Conservation Committees

Support for conservation programs:
 
Conservation Email Forum
The Angeles Chapter has established a discussion list for Sierra Club activists working on conservation issues in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. To subscribe, email listserv@lists.sierraclub.org. In the body of the message (not header) write: subscribe angeles-conservation
 
Staff Support

Kim Orbe, Conservation Program Manager: kim.orbe@sierraclub.org


Regional Conservation Committees


ANGELES CHAPTER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

The Angeles Chapter Conservation Committee coordinates action on conservation issues for the Angeles Chapter. It recommends positions on pending conservation issues to the Chapter Executive Committee (ExComm) and provides a forum for members to discuss conservation issues.

Meetings: 3rd Wed monthly, 7:00 pm in the Chapter Offices. Contact Chair by the end of previous month for place on agenda.
 

Website: angeles.sierraclub.org/conservation_committee 

Contact Co-Chairs:  Darrell Clarke & Steven Dunwoody by emailing angelesconservationcommittee@gmail.com. 

 


ORANGE COUNTY CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
The Orange County Conservation Committee provides a forum to discuss Orange County conservation topics, and supervises 11 ongoing Conservation Projects.
 
Meetings: Meets quarterly. Contact chair for details.
 
 
Contact: Ray Hiemstra, Chair, OC Conservation: raymondhiemstra@gmail.com

 


EACH REGION IN THE CHAPTER HAS A CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

Do you have questions or concerns about local environmental issues? Each region has a Conservation Chair who is there to help members monitor and work with governments and agencies to promote preservation of our neighborhoods; your regional chair also sponsors educational and work trips; encourages and supports other members to work for the same objectives of local neighborhood habitat preservation, clean air, clean water and sustainable communities.
 
 

Chapter-wide Conservation Issue Subcommittees


CLEAN BREAK COMMITTEE

The Clean Break Committee advocates for an end to oil and gas drilling, fracking and all other forms of well stimulation, production, and distribution in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Oil and gas production and distribution pose unacceptable risks to the health and safety of our communities; environmental quality, including air, water and soil; natural resources; geology and seismic activity; and climate. These risks are of particular concern in Los Angeles County where many oil and gas wells are located in close proximity to densely populated urban neighborhoods, resulting in toxic emissions in low-income communities of color that are already disproportionately impacted by urban pollution.

Contact: cleanbreaksc@gmail.com

 

CLIMATE ACTION TEAM
To reduce global warming and improve health, the Climate Action Team educates the community and public leaders and advocates for lower greeenhouse gas emissions, clean energy technology, stringent regulation of polluters, improved air quality, and environmental justice.
 
Meetings:  Monthly on the first Thursday of the month 4-5:30 pm, virtually via Zoom.

Contacts:

  • Aura Vasquez, Chair: Aura@auravasquez.com      
 

ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
The Environmental & Social Justice Committee was formed to expose the linkages between environmental quality and social justice, and to promote dialogue, increased understanding, and appropriate action, so that disproportionately affected communities will find justice and experience a healthy and sustainable future.
 
Meetings:  Monthly on Second Saturday, 2-3:30pm at Angeles Chapter offices

Contact:: Yvonne (Martínez) Watson, Chair: ywatson@dslextreme.com

 

FOREST COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Forest Committee is to preserve and restore our forests and to expand the wilderness areas that protect them. Key issues range from improving the management of our local National Forests, the Angeles and the Cleveland, as well as in the Sierra Nevada, particularly the Giant Sequoia National Monument, and supporting Roadless Area designations nationally. We conduct outreach to the public through programs and speakers, and to participants in Sierra Club outings in sensitive forest areas.
 
Meetings: 4th Wed, odd months except Nov, 7:30pm at Eaton Canyon Nature Center, 1750 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena.
 
Southern CA Forest Campaign Website: /angeles//forest_committee
Social Media: Facebook Page
 
Contacts:
  • Don Bremner, Co-Chair: donbremner@earthlink.net
  • John Monsen, Co-Chair: wildernessjfm@aol.com
  • Bob Cates, San Gabriels Trail Crew Coordinator
  • San Gabriels Trail Crew: Kate Allen, Steve Anderson, Tina Bowman, Don Bremner, Winnette Butler, Allison Allport, Erik Counseller, Jim Crook, Jim Fleming, Dana & John Hunter, Bill Jackson, Cathy Kissinger, Nathan Krumm, Mei Kwan, Sharon Moore, Victoria Overbey, Ron Schrantz, Kent Schwitkis, Bob Thompson, John Yard

 

 


LOS CERRITOS WETLANDS TASKFORCE

The purpose of the Los Cerittos Wetlands Taskforce is to employ the energy and expertise of Sierra Club members and other organizations and individuals to: Educate the local and larger community as to the value of the Los Cerritos Wetlands and the risks posed by projects and activities in and around them.

