Happy Fall

News from the Chair
by Nick Cheranich

Last chance! Only a few spaces remain for our gathering with "the Club.”

We'll be meeting in the Social Hall at Skyline Wilderness Park. These events not only offer a chance to learn about key environmental issues affecting our communities but also provide an opportunity to relax and enjoy great food, wine, and company. (Photo: Skyline Park, by Josiah Roe, courtesy of Visit NV)

Please join us on September 25th, 5:30-7:30pm, for our Social/Educational Outreach Event: Land, Water and Legacy: Shaping Our Environmental Future.

Complimentary wine & hors d'oeuvres served. Click Here to RSVP Today (Note: If you've already registered, there is no need to do it again.)

Meet Our Newest Student Intern
Arya Adhye (right), a Junior at Vintage High, reached out to us, wanting to do something to help the environment. We said, "How can we help?" Read her bio, below.

Our other new intern, Natalie Carr, attended the Napa County Regional Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Community Meeting (a real mouthful) in July. She has authored a thoughtful article about the meeting, which you’ll find below.

We’re also thrilled to share that our Senior Intern, Liliana Karesh—who has been with us for nearly two years and is now a senior at Napa High—was accepted into and participated in a prestigious summer program at Yale University. Be sure to read her insightful article as well.

Additionally, please enjoy a poem by American Canyon High student James Apuyan (pictured right), who won first prize in the Climate Creative Piece Contest, hosted by Napa Schools for Climate Action.

His words powerfully convey the challenges today's youth face as they grapple with the realities of the climate crisis.

If you haven't already heard:

Do you want to get involved with the Sierra Club's election writing campaign? Please click here for more info.

Also, if you would like to see the Redwood Chapter's list of the 2024 political endorsements, please click here.

Our next Conservation Committee meeting will be November 19, 2024 at 6:00PM. If you would like to attend, just click on the RSVP button below and I'll send you a Zoom invite a few days before the meeting. Thank you.

- Nick Cheranich, ExCom Chair
napavalleysierraclub@gmail.com

RSVP for Our Next Conservation Committee Meeting

Can't Attend? Then Please Consider DONATING to the Napa Sierra Club Group. CLICK HERE to DONATE

Please Welcome Arya Adhye as Our Newest Student Intern
Article and photo by Arya Adhye

Hi everyone! My name is Arya Adhye and I am a Junior (class of ’26) at Vintage High School in Napa. I am so happy to be part of the Sierra Club! I have lived in Napa my whole life after my parents immigrated from India to America for further education.

In middle school, I started to get interested in environmental science as I saw climate change go from bad to worse before my very eyes. To learn more about environmental policy and the climate crisis we are facing around the globe, I started following Instagram accounts, reading articles, and getting involved in Congressman Thompson’s Student Leadership Council.

However, this is not just a global fight, but also a local one. We’re starting to see climate change’s effects every day here in Napa with the wildfires, hot summers, and constant droughts. Of course, it’s not hopeless, which is why I wanted to make a change— big or small—in our world.

I am so thankful for this opportunity to do just that with the Sierra Club, and I am very excited for what this year will bring. Thank you!

Everything You Need to Know About the Napa County Regional Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Community Meeting

Article by Student Intern Natalie Carr

On July 24th, 2024, I attended the first community meeting for the Napa County Regional Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (RCAAP) in Yountville. As one of my first experiences with climate politics on a local level, this meeting went really well. It was full of great ideas, and amazing community discussion and cooperation.

My Personal Takeaway, as a student

I was one of the only young adults at the meeting, so I was a little worried that I would be overwhelmed or lose track of the topic, as I am relatively new to our local climate politics. However, this meeting went really well for me. I enjoyed the presentation and learned so much from the adults who have experience in climate action. The meeting was very fun and engaging, and my fellow attendees were very friendly and welcoming. I got to meet some amazing folks in the community, like Napa RCD director Frances Knapczyk, Napa Schools for Climate Action advisor Jim Wilson, and Chris Benz, one of the founders of Napa Climate NOW. I am glad that I was able to help discuss and contribute ideas, and I felt like my voice was truly heard. Overall, I am optimistic about the Napa County RCAAP; it seems like a strong plan for adaptation and GHG mitigation.

We began with a slideshow presentation on climate change. It covered the basic facts about the climate crisis, and discussed the impacts of climate change on Napa County. They explained the process of establishing adaptation or mitigation methods, and implementing it. Then, they gave statistics on Napa County’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and finally, they described potential solutions. (Photo: the author, Natalie Carr)

Then, we broke into groups and had discussions about Napa County’s environmental vulnerabilities and strengths. We considered infrastructural, societal and environmental issues, and brainstormed potential solutions. It was a very important meeting, so below, I will break down the most important points. Article continues here.

Consequential Effects
Poem by James Apuyan

[James was the winner of the Climate Creative Piece Contest held by our student friends at Napa Schools for Climate Action. He accepted our request to publish his poem here and on our website.]

