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e-mail list by sending a request to : updates@sierraclubchinook.org
UPDATES
Ditching plastic bags
Thanks to everyone who showed up at Edworthy Park on Sunday to help launch the Chinook Group's effort to lobby for the elimination of free plastic shopping bags in Calgary. We picked up dozens of bags littering the park and prompted a flurry of media attention and public interest in the idea of a ban or tax on plastic bags. The Chinook Group has sent a letter to Calgary city council asking the City to follow the lead of jurisdictions around the world in taking action against plastic bags. Calgarians are urged to call or write their elected officials to show support for this idea, and to organize community bag and litter cleanups in their own neighbourhoods. Stay tuned for more events and actions related to the plastic bag effort. For more information, contact Grady Semmens at: communications@sierraclubchinook.org
Chinook Group photo call
Calling all shutterbugs! The Chinook Group is revamping and updating our website and we need some fresh new photos to adorn our place in cyberspace. We are seeking photos from our members and supporters to help illustrate the southwestern Alberta landscape, environmentalism in action, and of course, we'd love a great shot of a Chinook arch. Themes we are especially interested in include urban sprawl, pesticides, waste reduction/recycling and the Castle Wilderness region of southwestern Alberta.
All submissions are welcome and will be reviewed by the Chinook Group leadership team. Photos selected to be part of the website will require photographers to fill out an application form granting the Group permission to use the image(s). For more information, or to submit photos, contact: communications@sierraclubchinook.org
Tar Sands House Parties coming soon - Reserve your own!
Sierra Club Prairie Chapter has a great new way for you to spread the word about the Tar Sands and Nuclear Power to your friends and family! Our "House Party" kits are all you need to host a social event with an environmental justice theme! Invite your friends over for a potluck or a wine and dessert evening, watch a video about the issue of your choice, look at images of Alberta's tar sands region or nuclear power, and read letters written by those directly affected by these developments. Then, engage in a discussion about what YOU can do to make your voice heard! Kits include "Common Q&A" on each topic as well as "Suggested Discussion Questions" to get you going, and much more!
If you are interested in becoming a House Party host, please contact: jessicaw@sierraclub.ca
EVENTS
Next monthly meeting - May 7
Our next Sierra Club Chinook Group meeting will be held May 7th at 7PM, at the CAOC Building (1111 Memorial Drive NW). Tasha Peters and members of the Western Canada High School Environmental Club will be telling us about some of the environmental initiatives they are working on this year, and Elaine Rude, of Paintbrush Garden Design and Consulting, will be sharing some gardening tips with us, in preparation for the spring gardening season. As The City of Calgary, Council, and its Environmental Advisory Committee (of which we are a member) are currently working on a proposed phase-out of pesticides for cosmetic use, we may have time for a brief discussion on that as well. Sierra Club monthly meetings are free and open to the public.
Cool Cities meeting - May 26
On May 26th, as part of a Sierra Club National Tour, Executive Director Stephen Hazell, and National Campaigns Manager Jean Langlois, will be presenting Sierra Club of Canada's new "Cool Cities” campaign. Cool Cities is a network of activists taking the lead on climate change in cities and towns across Canada. It is about acting locally by tapping into the power of a global campaign. For more information, visit” www.coolcities.ca
The meeting will be at 7PM at our normal public meeting location, the CAOC Building on the Bow River pathway at 1111 Memorial Drive NW.
OUTINGS & TRIPS
Outings leadership training weekend - May 24-25
The Chinook Group's annual training weekend for new and existing outings leaders is being planned for the weekend of May 24-25. Anyone interested in becoming more involved in Sierra Club's popular outings program is encouraged to take part in this fun and valuable training session at the Shunda Creek Hostel in Nordegg. For more information and to RSVP for the trip, contact Outings Co-ordinator Laura Hickman at: laura@sierraclubchinook.org
To be added to our Outings email list, go to: http://lists.sierraclubchinook.org/mailman/listinfo/outings
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Pathways & River Cleanup - Sunday, May 4
The 41st Annual Calgary Pathways & River Cleanup takes places this Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm. Once again, the Chinook Group is organizing a team to take part in the City-wide event and cleaning up the shoreline near the Calgary Zoo. A free breakfast for all participants takes place at 8:30 am at the Stu Peppard Arena (5300 19 Street SW), and our group will gather by the East entrance to the Zoo at 10 am. Anyone interested in joining Chinook Group team for the breakfast and the cleanup should contact Volunteer Co-ordinator Melanie Richard at: Melanie@sierraclubchinook.org or call 233-7332
To be added to our Volunteer email list go to: http://lists.sierraclubchinook.org/mailman/listinfo/volunteers
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