Hello! My name is Erin Krauss and I am a junior at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. I am a member of the St. Mary’s Student Coalition and have the exciting opportunity to work alongside the Sierra Club’s legislative team. This externship has already provided me with valuable networking opportunities but has also taught me the crucial ways in which the Sierra Club works to fight for and protect Maryland’s environment on a legislative level. As someone who grew up swimming in the Chesapeake Bay, I was exposed to environmental concerns at a young age. I remember my parents explaining to me why the water was dirty and teaching me the little actions I could take daily to help restore the Bay. Although collecting rainwater and recycling oyster shells are important, it’s exciting to work with a nationally recognized nonprofit that can create a large impact to benefit Maryland’s environment. The Sierra Club uses its vast resources to give a voice to the environment and the community who lives there. Working with the legislative team has taught me the value of lobbying and its strong influence on pushing bills forward in Maryland’s legislative process. The Sierra Club’s legislative team helps solidify the preservation of Maryland’s environment for a cleaner and healthier future. I look forward to continue learning about the Sierra Club’s legal approach to environmental justice and am excited to see the environmentally-friendly laws that will emerge from this year’s session due to the legislative team’s hard work.