December 2024 Newsletter

December 2, 2024

Greetings Everyone,
As we close out the year and look ahead to the challenges and opportunities of 2025, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Your support, whether as a Member, donor, volunteer, or community partner, has been instrumental in driving the important work of Sierra Club Ohio. Together, we have made incredible strides in protecting the environment and advancing our shared values of equity, justice, and sustainability.

This year has been one of growth and progress for our Chapter, thanks to your dedication and commitment. We’ve expanded our programming, built new connections with passionate Ohioans, and continued to fight for the well-being of our communities and our planet. At the same time, we’ve witnessed the devastating impacts of climate change, both here in Ohio and across the country, reminding us of the urgent need for action.

As we look to the year ahead, we know there will be more challenges to face. But with the unwavering support of our members, volunteers, and partners, we are confident that we will rise to meet them, together. It is your passion and involvement that fuels the work we do, and we are deeply grateful for the difference you are making.

In this December newsletter, you’ll find reflections on the year gone by, updates on our conservation efforts, and opportunities to get more involved in the work ahead. We hope this season brings you joy and inspiration, and that as you spend time with loved ones, you’ll consider joining us in our mission to protect Ohio for generations to come.

Thank you for being an essential part of Sierra Club Ohio. We look forward to continuing this journey with you in 2025.

In solidarity,

Ericka Copeland
State Director 
Sierra Club Ohio

Dear Volunteers,

On behalf of the entire Sierra Club Ohio team, we want to express our deepest and most heartfelt thanks for your incredible service. Your dedication, passion, and tireless efforts are the driving force behind everything we do. You inspire change, advocate for our communities, and fight to protect Ohio’s natural beauty—your impact is nothing short of extraordinary.

Thanks to you, we are making real, lasting progress toward a stronger, more sustainable future for Ohio. Your time, energy, and unwavering commitment are helping us build a better tomorrow, and we couldn’t do it without you!

As we look ahead to another year of challenges and victories, we are excited to continue this journey with you. Together, we are making a difference—thank you for being such an essential part of our work.

With deep gratitude,
The Sierra Club Ohio Team
 
Ready to Volunteer in 2025?

Celebrating an Incredible Year!

Despite the turbulent political climate, Sierra Club Ohio has made remarkable strides over the past year. As we reflect, we're reminded of our many hard fought victories, including: 
  • Securing a grant for Cuyahoga County to close an aging coal plant in Painesville, Ohio in collaboration with the Beyond Coal Campaign. This significant victory not only upholds our right to clean air but also sets the stage for a more sustainable future.
  • Advocating for smart solutions to end the dangers of “forever chemicals” like PFAS in our local waterways and exploring solutions to this pressing issue.
  • Working to ensure that hard-fought environmental safeguards are upheld by calling for state-wide action to challenge a plant to allow the pollution-spewing coal Gavin Power Plant to continue operating without changes. We’re asking regulators to prove to the federal government that this plan complies with the Clean Air Act – or rewrite it so it does.
2024 has been a year of incredible growth, exciting opportunities, and inspiring new people joining the Sierra Club Ohio family!

Here are more highlights—we’re thrilled for what’s to come in the year ahead!

Sierra Club Ohio Executive Committee
2025 marks the opportunity for the return of our Executive Volunteer Committee—the first since 2020. This is a major milestone for Sierra Club Ohio, as the new committee brings together passionate leaders dedicated to advancing environmental justice, climate action, and conservation efforts across the state. With fresh ideas and renewed energy, the committee is ready to build on the progress we've made, strengthening our voice for sustainability and protecting Ohio’s natural resources. Together, this dynamic team is committed to rebuilding our Chapter and driving positive change for Ohio’s future.

We can’t wait to see where this new year takes us!
 
5 Days Left to Vote!

Vote Mob 2024

Vote Mob, sponsored by RE-AMP, is used as an early voting event within marginalized communities, and was held on Saturday, November 2 in cities across Ohio, Kansas and Colorado. Current studies have proven that communities of color have the lowest voter registration and turnout. We understand that barriers of transportation, education, misinformation or trust are a few reasons why numbers are low.

We decided to build relationships with other community partners with the same shared visions and resources, to collectively change the population of non-voters in our neighborhoods. Through organizing and power building, we are organizing and power building within our states and making a difference in marginalized communities, where we know environmental justice is needed the most. This team is creating a generation of informed, empowered and encouraged voters who will change how our communities look at voting. We want to give them a reason to celebrate voting by meeting them where they are and building trust that will continue to grow relationships for generations to come.
 

Community Events

From educational sessions on HB6 to celebrating Drive Electric Week, hosting Conservation Open House events, launching our Military Outdoors initiative, and so much more, this year has been packed with impactful events that brought Ohioans together to learn, connect, and grow as environmental advocates. We’re energized by the momentum we’ve built and can’t wait to carry it into the new year, meeting even more passionate community members along the way.
 