Meetings: Quaterly, Contact Chair for time and location

Website: /angeles//los_cerritos_wetlands_taskforce

Contact: Ann Cantrell, Chair: anngadfly@aol.com

Anna Christensen, Co-Chair: annachristensen259@gmail.com


SAN ONOFRE TASK FORCE

 

SAN ONOFRE TASK FORCE
The San Onofre Task Force is organized to ensure safe operations of the San Onofre nuclear power plant and to confirm that its federal operating license is not renewed. .
 
Meetings: Monthly. Contact Chair for time and location
 
Website: /angeles//san_onofre_task_force
 
Contact:  Marni Magda, Chair: marnimagda@gmail.com
 

SAVE THE PUENTE-CHINO HILLS TASK FORCE

 


TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Transportation is the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at 29% – and is a huge 39% here in California. We work for sustainable transportation and land use in Los Angeles and Orange Counties to change that, locally supporting the Sierra Club's national Clean Transportation for All campaign.

Our campaign areas are:

  • Funding for transit expansion (L.A. County's 2008 Measure R and 2016 Measure M), Metro's current projects (Van Nuys Blvd. light rail just approved, Orange Line upgrade, Sepulveda Corridor rail, Crenshaw north to Hollywood), and bus electrification (recently approved) and restructuring;
  • Upgrade Metrolink and support California High Speed Rail in L.A. County;
  • Good dense affordable infill development to reduce the need to drive;
  • Complete and green streets for walking, biking, and scooting (recent Los Angeles City bicycle plan);
  • Clean freight from the ports;
  • Incentives to drive less;
  • Stop new highways and sprawl (SR-710 tunnel recently cancelled and High Desert Corridor);
  • Rapidly grow Electric Vehicles and EV charging, especially for multi-family neighborhoods;
  • Work with larger coalitions, expand this website and Facebook, and welcome new members!
 
Meetings: 7pm on first Thursday of each month via Zoom.
Contact: Darrell Clarke, darrclarke@gmail.com 
 
 

WATER COMMITTEE
The Water Committee addresses water issues that impact the Los Angeles and Orange Counties with a focus on water supply, conservation, and beneficial uses for conserved water. Includes an education component to provide presentations and materials to residents about conservation, water supply, and water quality issues.
 
Meetings:  4th Thursday, 7:00 pm, every month
 
 
Contact: Charming Evelyn, Chair: bcharmz@aol.com
 

 


WILDLAND URBAN WILDFIRE COMITTEE (WUWC)
The Sierra Club Wildland Urban Wildfire Committee was formed to address land-use planning and other issues related to the increasing intensity and frequency of wildfires in the wildland-urban interface/intermix (WUI).
 
Meetings: 2nd Thursday, 2:00 pm, every month
 
 
Contact: Lynne Plambeck, Chair, Phone: (661) 255-6899, Email: lynnepl1@juno.com
 
 

 

Los Angeles County Conservation Campaigns & Task Forces


DIAMOND BAR / POMONA VALLEY TASK FORCE
The Diamond Bar – Pomona Valley Task Force of the Sierra Club, Angeles Chapter, educates and addresses regional conservation issues in the cities of Diamond Bar, Chino Hills, Rowland Heights, Walnut, Pomona, West Covina, San Dimas, LaVerne, Claremont, stretching from the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains to Puente-Chino Hills. The group monitors human activities, which pose threats to natural open space and wildlife habitats within the region, and focuses on California Native landscapes, trees, plants, wildlife connectivity, biodiversity, green infrastructure, water supplies, air quality, and transportation.
 
Meetings: Meetings are scheduled as needed. Contact Chair.
 
Website: https://www.facebook.com/dbpvtaskforce/

Contact:  Robin Smith, Chair: diamondbarbeautiful@gmail.com

 

 


SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TASK FORCE

The San Gabriel Valley Task Force is composed of representatives from the Pasadena, Rio Hondo, and Long Beach Groups and any other interested Sierra Club members, and works to address regional conservation issues in the San Gabriel Valley, including open space and habitat preservation, water supply and quality, toxic waste disposal, local landfills, air quality, transportation, and the Rio Hondo and San Gabriel River watersheds.

Meetings: As needed. Contact Joan Licari for time and location.