I am James Apuyan, a Junior from American Canyon High School. I have always thought that issues concerning the environment are the number one concern in our world today because they affect everyone’s everyday lives. Without a safe ecosystem, our planet would be a hot wasteland and I think we need to take as much action as possible to prevent this from happening.

Photo: courtesy of NASA

Consequential Effects, by James Apuyan

In the whispering winds of a warming Earth,
A tale of sorrow comes to birth,
Where glaciers weep and oceans arise,
Beneath the pale, polluted skies.

Forests once lush with verdant green,
Now echo rise of what has been,
Fires rage with a fierce embrace,
Scorching the land with a ruthless pace.

Species vanish, one by one,
Silent victims of the blazing sun,
Coral reefs, once vibrant, & bright,
Fade like ghosts in the dead of night.

Storms grow stronger, with fury unleashed.
Nature’s wrath, a vengeful beast,
Floods devour, droughts deplete,
Fields turn barren beneath our feet.

Cities crumble, lives displaced,
A harsh reminder of our haste,
To chase the shadows of fleeting gain,
Ignoring the planet's silent pain.

Yet in this gloom, a truth does shine,
A call to action, a sacred line,
For we hold the power, the choice to change,
To heal the world, to rearrange.

With every step, each small endeavor,
We mend the wounds, we bind together,
For the earth is not a distant other,
But the heart of life, our shared mother.

So heed the warning, rise and stand,
Protect this fragile, precious land,
For in its future, we find our own,
In climate's care, our seeds are sown.

My Summer with the Yale Young Global Scholars Program
Article by Liliana Karesh

This summer, I attended the Yale Young Global Scholars Program, specifically for the Politics, Law, and Economics track. This program has been one of the most transformative and incredible opportunities I have yet to receive.

The logistics of this program is that it runs for two weeks on the Yale University Campus, and students from all over the world fly in to learn about their designated academic tracks.

Once I arrived on the campus, it was striking and incredibly impressive. The buildings, energy, and atmosphere were something that I had yet to experience before; this was indeed a unique opportunity. Our academic schedules consisted of a variety of educational components. We experienced lectures from Yale professors, got to exchange unique ideas amongst each other through master student-led seminars, had a capstone project where we were required to design our own political party, and a symposium, which was a uniquely designed climate crisis situation, which we had to resolve while portraying a certain real-world political figure.

Regarding the social setting, it was truly incredible to experience learning about so many different cultures, languages, and traditions by interacting with students from over one-hundred and fifty different countries around the globe. One striking feature that I continue to recall is my experience during the programs “special dinners” which is where a group of 10-15 students would sign up to have a discussion about a certain topic over a meal. For one of my special dinners, our discussion was centered around multi-cultural identity. As I sat around the dining table, I observed how we were all from unique areas of the world, yet, we still shared similar experiences being multicultural. One of my fondest moments was when we all talked about integrating English with our native languages when we spoke. Personally, I am originally from Moscow, Russia, and when I speak with my family, I use “Rynglish” which is a nickname for Russian, and English, combined. It turns out that my family was not unique in doing so. Our discussion continued as we all related, having nicknamed a new form our native languages. Whether it be someone from the Philippines, Moldova, or China, it was revealed that we all had a similar experience growing up in multicultural settings.

To highlight, during my free time, even though it may have been minimal, I formed connections and lifelong friends that I continue to keep in touch with. The Yale University Campus provided a variety of entertaining locations, coffee shops, and scenic views to explore with your friends. Another core memory for me, had been just simply sitting down at Coffee Shop, and just talking with my two closest friends from that program, for hours. I was able to make incredible connections. In addition, I also felt inspired from my peers around me. This program is selective, and everyone who receives this opportunity has to have expressed their passions, involvements, and excellence uniquely to make them stand out. Thus, every single student was absolutely amazing. By meeting all of the students in the program, I was truly inspired to continue my journey and efforts as a climate activist.

To finish off my article, I want to reiterate how incredibly grateful I am to have received such an amazing opportunity as this. From meeting high schoolers from around the world, having lunch with a Yale Professor, and making core memories with friends while singing karaoke, this experience was truly a once-in-a-lifetime, and I encourage all eligible students to apply.

An Evening at the Ruins
Article by Scott Thomason

The American Canyon Community & Parks Foundation (ACCPF), one of the Sierra Club Napa Group’s environmental partners, held its fifth annual “Evening at the Ruins” fundraiser on September 7th.

The event raised approximately $400,000, much of which will fund ACCPF’s ongoing environmental education programs and the Napa River Ecology Center, set to open next year. Over 350 attendees enjoyed the unique setting at "The Ruins," a long-abandoned concrete plant now known for its artistic graffiti, which provided a striking backdrop for the festivities.

Several Napa County Board of Directors members attended, including Joelle Gallagher, Belia Ramos and newly elected Amber Manfree (pictured left, along with Barry Christian). Congressman Mike Thompson also attended, presenting ACCPF with a check for $800,000 for the Ecology Center. American Canyon Mayor Leon Garcia likewise gave ACCPF another check for $1 million on behalf of the City for the Ecology Center.

Interested in Making a Difference? Wondering About Your Legacy? Consider Volunteering with Us

Legacy is often defined as the desire to leave the world a better place for future generations.