Open Volunteer Opportunities
Pictured: "Volunteer with Us!" written inside a shaped border.

Get Involved, Get Empowered,
Get the Change Started! 

  Conservation Committee
 

Join the revived Sierra Club Ohio Conservation Committee to lead impactful conservation projects, and drive positive environmental change.

Sign up here to collaborate with fellow advocates and make a real difference in Ohio’s ecosystems.

Communications Committee

Sierra Club Ohio is making some big steps forward, and that means bigger communications. Have a talent for copy-writing, graphic design, social media, or other communications work? Put it to good use helping Sierra Club Ohio protect and preserve our state.

Sign up here or email Alison Trimbur, Chapter Coordinator (alison.trimbur@sierraclub.org) for more details. 
 

Wayne National Forest

While efforts to rename the Wayne National Forest remain underway, Sierra Club Ohio and our allies are also tracking industry attempts to lease portions of the forest for oil and gas extraction. Earlier this year, we filed comments that opposed fracking and other industrial activities in and around Wayne. As of November, the federal Bureau of Land Management has not finalized the environmental review documents necessary to support drilling, or approved any specific fracking projects. We will continue to follow the issue and oppose any attempts to despoil Ohio's public lands.


State of Ohio vs. City of Athens

Sierra Club Ohio and our partners continue to support the City of Athens in its defense against a spurious lawsuit from the Ohio Attorney General, which claims that a city ordinance aimed at reducing plastic pollution "impermissibly conflicts with state law." The case now moves to the Ohio Court of Appeals, following a disappointing opinion from an Athens County trial court in August. 
 

Local Sierra Club Member Helping to Rethink Climate Change

We are facing a climate crisis; global warming and climate change are the defining challenges of our time, requiring agility and innovative solutions.  

In response, longtime Sierra Club member and UC adjunct professor Ralph Brueggemann is leading a small-scale ecosystem initiative called The Tiny Forest and Perennial Pollinator Garden project. The environment is a shared responsibility. 

Individuals, businesses, and governments must rethink and update perspectives to address these challenges. Read the full article here to see how Ralph's project is blending technology and nature to help us mitigate climate change effectively. 
 

Hitting the road this holiday season? Tune in to these podcast episodes spotlighting a few of Ohio’s top environmentalists to make your drive both fun and informative!

Ologies (May 18 Episode) Foraging Ecology with BlackForager, Alexis Nicole Nelson

Hear from Columbus environmentalist Alexis Nicole Nelson on invasive snacks, mushrooms, foraging guides, and more. Plus, a reflection on finding community and empowerment in land stewardship. 

Nature Guys (December 12 Episode) Mistletoe

Listen to Cincinnatians Greg and Bob discuss a plant you'll likely encounter this time of year, and get some fun facts to share at your next dinner!

The Adventure Sports Podcast (Episode 1004) The Ohio Project- Alison Alsup

Alison, a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art, speaks on her experience traversing the state by foot, backpack, and rollerblade, and the body of artwork she created to inspire the protection of Ohio's natural environment.

Spending time in a Winter Wonderland can leave you reaching to turn up the thermostat- but before you crank the heat, try these tips to stay warm this winter. You’ll be saving the planet and your wallet. 

Sealing Drafts 
If you find areas surrounding certain windows and doors have become chilly, sealing those drafts can be critical in maintaining your home's heat, and saving you from a frightening electric bill. Use caulk, weather strips, and door sweepers to keep the cold air outside where it belongs. 

Rugs and Curtains 
Don’t leave your floors bare. A cozy thrifted rug can help reduce heat loss through the floorboards, and make your home more comfortable. Similarly, thermal curtains can help trap the warm air inside and add a nice pop of color to your decor. 

Use the Sun 
Have a south-facing window? Try passive solar heating. Keep bright windows unobstructed during the day to allow the sun’s rays to heat up your home for you. Better yet, find a nice sunny spot in your home to lay out a sweater or blanket - left long enough, it will be warm and toasty for the evening. 

Space Heaters 
If you only need to heat a small space, try using an energy-efficient space heater in that area, and forgo central house heating. As the months get colder, you can try setting the central thermostat on a lower setting and keeping the space heater with you during the day. This avoids wasting money, keeping rooms that few people use unnecessarily warm. 

Check Your Home Heating System
In October, the Sierra Club Ohio’s Miami Group held an education session on electrifying your home and other energy-efficient changes that will help you reduce your carbon footprint this winter. Check out a recording of that session here. 

Thank You!

We greatly appreciate your dedication to environmental conservation in Ohio. We eagerly anticipate hearing from you and connecting with you soon.