CECAP Update, Power for the People Virginia, Wildlife Conservation webinar, VCN General Assembly Preview, Climate Action Webinar, Siierra Club Elections 2020, Blake Lane Park, Fantastic Fungi, LTEs, Equity Task Force Survey, GFG May Be Reorganizing
November 2020 Great Falls Group Cascade
Significant Events Calendar

Nov. 3 - VOTE in the national election!

Nov. 6 - deadline for Fairfax County Chairman's Equity Task Force Survey

Nov. 16 - Wildlife Conservation in a Changing Climate webinar

Nov. 22 - Sierra Club Virginia and GFG ballots due

Dec 4 - 2021 General Assembly Preview
Vote
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Highlights
County Group Rushes Through Change to CECAP Structure
The Oct. 27 meeting of the Fairfax County Environmental Committee (FCEC) started well as the committee approved the proposed Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) emissions reduction goal (see the October newsletter). But the second item, proposed by the county’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC), was more controversial. It called for a major structural change that would end all the decision-making and oversight that’s now vested in CECAP’s Task Force and Focus Group leaders. OEEC staff claims that to keep moving forward, all members of both groups must combine into a single Working Group plus sector-specific subgroups.
Would you like to get involved in the CECAP process?
Yes
No
Maybe
The Sierra Club advocated for the county Board of Supervisors to reject the restructuring and approve a hybrid system incorporating the subgroups. However, the Chair of the FCEC allowed for the change in structure to go through, with a proviso that “many eyes would be watching the progress and if the new process is not working then the supervisors will quickly intervene.”
Climate and Energy
Power for the People Virginia
Recent posts from Ivy Main's blog on energy-related matters in Virginia
Ivy Main, Conservation Co-Chair &
Renewable Energy Chair
Wildlife Conservation in a Changing Climate
WHEN: Monday, November 16; 4:30 - 6pm
WHERE: Online via Zoom. Register here: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/events
DETAILS: Climate change on its own, and in combination with other stresses, is adversely affecting wildlife--for example, by disrupting timing and life cycles of interdependent species. Rising coastal waters flood nesting sites, and too little or too much rain or snow stresses whole ecosystems. Biologist Dr. Sally Valdes will explore how climate change is affecting wildlife and offer some steps for addressing this threat. Program is free.
SPONSOR: Sierra Club - Great Falls Group
2021 General Assembly Preview
WHEN: Friday, December 4; 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
WHERE: Virtual (Zoom) Click here to register.
DESCRIPTION: Like all of Virginia Conservation Network's events this fall, the General Assembly Preview is going virtual. Sign up to hear presentations by leading Virginia experts on the environmental issues that are expected to rise to the top in the 2021 General Assembly. In addition, you'll leave with tips to virtually educate lawmakers and get the opportunity to virtually discuss these topics with other conservationists in your region.
Tickets: Free (suggested donation: $15)
SPONSOR: Virginia Conservation Network
Climate Action Webinar
On Thursday, Oct. 8, Loudoun County Chair Phyllis Randall and Supervisor Mike Turner hosted an outstanding event, the Climate Action Webinar. Its goal was to “shape the direction of environmental policy and provide practical steps to move Loudoun forward on climate and energy issues.” 

The leaders described both recent local successes (advancing commercial solar and electric vehicle charging) and important objectives (residential solar and work on data centers and clean energy). Other speakers shared sobering news about Loudoun’s current situation as well as action steps to address it.
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Trump Touts Himself as the Finest Steward of the Environment

Trump has indicated in his campaign literature that he has been the finest steward of the nation’s air and water. But his administration has weakened or wiped out more than 125 rules and policies aimed at protecting the nation’s air, water and land, with 40 more rollbacks underway. We were fortunate that his earlier administrators were inexperienced and hampered by legal missteps which delayed initial actions. Read more about Trump's environmental legacy in an extensive article by the Washington Post.
Sierra Club Elections 2020
Great Falls Group ExCom Elections
The Great Falls Group (GFG) is a local Sierra Club group within the Club’s Virginia Chapter. It is governed by a volunteer leadership group, the Executive Committee (ExCom).

Candidate statements and voting instructions are available on the Great Falls Group website. Ballots will go out via email in late October through mid-November. The voting deadline is November 22.
Virginia Chapter Elections

Two GFG members -- Ann Bennett and Susan Stillman -- are running for two open Chapter ExCom positions. Since there are four open slots and five candidates, it is important that you vote. GFG would appreciate your support in getting Ann and Susan elected. All members should receive a ballot via email. The voting deadline is November 22. If you have any questions or problems with either election, contact Catherine Carver.
Did you vote in the GFG or VA Chapter election?
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And More
Volunteers Plant Native Trees and Plants in Blake Lane Park
Volunteers donning masks and gardening gloves took advantage of the beautiful weather on Saturday, Oct. 10, and planted 40 native trees and 55 native plants in Blake Lane Park, Oakton, VA.

The fate of Blake Lane Park continues to hang in the air despite past assurances from Fairfax County leaders that it will be saved.
Fantastic Fungi
Judy Gayer gives a brief review of the movie Fantastic Fungi. Did you know that mushrooms (mycelia) form an interconnected network that trees use to communicate with each other? There's more to the mushroom than meets the eye.

Source: https://watch.fantasticfungi.com/
Could Your Committee Benefit from a Letter to the Editor?

Letters to the editor (LTEs) raise public awareness on issues. Often the editorial page, with its LTEs, is the most read section of the paper. Elected officials ask their staff to read LTEs to learn what issues are important to their constituents. Could your GFG committee benefit from an LTE in either a local or Richmond paper? Let the GFG LTE Writers Group know. Please contact Linda Brown.

Fairfax County Chairman's Equity Task Force Survey

WHEN: Deadline is November 6
DETAILS:The Chairman’s Task Force on Equity and Opportunity was created in the fall of 2020. The Task Force consists of 43 members from a wide array of sectors. To create a more equitable county, additional voices, beyond the task force,will need to become involved in creating strategies for equity that get measurable results. The purpose is to obtain insights, experiences, and ideas from community individuals and groups in order to accelerate the county’s progress towards becoming One Fairfax. Be a part of this process in providing your voice and perspectives to share with Task Force members to guide their recommendations. Please complete the following survey by November 6th. The link is also here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5NY8LWR.
SPONSOR: Fairfax County Government
Checking and Updating Your Sierra Club Contact and Membership Information
 
Are you not getting your Sierra Club communications -- or maybe you're getting too much? Or do you just want to see if your membership information is correct? Go to My Account on the Sierra Club National website to address these issues and, if needed, update your info.
The Great Falls Group Needs Your Assistance in Reorganizing

The Sierra Club Great Falls Group is exploring reorganizing and renaming itself. What this means for you is that there are opportunities for you to get involved, use your skills, and make your voice heard in your local and regional area. We need your help and ideas on how to accomplish this. This can be a fun activity and a way to get to know your Sierra Club community members. We are still ramping up this activity.

Are you interested in getting involved with the reorg?
Yes
No
Maybe
Useful Links
Ways to Stay in Touch with GFG
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