Grassroots

by Lu Snyder, Grassroots Editor

See the volunteering coupon on the inside back page.

Volunteer Opportunities

Inner City Outings
Volunteer trip leaders needed. ICO takes disadvantaged youth from the city into the wilderness and provides some environmental education. Some of these kids may grow up to be conservationists. Call Jeff Bray at 303-512-8331.

Toxics & Forest Volunteers
The chapter conservation committee needs people with a strong and enduring interest in toxic substances and National Forest management issues to be resource persons and/or participate on a volunteer committee. Toxics and National Forest issues have become particularly complex, but they also have aspects that any lay person can appreciate. For example, everyone understands that living downwind from a chemical plant may pose a health hazard, and most people resonate, from a purely esthetic point of view, with the values of a healthy forest. A committee person should have some grasp of the complexities of the issue area and a strong desire to learn more, but an equal or greater desire to educate the Club membership and the public and help empower people to influence government or private decisions. To discuss either position, contact Chapter Conservation Chair Kirk Cunningham at 303-939-8519 or at kmcunnin@juno.com.  

Wildlife Committee
If animals are your thing, consider working with Sierra Club’s wildlife committee. There are a wide variety of wildlife issues around the state that would benefit from your involvement. Just fill out the coupon at the end of this section or call Mike Smith at 303-530-2646.

Population Partisans
One area of our planet that is not overpopulated is the population committee. A big part of what they do is public education. Whatever your cause, it’s a lost cause without population control. To find out how you can help, mail in the coupon at the end of this section or call Fred Elbel at 303-220-7499 or email felbel@sni.net.

Outings Organizers
If you love hikes, socializing and organizing, please consider working with the outings program. You can organize hikes on the local or state level, from simple afternoon hikes around town to lengthy overnights out-of-state. We especially need help at the state level. If you are interested in learning more, just fill out the coupon or call Roger J. Wendell at 303-693-4244 or email zeekzilch@juno.com  

Colorado Wilderness
There is potential wilderness in your area: 1 million acres of BLM wildlands from Vermillion Basin to Grape Creek and forest lands from Troublesome to Red Cloud need your help. BLM wilderness reviews and Congressional bills are happening right now. There are opportunities for field trips, mapping, slide shows, letter writing, research on wilderness qualities and political organizing. Contact Mark Pearson at 970-259-6181, email mark.pearson@sfsierra.sierraclub.org or Jean Smith at 303-388-3378, email jeancsmith@earthlink.net.  

Legal Eagles
The Sierra Club frequently uses the legal system to protect the environment. No matter what part of the state you are in, if you have any legal skills, you can help out. Whether you’re an attorney, a typist, a court reporter or an activist with special knowledge about a legal / environmental issue, we can use your help. To get involved in this essential area, just mail in the coupon, or to find out more contact Shari Ulery 303-221-4240.

Pesticide Programs
The pesticides committee provides information and assistance in dealing with pests and pesticides and participates in a number of "weed pulls." To become involved with the committee’s work, talk with our Pesticide Chair Angela Medbery at 303-433-2608 or mail in the coupon.

Lifestyle Committee
The lifestyle / education committee focuses on the individual’s ability to create lifestyle changes that support a sustainable and environmentally sound future. The committee is working hard to show people how easy it is to make changes that benefit the health of the planet. To learn more about how you can become involved with the committee’s work, or to find out more about the next meeting call committee Chair Jan Oen at 303-320-4895 or email at sjvk18b@prodigy.com or fill out the coupon.

Party Animals
Just before you receive each issue of Peak & Prairie, a rowdy bunch of trusty volunteers gets together and has a party - a mailing party. This is where all 14,000 Peak & Prairies are labeled, sorted, bundled and prepared for the post office. It’s a great way to meet other activists, have fun and do your part for Colorado’s environment. Fill out the coupon below if you’d like to help.

Office Aides
If you prefer to volunteer during the day, the Sierra Club chapter office in Denver can use you. The office has a variety of opportunities from which to choose. There’s a lot of work involved in keeping 14,000 members happy, and new volunteers are always needed. Call our office during weekday business hours 303-861-8819 to talk with Mary about the opportunities there.

Newsletter Mania
Getting Peak & Prairie out to all our members is quite an accomplishment. It’s actually a multitude of various tasks, from writing and editing articles to loading pickup trucks. Peak & Prairie is a great place to volunteer. There are plenty of opportunities to use your skills (or learn new ones). Best of all, most tasks require just a couple of hours every two months. Call Kevin Mackessy at 303-471-1594 or fill out the coupon.

Activism
Join the newly formed activism committee and work with new members and volunteers. This committee will contact new members and help turn them into activists. And we’ll match the needs of our issues committees with the talents of our members. To become involved contact Diane Uren at 303-504-9657 or Diane Neumann at 303-904-9701, email treehugger19@juno.com or send in the coupon.