February 2005
Welcome to e-Sierra
The email newsletter of the Sierra Club North Star ChapterFebruary 2005 / Issue 32
SAVE THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - SITTING IN YOUR LIVING ROOM!
Sierra Club and the Alaska Coalition have produced two exciting, beautiful 50-minute DVDs about America's largest wildlife refuge in Alaska. Can you host a house party to show it? We are asking members to volunteer their living rooms to show one of these DVDs, "Oil on Ice" or "Becoming Caribou". It could be five of your friends, or fifty of your neighbors. Sign up for hosting or attending a house party by contacting , or if you haven't sent a letter to Senator Coleman this month, sign up for our North Star Action Network and ask him to protect the Arctic today at: http://northstar.sierraclubaction.org/showalert.asp?aaid=1038
MIDWINTER SUN: SHINING HOPE IN ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZING: A SKILLS AND TACTICS TRAINING - SAT. MARCH 5th
Whether you are entirely new to environmental organizing or a seasoned activist, you can join us for this rejuvenating and fun training to learn critical organizing skills like how to work the media; planning a campaign; or ideas for living green. For details contact or see http://northstar.sierraclub.org/activities/events/20050305registerForm.html.
LET YOUR VOICES RING ACROSS THE LAND
We need to keep the pressure on. State and federal decision makers are working on policies that protect or poison our environment. From the Arctic to Minnesota wetlands, much is happening and Minnesota's decision makers need to hear loudly and clearly that we value our environment and need to protect it for future generations. Please consider signing up for an Action Night and help update and engage our fellow Sierrans. We start at 6:30pm. Pizza provided! Interested? Please drop a note to
Wed Mar 2: Action Night at the Office - Calling to protect the Arctic
Thurs Mar 3: Action Night at the Office - "Hafta Stop CAFTA" Calling Night
Wed Mar 16: Calling to Protect Minnesota Communities
Thurs Mar 17: Action Night at the Office - "Hafta Stop CAFTA" Calling Night
Keep an eye on our legislature: http://northstar.sierraclub.org/campaigns/politics/2005/index.html
JOIN SIERRA CLUB FOR AN "INDOOR OUTING" AT THE CAPITOL!
Ever wonder what goes on at our state legislature? Join the North Star Chapter for an "indoor outing" at the capitol Wednesday, March 16th. We'll offer a friendly introduction to the legislative process, training on how to lobby your legislator, and provide an opportunity to set up a meeting with your own Senator or Representative. [more...]
BLUE-GREEN ALLIANCE ROCKS THE CAPITOL
"Not so long ago, there weren't many issues on which the Sierra Club and the United Steelworkers — or environmentalists and labor generally — were inclined to agree, let alone unite politically..." Star Tribune http://www.startribune.com/stories/561/5244992.html
About 80 members of labor and environmental groups went to the state legislature last week to lobby together for "good jobs, a clean environment, and a safer world". Specifically, we were urging members of the House and Senate to fully fund the North Star Corridor, authorize funding for planning the University Ave. light rail transit line, provide tax incentives for high-efficiency buildings, and increase our state's renewable energy production. You can help make these proposals a reality. Please contact your state representative and senator and urge them to support these improvements in energy production, energy conservation, and public transportation. Want to do more? If you'd like to help, contact Ginny Yingling at 651-731-4420 or ginny.yingling@northstar.sierraclub.org.
DRILLING, MINING, DEVELOPMENT - HMMM, WHAT CONGRESS COULD WE BE TALKING ABOUT
Attend a presentation by Sierra Club expert Clayton Daughenbaugh on new attempts to drill, mine, and develop western public lands from Utah wilderness to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The slideshow is showing just before Congress is voting on the issue of allowing oil drilling in the Refuge. For more information, contact Jon at 507-282-7911 and see http://www.sierraclub.org/wildlands/wildlandsatrisk/.
Winona: Wednesday, March 2, 5pm at Winona State University, Kryzko Commons.
Rochester: Thursday, March 3, 7pm at the Isaac Walton League cabin.
