Wenoca: The Sierra Club of Western North Carolina

May 16, 2013 Walk For Our Grandchildren

Gene — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:08:37 +0000

See flyer at: Flyer 2013 Walk For Our Grandchildren5-7final

June 5, “WNC Mountain Treasures: the Future of our National Forests”

Gene — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:48:57 +0000

Sierra Club will present a program Wed., June 5 at 7 pm on “WNC Mountain Treasures: the Future of our National Forests” by Jill Gottesman of The Wilderness Society. Jill will discuss the current revision plans of the US Forest Service for management of our forests , and the roughtly 1/3 million acres of WNC for which we’d like better protection. Free and open to the public.
Co-sponsored by WNC Alliance and Asheville Green Drinks.
Location: Unitarian Church, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville (corner of Charlotte & Edwin)
Contact: judymattox@sbcglobal.net, 828-683-2176

May 1 – DuPont Forest and the Blue Ghost Fireflies

Gene — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:58:50 +0000

Sierra Club will present a program Wednesday, May 1 at 7 pm on how the land that became DuPont State Forest was protected from private development. The Blue Ghost Fireflies, one of the wonders of DuPont State Forest, will be also featured.

Free and open to the public. Jointly sponsored by WNC Alliance and Asheville Green Drinks at the Unitarian Church, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville (corner of Charlotte & Edwin)
Contact: judymattox@sbcglobal.net, 828-683-2176

final three US Forest Service public hearings

Gene — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:27:57 +0000

The final three US Forest Service public hearings are being held from 6:00-9:00 pm as follows:
•             Grandfather Ranger District: Tuesday, March 12 at McDowell Technical Community College, Room 113, in Marion;
•             Pisgah Ranger District: Monday, March 18 at the Transylvania County Library in Brevard;
•             Nantahala Ranger District: Tuesday, March 19 at Tartan Hall in Franklin.
The Forest Service wants to hear from you about the benefits provided by the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest, to help them decide how to manage it in the future. Attend a public meeting and let your voice be heard. Here are a few key benefits provided by the Forest that enrich our communities and lives:
•             Outdoor Recreation: enhances quality of life for communities and supports local economies. This Forest is in the running nationwide for the most outdoor recreational use. The Forest should plan for a wide-range of high quality and sustainable recreation opportunities, including fishing, hiking, horseback riding, biking, photography, camping, hunting, climbing, and backcountry experiences.
•             Economy: recreation-based tourism is a major contributor to the regional economy. The plan should emphasize high-quality and diverse opportunities for recreation and scenery throughout WNC as a key service to local economies.
•             Wild places: provide a retreat for outdoor enthusiasts and a refuge for wildlife.    With increased development on private lands in the last 20 years, the Forest should emphasize protection of wild places, rare habitats, and backcountry experiences in the next plan.
•             Network of protected lands: The mountains of WNC have been carved up with development during the last 20 years. Under an all-lands approach, with increased development private lands, the plan should place high value on protection and stewardship of our public lands, including protection of rare and outstanding resources.
Jill Gottesman, Southern Appalachian Outreach Coordinator
The Wilderness Society
563 West Main Street, Suite 1, Sylva, NC 28779

828.587.9453
www.wilderness.org

March 15th, 7 PM – Climate of Change

Gene — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:53:37 +0000

A Tribeca Film, by acclaimed filmmaker Brian Hill
Climate of Change

“This film makes me want to DO something”

Academy Award® winner Tilda Swinton narrates this documentary from acclaimed filmmaker Brian Hill (Songbirds) focusing on the efforts of everyday people all over the world who are making a difference in the fight against global warming. From Indian middle school students organizing demonstrations and major recycling efforts to a London PR executive helping companies to become more environmentally responsible to citizen lobbyists in Appalachia protesting the strip-mining that is destroying their communities and livelihood to Papua New Guineans who refuse to allow commercial logging on their rainforest land to one man in Togo intent on teaching his nation’s young people to respect and replenish the gifts of the Earth, these are stories of ordinary humans doing extraordinary things by finding solutions to help save the planet.
Running time: 1 hour, 26 minutes
For more information, see website http://www.takepart/climateofchange

