Wildlands Activists Questionnaire
Questions To All Candidates from: Sierra Club Wilderness & Wild Lands Activists:
"We are eager to learn what you believe are the best ways the Sierra Club can advance the contribution of land protection efforts to addressing the climate crisis, the biodiversity and loss of habitat crisis, and the corresponding need to grow our grassroots capacity from a foundation of equity."
- Clayton Daughenbaugh, Karen Yarnell, Vicky Hoover, Anne Henny, Jill Workman Anderson, Anne Millbrooke, John Harbison, Megan Leahy, Ken Gersten, Jim Margadant, Janet Maxwell, Sandra Cattell, Wayne Hoskisson, Karl Forsgaard, David Sublette, Ken Cline, Angel Martinez, and Pete Bsumek.
"We are eager to learn what you believe are the best ways the Sierra Club can advance the contribution of land protection efforts to addressing the climate crisis, the biodiversity and loss of habitat crisis, and the corresponding need to grow our grassroots capacity from a foundation of equity."
- Clayton Daughenbaugh, Karen Yarnell, Vicky Hoover, Anne Henny, Jill Workman Anderson, Anne Millbrooke, John Harbison, Megan Leahy, Ken Gersten, Jim Margadant, Janet Maxwell, Sandra Cattell, Wayne Hoskisson, Karl Forsgaard, David Sublette, Ken Cline, Angel Martinez, and Pete Bsumek.
Question 1: It’s become clear that wild and natural areas on land and water and the protection thereof serves to retain carbon and methane in plants, soil, and water as well as keeping fossil fuels in the ground. Additionally, these places, whether currently protected or still in need of protection, are critical for sustaining a healthy and resilient (possibly even viable) habitat for humans and other creatures on the Earth. What are your thoughts on how the Sierra Club can increase its work to protect wild and natural areas sufficient to include 30% by 2030, and ultimately 50% by 2050, of U.S. land and water? Please keep you answer to 100 words or less.
- Answer by Candidate Aaron Mair:
- Answer by Candidate Kathryn (Kate) Bartholomew:
- Answer by Candidate Maya Khosla:
Question2: The Sierra Club raises a sizeable percentage of its funding from appeals based on its work to protect wild and natural places yet it does not invest a corresponding amount of money into those programs. The current year budget includes a corrective “down payment” supported by the entire Board and senior staff. Would you support a further increase in funding for the WILD campaign and associated Chapter and Grassroots Network led actions as a percentage of the overall budget in 2023?
- Answer by Candidate Aaron Mair:
- Answer by Candidate Kathryn "Kate" Bartholomew:
- Answer by Candidate Maya Khosla:
Question 3: The power of the Sierra Club comes primarily from its grassroots base and its participation in larger citizen movements. Hence maximizing our capacity to make change requires both strengthening our internal volunteer structures (Chapters, Grassroots Network Teams, organizing staff) and diversifying our base so that we become representative of the overall population. Please name three specific steps you would support which would both enhance our internal volunteer strength and increase the equity with which we act in the world. Please keep your answer to 100 words or less.
- Answer by Candidate Aaron Mair:
- Answer by Candidate Kathryn "Kate" Bartholomew:
1.) I would strive for transparency in communication — opacity creates silos and distrust — and I would seek out and listen to everyone.
2.) Work on building collaborative structures among volunteers and staff and all levels — no more “us and them.”
3.) Make certain grassroots volunteers are heard and involved in all Club decision making.
- Answer by Candidate Maya Khosla:
Question 4: Native Americans stewarded wild and domesticated lands prior to European settlement. The settlement of the United States resulted in the removal of both indigenous peoples and wildlife communities onto “reservations”. Genocide and ecocide operated in tandem suggesting that corrective measures need to do so as well. The Wildlands Team has begun an effort, in collaboration with the WILD Campaign, to address this matter. What are your thoughts on how the Sierra Club can support, in tandem, the growth of Native American sovereignty and giving strong protection to the wild places where the human species does not dominate the community of life? Please keep your answer to 100 words or less.
- Answer by Candidate Aaron Mair:
- Answer by Candidate Kathryn "Kate" Bartholomew:
- Answer by Candidate Maya Khosla:
Question 5: As a Sierra Club entity, the Board, like all other entities, leaders, and staff, are mutually accountable to act within the established policies and rules of the organization. Do you pledge that as a Director you will act within the established policies and rules of the organization?
- Answer by Candidate Aaron Mair:
- Answer by Candidate Kathryn "Kate" Bartholomew:
- Answer by Candidate Maya Khosla: