Greetings all!

 

November is a time of thanks-giving, as we gather in our harvest of the year’s work in community with family and friends. This is a time to appreciate each other and those things we value. This includes our natural world, which we all cherish and are working to preserve for the sake of our wild places, our wildlife, and indeed for our very survival.

 

What are you thankful for as the Thanksgiving holidays approach?

 

I’m thankful for all our members! I hope to get a chance to meet more of you soon at our upcoming events, whether in person or virtual (including the next of a three part Zoom webinar series, Wrapped up in Plastic).

 

There are so many of our volunteer leaders doing exceptional work, and I would like to thank just a couple of them here:

• Martha Klein for leading our efforts to build a Climate Justice movement in Connecticut

• Ann Gadwah for heading up our Climate Awareness Campaign

• Jeff Gross and the Shoreline Group for their wonderful Coastal Resiliency event

• Christine Feely and the West Hartford Ready for 100 EV lawnmower parade group

• So many more

 

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR EFFORTS!

 

November is also a time to prepare for the coming winter months. As the temperatures drop, we may not be getting out in nature as much! Sierra Club Connecticut is holding our Wild and Scenic Film Festival virtually again this year, giving us all another burst of natural beauty and adventure! I hope you’ll join us on November 20th for this fun and inspiring event, with films chosen just for you by our Executive Committee members.

 

Then do some holiday shopping at our Online Silent Auction, starting on November 22nd  and ending on November 30th. This year, our Auction features amazing artwork, experiences, and outdoor gear that would make unique holiday gifts for your loved ones, or yourself!

 

These two events are our Chapters’ biggest fundraisers for 2021, so I hope you’ll join us to help support our important work!

 

And we have a holiday gift for you too! We are partnering with the Copper Beech Institute to offer a free workshop to help with the stress of the holidays and the current world situation – call it eco-anxiety, pandemic stress or what you will. SAVE THE DATE – December 8 at noon – for A Holiday Gift for Those Who Believe in Our World: Mindfulness Exercises for Self-Care and Working with Challenging Emotions.

 

Did you know? 

Next year, Sierra Club Connecticut will celebrate our 50th anniversary! Help us to continue our legacy of environmental work and appreciation of nature by becoming an active member of the Sierra Club Connecticut community. We have many active Committees that would welcome your engagement! Find out more on our website or social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram).

 

Susan Eastwood is Chapter Chair of Sierra Club Connecticut.