WETLAND AT RISK WORKSHOP AND OUTING
Maplewood Marsh 212, Saturday, March 19th, Workshop: 9-11:30am,
Hike: 12:30-1:30pm
This wetland is at the center of a proposed bus garage development
for the city of Maplewood. Attend the workshop and hear what experts
in the area have to say about the proposed development. A light
lunch will be provided (FREE!). Afterwards, hike with us to see the
specific areas in question and better understand the issues. Meet at
St. Paul's Monastery, 2675 Larpenteur Ave., located at the corner
of Larpenteur and Century Avenues in Maplewood, MN, 55109. For
more information contact Ron Cockriel at (651) 738-7233 or .
OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION WORKSHOP
Monday, March 21st, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Learn how
rapid development is affecting the Maple Grove community, including
how the planning process works, and how you can join other
Minnesotans working to save our parks, family farms and undeveloped
areas. This meeting will be held room 133 of the Maple Grove
Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd., Maple Grove, MN 55369. For
more information contact Frank Jossi at (651) 690-9211 or
.
RALLY FOR DUCKS, WETLANDS, AND CLEAN WATER
Minnesota faces a crisis with declining duck populations, loss of wetlands, and a deterioration of clean water. Degradation and loss of wetlands, recreational and shallow lakes, and waterways have contributed to the decline in ducks, shorebirds, and other wildlife, as well as in the quality of our state's water. To begin the process of reversing the long-term decline in ducks, wetlands, and clean water, concerned citizens will rally at the State Capitol Mall on April 2, 2005. For more information see http://www.wetlandsrally.org/schedule.html
WE HAFTA STOP CAFTA
The Central American Free Trade Agreement could come for a vote in Congress anytime in the next 3 months. Action is needed now to stop this terrible trade deal that would expand NAFTA-style trade provisions to much of Central America. For more information about CAFTA and other trade deals, and how they can undermine environmental protections, human and worker's rights, and democratic freedoms, visit the national website: http://www.sierraclub.org/trade . Please call your US representative and senators and urge them to vote against CAFTA (Capitol Switchboard: 1-800-349-0885 (an operator will connect you directly with the office you request). Please also call your state representative and senator and urge them to support the Fair Trade Coalition's resolution asking our congressional delegation to oppose CAFTA. (Senate: 651-296-0504; House: 651-296-2146). Want to do more? Contact Ginny Yingling at 651-731-4420 or .
SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Mon Feb 28: Sierra Neighborhoods Committee
Tues Mar. 1: Wetlands Committee
Wed Mar. 2: Action Night at the Office - Calling to protect the Arctic
Thurs Mar 3: Action Night at the Office - "Hafta Stop CAFTA" Calling Night
Wed Mar. 2: Forestry Committee
Sat Mar 5: Midwinter Sun: Shining Hope in Environmental Organizing: A Skills and Tactics Training -
Mon Mar 7: Twin Cities Political Committee
Tues Mar 8: Environmental Justice Advocates of Minnesota meeting 6:30pm
Minneapolis Urban League
Tues Mar 8: Conservation Committee
Wed Mar 9: Communications Committee
Sat Mar 12: "Upstream: Fly-fishing in the
American West" Families, Fun, and Fish 11am-4pm Bell Museum
Mon Mar 14: Land Use
Tues Mar 15: International Committee
Tues Mar 15: Member meeting on mining issues, Duluth (call Nick at 218-260-7181)
Wed Mar 16: Calling to Protect Minnesota Communities
Wed Mar 16: Outings Committee
Thurs Mar 17: Action Night at the Office-"Hafta Stop CAFTA" Calling Night
Mon Mar 21: Twin Cities Political Committee
Tues Mar 22: Clean Air
Wed Mar 23: Water Committee at 5:30 pm
Wed Mar 23: Excom
For More Calendar Information or for Interesting Submissions Contact:
Our postal address is
Sierra Club - North Star Chapter
2327 E. Franklin Ave
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55406
United States