Newsletter of the Sierra Club Rocky Mountain Chapter
September 2014
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Electronic Edition
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Message from the Sierra Club Rocky Mountain Chapter Director, Joshua Ruschhaupt:
"Happy 50th Anniversary, Wilderness Act"
Colorado's Indian Peaks Wilderness Photo by Alan Apt |
September 2014 marks the official 50th anniversary of an Act of Congress
“To establish a National Wilderness Preservation System for the
permanent good of the whole people, and for other purposes,” which we
now call the “Wilderness Act.”
My
parents met, raised me, and currently live and work in and near
Yosemite National Park. So I like seeing the latest news about Yosemite,
and recently I was reminded by a post on Facebook by the park that the concept of wilderness conservation began with an idea – the “Yosemite idea:”
The U.S. first protected a beautiful landscape by protecting Yosemite
Valley and Mariposa Grove in 1864. This Yosemite idea grew into the
national park idea, which has spread beyond the U.S. to around the
world. One hundred years later, and 50 years ago this month, Congress
created an even stronger degree of protection for federal land:
wilderness.
Wilderness is an area that retains its primeval character and influence without permanent improvements or human habitation.
Read more...
Join the solar rooftop revolution this fall
RMC Communications Team
Autumn is nearly here—a great time to join Sierra Club’s “rooftop
revolution” by adding solar panels to your home. Though the days are
gradually getting shorter, there is still much abundant sunlight that
can be used to heat and/or cool your home through Sierra Club’s
innovative partnership with Sungevity, a leading national solar company..
Prioritize urban water conservation in Colorado
By Matt Reed RMC Conservation Programs Coordinator
Colorado River no longer reaches the sea Photo by BLM, Grand Junction Field Office
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California... Texas...Oklahoma... Utah. Other states in the
western United States have statewide water conservation plans. Colorado
does not. Instead, to satisfy our increasing thirst for more water, we
take it from our rivers. But our rivers don’t have any more water to
give. The Colorado River no longer regularly reaches the sea. Over 60
percent of the Fraser River is already diverted. Despite this, new plans
for diverting even more water are being considered. These big-time
water diversions would cost billions, harm the environment, shortchange
recreation, wreck our rivers and increase water bills.
Media Watch What are you reading...does it make you happy?
By James Luidl RMC Communications Team
While I was sitting in my local Discount Tire—being bored and with
nothing to do, I began looking for something to read. Unfortunately all I
could find were copies of HotRod, Road & Track, and Field and Stream. Evidently the only people who get their tires changed are mudboggers and NASCAR fans.
Read more...
Wilderness Act 50th Anniversary Wilderness: not as wild as it should be
By Carol Carpenter RMC Communications Team
Carol in Rocky Mountain National Park wilderness Photo provided by Carol Carpenter
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I am a Sierra Club volunteer who is delighted to recognize and celebrate
the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act this year. It was exactly
five decades ago this month, September 1964, when President Lyndon B.
Johnson signed it into law.
The Act enabled Congress to
permanently designate for protection from development natural areas in
the U.S. In 50 years more than 110 million acres of public land in 44
states have received wilderness protection. Colorado, alone, boasts 43 lovely wilderness areas across the state.
Read more...
Oil & Gas Roundup Front Range communities continue the fight
By Nancy Jessop RMC Beyond Oil & Gas Team Member
On August 26, Longmont citizens literally applauded the unanimous
decision by City Council to continue to fight for the will of the people
who voted to ban hydraulic fracturing within city limits. The City
Council announced its willingness to appeal Boulder County District
Court judge D.D. Mallard’s decision and take it to the State Supreme
Court if necessary. Although there are many questions to be answered on
both sides of the issue, we are hopeful that Longmont citizens will
prevail and democracy will be maintained. Sierra Club and several other group
have officially intervened to assist in the city’s defense.
Read More...
Voters to decide GMO issue in November
By Julie Ott RMC GMO Labeling Team
GMO corn Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
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Should food with genetically engineered ingredients be labeled in
Colorado? That is one question that will come before state voters in
November.
