Oppose MBTA Fare Hikes and Service Cuts
 Sierra
Club Urges Action to Save Public Transportation
The Mass Dept of Transportation has unveiled its plans for a massive
MBTA fare increase and service cut to go into effect on July 1, saying
they were needed to close a growing budget gap. Under two different scenarios,
fares would rise between 35 and 43 percent. Both would eliminate all commuter
ferry service and cut commuter rail service after 10pm and on weekends,
as well as eliminate weekend service on the E-branch of the Green Line
and the Mattapan trolley. Both scenarios would also slash bus schedules,
but the smaller fare hike would necessitate more drastic cuts.
More...
 Oppose
the MBTA cuts! Attend the hearings and make your voice heard. The
Sierra Club and our many allies will be there – and your presence will
help. To find out the upcoming hearing nearest you, visit
www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/?id=23567.
And/or Contact your State Representative and Senator (no matter
where you live in the state) with this easy
action alert form.
News Briefs
Widespread Support for Alewife Floodplain Protections
The Alewife floodplain, which extends through parts of Cambridge,
Belmont, and Arlington, is a key part of the area’s hydrology. It serves
the region by providing natural protection from potential flooding during
heavy rains. However, proposed development in the floodplain would increase
the likelihood of more frequent flooding and threaten the Reservation’s
biodiversity and much displaced water runoff.
More...
Cambridge Moves Towards Plastic Bag Ban
The Cambridge City Council voted to draft a ban on the distribution of
plastic shopping bags. This follows the lead of Nantucket, dozens of municipalities
in the US and many more countries around the world. According to the UN
Environment Programme, plastic bags are responsible for 1 billion animal
deaths every year, and they last 200-400 years in the environment. The
order, sponsored by Councillor Marjorie Decker, received a unanimous vote.
More...
Special Events
 Film
"In Transition 2.0"
Thurs. Feb 2, 2012, 7:00 pm
Senior Center, Wayland Town Building
41 Cochituate Rd, Wayland, MA 01778
Transition gathers stories from around the world - ordinary people
doing extraordinary things. You'll hear about communities growing food
everywhere, localizing their economies and setting up community power
stations. It's an idea that has gone viral, a social experiment that is
about responding to uncertain times with solutions and optimism. In a
world that is awash with gloom, here is a story of hope, ingenuity and
the power of growing salads in unexpected places. For more information
(and to watch a trailer) see
www.transitionwayland.org/in-transition-20.
Contact Janice Knapp-Cordes
janice.knappcordes@gmail.com
or 508-877-3771. Co-sponsored by the Sierra Club Framingham Committee.
 Hull/Nantasket
Home Show &
Sustainable Living Expo
Sat. Feb. 4, 10am-3pm
Nantasket Beach Resort, 45 Hull Shore Dr., Hull
Sustainable Greener Hull's Ninth Annual Sustainable Living Expo will
join the Hull Nantasket Chamber Home Show. Free. Co-sponsored by the Sierra
Club. Visit www.sustainablehull.org
 Businesses
for the Updated Bottle Bill
Project Launch and Press Event
Tuesday, February 14, at 11am
Room 437 State House, Boston
Attention small business owners - we need your help! Over the course
of 2011, we've demonstrated overwhelming support for this bill. MassINC
Polling Group conducted a statewide poll showing 77% of the public supports
the update. Hundreds of supporters turned out in July for the public hearing.
On Halloween, throngs of costumed supporters participated in a “Trick
or Treat for the Updated Bottle Bill.” 206 Mass cities and towns have
passed resolutions endorsing this bill. And why not? This bill is the
most effective tool we’ve got for reducing litter, increasing recycling,
and saving our cities and towns money in disposal costs. Now it’s time
for businesses to make their voices heard in support of this campaign.
Join businesses around the Commonwealth as they gather to ask the State
Legislators to pass the Bottle Bill Update.
Click here to download the the endorsement form or fill it out online
at bit.ly/bottlebill
 Cape
Cod & Islands Group
Member Educational
Outreach Meeting
Wed. Feb. 15, 6pm
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth at 840 Sandwich Road in
East Falmouth (call 508-457-0449 if you need directions)
Future Meetings occur monthly either in Chatham or Falmouth
Potluck dinner and a movie program that is being organized by the
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth's Adult RE and Green Sanctuary
Committees, with co-sponsorship by CC&I Group- Sierra Club. The movie
is about Monsanto Chemical Company's efforts to promote industrial agriculture
through the use of GMO seeds that are resistant to herbicides. The movie
discusses the potential environmental and public health consequences of
this new technology. Agribusinesses strongly influence government farming
policies, regulatory actions and approval of GMO food products offered
to consumers. Free. Contact Diane LeDuc
dianejleduc@comcast.net Group
Blog: www.capecodsierraclub.blogspot.com
Committee Meetings
Greater Boston Group Executive Committee Meeting
Tuesday Feb 14, 2012, 7pm
Chapter Office, 10 Milk Street #632, Boston
Regular business meeting of the local greater Boston Sierra Club group
- roughly within Rte 128. We look forward to enthusiastic environmentalists
and members attending! Contact
karen-ibew@excite.com. This is a free event.
