Maine Chapter

To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth

44 Oak St, Suite 301,  Portland ME 04101  (207) 761-5616

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Volunteer Night

Thursday, October 15th
5:30-8:00 pm
Sierra Club office, 44 Oak Street, Portland

One of the chapter's biggest events of the year is our annual dinner. This is our chance to celebrate all the great work that our members and volunteers have done throughout the year. On October 15th we will be mailing invitations to the dinner. This is going to be a very large mailing and so we need volunteers to help stamp and stuff envelopes to make sure this important mailing goes out on time. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

If you think you might be able to stop in and help, please call 761-5616 or e-mail jenny.blodgett@sierraclub.org

Help Pass Strong Climate Legislation

This fall, we have the opportunity to pass a bill to help create a clean energy economy, curb global warming pollution, and generate thousands of green jobs. This is our chance to slash carbon pollution to the amount scientists say is necessary to preserve our planet for future generations. Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe are crucial to passing this bill. We need their votes on this important legislation in order to pass the bill. We need your help to let them know that Mainers are ready for a clean energy future! Here's how you can help:

Petition Pledge

Pledge to get 40 signatures on our petition to Senators Snowe and Collins. We'll send you a petition and all you have to do is ask your friends, family, and neighbors to sign.

 Farmers Markets

Help us reach our goal 2500 petition signatures by asking people to sign

our petition at your local farmers market.

Write a Clean Energy Letter to the Editor
One of the best ways to let Senators Snowe and Collins know that Mainers want a clean energy bill is to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Because many people read letters to the editor in their local paper, they are a quick, effective, and continuing means of communicating your message to not only the Senators but also to a wide audience.

Sierra Club has sample letters that you can easily personalize to send in to your local paper. In as little as 5 minutes you can help spread the word to thousands of people about why its important for our Senators to support clean energy legislation.

Call Your Senators
Another simple way to take action is to call Senators Snowe and Collins and tell them that you want them to work hard to pass clean energy legislation that will curb global warming pollution and create a clean energy economy.

Here are their phone numbers:
Senator Snowe (800) 432-1599
Senator Collins (202) 224-2523

Protect the Maine Woods - Write a Letter

Maine's Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) is in the final stages of updating its Comprehensive Land Use Plan. This plan will guide the management of 10.5 million acres of unorganized forestlands for the next 10 years.

Last year Sierra Club volunteers turned out at workshops and wrote letters on behalf of a strong management plan for the Maine Woods. We are very happy to report that your voices were heard! The final draft of the plan is looking strong, and if approved will help protect the character of the Maine Woods.

But we still have work to do. In order to ensure that the plan is approved in this final form, we need you to write a letter to LURC in support of this plan.

Please submit comments to LURC in support of the plan by October 21st:
 

LURC
22 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
or
LURC@maine.gov
 

Sample Comments:
I strongly support the final draft of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan because I believe that it sets up a strong regulatory framework that will protect the character and natural resources of the unorganized territories.
 

I was pleased to read the provision in Chapter 7 that directs the Commission to "identify areas in the jurisdiction that are least appropriate for development".
 

I support all clarifications in the plan that enhance the Commission's ability to guide development to appropriate areas.
 

For more information please contact Jenny Blodgett at 761-5616 or jenny.blodgett@sierraclub.org.

Help Collect Items for our Silent Auction

Last year’s silent auction was a great success!  Thanks to the volunteers who helped gather items the Sierra Club raised over $2000 to support our conservation work.  Help us make this year’s auction another successful event by approaching local businesses and asking for donations to benefit the Maine Chapter Sierra Club.  We will provide instructions and forms for donations.

Become and Outings Leader

Outings are a big part of the Sierra Club and a great way to inspire people to protect the natural world.  The Maine Chapter would love to have more outing leaders to lead hikes, canoe trips, etc. through our beautiful state.  This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, share your favorite places with other environmental enthusiasts, and promote a spirit of conservation.

Join the Fundraising Committee

You can help ensure that we are able to continue curbing global warming and protecting the Maine woods by joining the fundraising committee, and helping to plan fundraisers for the Maine chapter.  Some fundraisers we have done in the past have been a silent auction, wine tasting, and selling calendars.  We need volunteers to help organize future events to raise money to support our work.  The fundraising committee is a vital part of our conservation efforts, and volunteering for it is a great way to make a difference.

To help out with any of these volunteer opportunities call Jenny at 761-5616 or e-mail jenny.blodgett@sierraclub.org