Newsletter of the Sierra Club Rocky Mountain Chapter
May 2014
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Electronic Edition
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Message from the Sierra Club Rocky Mountain Chapter Director, Joshua Ruschhaupt:
"Rocked the Capitol"
This year, the Sierra Club Rocky Mountain Chapter rocked the Capitol on behalf of our members, our supporters, and Colorado's environment. If it were not for us, Colorado wouldn't be the only state in America that doesn't allow the oil and gas industry to use eminent domain to condemn land for oil and gas pipelines.
The RMC Legislative Committee, once they found out about this bill, kicked into high gear, alerted the environmental community and our members and supporters, and, with your help, killed that bill. And that was just the tip of the iceberg of their activities this year!
In lieu of my own Director's Message this month, here is the Legislative Committee's post-session wrap-up...
Legislative Update Wild 2014 legislation session is over
By Karen Dike RMC Legislative Committee Chair
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I will start by saying the most important thing I learned this session—I
don't ever want to be a politician! I can tell you that the legislators
are hardworking, driven people. We may not always agree with them, but
the majority do pay attention to their constituents. Still, I don't want
to be one of them.
I also entered the world of lobbyists,
spending time outside chamber doors watching them talk to the
legislators. It was fascinating. I also learned what a great committee
we have and how hard-working they are, trying to learn the nuances of
the bills. Thank you, team, for a great session.
Read more...
Rally to oppose Keystone XL pipeline is May 17
RMC Conservation Programs Coordinator
Colorado State Capitol is the gathering place to oppose Keystone XL pipeline. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
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Just say "no" to the Keystone XL pipeline and dirty fuels and "yes" to
clean energy by joining other Sierra Club Rocky Mountain Chapter (RMC)
members and supporters at a rally this Saturday, May 17. To be held from
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the west steps of the Colorado State Capitol, the
event is part of Sierra Club's National Day of Action that's being held in conjunction with the Tar Sands Coalition and Hands Across the Sand/Hands Across the Land events. Read more...
Get big benefits by going solar in June
By Carol Carpenter RMC Communications Team
Sungevity installed solar panels on Centennial, Colo. home Photo by Jim Hart |
Summer is near. The days are longer and sunshine is more abundant. Why
let that warm and plentiful solar energy go to waste when it could be
cooling and warming your home? At the same time, you can do something
tangible to improve the environment.
You can go solar easily and affordably—with the guaranteed goal of
lowering your future energy bills—by taking advantage of Sierra Club's innovative partnership with Sungevity, a leading national solar company, to install solar panels on your home's roof.
Read more...
Colorado Oil and Gas Roundup Local control fight looms
By Lauren Swain RMC Beyond Oil & Gas Team Chair
We are excited to announce the formation of our new RMC Local Control Action
Team (LCAT) and we need your help to
be successful! Please click here or on the Take Action button to learn more and get involved.
It's exciting, disturbing and nerve-wracking to watch the news about
Colorado's drilling and fracking issues building every day. We are
swiftly heading into a costly, high-stakes battle for local control over
our state's mushrooming oil and gas operations—whether in a potential
special legislative session, at the ballot box, or both.
Read more...
RMC seeks ExCom nominations
By Angela Medbery Nominations Committee
Rocky Mountain Chapter (RMC) is now soliciting nominations for
individuals to serve on the RMC Executive Committee (ExCom) for the
years 2015 and 2016.
As an ExCom member you will be expected to
become involved with at least one chapter committee and/or hold an
office that requires some time outside of the four in-person, all day,
quarterly meetings and additional seven one-hour phone conference call
meetings. You will serve as a guide for Colorado Sierra Club activities,
activists and administrative functions
Read more...
Media Watch And in this corner....science
By James Luidl RMC Communications Team
Neil deGrasse Tyson is the Muhammad Ali of Science. It has been a pleasure to watch him on the current incarnation of Cosmos deconstructing, with wit and wisdom, science deniers, creationists and political pundits. Tyson promised before the show aired why he doesn't debate deniers and that he wasn't going to do it on Cosmos either.
True
to his word, he doesn't. What he and Seth McFarlane have done is to
simply reference that, "some people believe this or that," then proceed
to entertainingly push over their house of cards in an embarrassing
fashion. Embarrassing because it's so obvious.
Read More...
Petition drive under way for GMO food labeling
Tomatoes are one of the top 10 GMO foods Photo credit: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
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Do you enjoy corn on the cob, a tomato, salmon, or a candy bar? You may
be biting into a food that is a result of genetic engineering. You
probably don't know it and most food producers won't tell you. Why?
Because they don't have to. Sierra Club invites you to help change that!
The Rocky Mountain Chapter has endorsed Right to Know Colorado
and its campaign to achieve mandatory labeling of genetically
engineered foods in Colorado. Right to Know Colorado and Sierra Club
volunteers are circulating petitions around the state to put the
question of labeling on the November ballot. For Initiative 48 to appear
before voters, supporters must collect 86,105 valid petition signatures
by Aug. 4.
Read more...
