This month we are spotlighting Alex Burns, chair of our Land Use and Transportation Team, who is hoping you will join him on our annual bike tour on September 15th!
What brought you to the Minnesota (North Star) Chapter of Sierra Club?
I had just started to become interested in transportation issues, and I saw a posting on the chapter website for a land use and transportation intern. I stopped by the chapter offices to meet with Joshua and I knew it would be a great fit.
What are you most proud of from your work?
More than a single victory, I'm most proud that we've brought an environmental lens into important issues that don't seem inherently environmental. It's often easy to see the environmental consequences of a new mining project or oil pipeline, but it can be harder for things like zoning codes, parking requirements, or transportation funding. As the world becomes increasingly urban, how we design our cities and transportation networks has a major impact on the climate, habitat availability, and air quality. Our chapter has been a leading voice in these discussions in Minnesota.
Why do you keep volunteering with Sierra Club?
The staff and volunteers that make up the North Star Chapter are so wonderful. They have a great energy that is both positive and empowering. I believe in the work that we are doing, and I receive so much joy in doing it.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Sierra Club?
Now more than ever, the Sierra Club has elevated the importance of building an inclusive environmental movement that centers equity and racial justice. I think that it is important to highlight this shift.