1. annual report 2008

2. letter from letter from climate
boarD chair executive recovery
Director partnership
2 5 6
beyonD clean energy
coal solutions
8 10
resilient green
habitats transportation
12 14
TABLE of conTEnTs
B

3. grassroots boarD of
impact Directors
through anD national
grants aDvisory
council
16 22
Donors rachel
carson
society
24 33
financial how you
statements can help
37 40
with the help of its generous donors, the sierra club foundation provides
the sierra club and other grassroots organizations with the tools and
resources they need to create dramatic, lasting change on the most
pressing environmental issues of our time.
1

4. letter from
boarD chair
Robert McKinney
securing The sierra club foundation’s financial future
a message from robert mcKinney, board chair
this is a critically important year in the long history this past year brought significant financial successes
of the sierra club and the foundation. we have a for the sierra club foundation, along with a few
climate crisis and a new u.s. president striving to challenges. contribution & bequest revenue of $53.5
solve that crisis. many obstacles stand in his way and million exceeded the 2008 budget by over $33 mil-
he will need help from all of us to accomplish the job. lion, largely because of revenue received for new en-
vironmental programs that support military families,
this year’s report focuses almost exclusively on the
including outdoor education camps and green hous-
launch of the climate recovery partnership, an ambi-
ing for disabled veterans. the sierra club’s successful
tious, multi-year campaign to battle climate change.
beyond coal and western coal campaigns received
the initial fundraising estimate for the campaign is
support close to $8 million for the year, a sign of the
$400–500 million. as you can imagine, this is a dif-
club’s leadership in the fight against new coal plants.
ficult time economically to consider such a bold dollar
goal, but we simply don’t have the luxury of waiting on the other hand, the foundation, like many orga-
until the economy rebounds to launch this effort. nizations and individuals, suffered losses in its stock
portfolios in the last quarter of 2008. however, with
James hansen, who heads nasa’s goddard institute
over $46 million held in operating cash and invest-
for space studies, stated it well this past January:
ment-grade fixed income investments as of the end
“we cannot now afford to put off change any longer.
of the year, the foundation is in a good position to
we have to get on a new path within this new admin-
maintain its investments and program funding levels.
istration. we have only four years left for obama to
set an example to the rest of the world. america must as the new chair of the foundation, i am grateful to
take the lead.” the sierra club, with its legacy of the members of the board for their leadership and
effective environmental protection, its unrivaled the trust they’ve put in me. i would specifically like
brand and grassroots strength, and its power in the to acknowledge our outgoing chair, robert heil. the
halls of washington, in state capitals, and in the organization made great advances under bob’s lead-
courts, must be at the forefront of such a movement. ership due to his energy, work ethic, and commitment
to healing the planet. above all, i am grateful to all of
that’s why i am honored, though a bit humbled, to
you, our donors, for your trust, your dedication and
have been elected chair of the sierra club founda-
your continued support.
tion board of Directors for 2009. the board of Direc-
tors does not stand alone in its commitment. we have sincerely,
a growing cadre of major supporters, as demonstrat-
ed by the hundreds of donors listed in this report, for
whom the sierra club foundation is an integral part
of their philanthropy. we are ever grateful to all of you robert mcKinney
for your continued support. board chair
2

5. “The Sierra Club’s successful
Beyond Coal and Western Coal
Campaigns received support
close to $8 million for the year,
a sign of the Club’s leadership in
the fight against new coal plants.”
–Robert McKinney, Board Chair
3

6. “We stand poised to enter an
era of environmental leadership,
where we tackle the challenges
facing the country and turn them
into opportunities for growth.”
–Peter Martin, Executive Director
4