Website: /angeles//san_gabriel_valley_task_force/

Contact:: Joan Licari: 626-330-4220 or jlicari2013@gmail.com

 

 


SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS TASK FORCE
An activist committee encouraging protection of the Santa Monica Mountains while promoting the understanding and awareness of their natural values, the Santa Monica Mountains Task Force's goals encompass maintaining open space and acquiring additional parkland, recommending Sierra Club policy on the Santa Monica Mountains, leading outings to acquaint leaders and the public with the Santa Monica Mountains, and building and maintaining trails.
 
Meetings: 2nd Mon monthly (except August), 7:30 pm, alternating between the S and N side of the Santa Monica Mountains. See Schedule for meetings location. Agenda and conservation information are outlined in the monthly newsletter.
 
Newsletter: The SMMTF Newsletter details current conservation issues, problems, and projects which affect the integrity of the mountains.

Website: https://smmtf.org/

Contacts:

Chair
Eric Edmunds
lalhasa@aol.com
 
Vice Chair
Bill Vanderberg
bill.vanderberg@ca.rr.com
 
Angeles Chapter Conservation Committee Rep
Wendy-Sue Rosen
rosenfree@aol.com
 
Volunteer Coordinator
Rachel Glegg
rachel.dorman@gmail.com
 
Outings Chairs
Howard Strauss
htstrauss@aol.com
David Finch
davidmfinch@mac.com
 
Newsletter
Mike Robinson
mrobwriter@gmail.com
 
Treasurer
Pam Smith
smmtaskforce@gmail.com
 
 

SAVE MONTEBELLO HILLS TASK FORCE
The Save Montebello Hills Task Force is dedicated to preserving and restoring the last remaining open space in Montebello, currently being used for oil production.
 
Meetings: First Thursday of each month 7:30 pm in the back room of Carrow's Restaurant, 1021 San Gabriel Blvd, Rosemead
 
 
Contacts:
  • Linda Strong, Co-Chair: lindacuyama@aol.com
  • Michael Popoff, Co-Chair: madrussian90640@yahoo.com
  • Margot Eiser: savemontebellohills@gmail.com
 

Orange County Conservation Campaigns & Task Forces


SAVE HOBO ALISO TASK FORCE—LAGUNA BEACH
The Save Hobo Aliso Task Force was formed to protect and preserve all unprotected acreage and waterways in and around Hobo and Aliso Canyons as well as Hobo Aliso Ridge in South Laguna. These lands are connected to two wilderness parks: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (6600 acres) and the Aliso Wood Canyons Wilderness Park (4200 acres). Task Force efforts include restoration of a significant portion of acreage under the jurisdiction of the California Coastal Commission as well as upholding and supporting the jurisdiction of the Coastal Commission on lands deemed areas of deferred certification, as well as restoration efforts for Aliso Creek, a 303(d) pollutant-impaired body of water that flows through Aliso Canyon and into the receiving waters of the Pacific Ocean.
 
Meetings: Notices via email to all interested parties. Contact Chair.
 
Contacts:
  • Penny Elia , Chair
  • Dan Elia, Vice Chair
  • Sharon Larimer, Sec.
  • Jeanie Bernstein, Betsy Bredau, Terry Sehi
 

Inter-Chapter Conservation Committees


CALIFORNIA/NEVADA DESERT COMMITTEE
The California/Nevada Desert Committee works for the protection, preservation, and conservation of the CA, NV desert; supports the same objectives in all desert areas of the Southwest; monitors and works with governments and agencies to promote preservation of our arid lands; sponsors educational and work trips; encourages and supports others to work for the same objectives; maintains, shares and publishes information about the desert.
 
 
Contacts:
  • Terry Frewin, Chair (terrylf@cox.net)
  • Joan Taylor, Vice Chair
  • Kate Allen, Outings Chair (kj.allen96@gmail.com)
  • David Underwood, Web

 

CNRCC – Coastal Conservation Coordinating Committee
The CNRCC works for the protection, preservation, and conservation of the California coastline; has a focus on helping Sierra Club members understand the California Coastal Act and coordinate among California Coastal Chapters within the “California Coastal Zone” as outlined in the Coastal Act, coordinates closely with members before the California Coastal Commission and coordinates closely with Sierra Club California related to legislation that might impact the “California Coastal Zone”, supports the same objectives in all coastal areas of California; monitors and works with governments and agencies to promote preservation of our near ocean biome and coastal waterways and lands; sponsors educational and work trips; encourages and supports others to work for the same objectives; maintains, shares and publishes information about coastal California habitats, issues, agencies and laws. Helps members engage with the California Coastal Conservancy.
 
 
Contact: David Grubb, Chair

Angeles Chapter FoundationWe'd like to thank the Angeles Chapter Foundation for their generous support of many initiatives within our conservation programs.

[Antelope Valley Wildflowers, © Wallis Bland, all rights reserved]