When you're looking for a furry friend to bring home, skip the pet stores and breeders and head to the pounds and shelters. More tips | Subscribe!

How Not to Die in the Woods All it takes is one little screw-up ("I thought you brought the map!") to turn your nice little backpacking or hunting trip into a low-budget Survivorman. In this video, a former Green Beret shows you how to keep it together if you get lost. Rule #1: Don't do anything stupid. For more, see Paul Rauber's story in the July/August issue of Sierra magazine.

The Pick of Your Park Pics It's time to hit us with your best shot -- of one of America's crown jewels. To enter our photo contest, join the National Parks group on Sierra Club Trails and post your favorite national park picture to the group's photo gallery by June 24. The best photo will be featured on our websites and printed in the September/October issue of Sierra. Got that? Ready, set, snap!

This week on Sierra Club Radio: 1) Folk icon Pete Seeger talks with us about music and social change, his 40-year fight to clean up the Hudson River, and performing at President Obama's inauguration. 2) Green cuisine tips from Chef Annie Somerville. 3) Matthew Luxon tells us about his rubbish-free year, in which he and his wife pledged to not create any trash for 12 months. Listen | Subscribe

Protect Our Rivers and Lakes from Pollution As the 40th anniversary of the Cuyahoga River fire approaches, we're reminded of how much our water quality has improved thanks to the Clean Water Act. But now this progress is at risk as developers and polluters try to strip Clean Water Act protections from the wetlands, small streams, and tributaries that serve as drinking water sources for millions of people, as well as vital habitat and nesting grounds for wildlife. On Thursday, the Senate Environment Committee will mark up a bill that could restore Clean Water Act protections to these vital waters. They need to hear from you. Tell Congress to act now to reverse the damage by passing the Clean Water Restoration Act!

Love Nature? Love Sierra Club Trails
Whether you love to max-out your muscles or recharge your spiritual batteries, there's a community of outdoor enthusiasts like you in the new Sierra Club Trails online community (http://www.sierraclubtrails.com/). 

We're one of the oldest names in outdoor adventure, and we've created a place online where you can share your favorite trails, organize groups for hiking expeditions or wildland protection, discuss recipes and rare bird sightings, let folks check out your best photos, blog about trips and tips, and much more.

It's easy and costs nothing to join. And hey -- if you've already done some great hikes, you can add a trail description (or several -- Dave Meiser in Pennsylvania added twenty!). We want a wide selection of trails from every part of the country before we invite the public, and you can help us get there.

Pull on your boots and join us on Sierra Club Trails!

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Carl Pope Debates the CEO of Chevron
It wasn't exactly Frazier-Ali at The Garden (in fact, it was markedly more amicable), but last week in San Francisco Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope debated Chevron CEO David O'Reilly, hosted by The Commonwealth Club. The subject was "America's Energy Future," and a packed room listened intently as the two men agreed on some issues (global warming is real and caused by humans) but differed sharply on others (what to do about it). Perhaps the most shocking moment came when… ah, but you should see that for yourself on YouTube.

You'll find links to that video and other debate coverage (including full audio) at Climate Crossroads.

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'What's at Stake' in Appalachia
Already, mountaintop-removal coal mining has destroyed close to 2,000 miles of Appalachian streams. Although the Obama administration has promised to enforce existing laws and regulations more strictly, oversight alone won't be enough. Actress Ashley Judd is helping the Sierra Club lead a grassroots campaign asking for a new rule that would prohibit mountaintop-removal mining altogether.

Visit our "What's at Stake" website to take action and see our mountaintop-removal mining permit tracker (updated every five minutes).

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A 21st Century Youth Conservation Corps
On Monday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced that his agency will establish a new office dedicated to getting youth outdoors. Salazar, joined by White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett and hundreds of children, signed a Secretarial Order to officially establish an Office of Youth at the Department of Interior. The creation of the Office is the first step toward fulfilling Salazar's vision of a 21st Century Youth Conservation Corps.

The new Corps will build a bridge to the outdoors and to green jobs for a new and diverse generation of public lands enthusiasts and employees. It will also educate a young hunters and anglers. The announcement followed a youth fishing event at Constitution Gardens on the National Mall.

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List Your Favorite Green Businesses
As part of our mission to help people explore, enjoy, and protect the planet, we've partnered closely with the new Sierra Club Green Home site -- an online tool that helps you take simple steps to green your home. Now, Sierra Club Green Home is accepting applications from your favorite green businesses for listing on its highly targeted green database.

The site provides educationally rich, quality content on more than 100 subjects related to sustainability for the home. In addition, Sierra Club Green Home aims to build the largest and most comprehensive database of national green suppliers, vendors, and retailers (all vetted for authenticity through the site's "GreenCheck" process).

Visit SierraClubGreenHome.com for details. Businesses can apply for listing online by filling out the Provider Registration form. If you have any questions, email providerhelp@scgh.com or call 888-SCGH-COM.

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