Social Justice Film Night Friday, March 15th, 7 PM
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, One Edwin Place, Asheville, NC 28801
There is no charge for viewing the film – Donations are welcome

“We must fight against the spirit of unconscious cruelty with which we treat the animals. Animals suffer as much as we do. True humanity does not allow us to impose such sufferings on them. It is our duty to make the whole world recognize it. Until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, humanity will not find peace.” -Albert Schweitzer

Take Action – NC Legislators want to weaken building codes

Gene — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 16:26:27 +0000

A few years ago homebuilders and energy efficiency advocates came together to help lower energy usage, save consumers money, and reduce our carbon footprint. In fact, North Carolina led the way by increasing efficiency standards in new homes by 15%.

Now, powerful special interests in Raleigh want to delay future improvements to North Carolina’s residential building code. In fact, they want to double the amount of time before new homes in North Carolina are required to have the same health, safety and energy requirements that other states have.

Tell your legislator to vote against HB 120! Moving from a 3- year code cycle, to a 6-year cycle hurts consumers that need modern, safe, and efficient homes.

If North Carolina moves forward with this legislation, we would be the only state in the country to move to a 6-year cycle. Delaying improvements will not only prevent new energy efficiency standards, but it could also prevent fire safety measures, and weather resistance standards.

This measure puts North Carolinians at risk of substandard housing stock in order to boost the profits of certain home builders.

Click here to tell your legislators to vote against HB 120.

Yours,

Travis Hargett

Volunteer Coordinator and Organizer, NC Sierra Club

P.S. – Click here to tell your legislators to oppose HB 120. Don’t let North Carolina fall behind the rest of the nation.

Sign on-line petition to Gov. McCory to proclaim June as “Solar Energy Month”

Gene — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 16:22:40 +0000

While mostly symbolic, the proclamation would recognize what the solar industry contributes to our state: that it generates $3.7 billion dollars and has more than 1,100 companies employing 15,000 people. The petition encourages more solar and clean energy companies to locate here, and most of all, sends the signal to clean energy opponents that this industry is not just thriving, but it is here to stay. http://action.sierraclub.org/site/PageNavigator/NCSolarMonth.html

Wed., Apr 3 – “Climate Change & Home Energy Efficiency”

Gene — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 16:20:16 +0000

Sierra Club is presenting Part 3 of a 3 part series on North Carolina’s Energy Future, Wednesday, April 3 at 7 pm. The topic is ” Climate Change & Home Energy Efficiency”: with Jake Crouch of the National Climatic Data Center, and Amy Musser, an expert on home energy efficiency speaking at the Unitarian Church, 1 Edwin Pl., Asheville, (corner of Charlotte & Edwin.) Free and open to the public.
Contact: judymattox@sbcglobal.net, 828-683-2176

March 6 – Clean Energy

Gene — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 21:14:29 +0000

Sierra Club is presenting Part 2 of a 3 part series on North Carolina’s Energy Future,. The topic is “Clean Energy,” alternative energies to replace coal — in particular solar and wind power. Charlie Coggeshell of Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, along with First Light Solar (FLS) will speak Wednesday, March 6 at 7 pm at the Unitarian Church, 1 Edwin Pl, Asheville, (corner of Charlotte & Edwin.) Free and open to the public.
Contact: judymattox@sbcglobal.net, 828-683-2176

Jan 29 Statewide Day of Action for North Carolina’s Energy Future!

Gene — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 17:48:38 +0000

Join us for a statewide Day of Action for North Carolina’s Energy Future!
This year, Duke Energy is presenting its long-term plan for how we’ll get our energy in North Carolina. Rig ht now, it’s more of the same: burning fossil fuels that harm our environment and human health.
So on Jan. 26 (this Saturday!) citizens across the state will call on Duke Energy to commit to energy efficiency and renewables.
We have a HUGE opportunity to CHANGE how we get our power here in Asheville.
Please join us in calling for more clean energy at the:
Statewide Day of Action for North Carolina’s Energy Future
When: 1 p.m., Jan. 26 Where: Pritchard Park – Downtown Asheville
What: Music, speakers, family friendly and fun!
It’s time for a clean energy future for North Carolina!