7. letter from
executive
Director
Peter Martin
Dear friends,
every so often in history, a moment arrives when the grassroots environmental projects, from wildlife and
efforts of committed citizens over a long period of habitat protection in the rockies to encouraging
time begin to bear fruit in important and pivotal ways. sustainable fisheries along the gulf coast. we are also
helping our nation’s military families in their time of
this past year brought exciting transformations to
great need. because of the generosity of our donors,
our country and to the sierra club foundation. the
we are making it possible for children of active-duty
election of a new president provides a chance for the
service personnel to experience the healing effects of
nation to chart a different course on environmental
nature and we are providing funding for custom green
policy, one that can safeguard our planet’s future. be-
homes for disabled veterans returning from iraq and
cause of the work of the sierra club and the financial
afghanistan.
support of donors like you, we stand poised to enter
an era of environmental leadership, where we tackle change, while essential, is not always easy. the
our greatest challenges and turn them into opportuni- special-interest groups in washington, D.c. and their
ties for growth. backers, will resist proposals for change, no matter
how well considered or scientifically justified those
at the foundation, we have met the unprecedented
proposals may be. that’s why the sierra club founda-
threat of global warming with new strategies, focus
tion’s role is more important now than ever. by provid-
and determination. in 2008, the sierra club and
ing a solid base of support for strategic, grassroots
the sierra club foundation launched the climate
environmental campaigns, we ensure that those ad-
recovery partnership, an ambitious program to cut
vocating for our planet wield as much influence in our
greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050 and
national policy debates as the oil and coal companies.
prepare our communities and ecosystems to survive
a changing climate. in the coming year, the sierra club foundation will
take the climate recovery partnership to scale. we
the climate recovery partnership has already
are deeply grateful to you, our donors, for embarking
scored important successes: this year alone, with
with us on this exciting phase of our organization’s
your help, we stopped 24 coal-burning power plants
growth. we look forward to walking side by side with
from being built, took important steps toward strict-
you as our country turns down the path of environ-
er federal fuel economy standards, and protected
mental leadership.
california’s largest continuous land parcel from de-
velopment, providing habitats for species threatened
yours in transformation,
by climate change. in the coming pages you’ll learn
about these and other victories. i hope you’ll stop for
a moment and revel in what we achieved together.
while prioritizing global climate change, the foun- peter martin
dation continues its historic support of a variety of executive Director
5

8. climate
recovery
partnership
The climate Recovery Partnership seizes a historic opportunity
to confront global warming.
in 2008, the sierra club foundation funded 2. clean Energy solutions—shift energy
the launch of the climate recovery partnership, investment to renewable sources, revolutionize
a comprehensive initiative to reduce america’s construction with green building techniques,
carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050 while and create a 21st–century electric grid capable
“never before strengthening our habitats and communities of efficiently delivering clean power.
to respond to changes set in motion by past
have both the 3. curbing carbon—set national greenhouse-
pollution. the most ambitious fundraising
environmental gas limits on greenhouse gases that reflect the
project ever undertaken by the foundation,
challenge and true cost of pollution and create momentum
the climate recovery partnership, seeks to
opportunity translate the growing national concern about
for a strong international agreement to curb
been greater.” emissions.
global warming into action. it mobilizes a
broad coalition of grassroots activists, legal 4. Green Transportation—promote clean and
–Dr. Thomas E. Lovejoy,
Honorary Co-Chair, advocates, policymakers, business leaders efficient vehicles, invest in low-carbon fuels, and
Climate Recovery and others around six key campaigns: reduce vehicle miles traveled by providing qual-
Partnership
ity, affordable public transit.
1. Beyond coal—take on the single largest
source of global warming pollution in the u.s. 5. Resilient Habitats—preserve habitats that
by stopping new coal–fired plants, retiring exist- can protect natural systems and human commu-
ing plants, and keeping the massive u.s. coal nities from the damages of climate change.
reserves in the ground and out of international
6. safeguarding communities—prepare the
markets.
nation’s infrastructure to weather the floods,
droughts and other natural disasters scientists
say will increase in a warming world.
America Leads
how we get there
6

9. Donald Kennedy Thomas E. Lovejoy
“years of working at the juncture of science and policy have convinced me that we have
the means to reverse global warming and create a clean energy future. that’s why i have
accepted with enthusiasm the responsibility of chairing the climate recovery partnership,
a groundbreaking effort that will mobilize thousands of citizens to stop global warming
using technology we already possess.“
—Dr. Donald Kennedy, Campaign Chair
campaign cabinet science Advisory Panel “we recognize
the climate recovery partnership’s campaign the climate recovery partnership’s science that the im-
cabinet provides intellectual and philanthropic advisory panel will bring together many of pact of climate
leadership for the partnership’s six campaigns. the world’s top environmental and climate
change on the
comprised of influential leaders in the science, scientists. the panel provides intellectual
earth is pro-
business and philanthropic worlds, this mission- guidance and scientific rigor to the partnership,
critical team provides strategic guidance, lends ensuring that our campaign goals reflect the
found. and we
support and leverages resources on behalf latest knowledge on the climate crisis and believe that the
of the partnership. the science advisory the solutions we must enact to slow and, sierra club’s
panel works under the auspices of the ultimately, reverse the trend. leadership on
campaign cabinet. environmental
issues and its
Dr. Donald Kennedy, chair Dr. Thomas E. Lovejoy, Honorary co-chair
Dr. Donald Kennedy is the Bing Professor of Pioneering conservation biologist Dr. Thomas E. broad member-
Environmental Science and President Emeritus Lovejoy holds the Biodiversity Chair at the H. John ship base give it
at Stanford University, and former Editor-in- Heinz III Center for Science, Economics, and the
Chief of science. As one of the world’s foremost Environment. In addition to scientific leadership roles a unique poten-
experts on global climate change, Dr. Kennedy at the World Bank and United Nations, Dr. Lovejoy tial to catalyze
was appointed Campaign Chair of the Sierra founded the PBS series nature. In 2008, Dr. Lovejoy
Club’s Climate Recovery Partnership in 2008. was named Honorary Co-Chair of the Climate Recov- social change
ery Partnership and Science Advisory Panel Chair. on this issue.”
—Dr. Janet and John Haas
Philadelphia, PA
Campaign Cabinet
members
7

