Loma Prieta Chapter eNewsletter: June, Volume 1

The Western Snowy Plover is a threatened shorebird species with populations that nest on the beaches of California’s Pacific Coast. Because they rely on safe beaches, increased disturbances by humans and human-introduced predators have done increasing damage to their populations. With sea level rise encroaching on beaches as well, Snowy Plovers come into even further contact with disruptions to their nesting. As a result, Snowy Plovers have also taken up salt flats as alternative nesting sites. To conserve and save these birds, Sierra Club's Bay Alive and 30x30 campaigns promote the use of nature based solutions to protect the San Francisco Bay wetlands, associated habitats, and human communities from sea level rise. The 30x30 campaign works to conserve 30% of California’s lands and waters by 2030. Learn more.

How can local cities and residents use nature-based adaptations to sea level rise? Watch recordings of our webinar series with SF Bay experts and please share with your local elected officials.

This year the Guardians of Nature Benefit will be Friday, October 4th, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. 

Make sure to reserve this evening to acknowledge Congresswoman Eshoo's decades of dedication to environmental protection and stewardship, while enjoying the company of fellow Sierrans and friends dedicated to preserving our precious environment. 

Stay tuned for more event updates. The sponsorship opportunities will be available soon; pledge yours here. 

Save the date, mark your calendars, and join us as we celebrate Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, a true Guardian of Nature!

Comment Letter to Architectural Digest

"Tip 17, Look into artificial grass encourages readers to use a hardscaping material that repels wildlife. Not only does synthetic plastic grass, as a hardscape, kill microorganisms and worms in the soil, in sunlight it can heat to as much as 70°F above ambient air temperature (https://tinyurl.com/TuriPdf), causing a localized heat island. These two effects alone will make each installation of “lawn” a wasteland for birds, pollinators, squirrels, lizards and other fauna."

Comment Letter to City of San Jose Planning, Building and Code Enforcement

"1. The Economic and Policy Assessment does not mention the requirement of compatibility with the Coyote Creek Park Chain and broader environmental objectives for Coyote Valley; 2. The Economic and Policy Assessment does not mention all of the relevant policies in the Envision 2040 General Plan; 3. The “Restaurants, Wineries, Beer Gardens and Culinary Arts” cut sheet should not include a “Consistent” rating for General Plan Land Use; 4. All uses ranked “Partially Consistent” should include a statement that in order to be consistent, such uses must be small-scale and ancillary to and intended to enhance the viability of agriculture; 5. The “Demonstration Areas for Sustainable Infrastructure” cut sheet should not include a “Consistent” ranking for General Plan Land Use."

Comment Letter to Santa Clara County Sustainability Commission

"The Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, representing more than ten thousand supporters in Santa Clara County, is in strong support of the County establishing such prohibitions. Furthermore, we ask that the County consider not grandfathering projects which are not currently under contract with the County. Given the public health risks and environmental threats posed by artificial turf, projects such as the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Athletic Fields should be required by the County to avoid the use of artificial turf or synthetic grass."

Comment Letter to Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors

"The undersigned organizations write in strong support of the proposed ordinance regulating surface mining operations with respect to impacts on groundwater. [...] The proposed ordinance is necessary to protect our groundwater from potential contamination. The example of the Lehigh Permanente Quarry, and the discharges of selenium into Permanente Creek as a result of their actions in mining below the groundwater table, should be sufficient to demonstrate how important it is to require that mining operations maintain a protective buffer zone from the groundwater table."

We're looking for two or three volunteer caretakers with good DIY attitude and skills to share the maintenance role at the Ollie Mayer Hiker’s Hut in Sam McDonald Park. The commitment is about one day visit or overnight stay (free of charge) per month. Parking fees or other "out-of-pocket expenses” are reimbursed. Learn more.

If you love forests and are an activist or want to be, join us! The Loma Prieta Forest Protection Committee hosts educational events and takes action to help protect forests in the Santa Cruz  Mountains and throughout California. The committee also promotes home hardening and community planning to help communities be safer from fire. Learn more here and/or attend our monthly meeting.