By Samantha Heath, another awesome volunteer
While Legislative Co-Chairs Denise Rohrer (left) and Ashlee Forman (right) both found their calling as environmental activists, they came to their positions with the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter in different ways.
In 2019, Ashlee was an environmental science major at the University of Reno when Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter Director Brian Beffort came to speak at one of her classes. Inspired by his passion for grassroots activism, Ashlee attended conservation lobby day. She soon realized that her path lay in environmental law and legislation.
Denise, an avid adventurer, lost her job in advertising at the beginning of the pandemic. Rather than seeing this as a setback, Denise took her chance to reevaluate her priorities and explore the Western United States. She and her dog, Spartacus, hit the road for an epic adventure through legendary national parks. While eating lunch in Death Valley, she spotted a Sierra Club backpack. After some Googling, Denise realized she needed to become a volunteer.
Flash forward, when the Toiyabe Chapter Legislative Committee needed a leader in January, they both volunteered to become Co-Chairs. Ashlee and Denise have hit the ground running with remarkable dedication and vigor. The duo has worked tirelessly to organize, prioritize, and represent the Toyiabe Chapter’s positioning in the 2021 legislative session. From coordinating the committee's volunteers, writing testimonies, and attending committee hearings, these Co-Chairs were instrumental in driving environmental policies forward and making our collective voices heard.
Finally taking a breath after the 2021 session, the pair has had time to reflect upon their experiences with the organization and the legislative process.
“My biggest takeaway from this whole experience is how much each individual person can have an impact, whether it’s testifying or writing legislators,” Denise says, “After this, I would never not want to be involved in a session. There is so much happening that directly impacts you, me, our communities, the state—sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. The Sierra Club really gives you the opportunity to have a voice and I think that’s pretty amazing.”
Ashlee wholeheartedly agrees and adds, “It’s really inspiring to get together with a group of people from all different backgrounds and places who come together to influence important pieces of legislation. The Sierra Club offers a lot of opportunities to build relationships and that, to me, is really powerful. I’ve made great connections that are going to last a lifetime.”
When asked what makes the work the Sierra Club does so important, Denise and Ashlee had this to say.
“The organization looks at policy from both a macro and micro level. While we may be looking at a policy that falls in the water category, we also have experts looking at the same policy with different lenses. When we have all this expertise working like a force of nature, it’s really impactful. I think we made a huge difference in this session.”
“Given our situation with how climate change is progressing and impacting the needs of our planet, people, wildlife, and ecosystem, an organization like the Sierra Club gives people a platform to organize and connect. I wouldn’t have been able to be as effective by myself. They really empower volunteers to take the lead on things. There’s so many people out there who want to make a difference and don’t know how, but the Sierra Club offers people a pathway to do so.”
After a busy legislative session, you’d think Denise and Ashlee would be ready to take a break, but these go-getters are already gearing up for next season. Oh, and while they’re at it, they’re also both studying for the LSATs, each hoping to build a career in environmental law.
As Ashlee describes it, environmental justice isn’t a just career, hobby, or even a passion—it’s a purpose. “Valuing conservation and environmental justice gave me a specific purpose in my life. I want our earth to be safe, free of waste and toxicity, full of beautiful spaces and wildlife, for our generation and for all generations to come.”
A big thank you to our Toiyabe Chapter Legislative Committee Co-Chairs! It’s volunteers like you and your peers that enable us to advocate for the planet and build a better, more equal democracy where all voices are valued.
Not yet a Sierra Club volunteer? We’d love for you to join us! Tell us more about you so we can help match you with a volunteer opportunity that sparks joy.
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