorite memories associated with the Sierra Club?
The Sierra Club helped me reconnect with my Alabama roots. After joining in November, I attended the annual retreat at Camp McDowell. The retreat coincided with the Alabama Folk School retreat so my passion for the environment was combined with my passion for folk music. At the retreat, we square danced and had jam sessions with the Folk School while exploring the Nauvoo region. I learned from the many Alabamians who are an incredible source of knowledge on birds, plants, trees. I realized there is a diverse community of nature lovers in Alabama. They all inspired me to learn more about the history of Alabama’s trails and rivers.
What is one action you would like to see more of from the Sierra Club Alabama Chapter?
I would like the Alabama Sierra Club to promote more legislative advocacy and outreach to the local community in Alabama. The Sierra Club will diversity its membership by expanding our monthly meetings to include populations we have not attended in the past. By inviting new people and starting coalitions with broader local groups, we can learn from different perspectives that we may not be aware of currently. This will further our understanding of the climate crisis and our place within it.