Monday, November 25 at 7:00pm Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga, 3224 Navajo Dr.
Zach and Sadie started their zero waste journey two years ago when they found out how plastic does not ever truly get recycled, but rather is only "downcycled" into lower quality fibers.
It made them wonder, "What else do we not understand about trash?" Their findings led them to start a zero waste journey of their own and they share that journey in their blog.
Come and hear them share the resources and discoveries they have made and get inspired to make some changes of your own.
Everyone is welcome to join us for supper prior to our program at 5:30 pm at Amigos Restaurant
December Outing: Chichamauga Battlefield Hike Sunday December 1st at 10:00am
Enjoy beautiful Fall weather after Thanksgiving! We will be going on an easy hike at Chickamauga Battlefield. The hike will be approx 2 miles and should last about an hour.
Contact Marie Brown at 423-499-9691 or through email for more information.
Where: Booker T. Washington State Park - Chattanooga, TN
What: Cherokee Group is hosting the Spring Chapter Retreat for 2020.
About the Park: The State Park is named is named in honor of the famous leader, Booker Taliaferro Washington. Born into slavery and freed by the age of nine, Washington fought throughout his life to earn a higher education. He is best known for serving as the former president of the Tuskegee Institute.
Situated on the shores of Chickamauga Lake, Booker T. Washington State Park was built largely by African-American units of the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was originally designated under segregation as one of two Tennessee State Parks for use by blacks (the other being T. O. Fuller State Park near Memphis) until discrimination in public accommodations in the United States was banned under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Retreat Information: The six Camp sleeping cabins each accommodate 16 people and were renovated in 2014. There is also a dining hall, bathhouse, pavilion and basketball court. There is a wide range of urban hiking and biking trails to explore in the area. The Park is 11 miles from downtown Chattanooga.
To find out more about this amazing State Park, visit their website.
REMINDER: Vote for Chapter & Group Executive Committee Members
Members can now vote either electronically or with the traditional paper ballot to elect State and Group Executive Committee (Ex-Com) members.
The recent issue of the Tennes-Sierran contains ballots for the State At-Large Executive Committee (ExCom) and the four Tennessee Group committees. Here's what you need to know to vote electronically.
How does the electronic voting process work? In early November an email will be sent with an invitation to vote electronically. This email will contain a link to the Sierra Club ballot website keyed to your Sierra Club membership number. Members will be able to select their Group from a drop down list and only their Group’s ballot will be presented.
How do I vote with a paper ballot?To use the paper ballot, complete page 4 of the recent Tennes-Sierran for the Chapter ExCom, and the appropriate page (5-8) for your Group ExCom. Further instructions are on the ballots.
Can I vote both on paper and electronically? No, please vote using one method only. Voting with both will complicate the vote counting process because the Election Committee must verify that no one has voted twice.
Will both members in a joint membership be able to vote?Yes. Information will be provided.
How can I learn about the candidates? Candidate biographies are included on the ballots in the Tennes-Sierran. The e-mail about electronic voting will have a link to the biographies on the Chapter’s website.
How can I be sure I will receive the email about voting electronically? To receive this email invitation that enables you to vote electronically you must have a valid email address on file linked to your membership number. Also, you must not have opted out of receiving emails from the Sierra Club. If you are unsure about your email or opt-in status, please contact Member Care immediately by email or call (415) 557-1100. If possible, have your Sierra Club member number handy. This can be found to the left of your name on the Tennes-Sierran, or the Sierra magazine.
Red Wolves Stadium Complex Threatens Local Wetlands
Local wetlands are under threat, along with the neighborhoods surrounding the 100 acre site that sits at the I-75/I-24 Split. Clearing has occurred in this designated wetland area that for years has served as a flood storage area and supported wetland ecosystems filled with many wetland creatures and rare plants. Assessments have shown that there are two streams, 14 small wetlands, and two wet weather conveyances. The owner, who lives in Utah, proposes a 5500 seat Red Wolves Soccer Stadium plus a hotel, condos, and retail space that will cover about a third of the area. Walking trails are proposed as well. South Chickamauga Creek Greenway Alliance has taken the lead in filing complaints against the loss of this area so vital for flood control and ecosystem biodiversity.
Several times a year, members of the Cherokee Group sit at a table at various local events, engaging strangers to talk about conservation and the Sierra Club. It might sound a bit daunting - you may not think that you know enough about the Sierra Club, or your mother may have told you not to talk to strangers.
The good news is, it’s actually easy and rewarding. At the recent Biodiversity Expo at the Volkswagen Conference Center, Cherokee Group Member Bill Moll spoke with around 30 people. The conversations are typically very interesting. Bill learned that first graders today are way smarter than when he was in the first grade, UTC graduates go on to work around the world, possums don't get rabies, and some people think that possums are cute! Plus he added a dozen people to our email list.
This was a great event - it was inside with free lunch and a movie! If tabling sounds interesting to you, please come out and do some tabling when the event season resumes after the Holidays for an opportunity to share your passion for conservation and the environment.
Some Cherokee Group members are working with the Climate Community Forum here in Chattanooga. Join at our next meeting on Monday, December 9th. Contact Barbara Kelly for more information.
Sierra Club has convened a Nuclear Waste Working Group to assist states and their respective Sierra Club Chapters with decision-making and advocacy around management of this extremely hazardous form of waste.
Following a 2 year period of research and deliberation, the Working Group has developed a draft Guidance Document. This document provides key background information for evaluating the risks posed by spent nuclear fuel, along with guidance on engaging in local risk reduction and management decision-making that is consistent with Sierra Club policy. All Sierra Club volunteers and staff are invited to submit comments on the draft policy by December 9, 2019.
We are the Cherokee Group of the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club, the world’s oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization. With over 3.5 million members and supporters, the Sierra Club has the resources to empower people and to influence public policy through community activism, public education, lobbying, and litigation.
Our mission is to explore, enjoy and protect the planet for our families and our future. We speak for the trees!
Our mission is to Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet.
