From pulling garlic mustard to save butterflies and hosting Beyond Coal house parties, to speaking up for an equitable 21st century transportation system, Sierra Club volunteers, leaders, and supporters are stepping up to make change!
ACT NOW! Tell the MD Board Of Public Works No to I-495 & I-270 Expansion
The Board of Public Works will vote on June 5th on an agreement that would green light Governor Hogan's plan to add 4 additional lanes to the Capital Beltway and I-270. Tell the Board of Public Works to vote NO to protect our environment, health, and communities. Studies show that adding lanes does not fix the congestion problem.
TransCanada Sues Maryland for Potomac Pipeline
TransCanada has filed a federal lawsuit against Maryland after the Board of Public Works unanimously rejected plans for the fracked gas Potomac Pipeline. Sierra Club and partners are committed to fighting this project. Read our statement here
Sign Our Petition to Move Maryland Beyond Coal
Our paper petition to ask our leaders in Maryland to lead the way on moving Maryland Beyond Coal is now online.Sign it here. Also, join us for our next Statewide Beyond Coal Call on Tuesday June 11 at 7 pm to learn about updates to the campaign and how you can volunteer.
Your Voice Matters- Montgomery passes 400k for a Climate Plan
Montgomery Sierrans called and wrote their council members and that made all the difference.
Contact Shruti Bhatnagar to Volunteer with Montgomery Sierra Club!
Join the MD Sierra Club Public Health Committee!
The Public Health Committee's mission statement is, "To promote sustainable and healthy lives and communities across Maryland by reducing environmental threats, addressing inequalities in environmental risk and exposure, promoting healthy choices for individuals and communities, and advocating for policies leading to an equitable and healthy environment for all."
The Committee's issue campaigns of interest include banning chlorpyrifos pesticides, reducing lead exposure, and addressing sources of air pollution. The Committee is also focusing on developing a strategy to use Spatial Epidemiology as a visual way to communicate more efficiently with policy makers, government workers, and the general public.
The Committee meets quarterly and has monthly conference calls on the third Wednesday of the month at 8:00 pm. New members are welcome. Contact Ling Tan, Vice Chair.
It’s Garlic Mustard Season!
Join us to pull garlic mustard - an escaped Eastern European garden herb. While tasty on sandwiches, it is killing butterfly caterpillars and native plants and wildlife. Join us at local parks on weekdays and weekends to help remove garlic mustard! Sign up for dates here or contactstewardship.outings@mdsierra.org 301-277-7111. Tools and guidance will be provided. Find more locations of weed pulls around the state here.
BICO Co-Chair Nicole Veltre featured in Baltimore Magazine!
Baltimore Inspiring Connections with the Outdoors (BICO) takes adults and under-served Baltimore City youth on educational, enjoyable, and safe outdoor experiences in the natural world in Baltimore. Our own BICO Co-Chair Nicole Veltre-Luton made it into Baltimore Magazine - see a fabulous picture here! To volunteer on outings, gear maintenance, grant-writing, or web updates contactBaltimoreICO@gmail.com or check for opportunities here.
MD PAC Treasurer Opening
Have some experience with QuickBooks or even political financing? The MD Chapter Political Action Committee (PAC) Treasurer fills a key role to elect environmentally friendly candidates to public office and is responsible for following the political financing rules in Maryland and reporting to the Maryland Board of Elections especially every 4 years when state and local elections are held. Contact: Brian.Ditzler@mdsierra.org
MD Political Chair Opening
Have a strong interest in politics? To win on the environment, we need people in office who support our agenda! The Political Chair oversees the MD Chapter's endorsement process for state, local, and Congressional candidates, works with our local Group Political Chairs to prioritize campaigns, raises money for political action, and supervises our PAC Treasurer on finance rules and regulations. It's a rewarding job, especially when we win! Contact: Josh.Tulkin@mdsierra.orgor Brian.Ditzler@mdsierra.org
Ospreys and Mountain Laurel at Jug Bay Natural Area Sunday June 2nd
Let's go see the nesting ospreys and the blooming mountain laurel at the Jug Bay Natural Area at Patuxent River Park. This 3-mile walk will take us along natural-surface trails through the upland woods and boardwalks along the shoreline. Starts at 1 pm. Info & RSVP here.
"Cycle of Accountability" Webinar Wednesday June 5th
Now that the legislative session is over, what comes next? Join us for a 7 pm webinar on how to be a year round advocate for state legislation, and specifically how to make the most of your advocacy through post-session accountability and coordination with legislative champions.
Sign up here and you will be sent webinar information closer to the event.
Sierra Club Outings Leader Training Sunday June 9th
Lead with us! Explore and enjoy the great outdoors, find inspiration, and protect nature! Whether you’re an experienced outdoors person or just getting started, join us for a fun day of training and team-building to become a Sierra Club hike and trip leader. More info & RSVP here.
Southern Maryland Weekly Wander Wednesdays
Wander through our local parks on Wednesdays every week between Memorial & Labor Days. We will meet at 10 am at the trailhead (or playground if there is one), do intros and get geared up. Then at 10:15 AM we'll begin our kid-paced hike around the park to explore the outdoors! June 5th info & RSVP
Young Voices for the Planet at American University June 20th
Young Voices for the Planet's short documentaries inspire and empower youth to change minds, change laws and change the world. Join MD Sierra Club’s own Lynne Cherry - a New York Times best selling author, illustrator of "The Great Kapok Tree," and an award winning filmmaker at 6 pm. RSVP & Info here.
Ground War Pesticide Documentary Sunday June 30th
Must Watch! What's the true nature of the chemical war with the ground, exposing our families and pets, washing off in our waterways, and affecting wildlife? Info & RSVP here.
Reserve your Spot for the Best Sierra Club MD Event! October 11 - 13
Join the Maryland Sierra Club at our every other year Jamboree at Shepherds Spring Retreat for workshops, nature walks, campfire, music, dancing, yoga, camaraderie with other like minded environmental activists old and young camping, or in cabins! Info & RSVP.
Goodbye Compressor Station, See Ya Never Fracked Gas Plant
Sierra Club’s Maryland Chapter, Beyond Dirty Fuels, and Beyond Coal campaigns worked with partners to defeat a proposed fracked gas compressor station, and likely took down a proposed fracked gas power plant along with it. Dominion officially walked away from the proposed compressor, limiting capacity at the Cove Point LNG export facility and casting extreme doubt on the viability of a proposed fracked gas power plant in southern Maryland.Read more here.
Organizations Blast Hogan for Vetoing HB 1281 Funding for Bikeways and Transit