10. beyonD
coal
“with your Beyond coal: a case study from wisconsin
support, we
two years ago, a company called alliant energy finally, last november, the public service com-
stopped an proposed building a $2.6 billion coal plant here mission decided against the plant. when the
outdated, in cassville, wisconsin. the plant would have put commissioners made their decision, public
carbon–emitting out more global warming pollution than other comments against the plant ran ten to one.
coal plant from plants that have been operating in wisconsin for one commissioner held up the thick volume
being built in over 60 years. it didn’t make any sense for our and said that he’d never seen that amount of
environment or for our economy. comments on any issue since he’d been in office.
our state.”
the commissioners scolded alliant for acting
we organized a coalition of environmentalists,
–Jennifer Feyerherm as if we aren’t living in a carbon–constrained
Director of the students and community members and took buses
world. it was absolutely amazing.
Sierra Club’s to public hearings of the wisconsin public service
Wisconsin Clean
Energy Campaign commission. we went door to door, signed the idea of building another dirty, inefficient
petitions and made yard signs. we also protested coal plant in this climate really inspired folks
at alliant’s shareholder meetings, sending the in wisconsin to get active. as a result, we are
message that coal was a bad investment. seeing stronger and stronger stances taken
against coal.
at one hearing, a 10–year–old boy stood up to
comment and pulled out a tattered sheet of note- making sure communities have a say in decisions
book paper that he’d passed around in his class. that affect their environment—that’s the heart of
Kids had signed it saying they didn’t want that what we do here at the sierra club. we couldn’t
plant because it would make it hard for them to have won this campaign without the support of
breathe and have long–term effects on their health. the sierra club foundation donors.
—Jennifer Feyerherm, Director Sierra Club’s
Wisconsin Clean Energy Campaign
80,000
cumulative co2
Million Metric Tons CO2
70,000 Oil
emissions from 60,000
Natural Gas
Coal
u.s. fossil fuel 50,000
power plants: 40,000
1960–2006 30,000
20,000
10,000
Annual CO2 Emissions
0
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2006
8
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration Annual Energy Review. Posted June 27, 2007

11. The sierra club’s Beyond coal campaign last year prevented 82 million The Bonanza
tons of new annual global warming pollution—equal to the annual emis- Decision
sions of 15 million new cars—by causing the defeat or abandonment of
The Sierra Club won a
24 coal–fired power plants. the campaign stopped almost all permits for landmark legal victory in
mountaintop removal mining and won precedent–setting cases indicating November 2008 when
that environmental agencies must account for climate change when top decision–makers
considering permits for the coal industry. at the Environmental
Protection Agency ruled
the beyond coal campaign has succeeded in ing policy that would address coal’s contributions that the agency must
regulate global warming
creating a vigorous public dialogue about the to global warming and phase out financing of
pollution from new coal–
myth of clean coal and coal–fired power plants’ mountaintop removal mining. by educating finan- powered plants. The
role in climate change. as the single largest cial institutions about the risks of coal, the sierra ruling came in response
to a lawsuit, funded by
source of carbon dioxide pollution in the united club is creating incentives to switch investment
The Sierra Club Founda-
states, coal is the first frontier in combating to renewable energy sources like wind and solar. tion, challenging Deseret
global warming. top climate scientists say we Corporation’s proposed
with its strong track record of stopping new Bonanza plant in Utah. It
must phase out coal power by 2030 to avoid
plants, retiring old ones and opening paths to will likely slow develop-
catastrophic warming. ment of all new coal
clean energy, the beyond coal campaign repre- plants as the EPA drafts
Due in part to the sierra club campaign, bank of sents one of the highest–leverage philanthropic new rules to address
america last December announced a new lend- investments that exists on climate change. carbon emissions.
Beyond coal: a sound investment or more. at that point, few funders success. out of the 150 new coal-
and activists were involved. fired power plants that were pro-
leverage poses obvious risks in
posed at the start of our inquiry,
business and financial investing. when we surveyed the landscape,
88 have been cancelled or shelved.
in philanthropy it will always be a the only organization operating
potent strategy. effectively at a local, regional and we are gratified to see how our early
national level was the sierra club. investment in the club’s anti-coal
three years ago we launched a stra-
though we supported several groups work has paid off. though many
tegic planning process to see where
doing excellent work at one level or fear that dramatic climate change
we could best leverage the bulk of
another, we were impressed by how cannot be stopped, the sierra club
our philanthropy. we decided to
the sierra club was not only there has shown once again that with
focus on minimizing climate change,
first, but was collaborating to bring adequate funding, strategically tar-
and chose to support activists work-
other funders and activist groups geted activism can overcome even
ing to stop new coal-fired power
into the fight. the most daunting environmental
plants in the united states for two
challenges. together, we have really
reasons. first, because the combus- now, only 16 months after our donor
made a difference.
tion of coal has such a disproportion- advised fund wrote its first checks,
ate impact on climate change and many other organizations and a
second, because once built, these growing list of like-minded funders Paul and Eileen Growald
plants have a life span of 50 years have joined us. and we are seeing Shelburne, Vermont
9

