Chapter Events Calendar
Click here for the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter Events Calendar
Environmental Meetings/Events in and near the Potomac River Group area
What You Need to Know About Local Climate Action in Alexandria
WHEN: Nov 6, 6:30 pm; program 7:00 pm, free
WHERE: virtual and Parish Hall, Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria 22304
Ryan Freed, Director of Alexandria’s Office of Climate Action, will talk about the city’s progress in implementing the Environmental Action Plan 2040 and ways individuals and faith communities can take climate action. The Office of Climate Action is dedicated to combating climate change through a city-wide approach that empowers the Alexandria community to actively participate and contribute to sustainable actions. This is a hybrid event. Light finger foods and beverages will be provided at 6:30 pm. If tuning in virtually, join us at 7 pm via Zoom. Sponsored by the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions and Immanuel Church-on the-Hill.
Potomac Overlook Regional Park Habitat Restoration
WHEN: Nov 9, 9:00 am – 11:30 am
WHERE: 2845 Marcey Rd, Arlington, VA 22207
Do you like working outside? Join community volunteers in protecting the local environment from non-native invasive plants and replacing them with native plants. This is a continuing project typically held every Saturday to reclaim Potomac Overlook Regional Park from non-native invasive plants. If you have your own garden gloves and tools, please bring them along. If not, they will be given to you. Training and additional tools will be provided. Be sure to come dressed for work, wear long pants, long sleeves, and perhaps a hat. You may also want to bring along your own water bottle, but bottled water and snacks will be provided. These events are for volunteers ages 9 to adult (family friendly). If you are under 18 years old, a parent or guardian will need to sign our volunteer sign-in sheet before you can participate. All other volunteers will need to sign the volunteer sign-in sheet on behalf of themselves.
Meet at Potomac Overlook at the covered picnic facility next to the parking lot.
Grandma’s Creek RIP
WHEN: Nov 9, 9:30 am - 11:30 am
WHERE: S Pershing Drive between 4th St S and 6th St S, near the Dominion Energy lot, Arlington
Join the Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria. Help get rid of the invasive plants in Grandma’s Creek Park, a neighborhood park that is an arm of Glencarlyn Park in South Arlington. Grandma’s Creek runs into Four Mile Run at 7th St S. Dress to protect against poison ivy and ticks, and bring drinking water. There are some steep areas and lots of dead tree limbs to climb over, so sturdy shoes are recommended. We will have tools and gloves provided by Arlington County DPR, but please bring your favorites if you have them.
Understanding the Interactions Between Fish, Fish Habitat and Offshore Wind in a changing Oce
WHEN: Nov 14, 12:00 pm, free
WHERE: virtual
Host Tricia K. Jedele, Offshore Wind Policy Manager of The Nature Conservancy, invites you to learn more about the interactions between fish and offshore wind and the surprising impacts that offshore wind infrastructure is having on fish habitat. Dr. Brendan Runde, a TNC marine scientist, and Dr. Annie Murphy, a Principal Scientist at INSPIRE Environmental, will talk about the research they’ve been doing to understand more about how fish respond to offshore wind construction and adapt to new structures in the marine environment.
Buying Solar 101: A homeowner's guide to shopping for solar with success
WHEN: Nov 15, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
WHERE: virtual
Curious about installing solar panels but not sure where to start? Join Solar United Neighbors, Vote Solar, and the Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association for a statewide webinar detailing best practices for shopping for solar. We will cover: Tips for finding reputable installers and comparing bids, what to expect from installation, red flags to look out for, information about warranties, tax credits, financing, and much more!Speakers include: Autumn Johnson: Executive Director at AriSEIA, Kate Bowman: Regulatory Director for Interior West at Vote Solar, Adrian Keller: Arizona Program Director at Solar United Neighbors.
League of Women Voters of Virginia Data Center Forum
WHEN: Nov 18, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
WHERE: virtual
Join the League of Women Voters of Virginia for a discussion of data centers. Learn about the environmental and cultural issues caused by data center proliferation in Virginia. Speakers include Chief Anne Richardson, the Sierra Club’s Ivy Main and Del Josh Thomas.