Hike, have fun at Step Strong Colorado
Join fellow Sierra Club members and supporters for a day of fun and adventure at our annual Step Strong Colorado Benefit Hike to Protect the Environment, Saturday, Sept. 13, at Roxborough State Park.
This year's event has some new features, including prizes for folks who
get the most people to sign up. Snack food will be provided as well as
FREE ONE-DAY PARK PASSES (normally $7/vehicle). Be on the lookout for a
personal invite with more details and sign up instructions in the next
few weeks.
Read More...
Pesticides Committee needs your pesticide info
By Angela Medbery RMC Communications Team
Cropduster spraying pesticides Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
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The Rocky Mountain Chapter Pesticides Committee is still collecting
information on incidents, experiences and concerns with pesticides in
the past decade.
One in 30 households surveyed in 1976 reported
they or someone in their household had experienced dizziness, nausea,
headache or vomiting, which they attributed to pesticides. Today many of
us are concerned about exposures that may cause long-term health and
environmental effects.
Read More...
Volunteers to remove teasel weed in Wheat Ridge
By Carol Carpenter RMC Communications Team
Teasel weed in Wheat Ridge Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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What does Wheat Ridge do when its Clear Creek Greenbelt Open Space
acquires an infestation of an exotic weed (teasel)? And what does it do
when that same wetland harbors an endangered plant and an endangered
mouse, both of which could be harmed by spraying herbicides?
Read more...
The return of Frackenstein! By James Anderson
Facebook Photo Contest
"Spring" by Sven Nakayama
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Congratulations to Sven Nakayama! Sven is the winner of our April "Spring" Facebook Photo Contest.
Enter our Facebook photo contest!
Did you know that we have a monthly photo contest? The theme for the May contest is "SUNRISES/SUNSETS." Submit your best sunrise or sunset photos today! Winner gets a free Sierra Club photo calendar. Submit your photo now, and tell your friends to LIKE it!
The RMC runs on people-power!
Would you believe that the Sierra Club runs more from volunteer
leadership than staff leadership? It's true—there are literally
thousands of volunteer leaders in different leadership capacities in 63
chapters and over 400 groups nationwide! Believe it or not, there are
just two Rocky Mountain Chapter (RMC) staff people right now: the
director, Joshua Ruschhaupt—working with over 150 great volunteer
leaders in the chapter and groups, and our new conservation programs
coordinator, Matt Reed. We need to hear from you right away, even if
you're only remotely thinking about spending a few hours or more per
week helping out the environmental movement in Colorado.
Colorado's environment needs your activism and advocacy—the writing's on the wall!
You show up, and we'll train you. There's even a lot of stuff you can
do right from home. Doesn't matter where you are in Colorado—we're
recruiting for the Chapter, and that covers the entire state. If you're
interested, we've got a volunteer role to fit your interests, skills,
experience, and knowledge.
If, after reading through the roles below, you're still unsure of
where you might fit in, that's no problem. Just fill out the volunteer
interest form on our website at http://rmc.sierraclub.org/volunteer.shtml.
Together as an organized movement we will win!
Outings Leaders
Colorado is a hiker's mecca. We're looking to build a core
leadership team to work with our outings leaders, and also looking for
several outings leaders throughout Colorado. Have you ever wanted to
lead your own fun or conservation-minded hikes? Or just get out and
enjoy the outdoors hikes? Winter or summer, Sierra Club is known for
great outings with trained volunteer leaders. Let us train you to be one
of them. We're really excited to get our outings program working
directly on conservation issues, too! Contact Outings Chair Chris
Applegate at: cdapplegate@gmail.com.
RMC Roaring Fork Group leaders (see map)
The Roaring Fork Group is looking for new and energetic leaders to
volunteer to help out with fighting oil and gas drilling proposals on
the Thompson Divide, west of Carbondale, and south of Glenwood Springs.
The Group is also pursuing Wild and Scenic status for the Crystal River.
You should live within the Roaring Fork Group boundary: Pitkin County,
Eagle County in the Roaring Fork Valley or Fryingpan Valley, or eastern
Garfield County. They're also looking for volunteer leaders interested
in helping lead the Group itself. Get in touch with Mark Stevens, RFG
Executive Committee member, at mark@designprojectinc.com.
Read More...
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In this issue:
- Director's Message: Wild 2014 legislative session is over
- Rally to oppose Keystone XL pipeline is May 17
- Get big benefits by going solar in June
- Oil & Gas Roundup: Local control fight looms
- RMC seeks ExCom nominations
- Media Watch: And in this corner...science
- Petition drive under way for GMO food labeling
- Hike, have fun at Step Strong Colorado
- Pesticides Committee needs your pesticide info
- Volunteers to remove teasel weed in Wheat Ridge
- Cartoon
- Facebook Photo Contest
- Volunteer Leadership Openings
- Sidebar:
- Must See Event!
- Donate!
- Go Solar!
- P&P Archive
- Be a member!
- Facebook
- Meetup
- Twitter
- Featured Outings
- Story Idea?
Must-See Event:
Hike and Write set for Alderfer/Three Sisters Park
Save the Date!
