Volunteer Action Night (Fairfax), Virginia Environmental Assembly, Walking Tour of Inova Center, Film - Wild Utah: America's Red Rock Wilderness, Help Plant Native Trees and Remove Invasive Plants, Climate Reality Presentation, Holiday Party
October 2019 Great Falls Group Cascade
Significant Events Calendar

Oct 1 - Volunteer Action Night for the Environment (Fairfax)

Oct 11-12 - Virginia Environmental Assembly

Oct 17 - Walking Tour of Inova Center for Personalized Health in Merrifield

Oct 22 - Film: Wild Utah: America's Red Rock Wilderness

Oct 26 - Help Plant Native Trees and Remove Invasive Plants

Oct 29 - Climate Reality Presentation with Helga Luest
Events and Information
Climate and Energy
Creating Clean Air
Our Air, Your Future: Creating Clean Air Advocates is off to a strong start thanks in part to local Sierra Club members. Seven high schools in the DMV are participating in this innovative STEM project that is collecting data on air pollutants. The project lasts one school year, starting in September 2019 and ending during Earth Month, April 2020 - the 50th anniversary of Earth Day!

Sites collecting pollution data
Solar Panels Belong on Farms
Solar panels should not be limited to industrial sites as they can be effectively deployed on farmland and over water.

Randy DeBaillie poses in front of his solar panels at his farm in Orion, Ill., on Feb. 3. (Youngrae Kim for The Washington Post)
Environmental Events
Volunteer Action Night for the Environment (Fairfax)
WHEN:  Tues., Oct. 1, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
WHERE:   Providence Community Center, 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031 (accessible from Vienna Metro Station)
DETAILS:   Join us in working to combat climate change and global warming. Activities include restoring and promoting sustainable urban forests and fighting oil and gas pipelines in Virginia. Come be part of the solutions! RSVP
CONTACT:   Susan Bonney sbonney001@aol.com
SPONSOR:  Sierra Club Great Falls Group
Image Source: Plant NOVA Natives
Virginia Environmental Assembly
WHEN: Fri., Oct. 11 - Sat., Oct. 12
WHERE: Virginia Union University, 1500 N Lombardy Street, Richmond, VA
DESCRIPTION: The Virginia Environmental Assembly brings together conservation leaders from across the Commonwealth for a discussion on a Common Agenda to protect Virginia’s natural resources. 
SPONSOR: Virginia Conservation Network 

Image Source: Virginia Conservation Network
Walking Tour of Inova Center for Personalized Health in Merrifield
WHEN: Thu., Oct. 17, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
WHERE: Inova Center for Personalized Health, 8100 Innovation Park Drive, Fairfax VA 22031
DETAILS: Join a walking tour of the Inova Center for Personalized Health. You'll learn about Inova's plans for the property, and how they tie in with community concerns about conserving natural areas and making Merrifield more walk-able and bike-able. After the tour, we will have an informal Happy Hour gathering at a nearby establishment in the Mosaic District.
RSVP: Douglas Stewart, douglasbstewart@gmail.com
SPONSORS: Friends of Accotink Creek, Friends of Holmes Run, Sierra Club Great Falls Group, and the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
Image source: Fairfax Department of Planning and Development.
Image credit: Wild & Scenic Film Festival
Wild Utah: America’s Red Rock Wilderness Documentary Screening and Discussion
WHEN: Tues., Oct. 22, 7 pm - 8 pm
DESCRIPTION: Watch this fascinating documentary about  the diverse landscape of the Red Rock canyons in Utah; the film draws upon diverse voices to share the significance of these lands. Join us afterwards for a discussion led by a producer of the documentary.
SPONSOR: Sierra Club  Great Falls Group
Help Plant Native Trees and Remove Invasive Plants
WHEN: Sat., Oct. 26, 9:30 am -12:00 noon
WHERE:  McLean Hamlet Park, 8209 Dunsinane Ct., McLean, VA 22102 (entrance point TBA)
DETAILS : Join us to remove invasive plants and plant native trees. No experience necessary. Trees filter clean air, provide fresh drinking water, help curb climate change, and create homes for thousands of species of plants and animals. Tools and trees provided by Fairfax ReLeaf. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and sun protection, and bring water.  RSVP
CONTACT: Susan Bonney at 
SPONSOR : Sierra Club/Great Falls Group  
Image source: Fairfax ReLeaf
Climate Reality Presentation
WHEN: Tues., Oct 29, 6:30 pm - 9 pm
WHERE: Leesburg Senior Center, 102 North St., NW, Leesburg, VA 20176
DETAILS: Climate Reality leader Helga Luest will share the science of what's happening, why we must act now, and what we can do to address the greenhouse gases that are heating our planet while we also adapt to remain a resilient and strong community. Bring your questions, activism, and compassion for a meaningful discussion.
SPONSOR: 350 Loudoun, Sierra Club Great Falls Group

Sierra Club Great Falls Group Holiday Party
We would like to have the potluck holiday party in late November or early December. Please indicate your preference for a weekday night or a Saturday or Sunday weekend by filling out this  Doodle poll .
 
We need volunteers!
 
  • Holiday planning committee
  • Setting up the decorations
  • Organize what people are bringing
 
Please contact Robin Olsen if you would like to volunteer to help with the party, or have suggestions.
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