Cape Cod & Islands Group
Member Educational Outreach Meeting
Wed. Feb. 15, 2012, 6pm
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth at 840 Sandwich Road in
East Falmouth (call 508-457-0449 if you need directions)
See above under "Special Events"
Chapter Executive Committee Meeting
Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, 11:30am
Chapter Office, 10 Milk Street #632, Boston
Use 294 Washington St. entrance
Future meetings: TBD. Free and open to all Sierra Club members. Ask
questions, make suggestions, find out what you can do. Learn whether your
state senator and representative are environmental leaders. Hear updates
on the chapter's varied work to protect the environment. For details contact
Dan Proctor; see
contacts
page for email address.
 Chapter
Political Committee
Tues. Feb 21, 2012, 6:30pm
(This meeting will be by conference call)
Future meetings: March 29, April 17
Politicos, Activists, Organizers, Bloggers, People who like to breathe
clean air... the Sierra Club needs YOU! Do you want to make sure we elect
politicians who want to protect the environment? Do 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. This meeting would
be a great opportunity to see what the Political Committee does. We have
openings on our committee and urgently need your help. Contact
cpc@sierraclubmass.org
 Boston
Inner City Outings
Wed. Feb. 22, 2012m 7-8pm
Upcoming meetings: April 17, July 17, October 16
Chapter Office, 10 Milk Street #632, Boston
Use 294 Washington St. entrance
Sierra Club Inner City Outings (ICO) is a community outreach program
that provides opportunities for urban youth and adults to explore, enjoy
and protect the natural world. It provides safe, fun, and educational
outdoor experiences to youth that would not otherwise have access to these
opportunities. Join us at this meeting for a new volunteer orientation.
It is required for all new volunteers, and is a great way to learn more
about ICO activities and our mission of bringing kids outside. After the
orientation, you'll be able to participate in upcoming trips with kids.
Rucker Alex, Chair, bostonico@gmail.com
More info and sample trip reports:
www.bostonico.org
Chapter Transportation Committee
Tues, February 28, 2012, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Chapter Office, 10 Milk Street #632, Boston
Use 294 Washington St. entrance
Future meetings: Tues, April 24, (usually 4th Tuesday of even months)
The highways that are built to sustain our sprawling suburbs add to
our pollution and energy problems, and increase our dependence on an auto-centric
way of life which is unhealthy, anti-social, and unsustainable. The Big
Dig has drained fiscal support away from maintaining the deteriorating
highways that we already have and from expanding our public transit infrastructure,
beyond a few ill-conceived projects like the "Silver Line" bus and the
"Urban Ring" busway. Join the Chapter Transportation Committee us to help
the Sierra Club encourage public transit and pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly
neighborhoods.
Click for more information. Contact John Kyper Transportation Chair
jkyper@gis.net,
Other Events
 Save
the Silver Maple Forest
Benefit and Celebration Performance
February 4, 2012, 7:30pm
First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church
630 Massachusetts Ave. (corner of Pleasant St), Arlington
Celebrate the Belmont Uplands Silver Maple Forest in Belmont and Cambridge,
and help raise funds for its preservation and defense against threatened
development. The concert will feature The Jim Scott Ensemble, Former Winter
Consort guitarist, composer Jim Scott; Jose Pienasola, bass; Mark Kohler,
percussion; Special Guests jazzman extraordinaire Stan Strickland, Sax,
flute; Celebrated songwriter; Rev. Fred Small; Native American flautist;
Elke Jahns, Eco-stilt dancer, Maya Apfelbaum. Cosponsored by the Sierra
Club Greater Boston Group. Tickets $18 in advance, $20 at the door. More
info: 617-415-1884,
info@friendsofalewifereservation.org
Framingham Public Hearing on MBTA Cuts and Fare Hikes
February 14, 2012, 6-8 pm
Framingham Town Hall, 150 Concord Street
MBTA officials will be in Framingham to hear from the public about
proposed fare hikes and service cuts intended to deal with a budget shortfall.
The fare hikes could nearly double the cost of riding the T, while cutting
bus lines. These cuts will result in more car trips and will be a huge
burden on those who rely on public transit.
www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/public_meetings
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Support the
Mass Chapter
 Help
us meet our fundraising goals! Your generous direct donations support
our statewide efforts to preserve public lands and open space, protect
marine and coastal habitats, conserve energy, improve public transportation,
combat global warming, improve air quality, and protect our natural environment.
You can donate online by
clicking here.
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Chapter Pages
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Volunteer Opportunities
There are many ways you can get involved with the Sierra
Club's activities. Click here for more information.
1. Bottle Bill: We need help with the bottle bill! Even
if you've signed up before, please email us and let know if you can help.
There are local projects in every corner of the state.
2. Political Committee
- Help elect green candidates
And there are many more ways to get involved.
Click here
for more.
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The
Sierra Club is the nation's largest and oldest grassroots organization
with 1.4 million members and supporters, 22,000 of which are here in Massachusetts.
We fight for clean air, clean water, the preservation of the Commonwealth's
most precious natural spaces, and healthy, vibrant communities.