Now is the time to lean in and get involved in exploring, enjoying and protecting Wisconsin and our land and climate. From working on priority issue campaigns to helping the chapter run efficiently, there are a wide range of roles that volunteers can fill to support the mission of the Sierra Club and its John Muir Chapter.
Conservation Issue Teams
Tar Sands Pipelines
The tar sands team is busy gearing up to stop Enbridge’s next oil pipeline project in Wisconsin: Line 66, the proposed twin of the existing Line 61 pipeline. This team has also been active in showing solidarity for other pipeline fights like the Dakota Access Pipeline (#NoDAPL).
Clean Transportation
The clean transportation team works to increase state funding for transit, bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure. This year, the clean transportation team has been focused on getting the state budget to reassess transportation priorities. Rather than excessive highway expansion spending, Wisconsin communities need funding to repair local roads and to increase accessibility to transit.
Beyond Coal to Clean Energy
Working closely with the Sierra Club’s national Beyond Coal Campaign, the chapter has been advocating for transitioning from coal to clean energy in Wisconsin. The team is currently focused on Madison Gas and Electric. The chapter also opposes mandatory fixed-fee increases from utilities across the state.
Water Sentinels
The Water Sentinels work to protect Wisconsin’s freshwater resources by monitoring surface and groundwater. Over the past year, the water team has elevated water issues around the state through communications and social media, events in key parts of the state and a listening session with the EPA Region V Administrator.
Mining Safeguards
The mining team is focused on frac-sand mining and increasing local and statewide safeguards against destructive mining.
Native Species and Forest Protection
The native species and forest protection team works on protecting the unique habitats, forests and wildlife that make Wisconsin the great state that it is.
Internal Committees
Fundraising Committee
If you want to help put the “fun” in fundraising, join this committee! Members work together to plan and host engaging and unique fundraising events, assist with direct mail appeals, online fundraising and donor visits, all to generate vital support for the chapter’s work.
Membership Committee
Help us grow! Engaged members are the foundation of the Sierra Club. The Membership Committee is dedicated to building a strong club by finding innovative ways to increase our membership and to support the activities of our current members, volunteers and leaders. Serving on the Membership Committee might include developing the annual membership campaign, creating print and online promotional materials, planning volunteer recognition events and tabling outreach.
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee works to communicate the Sierra Club-John Muir Chapter’s mission, priority issues, outings and events to members and supporters. They strategize online campaigns and run the chapter’s Facebook and Twitter pages. A member from each issue team and committee sits on this committee to best represent the different work and events in which the chapter is involved.
Outings Committee
The Outings Committee works to get people of all backgrounds outdoors, whether into the wilderness, on the lakes and streams, into state and national forests, or into our local parks and green spaces. The chapter’s Outings Committee works to elevate Sierra Club to be the go-to source for outdoor recreation opportunities and leadership training and skill development.
Wisconsin Youth Network (WiYN)
The mission of Wisconsin Youth Network is to create collaborative, intersectional and communicative spaces for young environmental justice advocates in Wisconsin. The network will take strategic action to build youth power and fight climate change. WiYN is currently made up of representatives from student and youth environmental groups throughout the state. Each semester, WiYN members come together to prioritize issues and campaigns that can be led throughout the state.
Local Groups
To address local or regional conservation issues, the Sierra Club has volunteer led local groups. In Wisconsin there are six local groups that have their own priority issues, outings and volunteer opportunities. Visit sierraclub.org/wisconsin/local-groups to find out if there is a group in your region of the state.
One-Off Volunteer Events
Occasionally, the chapter needs volunteers to support administrative activities, events or mailings. If you are unable to join an issue team or a committee, you can always volunteer at these one-off volunteer opportunities!