Getting to Know Alexandria's EAP & ECCAP - with Climate Action Officer, Ryan Freed
WHEN: Nov 19, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
WHERE: Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor, 717 Queen St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Ryan Freed, from the Office of Climate Action, will explain the Environmental Action Plan and the Energy & Climate Change Action Plan that guide the City towards resiliency and sustainability.The updated Environmental Action Plan 2040 (EAP2040) and Energy and Climate Change Action Plan (ECCAP) continue the work the City has done to mitigate hazards and move the City towards sustainability. Hear from Ryan Freed, Climate Action Officer from Alexandria's Office of Climate Action, to learn what roles these plans play, what the City is doing and how you can participate.
Osprey, Menhaden, and Protecting the Bay
WHEN: Nov 20, 7:00 pm, free
WHERE: virtual
A panel will present information on the tragic situation of the loss of osprey chicks, due to starvation. The principal source of food for the osprey in feeding their young is the small menhaden fish. Research biologists believe the overfishing of the menhaden is the cause.
The company Omega Protein harvests the menhaden, using them for fish oil tablets and animal food. On the panel are Dr. Bryan Watts, Director of the Center for Conservation Biology at William and Mary; Chris Moore, Virginia Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation; Steve Adkinson, Chairman of the Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Association, and Jeannie Boyce, Poquoson resident with three osprey nests on their property.
How Dams Contribute to Climate Change
WHEN: Nov 21, 6:30 pm, free
WHERE: virtual
Please join us for our fall series of webinars as we reintroduce our members and friends to the cultural and environmental impacts of dams: Rivers, Dams, and Climate Change: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Please join us for this important discussion with our guests: Roger Wheeler, President of Friends of Segabo Lake (Maine), citizen scientist and Sierra Club Grassroots Network NECAPA Team: How Canadian and Russian mega-dams create unchecked heat pollution and contribute to climate change.
Decorate a Tree for Birds
WHEN: Nov 23, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, $5
WHERE: Jerome Buddie Ford Nature Center, 5750 Sanger Avenue, Dora Kelley Nature Park. Alexandria, VA 22311, adjacent to the William Ramsay Elementary School
For ages 5-11. Birds need a holiday too! Make biodegradable bird feeders and garlands to decorate a backyard tree for our feathered friends. All materials included.
Powhatan Springs Invasive Plant Removal
WHEN: Nov 27, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
WHERE: 6020 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, 22205
Join us at Powhatan Springs during 2024 on "regular" fourth Wednesdays from 3-5pm. We want to keep this park progressing towards a native habitat that's conducive to our local flora and fauna. Meet in the Skateboard parking lot.
Potomac River Cleanup at Jones Point Park
WHEN: Nov 30, 9:00 am
WHERE: Jones Point Park, Jones Point Dr, Alexandria, VA 23242
Join Potomac Conservancy for a fun, 50-person trash cleanup at Jones Point Park, VA. Make a huge difference for the Potomac River as we work towards a healthier and more resilient river!
We will provide all the event supplies (trash bags, gloves, trash grabbers, etc.), but we strongly recommend that you bring your own if you have them. Once registered, please expect a reminder email the Wednesday before the event with more information regarding our updated safety protocols and what to expect. You are responsible for making sure your guest(s) get that reminder email. We can't wait to see you!
Check out your local environmental commissions and committees
WHEN: Every month, dates vary
WHERE: In every jurisdiction – virtual and in-person
Have you ever attended a meeting of your local environmental commission? Meetings are public and it can be a great way to learn about what is going on in your community. Commissions often consider issues of concern and welcome public comment. Click on the links below to find out more about your local commissions. Meeting schedules are provided on the linked websites. The agenda for an upcoming meeting is usually posted several days in advance of the meeting.
Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
Arlington Climate Change, Energy and Environment Commission
Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings
The MeetUp group for Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO) is a special activities section of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter. The group organizes hikes and other events in Virginia, DC and Maryland. No Sierra Club membership is necessary to participate. SCPRO welcomes all people on a variety of outdoor adventures, nature walks, conservation outings, and exploration of our natural and regional history. Join SCPRO MeetUp here