North Carolina Sierra Club Foothills Group

01/31/2026

01/09/2026

Foothills Group of the Sierra Club potluck dinner and program tonight.

11/21/2025

Dear Sierra Club Family,

The Trump administration has weaponized the government to sever our connections to the outdoors. From the forced firings of our park stewards, to efforts to sell off public lands to the highest bidder, to inhumane immigration enforcement tactics scaring families indoors, our connection to nature and public lands has never faced a greater threat. The longest government shutdown in history put additional strain on our parks, public lands, and the government employees who protect them for current and future generations.

On Black Friday, we have an opportunity to reclaim our connection to nature and show our public lands, park stewards, and ourselves some love. Whether you are leading an outing, or just spending time with loved ones, we invite you to with us next Friday (if it is safe for you to do so).

We’re asking Sierra Club staff and volunteers to get outdoors and snap a photo of yourself and your loved ones experiencing JOY in nature. Participants will be entered to win a Sierra Club Outdoors for All t-shirt. To participate, use this social media toolkit to post a photo of yourself enjoying the outdoors over the holiday weekend. As detailed in the toolkit, make sure to use the hashtag and tag Sierra Club. The Outdoors for All team will review the photos that have been posted by November 30th, and do a random drawing - five participants will get a t-shirt!

At a time when our planet and our communities are under extreme stress, time in nature can be a powerful healer. Spending time outdoors can reduce stress, strengthen our immune systems and make us happier. When we make the time to be in nature we can also create opportunities to strengthen our bonds with friends, family and communities.

So please, grab your loved ones–ditch the shopping–and get outdoors with your Sierra Club community.

With Gratitude,
Jackie Ostfeld & Team Outdoors for All

P.S. Stay in touch with the campaign by reading the Outdoors for All Weekly Update newsletter. You can join our Outdoors4All-network list-serv by emailing [email protected].

10/15/2025

Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation upon which our nation was built. Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and on posters, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across thi...

10/01/2025

Autumn is one of the busiest seasons on the Blue Ridge Parkway, so what does the federal government shutdown mean for your national park?

Travelers can still drive to scenic overlooks, hike trails, camp out, and enjoy a picnic surrounded by autumn colors, but should plan trips carefully in consideration that some facilities will be closed. The motor road will remain open, with the exception of the stretches where continuing road updates and Hurricane Helene recovery projects are taking place. Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

The Parkway is surrounded by welcoming communities that hold a wealth of rich experiences along the way. We encourage you to visit their restaurants, shops, recreational areas, and more, to support the local economies of these communities. By stopping and shopping, dining, staying, and playing, you can help the region thrive.

When visiting the Parkway, please do your part to keep the park clean. Be prepared to pack out any items you bring in, specifically trash. Follow all the Leave No Trace Principles. https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/leave-no-trace.htm

Thank you in advance for taking care of your national park and recreating responsibly!

As we learn more details, we will keep you updated.

09/17/2025

From our friennds at Gateway Nature Preserve:
We are so happy to be able to provide this opportunity for the BIPOC community in Winston Salem. Please help us spread the word about our upcoming event at Gateway Nature Preserve in collaboration with Color My Outdoors. Breathe, Mama, Breathe, an event designed especially for BIPOC mothers, will offer a relaxing outdoor experience with small bites from Catch this Tee, meditation and sound bath by Honor Your Presence, and nature journaling by Corona Fine Art. Also be part of a conversation, lead by Color My Outdoors, on how we can make our preserve more accessible and welcoming to our BIPOC community. All of this completely free. Please make sure you can commit to attending before signing up since registration is limited. https://givebutter.com/breathemamabreathe
givebutter.com

Restore in Nature

09/11/2025

Please note that the program meeting for tonight and the Adopt-a-Trail event on Saturday have beeen canceled.

09/11/2025

The Foothills Group of the Sierra Club has been asked to cancel all public events this weekend. This is a sad day for all Americans. Please read the note bellow.
Henry
I am sure that everyone has seen the news by now. What happened yesterday, and political violence, is shameful and absolutely horrific, no matter where you lean politically. I have news from National regarding this tragedy.

"Out of an abundance of caution, due to our security firm reporting increased negative online chatter about the Sierra Club, the organization has closed our offices and is asking us to cancel or postpone any publicly advertised events or gatherings of our members and community. To be clear, events and gatherings that are not publicly advertised, like an in-person committee meeting, for example, are not affected by this decision.

I understand that this decision can be frustrating if you have had events planned for some time and canceling would cause a major inconvenience. Please reach out to me for support in thinking through next steps should you need to cancel or postpone anything."

The Club is saying till Monday, but please use caution if and when meeting, at all times.
If you have any questions or concerns whatsoever, please call me at 252-241-9273.

In solidarity and community,
Katie Tomberlin (she/her/y'all)

State Chapter Chair, NC Sierra Club
Chair, NCDP Platforms and Resolutions Committee
DWNC Legislative Committee Lead

05/03/2025

We are open, 1000 Yorkshire Road, Parkway Presbyterian Church. Annual Foothills Group of the Sierra Club yard sale

03/31/2025

We’re inviting you to join us in learning how to draft and submit comments in opposition to the proposed Williams Transco Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP)! This is a proposed methane gas pipeline project that would impact the Southeast and beyond. SSEP would be placed next to 3-5 existing, agining pipelines, including the proposed MVP Southgate extension, stretching approximately 54 miles long and 42 inches in diameter underground. We do not need another pipeline! You can learn more about SSEP at nossep.org.
Nossep
Register here to join the virtual comment party on April 1st at 6:30PM! Thank you for sharing this event with your networks, and memberships.
Virtual Comment Party: Southeast Supply Enhancement Project
Tuesday, April 1, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

RSVP here!

Everyone deserves to live in a healthy community without having to think twice about whether the air and water are safe and clean. Unfortunately, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company (Williams Companies) has submitted plans to build a high-pressure methane gas pipeline and expand polluting compressor stations.
This project, called the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project, would worsen climate change by increasing our reliance on dirty fossil fuels. The SSEP would also impact the safety, property values and health of communities along the route.
Join other concerned residents and advocates on April 1 to take action to help protect our communities!

02/24/2025

Here are the details involved in a prescribed burn. These burns reduce the fuel available for wildfires and without burning, our Long Leaf Pine forests would cease to exist.

A lot of planning and prep is required to implement a successful prescribed burn. In many cases, planning begins weeks, sometimes months in advance, with weather conditions impacting the final decision. Before prescribed fire is implemented, a certified burn boss receives approval of a burn plan that requires:

✅Burn notification letters sent to all adjoining landowners.
✅Smoke sensitive areas (SSA’s) are identified and notified. The most serious SSA’s include schools, medical facilities, nursing homes, chicken houses and major highways.
✅Burn parameters must be established based on weather elements such as drought indicator, humidity, wind speeds and direction.
✅Established contingency plan and trigger points in case of change in fire behavior or smoke impacts.
✅Walk fire lines before burn to ensure lines are clean, adequate and that no concerns are present.
✅Three documented post-burn checks to ensure objectives were met and fire is completely out.