Sierra Club Announces New Campaigns to Protect, Connect Nature Nearby

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As the conservation of and access to public lands comes under threat nationally, the Sierra Club announced today it will be expanding its work locally to connect people with nature through a number of local projects. The projects span the country and focus on breaking down barriers that prevent people from experiencing the outdoors.

“Building a more equitable, just and inclusive movement by increasing access to nature is absolutely vital for our communities and for our environment,” said Dan Chu, Sierra Club Foundation Executive Director.

“Access to nature is fundamental to individual, community and societal health and wellness,” said Jackie Ostfeld, Associate Director of the Sierra Club's Outdoors campaign. “We’re pleased to be expanding our capacity on the ground to break down barriers to nature access.”

“Each community-based project is addressing a unique need and incorporates trail projects and outings, leadership development, and advocacy to help increase access to the outdoors,” said Brenna Muller, Sierra Club’s Nearby Nature Program Manager.

The new partnership projects are a continuation of the Sierra Club’s work to increase equitable access to nature, and to get more people unplugged and outside. Through its outdoor programs, the non-profit connects more than 265,000 people each year with the outdoors.

Projects include:

• Bosque Trail improvements, Albuquerque, New Mexico: In the Rio Grande Valley State Park, known as the Bosque, the campaign will improve signage at entry points, provide new Spanish language outings, work to preserve the riparian corridor, and advocate for increased funding to connect kids and families with the Bosque.

• Rouge Park, Detroit, Michigan: In Detroit, Sierra Club’s Nearby Nature campaign is expanding its work in connecting Detroit area youth with outdoor experiences by working with community partners to revitalize and increase access to the long-neglected Rouge Park, an 1,100-acre riparian corridor with great potential for connecting surrounding communities with nature and recreation opportunities.

• San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Monica Mountains, & Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, Los Angeles, California: Sierra Club’s Los Angeles Nearby Nature campaign is working to increase equitable access to nearby nature in Los Angeles through youth outings, a leadership development program, and the advancement of policy initiatives that increase access to trails and provide transportation to nearby open spaces and recreation opportunities.

• 30th Street Corridor and Lincoln Creek Greenways, Milwaukee, Wisconsin: The campaign will be working with community partners and the city of Milwaukee in the redevelopment of a central city greenway along an abandoned industrial corridor. The proposed greenway would re-create natural areas, protect urban waterways, and connect several already-established or under-construction local trails, parks and green spaces, providing natural open space and recreational opportunities for local residents.

• Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area, Phoenix, Arizona: The campaign is engaging local communities and cultivating youth leaders in protecting and enjoying the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area in South Phoenix. The campaign will be propagating native plants with which to revegetate the river while providing a seed-to-ground experience for local youth, and will be advocating for increased funding to ensure the protection and expansion of the Rio Salado.