Explore, enjoy and protect the planet
FEB.1  Water Team Meeting • Fight aquatic invasives! Join us on the first Wednesday of the month to advocate for clean water and aquatic habitat protection in the greater Chicago waterways.  MORE...
FEB.8   Blue Water, Brown Water: Tales from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District •  Hear Debbie Shore, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District speak on Chicago area water issues. MORE...
Ward Volunteers needed for our City of Chicago Aldermanic Lobby Committee. Be a part of  ward by ward Sierra Club participation influencing the new City Council to be more pro-environment . Teams are being formed right now. Join us if you live in the city of Chicago and want to effect change starting with your own Alderman. MORE... 
FEB.13 - Air/Energy Committee Meeting - Come join the fight against global warming, learn more about the Clean Power Ordinance campaign and how you can help clean Chicago's air.  All are welcome to attend.  MORE... 
Chicago Group Social
FEB.22 Environmental Book Discussion of a 1000-Mile Walk on the Beach: One Woman's Trek of the Perimeter of Lake Michigan by Loreen Niewenhuis. Our discussion will explore our connection to the lake and the environmental challenges that the lake faces. MORE...

View our About page for a summary of who we are, what we do and how to get involved.

Stop the Swap – Go to Bat for the Bats!
 How ironic that during the Year of the Bat, the Shawnee National Forest would propose a land exchange in which the Forest Service would trade away a 384-acre tract of land with a known endangered bat species to Peabody Coal, Co. for a strip mine! An Indiana bat maternity roost was found on the parcel and the endangered gray bat was also detected there.
 
 A diamond in the rough, the Gallatin County parcel is one of the Shawnee's best-kept secrets. Located just a few miles south of Shawneetown on the Saline River, it takes only one visit to this beautiful piece of land to know that it is providing critical habitat in a part of the state that has seen more than its fair share of human disturbance.
 
"The single-most important factor that leads to endangerment and extinction of species-- and the one the Forest Service has the greatest influence over—is the alteration and loss of habitats." — US Forest Service

Tell the Forest Service to follow it's own advice,
and say no to the swap. Do it for the bats!
 
 Submit your comments by January 31st.

Kudos & Recent Events
 • Profile: Chris Williamson - our long-time activist
• Rose Gomez - Volunteer activist
 • Roll Beyond Coal – Rally & March
• 6,000+ Coal Pollution Petitions Delivered
• International Coastal Cleanup
Chicago Sierrans Outdoors Events

Select a date to view additional details:
 
FEB.11 Cross-country Skiing at Love Creek, Berrien, MI
***CANCELLED for lack of snow! ***
Join us for a day of skiing in an area of the "lake effect" snow belt. Love Creek County Park has six miles of groomed ski trails. The nature center presents educational displays, ski rentals and a fireplace. Limit 15. To sign up, call the Leader Mark Ginger at 847-699-0329. Assistant Leader needed.

 MAR.25  19th Annual Spaghetti Hike - ICO Benefit, Palos Park
Shake off the winter blues with an optional hike – fast-paced appetite-stimulating hike or a leisure walk led by a naturalist who will interpret the area woodlands, savannas and wetlands. Following these activities is our traditional spaghetti dinner (with a vegan-friendly option). In addition, this event is a an excellent opportunity to meet other Sierra Club members and friends in a casual outdoor environment. Most of all you will be helping support the work of the Chicago Inner City Outings in providing outdoor experiences for local disadvantaged kids. So bring your family (games for kids) and friends for a great day and a great cause. Reserve before March 19th.
 
MAR.31 Sierrans Outdoors & Member Open House, Edgebrook, IL.
 Join us for our end-of-winter get-together -- a perfect first-time opportunity to learn more about the club, meet leaders, activists and fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Also learn about outings as fun and educational experiences that support Sierra Club's motto: "Explore, enjoy and protect the planet."

 VIEW NEW and UPDATED OUTINGS offered by all IL Sierra Club Groups at anytime from the outings/event calendar:   http://Illinois.SierraClub.org/Outings 



 
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1892 RucksackJoin Sierra Club for $15
Take advantage of this special  membership offer, a $10 savings. Starting your membership now includes a Rucksack bag shown here. JOIN NOW while this offer lasts.
 

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