Sierra Club

The Foothills Group (Oconee, Pickens, Anderson, Abbeville & Greenwood counties) is alive and well, though it could be in a more "robust" condition.  We continue to hold monthly membership meetings near Clemson (excluding July).  Our offerings of hikes and other outings to the streams, waterfalls and mountains of the Upstate and NE Georgia / SW North Caolina have been boosted by a second outings leader (bless her).  And "Footprints," our bi-monthly newsletter, helps our members stay connected to the group and its activities.  Always check the "electronic newsletter" link on our website to see where Mark Williams and Kathy Clark are headed for upcoming hikes.

There seems to be a growing awareness of a Sierra Club / Foothills Group presence in our five-county region, as citizens contact us about problems and assistance in combating them.  This year some of our members have joined with other "green forces" in ensuring a meaningful clean-up of PCB contamination in Twelve Mile Creek and Lake Hartwell; opposing a residential-area crematorium in Anderson on grounds of mercury emissions; and helping Georgia neighbors on Lake Hartwell to fend off a proposed (upwind) electricity generator fueled by chicken manure.

Others have been involved in efforts to promote and protect the ecologically diverse, 17,000 acre Clemson Experimental Forest as a public outdoor recreation asset.  And we're proud to say that the growing chapter-sponsored effort to alert state residents and leaders to South Carolina's serious water pollution issues started with some determined Oconee County gentlemen who chose to add Sierra Club clout to their crusade.

The group still has chronic needs.  Filling the "programs chair" would relieve the ExCom of that role, and having a speakers network to tap into would help.  Attracting more content to our newsletter would enhance its communication powers.  Bringing in more under-40 members would beneficially broaden the base.

Nevertheless, we soldier on as grass roots voices for the planet and our environment in our Upstate corner.  Come on up and spend some time with us when you can.