Hello everyone, and happy 2020 to all! For all of the reasons discussed here, and so many more, this is going to be an exciting year. The best part? By joining and supporting our work, YOU have the power to make a difference. Read more to find out how.
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 Thank you!
To every one of you who clicked an online petition (we call that "clicktivism"), showed up at a meeting or rally, submitted comments to decision-makers, or donated money to support our work, THANK YOU!
Your participation and support are making a difference. Sierra Club is effective to the degree people like you participate. Your support in 2019 set the stage for our important work in 2020.
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 Desert Refuge Protection Bill Introduced
On Friday, December 20, Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto introduced Senate Bill 3145, the "Desert National Wildlife Refuge and Nevada Test and Training Range Withdrawal and Management Act", which would deprive the US Air Force of its proposed expansion of military activities over 75% of the Desert Refuge. Instead, it proposes more than 1 million acres of permanent protection for important parts of the Refuge. And it proposes better access and management by tribes to cultural sites and by wildlife authorities to manage wildlife.
Do You Know What This Means?
They listened to the thousands of people like you who signed our petition and supported the Nevada Legislature's resolution opposing the proposed military expansion. This legislation responds to the vast majority of Nevadans from all walks of life who want to see our treasured public lands protected, not bombed. Your engagement made a difference.
And while this is a strong step in good directions, we still have concerns. Click to read about them.
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 Poor Air Quality Hurts Everyone, But It Hurts Some More Than Others.
Here's just one example of how one problem can lead to many others. Numerous studies show air pollution harms children more than adults. Data from the Clark County school district show that African American and Latino students have the highest asthma rates. Furthermore, asthma is the single leading cause of missed school days in the nation, and has been shown to be a significant factor in absenteeism leading to being held back a grade in Clark County Schools. Putting this information together, this infers that black and hispanic students are suffering from higher rates of asthma, higher risk of missing school, and greater risk of being held back from academic advancement due to a disease that is likely caused by their polluted environment. Air pollution has been found to have a huge impact on intelligence and life expectancy; and all of these factors can create barriers to personal success and long-term community growth for areas that are impacted by air pollution.
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 Women's March!
This Saturday, January 18, will be the 4th annual Women's March, and Sierra Club will be there in solidarity. We care passionately about clean air, clean water, clean energy, public lands, and gender equity, because the same basic values underlie them all.
How is this an environmental issue? Toxic pollution and climate disruption threaten those rights for everyone, but the consequences often fall hardest on women. After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, for instance, 80 percent of those left behind in the Lower Ninth Ward were women. For women, exposure to toxic pollution, the risk of sexual violence, and the denial of basic reproductive healthcare are not discrete threats; they are a knotted pattern of injustice perpetrated by the same forces that attack our public lands and pollute our environment. By standing together, we know we can make meaningful change.
(Thanks, Sierra Club Director Mike Brune for some of these words).
Join us!
In Reno, at the BELIEVE plaza (Virginia & First Streets) at 11am. Stop by the Sierra Club table at the Reno Events Center after the march.
In Las Vegas, join us at 10am at the Llama Lot, Downtown. 152 North 9th Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101. Here's their Facebook page.
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 Help Clark County Choose Sustainability Over Sprawl
More sprawl is coming to Las Vegas unless we speak out.
Clark County requested legislation that would double the footprint of Las Vegas. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto this week released a discussion draft of the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act. This proposal, different than the County's request, contains some good proposals to protect wild landscapes outside of town, but it also allows Las Vegas to expand by more than 42,000 acres (that's almost 1.5 times the size of San Francisco).
Sierra Club submitted this letter to the County and delegation warning about the impacts of sprawl and proposing solutions to avoid the worst impacts of sprawl. But we need your voice of support. RSVP below to help.
On a parallel track, Clark County (led by Commissioner Justin Jones) is pursuing a Sustainability & Climate Action Plan. The next step of that process is to unite the Department of Air Quality, the Desert Conservation Program, and the Office of Sustainability under a single Department of Environment and Sustainability.
