December 5, 2022
Hello from the Angeles Chapter of Sierra Club Military Outdoors, also known as SCMO! The goal of SCMO is to ensure access to nature for military members, veterans, and their families. This is the local LA and Orange Counties section of the national program.
From left to right: Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, SCMO Intern Annie Wensley, Conservation Co-Chair Steve Dunwoody
Steve Dunwoody and Annie Wensley table for Sierra Club at Veteran's Day Celebration in Long Beach, CA
The Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors program is at the forefront of a national movement to ensure every veteran in America has an opportunity to get outdoors when they return home after service. We improve the lives of veterans and their families through connections with the outdoors and inspire members of the military and veteran community to become outspoken champions for environmental conservation and justice.
This November, the Angeles Chapter had the opportunity to join the City of Long Beach at its Veterans Day Celebration on November 12th. Alongside the People of the Earth (POTE) Krew, we connected with the local Long Beach community to engage veterans, military members, and their families with the earth. As Jesse Soria, founder of POTE said, “Many veterans come back home mentally wounded. Some come back to a strong support system, others come back to broken families. We need to stop accepting the wounded veteran trajectory, and start lifting each other and encouraging growth”.
The Angeles chapter is excited to continue supporting our Veterans with opportunities including upcoming hikes, Wilderness First Aid training for outings leaders, and social activities. If you would like to get involved with the SCMO program in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, please Sign Up for our email newsletter, or reach out to Annie Wensley at annie.wensley@sierraclub.org!