At the Sierra Club, our mission is to conserve natural ecosystems, promote sustainability in land and water use, and reduce carbon emissions. Our projects focus on issues that matter to Napa, where local action can make a real difference.

We're working to protect the environment for those who will inherit it, but we can't do it alone.

It's not enough to just support the cause financially—real change happens through action.

We’re seeking passionate individuals to join our Conservation and Executive Committees. Whether you bring expertise in research, organizing, or education—or you're eager to learn—we welcome your involvement. If you or someone you know has skills and experience that align with our mission, we need your help.

Prepare to leave your legacy. Take the first step by joining us at our next Conservation Committee meeting (RSVP here).

For further information, email us, in care of Nick Cheranich, at napavalleysierraclub@gmail.com. Thank you!

For the Citizens of St. Helena: Please Vote NO on Measure B - It's Harmful to the Environment

Article by Susan Kenward and Nick Cheranich

The Sierra Club opposes St. Helena’s Measure B. This decision was recommended by the Napa Sierra Club Group and endorsed by the relevant committees.

The proposed St. Helena Resort, put forward by out-of-town developers, should be evaluated through our standard city processes rather than by initiative. This measure represents an attempt by industry to bypass various state and local regulations, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). By circumventing CEQA, it risks significant environmental harm due to the lack of proper environmental analysis.

The projected revenue from the resort is significantly inflated. While the City estimates revenue between $693,965 and $1,800,000, the developer claims it will be $3,666,880. (Pictured left: a rendering of the resort.)

We stand to lose millions in community benefits. A consultant's estimate suggests that if negotiated through normal processes, we could secure $7-8 million in non-tax benefits.

Water use is a major concern. The developer has not proven the feasibility of on-site wells, and the proposal would increase water extraction from agricultural wells to 30,300 gallons per day—more than 2.5 times the current winery extraction rate. This would also violate City Code provisions that restrict the use of agricultural wells and evade compliance with the City’s water neutrality ordinance.

The project will lead to a significant increase in carbon emissions from both construction and operation.

Furthermore, the traffic data provided is insufficient to support the projected trip generation and distribution.

Measure B does not incentivize the inclusion of workforce housing. As a result, the developer, Noble House, would pay a mere $795,000 in lieu of providing workforce housing.

For these reasons, we urge all Sierra Club members and supporters living in St. Helena to Vote NO on Measure B!

If interested in learning more about the opposition, please contact Susan Kenward at 707 246 6389. Thank you!

Exploring America's E-Bike Evolution: The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful
Article by Scott Stark, courtesy of Rails to Trails Magazine

“Now it’s younger families, maybe zero-car families that are using cargo e-bikes as a car replacement, or commuters trying to get from A to B in the most efficient way they can.”—Noel Kegel, Co-Owner, Wheel & Sprocket, on the changing demographics of e-bike users.

In June, Dianne Iverson and Paul Dutky will lead their bike club on a multiday 400-mile ride across Washington’s Cascade Mountains. It’s a challenging trek, and one that this group of riders in their 70s is embracing with enthusiasm. “E-bikes will help make it happen,” explained Iverson.

Married during the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020, Iverson and Dutky have the easy rapport of a couple married for far longer. They’re avid cyclists who regularly log 50+ miles in an outing and recently took a road trip around the American Southwest, where they racked up hundreds of miles in and around multiple national parks.

An already impressive cycling résumé is made all the more so by the fact that Iverson is missing both legs below her knees. Fitted with prosthetics to replace the limbs lost to cancer, Iverson and her husband Dutky can often be found on a type of tandem bike rarely seen in this country (though more common across Europe) that places the captain in a standard upright stance behind the stoker, who sits up front in a recumbent position.

Riding around the Puget Sound region, the duo is “better than a bunch of puppy dogs at drawing attention,” Iverson quipped. “We’re just a magnet for discussion whenever we slow down.” The couple augment their pedal power with an electric motor they retrofitted onto their tandem just three years ago, around the same time that “practically our entire bike club either modified their existing bikes with e-assist or bought a new e-bike,” Iverson said. (Photo: after a shopping spree at Costco.)

“For people our age, it’s definitely extended the amount of time we can ride and where we go; we live in a very hilly county, and this bike allows us to go over mountain passes,” said Iverson.

“You’re still working,” Dutky added, “but with the motor, we don’t have to worry about the hills; we can explore almost anything without hesitation.”
Put simply, said Iverson: “It’s freedom for us.” Article continues here.

Metastatic Modernity
Vlog/blog by Tom Murphy (Retired Astro Physicist)

This series of 18 short videos aims to put modernity (another word for civilization) in perspective. In terms of cosmology, evolution, biology, ecology, and time, modernity is highly unusual and inherently self-terminating (i.e., fated to collapse). Eventually, a cancer metaphor is used to describe the tumor we witness growing out of control, spreading to all parts of the globe (metastasizing) and initiating a sixth mass extinction. Humans are not the cancer, but the infected organ within the community of life where the cancer took root. Click here to access the blog.