12. clean energy
solutions
sierra club activists are working to rebuild and repower America
by promoting clean energy sources, making buildings more efficient,
and linking power producers and consumers together in a modernized
delivery system.
the clean energy solutions campaign envisions delivery system must be decentralized and offer
an american economy that by 2040 runs entirely consumers the chance to choose how they power
on clean, renewable energy. to achieve this vision, their homes. and we need green jobs programs
we must transform the energy marketplace so that can put americans to work in the new clean
that it rewards investment in renewable sources energy economy.
like wind and solar and discourages investment
in 2008, with the financial support of the sierra
in polluting sources like coal. we must enact na-
club foundation, club members and the environ-
tional renewable energy and efficiency standards
mental community made significant strides to-
and create the financing mechanisms to ensure
wards achieving our goal of a clean energy future.
they will be successful. our power generation and
New Mexico pledged California set a standard Hawaii became the Long Island, New York Cincinnati, Ohio is in-
to reduce its energy requiring that 20% of the first state in the nation launched a green homes corporating LEED green
consumption to 15% state’s power come from to require solar water program that will reduce building standards into
below 2005 levels by renewable sources by heaters in every house— the carbon footprint of a major urban infill de-
2015. 2010. Sierra Club mem- a step that will reduce participating homes by velopment that will turn
bers in the state are now electricity bills by 40% 20 to 40 percent and a barren parking lot into
working to site new solar and cut the state’s green- create close to 7,000 an eco-friendly residen-
plants and transmission house gas emissions by green jobs. tial and entertainment
lines and create business 12,000 tons each year. district
opportunities for other
forms of green energy.
10

13. With the sierra club’s guidance and expertise, 24 communities com- “the sierra
pleted a climate action plan, 23 cities conducted greenhouse gas club is not just
emissions inventories, and 32 communities formed “green ribbon” task
about how to
forces that searched for ways to reduce their carbon footprint.
say no to bad
Better Building codes warming; it will also revitalize the country’s econ- things. it’s also
close to half of the energy used in buildings goes omy. the renewable energy and energy efficiency
about how to
to waste because of inefficient construction. as a industry can create close to 37 million american
say yes to new
first step towards revolutionizing the building and jobs by 2030, according to a recent report by
approaches as
zoning process with green building techniques, the american solar energy society. in 2008,
the sierra club won stricter nationwide energy ef- with funding from the sierra club foundation,
a partner with
ficiency standards in model building codes, which the blue green alliance—a strategic partnership the clean en-
would save approximately 100 million metric between the sierra club, the united steelworkers ergy industry.”
tons of co2 a year by 2030 if fully implemented. and other labor unions—brought together leaders
—Denise Bode
the model code will be 15 percent more efficient in the emerging green economy for a national Chief Executive
than in 2006, the largest gain ever. in the coming green Jobs conference. the alliance worked with Officer, American
Wind Energy
year, the club and its allies will pressure states leading researchers to quantify the economic Association
to quickly adopt these standards. benefits of investment in renewable energy, and
held town hall meetings, rallies and workshops
creating Green Jobs
to educate the public about how finding solutions
improving energy efficiency in buildings and
to global warming can create jobs.
neighborhoods will not only help combat global
Low carbon
Buildings:
states adopting
renewable
energy measures
states where sierra club other states adopting states where no new
played a key role in renewable measures renewable energy
measure adoption measures were adopted 11

