January 2020 Great Falls Group Cascade
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The GFG can look back on a successful year in areas including climate and energy, land use, the political arena, and programs and events. The chair's detailed report shows how far we've come and the challenges we can anticipate in 2020.
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Significant Events Calendar
Jan 8 - EQAC Public Hearing
Jan 10 - FACS Advocacy Kickoff and Workshop
Jan 10 - GFG Elections
Jan 14
- Rally and Lobby Day for Clean Energy
Jan 22
- Help Stop Pipeline in Prince William and Fauquier Counties
Jan 28
- Volunteer Action Night for the Environment
Jan 28
- Conservation Lobby Day
Feb. 19
- Volunteer Action Night for the Environment
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Fairfax County’s Environmental Quality Advisory Council
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Do you have an environmental issue that Fairfax County is not addressing, or has addressed but could be doing better? If so, you can let Fairfax County’s Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) know at the public hearing on January 8 at the Fairfax County Government Center. EQAC, which advises the Board on environmental issues, would really appreciate your comments.
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Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions: 2020 Advocacy Kickoff and Workshop
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WHEN: Fri., January 10, 1-4 pm
WHERE: Little River United Church of Christ, 8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003
DESCRIPTION: Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (FACS) will kick off the new year by diving into local solutions to climate change and brushing up on your advocacy skills.
SPONSOR: Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions
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100% Virginia: Rally and Lobby Day for Clean Energy
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WHEN: Tues., January 14; 7:30 am - 2 pm
WHERE: 815 E Grace St, Richmond, VA 23219
DESCRIPTION: Sierra Club and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and other partners are joining forces to put on the biggest grassroots climate action lobby day and rally that our legislature has ever seen!
CONTACT: The cost for lobby day is $10 and covers lunch and a t-shirt!
SPONSORS: Organized by Sierra Club/Virginia Chapter
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Volunteer Action Night for the Environment (Fairfax)
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WHEN: Tues., January 28, 6:30-8:30 pm
WHERE: Providence Community Center, 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA (accessible from Vienna Metro Station)
DETAILS: Join us in working to combat climate change and global warming. Activities include campaign on massive data centers and fighting oil and gas pipelines in Virginia. Come be part of the solutions!
RSVP
SPONSOR: Sierra Club/Great Falls Group
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WHEN: Tues., January 28, 7:30 am - 1 pm
WHERE: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 815 E. Grace Street, Richmond, VA
DESCRIPTION: Every year, Virginia Conservation Network's 125+ environmental organizations come together to ensure a strong conservation voice is heard during the legislative session. Volunteer advocates join professional staff to meet with state legislators and encourage them to support strong conservation policy. Early registration tickets $25.
(Note early registration closes Jan 17--tickets will go up in price after this date.)
SPONSOR: Virginia Conservation Network
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Volunteer Action Night for the Environment (Fairfax)
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WHEN: Tues.,
February 19
, 6:30-8:30 pm
WHERE: Providence Community Center, 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA (accessible from Vienna Metro Station)
DETAILS: Join us in working to combat climate change and global warming. Activities include campaign on massive data centers and fighting oil and gas pipelines in Virginia. Come be part of the
solutions!
RSVP
SPONSOR: Sierra Club/Great Falls Group
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U.N. Environmental Report: Drastic Action Needed
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The United Nations’ annual “emissions gap” report assesses the difference between the world’s current path and the changes needed to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris climate accord. This report clearly shows the effects of decades of procrastination -- but awareness of the crisis is growing.
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April 22, 2020 will be the
50
th
anniversary of Earth Day
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GFG is looking for presentation topics or activities that our members and community can participate in during the month of April to celebrate this special day. If you have any suggestions, please send them to Norbert at
norbertsierra@aol.com
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Image source: Earthday.org
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General Assembly Preview "Watch Party" in Reston
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At a meeting hosted by the Sierra Club's Great Falls Group in December, activists discussed how environmental groups can influence the Virginia General Assembly's work in the 2020 session for our natural resources and landscapes.
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Expanding Regional Trail Network
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The Capital Trails Coalition proposes building 408 miles of trails across the DC - Maryland - Virginia area. The region's Transportation Planning Board has recently adopted the plan, which would nearly double the size of the present network.
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Sources: Data courtesy Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Maps4News/HERE
Aaron Steckelberg / Washington Post
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Fracked Gas Pipeline Coming to PW County: Community Session
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WHEN: Wed., January 22, 6:30-8:30 pm
WHERE: Bull Run Regional Library, 8051 Ashton Avenue, Old Town Manassas, VA 20109
DETAILS: Firms are seeking permits from Virginia agencies for two proposed new pipelines
, including a 42-inch fracked gas pipeline in Prince William County and Fauquier County. Join us and learn about the proposed dirty energy projects and how we can stop them.
CONTACT: Jolene Mafnas at
SPONSORS: Food and Water Watch Virginia, Sierra Club/Great Falls Grou
p
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Holiday Party Potluck – Sierra Club Great Falls Group
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The Great Falls Group had a successful holiday party on December 9th, with great food and fellowship.
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Great Falls Group ExCom Elections
The Great Falls Group 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. The Chapter will send out the ballot this year by email. To receive a paper ballot by regular mail, contact Norbert Pink at
norbertsierra@aol.com or 314-724-8842 or Catherine Carver at
ccarver37@gmail.com or 703-655-5069.
There was an error on the first ballot that was sent out, as it listed only four positions available. A new ballot will be sent showing five positions. Please vote on this latest ballot if you haven't done so already. You must vote by January 10.
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Would you like to help develop GFG programs? We are looking for someone to assist with program development and there are many ways you can help: booking speakers or events, selecting dates, advertising in local media, coordinating with the local venue (often a library), and creating RSVPs. This is a great opportunity to help GFG with its environmental and other programs, be a member of a committee, and meet new friends. If you are interested in assisting, please contact
Norbert Pink at
norbertsierra@aol.com
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What was your favorite article in this Cascade? Write the
editors to let them know!
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Ways to Stay in Touch with GFG
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Send comments or questions to the
editor
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Thank you!
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