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The Arctic ecosystem on the North Slope of Alaska represents a microcosm of the realities that society at large faces with regard to fossil fuel dependency, climate change and the importance of protecting our last wild and pristine places. Come learn what is being done to protect this iconic American landscape and what you can do to help!

This presentation will be given by Kit McGurn, Arctic Campaign Conservation Organizer, of Seattle, WA.

Free and open to all

Find more information at: http://www.sierraclub.org/arctic/default.aspx

Sponsored by the Chapter Political Committee

Join us as we get together and chat about politics and the environment. With elections being held in most of the state's cities and towns, we have an opportunity to ensure that our local elected officials put environmental issues at the top of their priority lists. This would be a great event for Politicos, Activists, Organizers, Bloggers, People who like to breathe clean air...

If you enjoy politics and want to make a difference in elections, the Sierra Club needs your help! The Chapter Political Committee endorses and supports environmental candidates in local, state, and national elections.

Please join us!

This is a free information fair featuring green organizations and businesses in the Jamaica Plain and Boston area: Earth Our Only Home (green roofs), Green on the Inside (cleaning products), Boston Building Materials Co-op, Boston Climate Action Network, Holistic Design + Space Planning, Commonwealth Studio (green architects), First Baptist Church in JP (greening project), greenschools, Progressive Asset Management, Living
Structures Inc., City of Boston (recycling), Roxbury Community College, Why Waste, Boomerangs, Ferris Wheels, United Comforters, Foundation for a Green Future, Inc./Boston GreenFest... and Cabot Cheese will be giving out cheese samples!

After the fair, at 12:50 pm, any SC Meet up people can get together and go to eat someplace near by. I'll scout it out or you can offer suggestions.

Usually, we don't promote the events of other organizations and there are lots of these "Green Fairs" this time of year. I'm making an exception in this instance because the Connolly Library once held an exhibit of my photographs for which I'm very appreciative. If you happen to be in JP on Saturday, Please stop by. I'll be there at Noon.

Bring your library card and check out a book, DVD, Video or CD while you are there!

Preserve New England's 400-Year Industry and Bring an End to Overfishing

Living in New England we hear a lot about overfishing but still can go to a restaurant and get great seafood. What's going on? What is the proposal to address overfishing and What can we do about it? don't know what the impact of it

Greg Wells of the Pew Environment Group gives a brief overview of the new proposal to reinvigorate the New England fisheries through the proposed Amendment 16 to the groundfish management plan (see www.newenglandfishing.org).

The regular Greater Boston Group Executive committee monthly meeting will begin at 7pm.

New England's groundfish fishery has driven the region's economy and culture for centuries. But today it is in serious trouble. Decades of overfishing and mismanagement have led to severe declines in fish populations, continued restrictions on fishing effort, decreases in revenue, and the loss of our traditional fishing fleet.

With the support of forward-thinking commercial fishing organizations, the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) is developing a new approach called sectors to replace the current failed fishery management system. Sectors are community-based, fishermen run co-ops. Sectors follow three simple guidelines:

* They implement science-based catch limits to promote rebuilding of fish populations and prevent overfishing;

* They incorporate monitoring so fishermen and regulators know exactly how much is being caught so that fishing stops once catch limits have been reached; and

* They are allocated their own share of the annual catch limit; while respecting catch limits, sectors provide fishermen with the flexibility to set their own fishing guidelines so they can run their businesses more efficiently and profitably.

On June 23-25, federal fisheries managers will vote on adopting sector management and annual catch limits for the groundfish fishery.

We'll take action to make sure the National Marine Fisheries Service and NEFMC knows that the public supports sector management and annual catch limits that hold all fishermen accountable for their catch.

What really happens at the State House? Interested in learning more about how to lobby for the environment?

The Sierra Club Greater Boston Group will be hosting a workshop to explain the legislative process and how you can make a difference for the environment. The presentation will cover the legislative process including: how a bill is filed; legislative hearings and how to testify; and moving bills through the hearing process, contacting your elected officials successfully; and how to use the media to advance environmental issues. You will also learn about the Sierra Club's legislative priorities for 2009.

The evening entrance to the Sierra Club Office is 294 Washington St., across from the Border's Bookstore, Downtown Boston.