By Janet Carter
These are exciting times for the Southern Nevada Group of the Toiyabe Chapter! We have a great cohort of volunteers (but of course we are always looking for more!), and they are active on a number of fronts.
Our Urban Planning/Transportation Team is meeting regularly, and we are researching mass transit systems that work in other large cities with the hope of lobbying our elected representatives to initiate such programs here in the Las Vegas Valley. Our goal is for a walkable, livable city that incorporates clean transportation for all and includes plans to mitigate extreme heat. Your input and participation are welcome!
Our Outings program is finally gaining steam after several years of pandemic-induced inactivity. We are planning on having several Outings a month that target a variety of skill and fitness levels. So, whether you are a novice hiker or a serious scrambler you should find something you can enjoy! All of our Outings are posted on the club’s members information site Calendar and on our group page on Meetup. A few photos from a recent trip to Valley of Fire State Park are attached: we saw a lot of petroglyphs and Big Horn sheep as well. All of our outings leaders are trained and certified in First Aid/CPR, and safety is our top priority. Many of the events are family and dog-friendly, so please join us! You do not have to be a Sierra Club member to attend any outing (although we certainly encourage
membership). Our outings are designed for fun and recreation yet also provide a great opportunity to learn more about the beautiful yet fragile desert environment that we live in. If you are interested in volunteering with the Outings program, please email Janet Carter at jkumar167@aol.com. We are always looking for outings volunteers; all training is paid for by the Sierra Club.
Finally, we are excited to announce that we are re-starting our popular Speakers’ Program series! We hope to have monthly zoom gatherings with featured speakers, as well as occasional in-person events. The first SNG program event of the New Year will be on February 15, 2024. Will Pregman, who is the Program Manager for the Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) will speak on the NCEF and low- or no-cost options to make your home more energy efficient and sustainable. All are welcome, so mark your calendars! Watch your email for a registration link for this Zoom meeting closer to the date! Again, these programs will be posted in Campfire and we will share information on our social media pages.
Finally, thanks to all of you who attended our annual Holiday Party earlier in December. The food was great, as always, and we were thrilled to have Congresswoman Dina Titus as our special guest! Here’s wishing all of you a happy, healthy, and sustainable New Year!