After months of organizing and signature gathering,
Colorado GMO-labeling proponents were rewarded with a place on the
state’s November ballot. The Colorado Secretary of State’s office
announced on August 20 that nearly 125,000 valid signatures were
received, giving the Right to Know Colorado campaign 145 percent of the
number of signatures required for placement on the ballot. The
initiative will appear on the ballot as Proposition 105.
Read More...
Volunteer of the Month
DMN mover and shaker calls us to action
By Hilary Froman RMC Communications Team
Jim at the summit of Independence Pass Photo by Jessica May
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Jim Luidl practices what he preaches. He began volunteering for the
Rocky Mountain Chapter (RMC) in 2013, and has made it a fulltime
endeavor, with titles like chairman, Denver Metro Network (DMN)
Communications Committee and vice-chairman, DMN Leadership Team. But
it’s not about the titles to Jim. He points out, “What I get out of it
is the satisfaction of doing something that profits us all.”
Read more...
All the Frackenstein episodes can be seen on Jim Anderson's Public Facebook page or our newsletter archive.
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.
Communications Team leaders
The Communications Team is currently very strong; however, they are looking for webmasters, reporters, media specialists, and Listserv administrators. (Not familiar with Convio or Listserv e-mail systems, but learn fast? Don't worry, we have professional trainers.) Contact the Communications Team at rmc-communications-team@lists.sierraclub.org.
Clean Energy Issue Area Information Coordinator
Are
you plugged into Colorado's clean energy circles? Do you have some
time to advance the cause of clean energy in our state? Do you have
excellent research and communication skills? If so, please contact the
Rocky Mountain Chapter's Clean Energy Issue Specialist Becky English,
who needs help keeping track of clean energy issues in Colorado, and
nationally. We need to communicate action alerts, the best events, and
other information & opportunities to RMC members, and organize
focused campaigns. Email Becky with your qualifications and availability for this opportunity.
Fundraising Team leaders
The Fundraising Team is
in need of more fundraising volunteer leaders to help us reach our
fundraising goals. Volunteers play a major role in creating the
fundraising goals, developing the strategies, and carrying out the
Chapter's fundraising plans. If you are experienced with fundraising,
from small contributions to working with large donors, or just want to
get started, we need your help. Even if you just want to be an assistant
to learn and help out, sign up. We're looking for at least three new
volunteers. Contact the Fundraising Team chair, Dave Read, at dancingdave@comcast.net.
Conservation Issue Team leaders, either local group or chapter level
If
you want to work on a conservation issue in a leadership role, then
sign up using the volunteer sign up form on our website. It lists
several issues that might suit your fancy. You will be contacted by one
of our volunteer coordinators. Sign-up at http://rmc.sierraclub.org/volunteer.shtml.
Communications Team leaders
The Communications
Team is currently very strong; however, they are looking for webmasters,
reporters, media specialists, and Listserv administrators. (Not
familiar with Convio or Listserv e-mail systems, but learn fast? Don't
worry, we have professional trainers.) Contact the Communications Team
at rmc-communications-team@lists.sierraclub.org.
Environmental Reporter (Colorado)
Do you care
about Colorado's environment? Do you like to write and work with the
news media? Sierra Club Rocky Mountain Chapter (RMC) seeks 3-10 hrs/wk
volunteers to serve on our award-winning Communications Team to begin
expanding our media reach beyond the chapter to more external, public
media sources including newspapers, blogs, radio, television, etc.
The
Communications Team is working to establish a rapid response sub-team
that can take late-breaking chapter news, press releases, press
statements, etc., and use media relationships to make the RMC's voices
heard in public media outlets. There will be opportunities to report on
original stories, write opinion editorials, and letters to the editor.
Volunteers
can be based anywhere in Colorado, though most of the Communications
Team is currently located in/near the Denver metro area. For more
information, visit http://www.sierraclub.org or http://rmc.sierraclub.org/. You can also see this position promoted on Craigslist.
Read More...
