Houston Sierra Club Outings

Just Zero Webinar:
Dirty Secrets, Clean Soil: A Movement to Ban Toxic Sludge
Wednesday, April 30, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CT

Link to register:
Webinar Registration - Zoom

For decades, sewage sludge – a byproduct of wastewater treatment – has been promoted as a safe, sustainable fertilizer. But striking evidence shows that spreading sewage sludge on land is poisoning our farmland, food, and water with toxins like PFAS (‘forever chemicals’), microplastics, and other dangerous household and industrial contaminants.

This webinar marks the official launch of the national Coalition for Sludge Free Land, a new alliance of scientists, farmers, frontline communities, environmental advocates, and policy leaders working to put an end to the land application of toxic sludge.

Featuring:
• Adam Nordell | Campaign Manager at Defend Our Health; Sludge-impacted farmer
• Bill Pluecker | Public Policy Organizer for Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association; Maine State Representative
• Erica Kyzmir-McKeon | Communities and Toxics Senior Attorney at Conservation Law Foundation
• Laura Orlando | Senior Scientist at Just Zero and wastewater expert

Together, these experts will examine how current sludge management practices are contributing to long-term chemical exposure – particularly in rural and agricultural communities – and what is being done about it.

We look forward to seeing you as we take the next steps toward a cleaner, safer, and sludge-free future!

Register for Webinar: Registration
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Presenter and topic:

Sean Hastings, Policy, Information, and Management Officer for
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Founder of the "Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies" which is a voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) verification and recognition program that aims to reduce ship strikes to endangered whales, underwater noise, and air pollution. This presentation is a part of the "Discover Your Sanctuary Speaker Series" which is hosted by Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary's Coastal Discovery Center out of San Simeon, California.

Past NMS webinars are archived at this site:
For Teachers - Webinar Series Archive | Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

Photo courtesy of National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series.

This program requires advance registration at this Zoom link:
Meeting Registration - Zoom

May 8 Program Topic:
As the 2025 Texas Legislature approaches the final days of its regular session, the Sierra Club will be making a final push on key legislative priorities.

Visit the Sierra Club's Legislative Action Center webpage for ongoing developments: Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter 2025 Legislative Agenda | Sierra Club

Visit the Bill Tracker site for info on specific legislation:
Bill Tracker | Sierra Club

In 2025, we’re focused on safeguarding the future of our state’s natural resources and communities by advocating for meaningful legislative action. At this program, you’ll be briefed on our top legislative priorities, including:

• Defending Against Renewable Energy Attacks
• Air Quality Monitoring Initiatives
• Grid Solutions
• Opposing Fossil Fuel Subsidies
• Water Protection Standards and Solutions

Local Action Matters Now More Than Ever!
In light of the national election results, our work at the state and local levels has never been more critical. As federal priorities shift, local government and state legislation are essential to advancing a sustainable, resilient Texas.
This event is designed to help you understand the legislative landscape and equip you with ways to support these efforts, whether through advocacy, community engagement, or direct action. Together, we can help push forward the policies Texas needs for a sustainable and resilient future.

Photo of Texas State Capitol courtesy of Al Braden.

The link below has the Sierra Club participant sign-in agreement (liability waiver). Please read this before the outing so you know what it says. We’ll sign-in quickly at the scenic area and then proceed with the outing. Sign-Up Sheet 2-2020.pdf (sierraclub.org)

If anyone has COVID symptoms or is sick don’t come! We want everyone to be safe. Don’t come if you feel ill! By going on this outing we'll potentially hike with individuals who are vaccinated/unvaccinated. It’s each person’s choice to participate on this outing.

We recommend that you take a day-pack, hat, 3 qts water, insect repellent, sunscreen, snacks, lunch, binoculars, hiking shoes, hat, camera, and field guides. Long pants are recommended to protect against briars, chiggers, and ticks. It’ll be warm so be sure to bring lots of water. We will take regular rest breaks.

The tour will take about 5 hours and will consist of a car caravan with short stops and hikes where we’ll view different points of interest. Hikes are rated as moderate to easy and will be 0.5 to 1.5 miles apiece.

For those who want to carpool/caravan we’ll meet at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot W. of Starbucks, 4700 block of Beechnut, in Meyerland Plaza. Look for a steel-colored Honda Accord hybrid. Sign-up for this outing on the Houston Sierra Club Outings Meet-Up site. To contact your leader, Brandt Mannchen, call 281-570-7212 or email brandt_mannchen@comcast.net.

For those who want to meet in SHNF at 9 am, we’ll be at the Winters Bayou Scenic Area parking lot on FM 1725, 5 m. N. of Cleveland, in San Jacinto County, Tx.

Directions: N. on I-69 to SH 105 in Cleveland, Tx; 1 m. W. on SH 105 to FM 1725; N. on FM 1725 about 5 m.; parking lot is on the rt. just S. of Montegue Church.