Update - is that a jellyfish?

Good news, legislators heard from you. SB 1018, Ban Single Use Plastic Bags, is moving in the House, having recently gotten a seal of approval from the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee; now, it's on to the Commerce Committee. SB 1018 is a "pilot project" on the OBX.

For your consideration:

• According to Public Policy Polling, there is broad public support in North Carolina across party lines for a more wide-ranging plastic bag ban than in the current bill.
• The United Nations Environment Programme Executive Director called for a global ban on plastic bags on June 9, 2009, stating that single use plastic bags account for 80% of the world's ocean debris.
• 95% of all common seabirds have ingested plastic in their systems and on average 34 separate pieces of plastic in their stomachs.

Contact your representative in support of SB 1018.

Who won the group fundraising competition?

Long time members of the Sierra Club know that every March an appeal for the funds critical to our Chapter arrive in their mailbox. This year, however, we wanted to do something a little different in an attempt to stoke the competitive spirit.

We created a Group Competition that would reward the Group which had the highest percentage of their membership donate to the Chapter, as well as the Group which had the highest percentage of Guardians. We are now ready to announce the winners.

Thank you for all you have done, please continue to support the Chapter with your giving.

New staffer defending our environment.

In a fast-paced and relentless legislative session, new Chapter Lobbyist Drew Ball has hit the ground running, advocating for member priorities on good bills - improved energy efficiency financing, funding for multi-modal transportation, banning single use plastic bags from the OBX, restoring Jordan Lake to health - and bad - allowing hardened structures on our beaches, so-called vegetation removal, etc.

You can see more bills he's been working on at our legislative tracker.

Drew graduated from NC State University with a B.A. in political science and minors in environmental science and history. He has worked at the General Assembly as a legislative assistant to Rep. Tricia Cotham (D-Mecklenburg), and has extensive experience on statewide and local political campaigns. 

Drew is an avid outdoor enthusiast with a strong history of community organizing. Feel free to welcome him to the Club. 

Get Outdoors

Ocracoke camp, canoe, kayak, explore | July 3-6, 2009 | contact: Medoc Group

We will explore the back country of the island via canoe and kayak and leave the car and our worries behind.

Hanging Rock & Wolf Hike | July 11, 2009 | contact: Piedmont Plateau Group

Wolf Rock is the perfect place to hang out and absorb the peace and ambiance of one of NC's best parks.

Visit our statewide outings calendar

Check out Sierra Club Trails. The website has a collection of trails -- for boots, bikes, and boats -- and a cache of wisdom gained from experience, trial-and-error, and good clean (okay, maybe not so clean sometimes) fun. It's a community that lets you do your own exploring with the knowledge and help of others who love the outdoors. Be sure to add your favorite trail in NC.

Must Reads

New tree rules would change our landscape | the Charlotte Observer | June 10, 2009

Here's a genuinely troubling idea: Groups of lawmakers in both the House and Senate are proposing to allow billboard companies and businesses to cut a lot more vegetation in the publicly-owned rights of way of many state roads and even some urban ones.

Save America’s Forests: stop building new roads | the Asheville Citizen Times | June 9, 2009

Established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, our national forests are one of America's most treasured natural resources. More than a century later, these forests provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife, sources of clean drinking water, and unique opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Jordan Lake compromise expected to hold in Senate | Triangle Business Journal | June 8, 2009

Jordan Lake compromise expected to hold in Senate. Groups who have a stake in the clean up of the Triangle’s Jordan Lake say they don’t plan on trying to amend compromise legislation outlining new rules.

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