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In this issue:
- Director's Message: Happy 50th Anniversary, Wilderness Act
- Join the solar rooftop revolution this fall
- Prioritize urban water conservation in Colorado
- John Fielder's John Denver tribute for wilderness
- Media Watch: What are you reading...does it make you happy?
- Wilderness Act 50th Anniversary: Wilderness: not as wild as it should be
- Oil & Gas Roundup: Front Range communities continue the fight
- Voters to decide GMO issue in November
- Volunteer of the Month: DMN mover and shaker calls us to action
- Cartoon
- 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:
John Fielder's John Denver tribute
Saturday, October 25 7 p.m. Buess Theater Denver Performing Arts Complex
On a 30-foot screen above the stage of Denver’s elegant 2,800-seat Buell Theatre, John Fielder will project and choreograph 1,000 photographs - 40 years of his nature photography - to the words and music of the great John Denver as performed by the John Adams Band. Since John Denver’s untimely death on October 12, 1997, John Adams and his 9-member band have committed themselves to keep John Denver’s music alive, much to the appreciation of John Denver’s family, friends, and fans all over the world that enjoy the timeless music of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Legend.
RSVP
today and enter offer code SIERRA at check out and John Fielder will
generously donate a portion of your ticket charge to Sierra Club RMC.
Help
Sierra Club RMC get more donations through additional ticket sales.
Download this flier to distribute or hang up at your church, school,
local public library and the restaurant and retail establishments you
frequent. (Always ask permission first.)
Get your tickets today
before they are all gone, and support Sierra Club RMC while enjoying an
evening of visual and auditory delight at Denver’s premier celebration
of the 50th Anniversary of The Wilderness Act.
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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Greenland Trail Hike - A Denver Metro Network Event
When: Sunday, September 28, 2014
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Greenland Trail trailhead 1532 Noe Road, Larkspur, CO (map) This is one of my fav-O-rite hikes. It's a long one so be ready to spend a good part of the day. Greenland used to be a thing... really... it was a real town and major rail and cattle crossing.
Part of the Colorado Front Range Trail, the lower trail joins into the Old Territorial Road, connecting the old Greenland Townsite to Palmer Lake. The 11-mile trail system is within over 3,000 acres of Greenland Open Space. The trail passes through native grasslands, by ponds, through rolling Gambel oak hills and skirts ponderosa pine forests. Views of Greenland open space, buttes and Pikes Peak.
Be ready to run across Elk, deer, bear, turtles, mountain lions, coyotes, fox, birds and trains. Yes trains. If you're into taking pictures of trains, you may get your chance.
Trail Rating: Moderate to Difficult; 500 feet of elevation gain on upper loop. Keep in mind, this is a long hike.
Trail Length: Approximately 10 miles, including loop. Five miles from Greenland to Palmer Lake.
Trail Surface: Crusher fines and natural surface
Uses: Multi-use: horses, mountain bikes, hiking;
Amenities: Group picnic shelter with covered hitch rails, horse trailer parking, water spigot, hitch rails, restroom, kiosk, benches
Greenland Trail Brochure
What to Bring
Keep in mind that the hike begins at 9:00 am, so in order to attend the hike you need to arrive closer to 8:30 am to sign the waiver, go to the bathroom (Note: there is a porta potty and water source at the trailhead.) If you are not ready to leave at 9:00 am, then you will not be included in the hike. All participants must sign a waiver in order to go on this hike. These hikes are for adults only with no dogs. Remember, this is the transition from summer to fall. Temperatures and weather conditions can vary widely. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat. Afternoon rainstorms are a possibility so please bring appropriate rain gear just in case. This is an all day hike, so remember to bring a full meal for lunch.
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Movie Mondays!
When: Monday, October 6, 2014, 6:00 p.m.
Where: People House, 3035 W. 25th Avenue, Denver, CO (map)
Join the Sierra Club - Denver Metro Network for our first "Movie Mondays" event where we'll be screening the award-winning documentary "Food, Inc." by Robert Kenner. Afterwards, we'll discuss our current food industry and how we can take back our dinner!
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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