Historic March to Protect our Planet!
An Invitation from Roberta Paro, Chairwoman of the CT Chapter
I am inviting you to participate in the People's Climate March being planned for Sunday, September 21 in New York City. I am also asking you to invite five other people to join you at this historic march to protect the environment.
"As part of a global effort to mobilize action and ambition on climate change, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is inviting Heads of State and Government along with business, finance, civil society and local leaders to a Climate Summit in September 2014, New York".
Help us reach our goal to bring 100,000 people to New York City and show our support for world leaders who are willing to take considerable political risks to protect the environment from the effects of climate disruption. [Read more]
Current CT Issues
Pipeline Expansion - To Frack or Not to Frack
Over the last decade, natural gas mining (fracking) has jumped many-fold. There are plans in the permit stages right now to extend the Algonquin pipeline which runs through CT. The CT Sierra Chapter is against this expansion and construction. [Read more]
We need people to spend a couple of hours a week doing research, connecting with other coalition members, and tracking public hearings. If you would like to get involved, please email John Calandrelli at connecticut.chapter@sierraclub.org.
Communications Committee
The fracking issue is one of many issues which will require monitoring and action by volunteers willing to speak out. The CT Sierra Club has recently renewed the Communications Committee to spread the national and local conservation message. We invite everyone to get involved with the communications committee to help email legislators, make phone calls, write letters to editors, attend regulatory meetings, or just talk to others. Please contact Martha Klein at mkleinrn@aol.com if you are interested. [Read more]
National Drive Electric Week
September 15-21 is National Drive Electric Week. There will be EV events all over the country, including one already scheduled in New Britain. National Sierra Club is one of the sponsors and CT DEEP has stated they would "be thrilled to work on this with Sierra Club". If you have an electric or plug-in hybrid and would to help in the planning of events in CT, please contact Marty Mador at martin.mador@aya.yale.edu or (203) 281-4326. For more information, visit https://driveelectricweek.org or http://content.sierraclub.org/evguide/go-electric energy.
Outings
All events open to club members and the public
Hiking
July 13 - Penwood State Park, Simsbury - wander around the rolling hills for an hour and a half with hike leader Renee Tayor. [Read more]
Kayaking
July 3 - Lower Bolton Pond, Bolton - enjoy an evening of relaxed paddling around this 175 acre quiet lake. [Read more]
July 4 - Lake Williams, Lebanon - kayak around this lake with a shoreline that is mostly surrounded by undeveloped deep woods and a secluded pond guarded by small rocky islands. [Read more]
July 26 - Gardner Lake, Salem - hopefully eagles will be there as we paddle around this 528 acre lake with many nooks to investigate. [Read more]
Biking -
Every Friday evening at 5:30pm, starting July 11 - Hop River State Park, Manchester - end your work week with a leisurely bicycle outing. Register with trip leader Ron Haines ronaldhaines@bellsouth.net. [Read more]
Volunteer Opportunities
CT Sierra Club runs on the energy of our dedicated volunteers. Nothing can happen without your help. We currently need:
Executive Committee - Are you interested in championing and environmental cause? Do you want to see changes in the way the CT General Assembly addresses environmental issues? We are looking for volunteers to serve on the Executive Committee. If interested, please contact Walter Grant, Chair of the Nominating Committee at waltergrantjr@hotmail.com. [Read more]
Chapter Meetup.Com Administrator - Meetup.Com is a social networking site aimed at connecting persons who have interests in common. We need a person to set up and administer a group for the CT Chapter. Average computer skills needed for approximately 1-5 hours a month. Another volunteer is available as a resource and advisor. [Read more]
Recyclable Bags with Branford's Pack 428
Question: How many plastic bags does a family of four use each year?
Answer: The average American family takes home 1500 plastic bags a year.
On February 19, Branford's Pack 428 Wolf Den conducted a meeting about the importance about using recyclable grocery bags. First, the boys played a 10 question game where each boy read a multiple choice question while the other boys reasoned out the answer. The cub scouts then personalized their own recyclable bag donated by the Shoreline Group. The scouts hope to earn a free pizza party by emailing a picture of himself using the bag. From left to right in the picture below: Adam Albrecht, David Carroll, Massimo Corrick, Jordan Bah, Nathan Dornfeld, and Ethan Weaver.