Come join RMC Denver Metro Network's fourth Hike & Write event on Saturday morning, May 24. Bring a pen and tablet to write some fabulous poetry or prose as you take in the beauty and splendor of your surroundings. This hike, approximately three miles round trip, takes place in Alderfer Three Sisters Park, 31677 Buffalo Park Rd., Evergreen, from 9 a.m. to noon. We will meet at the west parking lot.
We will hike until our first writing stop, with at least two writing stops throughout the day. The focus of our outing is Chiaroscuro poetry, which will be explained at the trailhead with examples given at writing stops. Access directions and trail map are available at the park website. Please bring the following:
- Backpack with writing tablet and pen/pencil
- 1 quart of water
- Energy snack
- Sunscreen
- Extra layers just in case of inclement or chilly weather
- Hat
As with all Sierra Club DMN events, a $5 donation is recommended but not required. This money helps the DMN maintain the high quality of its outings. Please contact me (Colleen Finnerty) via Meetup before or on the day of the hike (prior to 7:30 a.m.) if you have any questions. Guide for the day is Dr. Richard F. Fleck, former seasonal park ranger, naturalist, and professor of American literature and environmental writing.
Please support your Sierra Club Rocky Mountain Chapter.
100 percent of your contribution stays here in Colorado!
We depend on your support to do all of our work!
Contribute on our secure website today.
Go Solar!
If you are the proud owner of a single-family home, and you want to reduce Colorado's climate impact, you can install a solar system on your roof!
Sierra Club RMC partners with Sungevity to employ local, certified solar installers.
Get your free solar iQuote now!
Sungevity supports Sierra Club with a great contribution with the completion of every installation we refer to them, and you also get $750! |
The Peak and Prairie is the official Chapter newsletter.
Read the current and previous issues of our printed and e-newsletter on the Chapter's newsletter web page.
Visit the Chapter's events calendar page to find out about outings, conservation and political activities, and more.
Not a Sierra Club member yet? No problem -- just "Join Now!" to become a member today at just $15!
Be Social!
Follow us on Facebook to get our latest updates and relevant news, or on Meetup to join our latest activities, activism, and advocacy events. We're on Twitter, too!
Featured Outings
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Outting Leader Meeting: Summer-A Denver Metro Network Event
When: Sunday, May 18 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Jesse Spratta's House, 465 Knox Court, Denver, CO 80204 (map)
This is the first of four seasonal meetings that we will be having for current Outing Leaders, folks on their way to Outing Leader certification, and people who are interested in becoming leaders. This will be a potluck at my friend Jesse Spratta's house, so please bring things for the group to eat and drink (we'll have between 10 and 20 people attending). If you have specific dietary concerns (diabetic, gluten intolerance, vegan etc.), then please bring a dish that you will be able to eat and share.
This meeting will focus on what outings people want to lead for the summer, to make sure there are not duplicate outings, to go over safety concerns specific to summer outings, and just have fun socializing and meeting new people.
The next Outing Leader Meeting will be Sunday August 17th and I would love someone to volunteer their home (it would be great to rotate these meetings amongst the leaders). This meeting will focus on fall outings.
Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions.
For more information, please contact Colleen Finnerty at 303-388-1058.
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Freshwater Facts and Fun at Lair O' The Bear - A Denver Metro Network Event
When: Sunday, May 25 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Lair O' The Bear Park, Highway 74 Bear Creek Road, Morrison, CO (map)
Everyone loves to hike near a creek, stream or flowing river. Hearing
the melodic and sometimes hypnotic rush-&-flow of our riparian
life-lines certainly revives and refreshes our entire being. But did you
know that only 2.5% of all water on earth is freshwater and only 0.6%
is readily available for use? This expedition along the tranquil but
active Bear Creek will not only enliven the senses but will be an
engaging look at our most precious resource and the issues that surround
it. Highlights include about an hour spent picking up trash along a
small stretch of the creek and a stop outside one of Colorado's most
notable castles to view its original external water wheel that provides
hydroelectric power to the stately establishment to this day.
Visit our Meetup page for additional information about the three phases of this trip.
For more information, please contact Colleen Finnerty at 303-388-1058. Hope to see you on the trail!
THE "TEN ESSENTIALS" -- The Sierra Club recommends the following be carried at all times when hiking in the backcountry:
Navigation (map and compass); Fire (matches, lighters, and accelerant); Signaling Device (whistle or mirror); Sun Protection (sunglasses and sunscreen); Insulation (extra clothing); Nutrition (extra food); Hydration (extra water and tablets); Illumination (headlamp or flashlight); First Aid Kit; Emergency Shelter (tarp, bivy sack, and tent); Repair Kit (tools, knife, cord, and tape).
OUR RMC WEBSITE HAS OTHER OUTINGS INFO THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST -- A Sierra Club Sign-In and Liability Waiver form must be signed before participating in outings -- if you desire to review a copy, please contact your trip leader.
Story Idea?
If you have a story idea for the Sierra Club Rocky Mountain Chapter Peak and Prairie, just send a quick email to rmc-communications-team@lists.sierraclub.org.
Be sure to get in touch with the Communications Team if you are a RMC volunteer interested in being featured in an article -- we want to let others know the great work you're doing and who you are!
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