Clark County will discuss this move at their next County Commission meeting, Tuesday, January 21 at 10am, at the Clark County Commission chambers, 500 S Grand Central Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89155. This meeting is a great opportunity to weigh in with our concerns about sprawl, and to encourage the County to develop actionable goals and accountability to help this department lead the County to a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.
Even if you cannot attend in person, you can weigh in online and at other times. Sign up and we'll be in touch. We can make Las Vegas a livable, vibrant, healthy and climate-resilient community.
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 Become a Climate Reality Leader
You're invited to join Al Gore and become trained as a Climate Reality Leader. March 8-10.
Mr. Gore will be coming to Las Vegas to train the next wave of climate activists—You!
The training is free and includes meals. Preference is given to locals, so it would be great to get many climate and conservation-minded Nevadans to apply and attend. Deadline for applications: January 31.
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 Rocks and More Rocks
And Kamarah found the best one. She had to stop to take a picture of every rock on a winter hike with Las
Vegas Inspiring Connections Outdoors. This one was the best, she decided.
The outing on Dec. 7 included six children from Quiet Storm, a youth development organization. As they headed up the Lost Creek Trail, a light rain did little to dampen the adventurers' spirits. Petroglyphs, a waterfall, and glorious vistas rewarded their determination.
LVICO is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to helping Las Vegas youths and children learn to love the great outdoors. More volunteers are always welcome. Learn more here.
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Upcoming Meetings
TOIYABE CHAPTER EXCOM, February 8The Toiyabe Chapter Executive Committee will have its annual winter meeting at the Sierra Club office. All members are welcome. Join us the night before, February 7, for a meet-and-greet at the same location. Please RSVP, so we can make sure we have enough snacks.
SOUTHERN NEVADA GROUP EXCOM, February 6
The Southern Nevada Group will be held at the Sierra Club office on February 6, not the 5th as previously announced. All members welcome to this free, informative meeting. Please RSVP.
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 GBG Starts 2020 on the Move
The annual New Year’s Day hike attracted about 25 people from the Great Basin Group on January 1. A gorgeous afternoon at Hidden Valley Park, east of Reno, was the venue. The Great Basin Group urges its members to get out all year, and this annual hike is the kickoff.
Aren’t you hearing and reading more and more about the mental and physical benefits of outdoor exercise? Grab some of those benefits for yourself by joining the Great Basin Group's extensive outings program. There's something for every speed and style. Learn more on our Meetup page. We get you outdoors!
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 R You in the Know About Waste?
Mark your calendar for the February 13 Great Basin Group meeting.
Garrett Menghini, from Down to Earth Compost, and Cathy Schmidt, of the 5 R Team of Northern Nevada, will engage in a discussion about rethinking our waste and moving beyond the old reduce, reuse, recycle paradigm. We’ll take a look at the current statistics, get to know the 5 Rs, and consider solutions and resources to get started on more sustainable practices both at home and across our community. Together we can make a difference!
When: Thursday, February 13, 2020, 6:30 social, 7 - 8 pm program
Where: Bartley Ranch Western Heritage Interpretive Center, 6000 Bartley Ranch Rd., Reno, NV 89511
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 River Ranch Party Jan. 22
The Tahoe Area Group of the Sierra Club is having a fundraiser at the Wild Winter Wednesdays at the River Ranch on January 22. This is a fun evening with DJ Mr. D, raffles for cool prizes and drink specials. Please join us and raise some funds for the Sierra Club. 3:30-7pm |
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Join the Sierra Club
Thanks for reading. Become an environmental champion by becoming a member! The Sierra Club is the largest, oldest, grassroots environmental organization in the nation. Your support will make us stronger!
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Already a Member? Donate Today!
Your financial support will stay right here in Nevada and the Sierra, working for clean air and water, building a renewable-energy economy, protecting public lands and wildlife, and holding elected leaders accountable! Thanks for your support! |
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