SierraScape December 2001 - January 2002
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by Sheila Haar Siegel, Conservation Organizer

On Saturday, November 3, the Sierra Club organized a community canvass to call on our public officials to protect Missouri River floodplains and reduce global warming.

One purpose of the canvass was to urge Senator Jean Carnahan to support raising miles-per-gallon standards for automobiles and SUVs, seen by many as the biggest step to curb global warming.

Citizens also asked Senator Carnahan to support the Wild Forest Protection Plan, which would protect nearly 60 million acres of unspoiled roadless areas in our National Forests.

To conserve America's unique landscape, canvassers were also urging Governor Bob Holden to use the authority of his office to direct the Office of Economic Development and the Missouri Department of Tranportation to stop promoting and funding levee-building, road building and sprawling development in areas that will surely flood again.

Organized by the Sierra Club's Floodplain and Wetland Campaign and the Global Warming and Energy Campaign, the overall aim was to prevent the extinction of many plant and animal species in Missouri and reduce damage to crops in the St. Louis area, as well as reducing global warming. About two dozen concerned St. Louisans walked door-to-door to hand out 5,000 postcards to be mailed to Holden and Carnahan. Nearly 1,500 postcards were mailed to activists who opted to distribute information in their own neighborhoods, offices, or places of worship.

To help protect Missouri's floodplains, please contact Sheila Haar Siegel, Conservation Organizer for the Sierra Club Ozark Chapter, at (314) 645-1440, or email sheila.haar.siegel@sierraclub.org.