Chapter Director Elayne Elliott (c) joins Legislative and Political Director Christy McGillivray and Legislative and Political Coordinator Tim Minotas at the Sierra Club State Level Colloquium in December. Photo courtesy of Sierra Club.
Welcome Chapter Director Elayne Elliott
Join the Michigan Chapter in offering a very warm welcome to Elayne Elliott as she steps into her new role as chapter director of the Michigan Sierra Club. Elayne has shown her passion and commitment to the Sierra Club, first as an intern and then as the Green Stormwater Infrastructure organizer in Detroit. She is the fourth chapter director in the 55-year history of the Michigan Chapter. Across the Sierra Club, leaders are excited about the fresh perspective and talent Elayne brings to the chapter director role.
Learn more about Sierra Club’s new chapter director here.
The commitment of Sierra Club members and supporters over the decades has been central to the success of our work. Thank you!
Thank You for Your Support in 2022!
2022 was a challenging and exciting year, as the articles below point out. Your support, as a volunteer, donor or advocate for Sierra Club's causes, made all the difference. In this new year the Michigan Chapter is working to build on the successes of the past and to guard against orchestrated efforts to hold back environmental progress and protection of democracy.
It is clear the fight against climate change is more urgent than ever. This year, the Michigan Chapter staff and leaders are preparing to advocate for critical legislation, to promote clean energy at local and state levels, to continue the fight to shut down Line 5, and to protect the Great Lakes from all sorts of pollution. Your support in 2023 will help with these efforts.
DTE Monroe coal burning plant. Photo courtesy of Analicia Hazelby, AMH Creative LLC.
Michigan is Moving Beyond Coal to Clean Energy: For those who care about clean energy and climate justice in Michigan, 2022 was filled with meaningful progress. Read more about those victories here.
Thank you to all the Sierra Club members who supported our efforts this year! Next year, we’ll be focused on pushing the Michigan Public Service Commission to improve DTE’s recently filed energy plan, which keeps burning coal at their Monroe plant until 2035. Want to learn more or get involved? Take action at the button below or email mike.berkowitz@sierraclub.org.
Low-flying fighter jets could impact the Au Sable River (l) and much of the northern lower peninsula. Au Sable photo by Charlie Weaver. Map from the Michigan National Guard proposal.
Proposed Low-Flying Fighter Jets Over Northern Michigan Endanger Wildlife: The Michigan National Guard has proposed changes to its allowed airspace that would open up hundreds of square miles of forestland to training fighter jets as low as 500 feet above the ground. Until now, Guard flights that low have been limited to areas above Lake Huron plus the area directly around the Guard Air Gunnery Range northeast of Grayling. Public comments are being accepted until January 14. Read more about concerns regarding this proposal here.
Legislative Coordinator Tim Minotas (r) summarizes the work of Sierra Club in the Michigan Legislature during the past session. File photos of Michigan State Capitol and Tim Minotas.
Another Legislative Session in the Books: Onward to 2023: The Michigan Sierra Club engaged thousands in advocating legislation to protect the environment and democracy during the past legislative session. Find details of the Michigan Chapter’s work here, and plan to join the Sierra Club’s legislative efforts in 2023.
Michigan Chapter chair Abby Clark and Political Director Christy McGillivray work to get out the vote for the historic 2022 elections. Photo courtesy of Abby Clark.
Election Report From the Michigan Chapter Political Team: This election cycle, Sierra Club local groups, interns and members rolled up their sleeves and fought for environmental causes, supporting and working with candidates who prioritized clean air, clean water and protection of our natural resources. Those efforts paid off with voters on November 8 opting to protect the environment and democracy. Read the full Election Report from the Michigan Chapter Political Team here.
Dave Foreman speaks with Anne Woiwode and Harold Stokes at the Michigan Chapter Retreat (l). File photo. Foreman accepts a T-shirt from Carol Graham-Banes (r). Photo courtesy of Graham-Banes.
A Giant Among Us Has Passed: Michigan Chapter volunteer leader Carol Graham-Banes reflects on the passing of author and eco-activist Dave Foreman, recalling his visit to the Michigan Chapter Retreat. Read her tribute here.
Red-tailed hawk (l), photo by John Metzler. Lee Burton with a tufted titmouse (r), photo courtesy of Lee Burton.
Explore and Enjoy: Birding and Citizen Science
Bird watching, or birding, is a rewarding experience combining the enjoyment of the outdoors with the thrill of learning to identify birds by sight or by their calls. For those committed to protecting the planet, birding also helps to document the impacts of human activities on ecosystems. Find out about citizen science and birding activities in Michigan here.
