Permaculture is an approach to designing relationships as ecosystems by prioritizing the wisdom of natural processes and recreating communities that restore our relationship to the earth and with each other. Its ethics and principles outline ways to mimic values and patterns observed in the natural world such as mutuality, reciprocity, and interdependence.
The three goals are to 1) care for and feed humans 2) care for and regenerate the soil/earth 3) care for the future.
What makes permaculture different from sustainability is that it's not simply about maintaining our current level of extraction: rather, permaculture promotes ways of interacting with ecosystems that regenerate the earth where our connection to her is broken and foster healing for a more nurturing future.
We'll talk about what permaculture offers to urban agriculture, climate change reversal, and human communities. For us, permaculture's most radical teaching is that our ecosystems, like nature itself, must promote biodiversity and polyculture for our survival. How can we design ecological and human environments that will save our future on earth? Come talk to us as we explore our questions!
Anna Carella is certified in Permaculture Design and is currently in the process of becoming a Tennessee Naturalist. She hails from a long line of Italian(American) gardeners and homesteaders, and was raised in a rich food culture. Her day job is reproductive rights and anti-racist advocacy. Her night job is finishing her PhD at Vanderbilt. In the rest of her free time, she obsesses over space exploration, hikes with her dog, and reads about native plants.
Marie Campbell is certified in Permaculture Design and is currently in the process of becoming a Tennessee Naturalist. She hails from a long line of Southern florists, farmers, beekeepers, and teachers, and was raised in a fried but home grown food culture. Her day job is edible landscaping and pollinator advocacy. Her night job is finishing her MA in community-based conservation. In the rest of her free time, she obsesses over music, plays with her dog, and reads about environmental justice.
Sinclaire Sparkman, our Program Chair, would like to hear your ideas for interesting programs. Maybe the speaker is someone you know or someone you heard at another event. Maybe it's one of our previous speakers that you would like to hear again. Maybe it's an idea that we should consider. Look through our past programs for inspiration.
On the second Thursday of each month except December there is a Sierra Club Social and New Member Welcome at 6:00 pm preceding our program presentation that follows from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Meet other members, meet the program presenters, enjoy the fellowship. And enjoy the refreshments!
Location: Radnor Lake Visitor Center 1160 Otter Creek Road Nashville, TN 37220.
In the summer months from April to October there is also a hike around Radnor Lake, starting at 5:00 pm, weather permitting. Enjoy the sights and sounds and air, see the plants, maybe see some animals.
Read about that night's program and please register if you will attend. If you give us a cell phone number we can let you know if a hike is cancelled because of weather.
Sierra Club members from across Tennessee participated in Conservation Education Day on Wednesday, February 19th. We joined with members of other organizations to meet face to face with our Representatives in Nashville. Groups of two or three sat with a representative in their office and discussed issues important to us in conserving and protecting our Environment. Each group includes at least one constituent.
Westmeade Elementary School Nominated for GESA 2020
by Madeline Stevens
Recently, the Middle Tennessee Group of the Sierra Club committed to giving a $1 for $1 match, up to $1,000 to Westmeade Elementary School to aid in fundraising for their composting efforts. We are proud to announce that Westmeade Elementary School reached their goal of $1,400 to fund their composting project! The Middle Tennessee Group of the Sierra Club is proud to support Westmeade’s goal of being Tennessee’s first Sustainability Academy.
Now, Westmeade Elementary is being nominated for a GESA - the Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards from the Office of Policy and Sustainable Practices. These awards are presented to recognize outstanding achievements by individuals, businesses, organizations, and educational institutions for successful environmental projects and conservation measures.
GESA is designed to enhance knowledge and awareness among the population of Tennessee in areas of conservation and environmental practices contributing to the preservation and protection of natural resources. GESA also encourages leadership by example through its award winners, leading to increased protection and conservation of Tennessee’s wildlife, forests, soils, air, water, natural heritage, parks, and recreation. GESAs are the most prestigious environmental and conservation awards in the state of Tennessee. For more than 30 years, the awards have been presented to individuals and organizations making significant contributions to the protection and improvement of our natural resources and wildlife.
The Middle Tennessee Group of the Sierra Club is proud to have partnered with an organization like Westmeade Elementary that is incredibly deserving of such recognition. Their conservation efforts are leading the way in cultivating sustainable thinking in our future generations and their dedication inspires all of us to continue to set lofty goals for the future of environmentalism.
National Sierra Club Elections are Underway - VOTE!
A Democratic Sierra Club Demands Grassroots Participation
The annual election for Sierra Club’s Board of Directors is now underway.
Those eligible to vote in the national Sierra Club election will receive ballots in early March by mail (or digitally if you chose the electronic delivery option). This will include information on the candidates and where you can find additional information on Sierra Club’s election website.
Your participation is critical for a strong Sierra Club.
The Sierra Club is a democratically structured organization at all levels. Sierra Club requires the regular flow of views on policy and priorities from its grassroots membership in order to function well. Yearly participation in elections at all Sierra Club levels is a major membership obligation.
Our grassroots structure is strengthened when participation is high and provides an opportunity for members from all walks of life to have a say in what the future of the Sierra Club looks like
How can you learn about the candidates? Members frequently state that they don’t know the candidates and find it difficult to vote without learning more.
Each candidate has provided a written statement about themselves and their views on the official election ballot. You can learn more by asking questions of your group and chapter leadership and other experienced members you know. You can also visit the Sierra Club’s election website for additional information, including campaign videos from each candidate:
Even if you receive your election materials in the mail, we encourage you to use the user-friendly Internet voting site to save time and postage. If sending via ground mail, your ballots must be received no later than April 22, 2020 (Sierra Club Election Day).
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. Return to contents
Inspiring Connections Outdoors (ICO)
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!
If you would enjoy helping young people get to love the outdoors, tell us you would like to volunteer! Before you know it, you will be having more fun than the kids!
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.
Sierra Club Middle Tennessee Leaders
Chair: Antoinette Olesen Vice Chair: Grace Stranch Secretary: Mary High Treasurer: Charles High
Conservation Chair: Scott Heflinger Robert C Wingfield,Jr
Environmental Education Chair: Vacant
Excom Members: Gary Bowers Charles High Dan Joranko Paula M Lennon Nancy McFadden Antoinette Olesen Madeline Stevens Grace Stranch Robert C Wingfield,Jr
Membership Chair: Antoinette Olesen Paula M Lennon
Newsletter Editor Adelle Wood
Outing Chair: Vacant
Political Compliance Officer: Charles High
SSC-Student Coalition Liaison: Vacant
Webmaster: John E Behn, Text 615-390-8079 Environmental Justice: Vacant Programs Sinclaire Sparkman
