Please help us welcome Monette Rebecca, founding director for the Richland Creek Watershed Alliance (RCWA) and Katin Liphart, the AmeriCorps member serving with the RCWA.
What is a watershed and why does it matter? To answer this question. RCWA created the WE Story, a program about a watershed’s purpose and functions. The WE story explains how the care of the land in a watershed directly impacts the health of its waterways. No matter what watershed you live in, it is part of the earth’s water cycle, and each person’s behaviors have impact locally, nationally, and globally. In 30 minutes, the story threads all of the different aspects of a watershed together (biology, geography, topography, hydrology) using Richland Creek as the subject to educate about the watershed. Water is a common resource that we all need, and each person’s actions have an impact on the water quality.
A watershed is common ground and a healthy one is a common good.
The Middle Tennessee Group business meeting is at House of Kabob, 216 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37211. Meeting begins at 6:30pm. Dining is available at the restaurant at 6:00pm. All are welcome, but please RSVP to Grace Stranch so she can let you know if there are any changes.
Inspiring Connections Outdoors is an outings program where volunteer leaders collaborate with community partners to get people outdoors, especially youth, who may not have access on their own to safely discover the wonders of the natural world. Through outdoor experiences, we promote appreciation and protection of the natural environment, provide opportunities for personal growth, and foster respect of self, others, and the environment. Our goals:
Introduction to nature Education about nature Imagination and creativity Health Self-esteem Fun!
The Middle Tennessee Group of the Sierra Club Seeks Program Chair
MTG has a volunteer opening for a Program Chair. Responsibilities include attending all program presentations (or find a substitute host); scheduling speakers; handling logistics of programs; and publicizing the programs. Contact MTG Chair Grace Stranch at k.g.stranch@gmail.com
Talk face to face with your legislator about your concerns for the environment
Conservation Education Day (CED) is your chance to join other environmentalists in meeting with your state legislators in Nashville face to face to promote the passage of bills which protect our water, air and lands, and to block those which would do it harm. The goal is to have a meeting with every Tennessee legislator and develop a state-wide program to support building these relationships. That is the best way to ensure they will listen to you when an important issue arises.
We would love more CED participation by Sierra Club members from suburban and rural areas, since these legislators get fewer constituent visitors and they appreciate you taking your time to meet with them.
We will meet with our legislators on Wednesday, February 19th between 8 AM and 4 PM in Nashville. We'll try to schedule the 10 minute meetings to fit your travel schedule. There will be a session Tuesday night, February 18th to discuss talking points and provide guidance on lobbying.
Learn more and let us know if you would like to participate by clicking this button.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE SIERRA CLUB SOCIALS!
On the second Thursday of each month (February 13 this month) there is a Sierra Club Social and New Member Welcome at 6:00pm with a special program presentation following - 7:00 - 8:00pm
Location: Radnor Lake Visitor Center 1160 Otter Creek Road Nashville, TN 37220.
Stay tuned for the program listings for presentation information.
You may be receiving this information only a few days before the January Chapter Retreat at Cedars of Lebanon State Park, but we want to be sure all are invited. There is an amazing line-up of nature walks, committee meetings, and training on Saturday. Come and find out how you can get involved in activities including how to do endorsements for environmentally friendly political candidates, learn about our work to end coal mining and burning, get trained to visit your state legislator on Conservation Education Day on February 19, and more. And don't miss Scott Banbury, our Tennessee Chapter Conservation Coordinator, who will summarize our Chapter's recent successes and future challenges.
Below is a schedule for this action charged weekend:
Friday: Group lodge opens at 4:00 pm. Settle into your bunks or tent and visit with people from across the state. Dinner on your own.
Saturday: 6:30-8:00 am Breakfast 9:00 am Wilderness Hike with Randy Hedgepath, State Naturalist Workshops and Committee Meetings 10:00 am Sierra Club political training- important rules and procedures 11:00 am Sierra Club Beyond Coal strategies for 2020- desired outcomes Tactics regarding local power companies & proposed 20 year TVA contracts, negotiating for higher percentage of renewable energy. Tactics regarding local power companies - bill to fund energy efficiency program. 12:00 pm Lunch on your own 1:00 pm Wilderness Hike led by Sierra Club leaders or on your own 1:00 pm Budget Committee 2:00 pm Conservation Education Day Planning Session 3:00 pm Know Nuclear Committee 4:00 pm Discussion "What are the strengths of each of our Groups and Committees, what do we need to work on to get stronger? " Bring your ideas and stories to share. 6:00-7:30 pm- Dinner 7:30 Program - From the Chickasaw Bluffs to the Cherokee National Forest: Sierra Club Keeps Tennessee Green! - Scott Banbury, Tennessee Chapter Conservation Coordinator.
Sunday: 6:30-7:30 am Breakfast 8:00-noon Chapter Executive Committee Meeting, Election of Officers, Committee Appointments 9 am Wilderness Hike with Randy Hedgepath, State Naturalist 12:00 noon - cleanup and food sales
If you haven't registered yet please use this link to find out additional information and let us know you are coming so we can have enough food.
Interested in adding your support on Sierra Club Campaigns around the USA? You can find information about our campaigns on our AddUp website. Read about each of them. Add your signature to support those that are important to you. Your signature will be added to messages to your representatives and you will have the opportunity to share the campaign on your social media account.
Looking for a Sierra Club event where you can join with other members in interesting activities? AddUp shows you events locally such as meetings, programs, hikes and social gatherings. But it also lets you find events across Tennessee and surrounding states that may be close enough to attend. And if you are really adventurous you can find hikes and adventures from Maine to Montana to California - and for real adventure, Hawaii! Plan your adventure on the AddUp map.
We are the Middle Tennessee 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.
