Water is life. Yet across Texas, our most vital resource is under threat. The Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter is stepping up to meet these challenges with a bold, statewide initiative. Discover how we’re uniting communities to protect Texas’ water for people and the environment.
Why Water Conservation and Advocacy Matter In Texas
Texas faces serious water challenges: intensifying droughts, water scarcity, inequitable access to clean water, weak protections for our waterways, and many more. These issues affect Texas communities in different ways - with rural areas struggling to secure reliable water sources, while urban centers are grappling with the growing infrastructure demand. In the face of these challenges—and amidst an uncertain future under a new federal administration that is likely to weaken environmental protections—the Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting our rivers, lakes, streams, and coastal waters.
Introducing the Water for People & the Environment Committee
The Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter is proud to announce the launch of the Water for People & the Environment Committee, a statewide initiative that addresses Texas’ most pressing water issues.
A Collaborative Approach to Water Advocacy
Recognizing the need for effective coordination and more inclusive water advocacy, statewide collaboration aims to empower Texans to better advocate for water issues in their communities and drive transformative policy impact, inclusive of the water needs of all Texans.
The Committee's Vision: A Stronger, Water-Secure Texas
The committee will serve as a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and collective action, bringing together water advocates, experts, and concerned residents. The full scope of work can be found here.
Evgenia Spears, the Water Program Coordinator at the Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter, emphasized the importance of this effort, stating:
“Water challenges are shared problems. A drop in the water levels in the Brazos River threatens the availability of drinking water for the Brazos Valley and strains irrigation for local farmers, impacting the broader economy. Meanwhile, the growing seawater desalination industry in the Coastal Bend puts at risk our biodiversity, recreational tourism, and the beaches that are cherished by so many. When Texans across the state understand and care about these shared issues, they can support each other in advocating for solutions that benefit everyone. That’s the vision driving our committee - collaboration for a stronger, more water-secure future.”
How You Can Get Involved
Join the Water for People & the Environment Committee
If you are passionate about water issues, we invite you to join the Water for People & the Environment Committee by signing up here. By joining, you will:
- Have an opportunity to participate in the monthly Committee meetings held via Zoom
- Learn about pressing water challenges in Texas
- Expand your networks by connecting with water experts and advocates
- Join a growing community of concerned residents
- Become an informed water advocate
Sign up here for the Water for People & the Environment Committee.
Volunteer Leadership Opportunities
Our committee’s success relies on the dedication of volunteer leaders who help shape our vision and organize our efforts. Leaders like Victoria Howard exemplify the passion driving this work:
"As one of the volunteer leaders on the Water for People & the Environment Committee, I'm driven by the belief that we cannot have a healthy environment without addressing the horrendous contamination of our water in the U.S and around the world. Even in communities that have up-to-date infrastructure, that water is still prone to prescription drug, pesticide, petroleum, and plastic contamination. For those communities with out-of-date water infrastructure, add the dangers of lead, arsenic, and other highly toxic contaminants to the list. These toxic substances often end up in our lakes, rivers, creeks, and reservoirs through human activities like industrial waste disposal, agricultural runoff, and land development. If necessity is the mother of invention, then water is the mother of a pollution-free society. By being part of the Water for People & the Environment Committee, I'm honored to be able to work directly toward ensuring that our water is clean and abundant. If you share this passion, I invite you to join us in our efforts to protect this vital resource."
We are currently seeking volunteer leaders in the following regions:
- Lower Rio Grande Valley
- Golden Triangle
- Houston Metroplex
- San Antonio Metroplex
- Texas Panhandle
- Laredo Region
As a volunteer leader, you’ll spend 2-3 hours a month helping with tasks like:
- Preparing for meetings by inviting speakers or selecting topics
- Attending monthly coordination meetings
- Promoting events and initiatives
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible volunteer leaders of the Water for People & the Environment Committee. Your passion, dedication, and expertise are the foundation of this effort. Through your work, you amplify local voices, build connections across Texas, and inspire others to join the fight for clean and abundant water. Your commitment to this cause makes a profound impact. Together, we’re not just advocating for change; we’re building a legacy of water security and environmental stewardship for generations to come.
If you are interested in joining our leadership team, please reach out to Evgenia Spears at evgenia.spears@sierraclub.org for more information.
Together, We Can Protect Texas Water Resources
The Water for People & the Environment Committee welcomes everyone who shares a passion for clean, accessible, and abundant water. By working together, we can tackle Texas’ water challenges and ensure this vital resource is protected for generations to come. Our water is essential to building a future Texas deserves - one where every community has equitable access to safe, clean water, and our natural ecosystems thrive.
The FIRST meeting of the Water for People & the Environment Committee is on December 9 at 6:30PM. Join us and be a part of the action from the start. Register now.