What we’re about
The Sierra Club is America's oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization. This mission of the Sierra Club is to explore, enjoy, and protect the planet. The Headwaters Group of the Sierra Club serves members of Durham, Vance, Person, and Granville Counties. You do not need to live in one of these counties to join our Meetup, and unless specifically noted, you do not need to be a Sierra Club member to attend attend one of our Meetups, events, and/or outings. We welcome anyone and everyone and would love to see you at one of our events!
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Reshaping North Carolina's Clean Energy FutureDurham County Courthouse, Durham, NC
On October 13, 2021, Governor Roy Cooper signed into a law directing the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) to take all reasonable steps to achieve reductions in the emissions of carbon dioxide in NC from electric generating facilities owned or operated by certain electric public utilities. The NCUC is directed to achieve a reduction of 70% from 2005 levels by the year 2030 and carbon neutrality by the year 2050. They issued one plan in 2022, but that included a schedule to do Carbon Plan and Integrated Resource Plans (CPIRP) for the Duke utilities. Details of the 2023 Carbon Plan update can be found at Docket No. E-100, Sub 190.
There will be a rally on the plaza at 5:45.
The Carbon Plan should be an opportunity to reshape North Carolina’s energy future and protect community health. That means no new fossil fuel infrastructure or power plants. Unfortunately, the draft Carbon Plan proposed by Duke Energy fails to meet the moment, calling for more investments in polluting, outdated fossil fuels.
You can sign up for updates from the Sierra Club and find talking points at https://www.sierraclub.org/north-carolina/nccarbonplan.
The NCUC will be hearing public comments on the first update this spring; the full schedule is here, including a virtual hearing on April 23rd. You can also submit comments (include the docket number (E100, sub 190) here; please identify yourself as a ratepayer to avoid confusion with the official comments of the many environmental organizations that will be responding.
- Beautiful Hiking Trails Around AshevilleLink visible for attendees
Western North Carolina is a hiker’s paradise. With so much land protected by National and State Forests and Parks, those who live in, or are visiting, the Asheville area have endless hiking opportunities. Best of all, they can experience amazing views, waterfalls, wildflowers, and quiet forest paths without traveling very far. Learn about where to go and what to see when you are ready to head out and hike.
All WNC Sierra Club meetings are free and open to the public. This is the monthly meeting of Sierra Club group in Asheville; it is on zoom or (if you happen to be in Asheville) in person at the Reuter Center at UNCA. It is also on Zoom with advance registration here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
- Kick off National Bike MonthMike D's BBQ Smokehouse & Retail, Durham, NC
Since 1956, May has been National Bike Month, promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast.
Bike Durham is having a full calendar of events, starting, on May 5th, with a Bike to Connections ride from west Durham to east Durham weaving over and under the Durham Freeway. There are five starting times for the ride every 30 minutes from noon to 2:00pm. If you aren't able to do the ride, but would like to meet folks at the celebration, you can join them at the courtyard behind Mike D's BBQ at 455 S. Driver Street between noon and 5pm. Please register for a ride or the celebration at this link. This event is one of the engagement activities for the City's Reimagining the Durham Freeway study.
This event is not sponsored by the Sierra Club.
- Meat-free Monday -- Thinking about WaterLink visible for attendees
It's National Beverage Day and Appreciate the Great Lakes Day, so it's a good time to think about water. (It's also No Homework Day.)
May Food for Thought: One of the most practical and effective ways to preserve water and protect the environment is by eating water-friendly, plant-based foods. Water is involved in all aspects of producing foods, from growing to processing, and preparing. (Beef is one of the most water intensive foods to produce due to the water required to grow crops for feed, as well as the animal care and processing.)
Grains, vegetables, and fruits have much lower water footprints, so understanding a food’s water requirements is a helpful way to choose the most sustainable option.
This Monday, check out our list of water-friendly meals and start cooking like a conservationist. There is also a guide to which foods have the smallest and largest water footprint.
https://www.mondaycampaigns.org/meatless-monday/protect-the-planet-with-these-10-water-friendly-meatless-mealsReal Food for May: The local strawberries seem to arrive earlier every year. There are several places where you can pick strawberries (a great outing) so you will have lots to make strawberry-spinach salad or shortcake -- assuming you can control yourself and not eat all of them right out of the bucket.
Treasure of the Month: It's also National Crepes Suzette Day. It you aren't feeling adventurous enough to do the flaming Grand Marnier thing, there are great recipes for savory vegetable crepes
We will try to get together to share food in the summer, but for now, we are feasting separately and then sharing pictures and recipes.