The Engaged Sierran
The "I Will" Campaign Bus Comes to NH
Earlier this week, NH Sierra Club and our partners National Wildlife Federation, Union of Concerned Scientists and Environment NH held events in Concord and Portsmouth promising to act on climate despite the inaction in Congress. Much appreciation goes to the speakers, partners and volunteers for your show of support - there were over 32 people in Concord and over 50 people in Portsmouth! A special thank you to the summer campers from Mowkawogan whose drawings to help the moose were given to Governor Hassan along with a thank you for her support. We thanked the Obama administration for putting forward a plan to act on climate and recognized that we, as a nation, will not wait any more - with or without Congress' support.
A large bus wrapped in the words "I Will Act on Climate" came to New Hampshire on a 25 state tour to show that people across the country want climate solutions and will act now. In states like ours companies have already taken steps to reduce carbon, and some produce products that help us all reduce carbon. Granite Staters are reducing their carbon footprint in their homes and lives. We are saying "I Will Act on Climate".
We will continue to highlight climate action in NH throughout the year and encourage our elected officials to continue to move forward. You, too, can sign up to act on climate by visiting http://www.iwillact.us/. The next New Hampshire "I Will" event is scheduled for Monday, August 19 in Manchester; Senator Shaheen will be attending. We hope you can be there!
Concord Market Days Success
We hope you were able to see how nice the NHSC tent looked on Thursday and Friday during Concord Market Days (see left). It was a very busy event, with lots of exposure for all participants. However, a very severe storm hit Main Street Friday night (can you say "climate change"?) and literally blew everything to bits all up and down the street! Intern Lauren Kilmister, her dad, Mark, and extra-special volunteer Laurie McInnis, were responsible for pulling the display back together, minus a completely vanished table, and to work the whole day Saturday as well. The scaled-down post-storm booth is pictured below.
The event was a success for NHSC, as 140 signatures were collected during the 3-day event on our petition to cut carbon from existing power plants, and 12 awesome volunteers braved the remarkable heat. Thank you Volunteer Tablers! Plus $95 worth of merchandise (see below) was also sold. Have you gotten YOUR cool Sierra Club gear yet? Call 224-8222 to get yours today!
See State Senator Rob Hogg (Iowa), author of "America's Climate Century"(2013)
"A Call to Climate Action – America's New National Purpose"
Please join Senator Rob Hogg for his tour of New Hampshire and New England August 17 to 29 to call on Americans to make the fight against climate America's new national purpose. Senator Hogg's public schedule is listed below, or find up-to-date information from the America's Climate Century Facebook page.
Senator Hogg is a state senator from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which was hammered by an unprecedented flood in 2008 that caused billions in damage. He brings a “dose of reality” to the climate issue, which requires urgent action to slash greenhouse gas emissions by moving beyond fossil fuels and to safeguard our people and our property against future climate disasters, like extreme storms, floods, drought, wildfires, and ecological disruptions.
America’s Climate Century is succinct (120 pages), affordable (list price $10.95), patriotic, and accessible. As Cedar Rapids Gazette columnist Jennifer Hemmingsen wrote (4/28/13), it will get you “from zero to well informed in a matter of hours.” It is designed for active citizens who want to understand better what climate change means for America in the 21st Century – and what Americans can do about it.
The following events are scheduled for New Hampshire:
- Sunday, August 18, 3:00 p.m. - Cones n' More ice cream store, 126 Main Street, Lancaster
- Monday, August 19, 11:00 a.m. - SaVoir Flare, 52 Main Street, Berlin
- Tuesday, August 20, 12:30 p.m. – "The Attitude" with Arnie Arnesen, MNHN FM 94.7
- Tuesday, August 20, 7:00 p.m. - NH Audubon McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord
- Wednesday, August 21, 3:30 p.m. – Attend bill signing, Seacoast Science Center, 570 Ocean Blvd, Rye
- Friday, August 23, 6:30 p.m. - Toadstool Books, 222 West Street, Keene
- Sunday, August 25, 9:00 a.m. – First Congregational Church UCC, 63 S. Main Street, Rochester
- Sunday, August 25, 5:00 p.m. – RiverRun Bookstore, 142 Fleet Street, Portsmouth
New Hampshire Outings
Hiking leader Ron Janowitz shared this photograph of the June 20th hike up the Welch-Dickey Trail: "Eleven happy hikers atop Mt. Dickey near Waterville Valley in the White Mountains of New Hampshire."
Join the Sierra Club on the Sweet Trail
Sunday, September 1
Enjoy an easy, mainly level 4.6 mile morning walk past attractive fresh and salt water wetlands. This surprisingly wild area so close to civilization was saved from ruin by a proposed huge oil refinery! No dogs are allowed in this nature reserve.
The Sweet Trail is part of the Great Bay area of the seacoast. The Great Bay area is a unique inland ecosystem supporting more than 150 rare plants and animal species and 55 exemplary natural communities. The Sweet Trail showcases some of the natural communities and diverse habitats protected by the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership.
For more information on the Sweet Trail, view this PDF.
Kids with hiking experience welcome! Insect repellant a must! We will lunch at the end of the trail at a great spot overlooking Great Bay. RSVP with Leader Peter Hope, (603) 863-6456.
Our Intern, Lauren, is on her way
After a much too short stay with NHSC, Lauren Kilmister is going back to school. She brought her strident work ethic, organizational skills, and terrific attitude, and she will be missed. Lauren wanted to share the following about her experience:
"I have had a truly amazing experience through my summer internship at New Hampshire Sierra Club. I came into this internship knowing something of local environmental issues, but I have learned more than I ever imagined. From current legislation to phone-banking to fundraising, my time at NHSC has taught me so much about grassroots organizing and networking. I will be heading into my junior year at St. Michael's College, and am eager to apply everything I've learned to my studies! Thank you to everyone who has contributed to my positive experience over the past few months!" -Lauren Kilmister
Volunteer of the Month: Laurie McInnis
Laurie supports the Sierra Club mission because she feels a healthy environment is important for people and animals alike. She is particularly passionate about domestic and wild animals, and nature in general - "woods, oceans, lakes, plains or mountains." In her words, she is proud to be a member of this organization because, "I like the approach of everyone working together to come to solutions that work for all."
Laurie also enjoys "window shopping, skiing, playing with my cats (and all animals I run into), hanging out with friends, crafts." We are happy to acknowledge Laurie's extra effort during Market Days and to thank her for volunteering with NHSC. Thanks, Laurie!
Intern Lauren nominated Laurie McInnis for this honor, based on Market Days heroism (see related article).Join an Action Team!
NH Chapter Action Teams are active in seven different areas: Climate Change, Fundraising, Outings/Events, Tar Sands, Transportation, Renewable Energy and Volunteering.
Each team is tasked with holding meetings and taking steps towards self-specified goals – which means lots of opportunities to get involved! Call 224-8222 to become one of 10 members allotted for each team.
Stay Cool In Style - Use Sierra Club Merchandise
It's important to stay hydrated during these hot summer days, and what better way than with Sierra Club hats and water bottles? We now offer 100% Organic Cotton hats, BPA-free Camelbak water bottles, and stainless steel water bottles and tumblers – all complete with the Sierra Club logo! Call 224-8222 to get yours today!