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Sierra Club volunteers pose in front of the state Capitol during Lobby Day in May, 2023 (l). Cover of the Michigan Chapter report (r). Photo and cover graphic by Sarah Tresedder.
Michigan's Clean Energy Future: Sierra Club Legislative Report 2023. On November 8, the Michigan legislature passed a 100% Clean Energy Bill package, requiring all Michigan utilities to achieve clean energy by 2040. This bill package will position Michigan as one of the top leaders in clean energy production and generation in the United States. The legislation also enacts the highest labor standards in the country, requiring project labor agreements and prevailing wage on clean energy projects. The passage of these bills makes Michigan the first swing industrialized state in the country to pass such sweeping legislation. Read the full report on this legislation, what was accomplished and what remains to be done here.
Community Advocates Workshops - Harnessing Resources to Power Resiliency. Join Sierra Club Michigan Chapter for an evening of vision and fostering community in either the Muskegon area on December 5, or Detroit on December 7. Federal investments have the ability to create more healthy, resilient communities and it's up to us to help shape that vision. Share your interests, connect with others and learn how you can advocate across the region.
Register for the Muskegon workshop here and the Detroit workshop here.
A proposed reroute of the aging Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline in Wisconsin would prolong the danger to the Great Lakes. Map courtesy of Carl M. Sack.
ACT: Bad River Band Line 5 Reroute Needs Full Environmental Review. The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has won a court order for Enbridge to shut down Line 5 where it crosses the tribe's lands. The oil pipeline company is proposing to reroute the pipeline outside the reservation into sensitive, water-rich lands that flow into the tribal lands and Lake Superior. A full, comprehensive environmental review of the proposed reroute must be completed by the Army Corps of Engineers, which is overseeing the permit application for this project, but the federal agency has not agreed to a complete review. Your voice is needed to urge that this section of Line 5 undergoes a full environmental impact study, just like the proposed tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac in Michigan. Find out more and take action below.
Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association members gather for Veterans Day in Rouge Park, Detroit with friends and supporters from Carhartt, Sierra Club and Detroit’s Official Historian Jamon Jordan.
Veteran Appreciation. Friends and supporters of Detroit’s Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association gathered at the historic horse stables in Rouge Park on Veterans Day to express their gratitude for the Association’s continued service to the country and community. Read more about the celebration of Black veterans here.
On Veterans Day, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist announced the Whitmer administration's budget proposal for next year, which would allow all U.S. military veterans to have free lifetime access to Michigan's state parks. Michigan is home to more than 530,000 veterans. Find the details here.
A 2012 Earth Day March in Holland, photo by Jan O'Connell.
Michigan Chapter is Hiring: Volunteer Engagement Coordinator. Sierra Club Michigan Chapter seeks a Volunteer Engagement Coordinator to develop and maintain a strong volunteer program that supports the organization's campaigns, committees and groups.The perfect candidate for this role believes that volunteers are integral to an organization's success, embraces collaboration, enjoys working with diverse groups and communicates effectively. The salary range for this position is $59,000-$62,000. To learn more and to apply, click here.
Left: Andrew Sarpolis poses with his Climate Advocacy Leadership award presented to him by Marnese Jackson at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) awards ceremony. Photo by Tina Catron. Right: Andrew Sarpolis (second from right) poses with his parents, Kevin and Nancy Sarpolis, and partner Katie Fellman Sarpolis. Photo by David Holtz.
Michigan Field Manager Andrew Sarpolis honored with advocacy awards. Sierra Club’s Michigan Field Manager, Andrew Sarpolis, received two awards earlier this month for his dedication to community activism and advocacy. The first was presented by the Environmental Defense Fund and the second by the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights.
From Andrew: "Over the last decade, I have had the great privilege to be a part of some inspirational and amazing environmental work, and to do my small piece. But, there were many, many incredible people I have worked with, and this is their award as much as it is mine. Through these two awards, we had the chance to celebrate not just my work, but some of the incredible work of our volunteers and support staff at the Sierra Club. Through different campaigns and efforts, we have made real progress. We have helped support Oakland County towards the path to sustainability, getting it to commit to climate goals and create a sustainability office. We have retired coal plants by holding DTE accountable. And, we have organized two massive climate marches on Earth Day. While the work goes on and is far from done, we're making change by building a movement and getting recognized for our hard-fought efforts. This was a great opportunity for reflection on where we've been, and where we're going from here."
Red Pine natural area, Au Sable State Forest. Photo by Anne Woiwode.
Support the Michigan Chapter Through Our Evergreen Program. For five decades, Michigan Chapter volunteers and staff have worked to protect wild places, help communities of all sorts, and the ensure the right of Michiganders to have a say in a clean and healthy future. Fighting for clean water, outstanding natural resources, renewable energy and democracy is at the heart of everything Sierra Club does, and in 2024 it will be more important than ever.
Supporting the critical work of the Sierra Club is a way that everyone can play a part in protecting Michigan and its people. The Michigan Chapter’s Evergreen Program provides a way to donate a set amount every month that can fit even the tightest budget so that the children of tomorrow have a brighter, cleaner and safer future.
Take a small step today to have a big impact by becoming a part of the Evergreen Program. These donations add up quickly and are an easy way to ensure Sierra Club’s programs in Michigan are successful. Contact the Michigan Chapter at Contact.Us@michigan.sierraclub.org with any questions.
A bird identification game and traditional board games can offer environmentally friendly ways for guests to engage during holiday get-togethers. Red-bellied woodpecker at a bird feeder (l) and children playing chess (r). Photos by Anne Woiwode.
Explore and Enjoy: Environmentally Friendly Activities for Holiday Gatherings. As the cold weather and holiday season begin, many of us will spend time celebrating with multigenerational family members and friends. Being prepared to explore and enjoy new things together can be a lifesaver during those demanding times when the children are getting bored, Black Friday isn't your thing or Uncle Fester decides to launch into a lecture on the current state of the world. Check out some environmentally friendly activities that everyone can enjoy here.
