Sierra Club - Catoctin Group

08/06/2026

🌿 A recent survey conducted by the Maryland Sierra Club points to major progress in reducing the use of single-use plastic carryout bags and incentivizing shoppers to bring their own bag or not take one. The survey was conducted at major grocery store chains in Montgomery County before and after the launch of the “Bring Your Own Bag” law in January 2026. Single-use plastic carryout bags are harmful to wildlife and break down into microplastics that are harmful to the environment and human health.

🌿 The share of shoppers using plastic carryout bags dropped from 50% to 1% and the share of shoppers using a reusable bag or no bag jumped from 49% to 72%. However, the use of paper bags increased from 1% to 27%.

🌿 The bottom line - the combination of a ban on plastic carryout bags and a charge or tax on paper bags is an incentive to switch to reusables or not to take a bag at all. Simply raising the tax on plastic bags is much less impactful in getting shoppers to shift to reusable bags or no bag.

07/09/2026

Nature Fest is this Saturday, July 11 at Charlotte's Quest Nature Center in Manchester, Maryland!

Join Charlotte’s Quest for an afternoon and evening of family-friendly outdoor fun, including nature crafts, S.T.E.A.M. activities, guided hikes, “All About…” talks, food trucks, vendors, live music, stargazing, fireflies, and more.

06/19/2026

Yesterday a judge ruled that there can be no ballot referendum on the 2,615-acre data center zone near Adamstown. This came after the Frederick County Data Center Referendum Committee and hundreds of volunteers collected over 24,000 signatures from Frederick County voters to put the data center referendum on the November ballot.

In December 2025 County Council members Renee Knapp, Kavonte Duckett, Mason Carter, M.C. Keegan-Ayer, and Brad Young passed the expansion of the data center zoning overlay in Adamstown that was proposed by County Executive Jessica Fitzwater.

There can be no ballot referendum on the 2,615-acre data center zone near Adamstown, a judge ruled in Frederick County Circuit Court on Thursday afternoon.

06/17/2026

Break Free From Plastic is currently conducting an audit of grocery stores for all who would like to participate! By surveying how supermarkets are either increasing plastic pollution or helping reduce it, they can see what best practices exist, and what practices need to become things of the past.

You can register for the audit using the link below and fill out their questionnaire the next time you go the grocery store between now and June 30th!

Audit the aisles! Between 6 May and 30 June, we invite you to fill out a simple questionnaire on your next supermarket trip.

06/16/2026

Sierra Magazine wrote a lovely article about the Frederick County data center referendum 🌳

A citizen-led effort to put data center development on the ballot in November hangs in the balance

06/15/2026

Christian Benford for Frederick and the Frederick Chapter of DSA will be canvassing in Frederick on Wednesday and Saturday this week. Below is a link to sign up if you'd like to help out!

Join Christian Benford and the Frederick DSA as we knock on doors to put a socialist in office here in Frederick!

06/08/2026

The Frederick County Data Center Referendum committee has prepared a voter guide showing where the Frederick County Council candidates stand on the Data Center Referendum. All candidates seeking to represent Frederick County were asked if they support the Referendum, and support putting the Ordinance on the November ballot for a public vote. The candidates with a green check mark are supportive of the Referendum.

05/29/2026

The Sierra Club Catoctin Group has endorsed Lara Westdorp for Maryland State Senate District 4! Lara is a small business owner, mom, wife, and lifelong advocate for wild spaces, clean water, and individual rights. Lara has consistently been involved in the Frederick County community, from sitting on local and state boards and commissions and assisting with local campaigns, to traffic mitigation efforts in her neighborhood.

To learn more about Lara's campaign, go to
https://www.westdorp4senate.com. You can also check her out on Facebook at Westdorp4Senate and on Instagram .

The Maryland primary election is on Tuesday, June 23rd. Your voice matters, VOTE!

By authority Charles Skinner, Treasurer, Sierra Club MD Chapter PAC

05/26/2026

The Sierra Club Catoctin Group has endorsed Karen Lewis Young for Maryland State Senate District 3! Karen was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2014, and was elected to the Maryland State Senate in 2022. She currently serves on the Budget & Taxation Committee, the Joint Committee on Project Open Space & Agricultural Land Preservation, the Joint Committee on Pensions, and the Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR).

To learn more about Karen's campaign, go to
https://lewisyoungforsenate.com/. You can also check her out on Facebook at Karen Lewis Young for Senate.

The Maryland primary election is on Tuesday, June 23rd. Your voice matters, VOTE!

By authority Charles Skinner, Treasurer, Sierra Club MD Chapter PAC

05/22/2026

The Sierra Club Catoctin Group has endorsed Corynne Courpas for Maryland House of Delegates District 42C! Corynne first came to Westminster to attend Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) and decided to make it her permanent home in 1977. Since then, she has worked to give back to the community that has given her so much. The central issues in her campaign include housing affordability, education, energy costs, and infrastructure planning.

You can find out more about Corynne's campaign at her website https://www.courpasfordelegate.com. She is also on Facebook at Corynne Courpas for State Delegate.

The Maryland primary election is on Tuesday, June 23rd. Your voice matters, VOTE!

By authority Charles Skinner, Treasurer, Sierra Club MD Chapter PAC