January
In response to the horrific wildfires of October 2017, Sierra Club joined a coalition to raise and disperse funds to some of the most vulnerable people affected by the fires and initiatives to aid conservation and future fire protection. The Just and Resilient Future Fund began with a $50,000 grant to the Farmer’s Alliance, and by the end of the year had raised more than $300,000.
February
Sierra Club members and environmentalists from around California met in Sacramento to call attention to the Trump administration’s assault on the nation’s coastline by proposing to open offshore oil and gas drilling. Redwood Chapter chartered a bus to take members to the rally and public hearing Feb. 8.
March
Conservationists, business leaders and Sierra Club members join forces in Napa to place a local measure on the June ballot to protect oak woodlands and watersheds from vineyard development. The coalition raised awareness among Napa County voters about the dire need to protect the land, while an opposition comprised of deep pockets from the wine industry launched a smear campaign to defeat the measure.
April
Earth Day festivities were held across the world and in our own region. Sierra Club members participated in events in Vallejo, Lake County and Humboldt, among other celebrations.
May
Sonoma County enters bidding process for a compost facility in Santa Rosa. The prospect is exciting for zero waste advocates, of which there is a growing population in the region, because compostables have been trucked out of county, adding to greenhouse gas emissions. Sonoma Group members have been participating in Sonoma County Zero Waste events for the last few years.
June
Our local state Sen. Mike McGuire sends a bill through the Senate to build a 300-mile recreational trail through the region. The Great Redwood Trail would stretch from the San Francisco Bay to Humboldt. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown Sept. 30.
July
Mountain and Rivers legislation is introduced by Rep. Jared Huffman to protect hundreds of thousands of acres in Mendocino, Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties. HR 6595 would create new trails and public access into the wilderness as well as coordinate the cleanup of illegal marijuana grows on public land. The bill would also work to bolster defense against wildfires.
August
SMART train celebrates its first anniversary, noting higher than expected ridership and looking toward expansion. Redwood Chapter’s Transportation Chair Steve Birdlebough has worked on the planning of the 43-mile train route, and Sierra Club members are excited about the future station at the Larkspur ferry terminal (set to open at the end of this year), and future expansion north to Windsor, Healdsburg and Cloverdale. Birdlebough says he’s optimistic about SMART’s future. “I think the service has proved itself and the more of it we can get online the better.”
September
People concerned about climate change rallied Sept. 8 across the world for the Rise for Climate march. Local marches were held in Ukiah and San Francisco and were attended by Redwood Chapter members.
October
No Coal in Vallejo forms to organize for a coal ban ordinance in the city of Vallejo. The group, spearheaded by Solano Group Chair Joe Feller, gets support from No Coal in Oakland and Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign. Anniversary of the Tubbs, Nuns and Atlas fires marked even as the state continues to face record-breaking wildfires.
The Dogwood Timber Harvest Plan in the Gualala River watershed was finally rejected by a judge on Oct. 16. The misdirected plan was fought for three years and Redwood Chapter provided some financial support in the litigation against CalFIRE.
November
A general election on Nov. 6 brought mostly positive results for the environment nationwide, while many of Sierra Club-endorsed candidates and ballot measures in California won at the polls. The Democratic takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives and some progressives calling for a Green New Deal are hopeful signs to a more environmentally aware and climate-action-oriented leadership. Among other wins, Measure M in Sonoma County passed, providing a 1/8-cent sales tax increase to support regional parks. The Regional Measure 3, which would have provided more money for transportation projects, did not receive the two-thirds support it needed, but advocates are hoping to get some of that funding earmarked for transit improvements anyway, including work along Highway 37 and SMART train.
December
Redwood Chapter hires Jeff Morris as its Executive Director. Jeff, who lives in Trinity County, brings a new energy and enthusiasm to the chapter and will provide oversight and direction to the chapter and its six local groups so we can all better achieve our goals.
Looking at the year in full, it was one of continued vigilance on the growing effects of climate change on our region. From ever-intensifying wildfires to shrinking watersheds and fish-spawning streams, from abalone population collapse to record-setting heat waves, there remains a stalwart commitment from our volunteer leaders and members to work with Sierra Club on protecting our natural world and getting out and enjoying it. Our local elected leaders are by and large huge supporters of the environment, presenting a good foil for the Trump administration, which aims to pollute and destroy as much land, air and water as possible. Redwood Chapter is heartened by the outpouring of support through active voting, donations and calls to action. We are continually looking for more volunteers and donations at the local levels. A few local groups are seeking a members for their executive committees, including Napa, North and Mendocino, and the chapter is looking for a new newsletter editor, among other key positions. Please contact us with interest or leads. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our natural world.