14. resilient
habitats
Wilderness advocates
Marilyn and Allan Brown
“at the same conservationists agree on the necessary steps to help ecosystems
time that the recover from climate change: protect large core areas and connect
migration corridors to allow plants and wildlife to move into more
sierra club
favorable habitats; reduce other stresses on vulnerable species, such
is working to as mining and logging projects; and apply better land management
blunt the magni- strategies.
tude of climate
the sierra club foundation is supporting this everglades. as we move into 2009, the federal
change, it’s approach in 10 pilot ecoregions across the government has also begun to incorporate
crucial that the country: alaska’s arctic, north cascades/olym- climate change into conservation planning:
club advance pic peninsula, california coast, sierra nevada, interior secretary Ken salazar has ordered the
its resilient greater grand canyon, greater yellowstone, agencies within his department to collaborate
habitats cam- great lakes/greater Quetico-superior, maine to address climate change. and the us agricul-
woods, greater everglades and gulf coast/ ture Department has set up a new office of
paign to recon-
mississippi Delta. these special places share a ecosystem services and markets to protect
nect wild areas
combination of high risks, iconic landscapes forests, water and soil.
and strengthen
and threatened species, a significant sierra club
the survival capacity to carry out effective campaigns, and
in addition to creating successful models in
potential of the 10 targeted ecosystems, the resilient habitats
solid science to back up our approach. there,
campaign is working to:
natural world.” we hope to create models that can be applied
to other parts of the country and world. • institute resilient habitat programs on all
–Longtime supporters
and advocates for federal lands
with support from the sierra club founda-
wilderness, Marilyn
and Allan Brown tion, environmental activists made important • increase resilience of priority wildlife habitats
progress in 2008 towards protecting these in every state
key ecoregions. california governor arnold
• incentivize private landowners to participate
schwarzenegger issued an executive order
in resilient habitat programs
requiring all state agencies to draft a climate
adaptation plan by June 2009. in florida, water • increase carbon storage capacity of forests,
managers approved the purchase of 72,500 wetlands and soils
acres of sugar cane fields to help restore the
12

15. Resilient Habitats: a case study from southern california “the challenge
we have with
sixty miles north of los angeles lies a vast, wild wildflowers to rolling oak woodlands and moun-
land—a place where the sierra nevada roll into tain ridgetops dotted with white fir trees. the
climate change
the southern coast range, and the san Joaquin area sits at the intersection of four bioregions is that the
valley and the mojave Desert join across 7,000– that shelter a variety of endangered species, habitat areas
foot mountains. this ecological treasure, known including the california condor. of animals
as tejon ranch, is the largest continuous private and plants will
reaching an agreement to preserve the ranch
property in california. under a historic agreement
wasn’t easy. the sierra club launched a public change over
negotiated with the ranch’s owners by the sierra
education campaign, and members of the club’s time as they
club and its allies, 90 percent of the land will now
los angeles and Kern–Kaweah chapters talked to move in
remain protected from development.
reporters, hosted community events, and partici- response to
what does this agreement have to do with global pated in government hearings. increased
warming? everything, explains bill corcoran, who
with the resilient habitats campaign, the temperatures.”
helped lead the sierra club’s negotiating team
sierra club aims to replicate the success at
on the deal. “the challenge we have with climate –Bill Corcoran
tejon ranch in 10 priority ecoregions around Los Angeles
change is that the habitat areas of animals and
Senior Regional
the country. the resilient habitats campaign will
plants will change over time as they move in Representative
strengthen ecosystems so that they can recover for the Sierra Club
response to increased temperatures. so it’s im-
from climate change, minimizing the loss of vul-
portant to protect large areas to accommodate
nerable wild places and wildlife. it will create a
that movement,” says corcoran.
new conservation paradigm that views all efforts
tejon ranch encompasses a diversity of eleva- through the lens of our changing climate.
tions and rare native habitats, from fields of
“the environmental movement can look at tejon ranch as a creative
way to preserve large-scale, privately owned land as part of a strat-
egy to build habitat resilience. without the capacity of the sierra club
to engage its members in protecting places like tejon ranch, and the
support of the sierra club foundation and its donors, it would be far
more difficult to achieve conservation agreements on this scale.”
—Bill Corcoran
13

16. green
transportation
“the biggest How The sierra club foundation funds are helping to achieve stronger
single step we fuel economy standards. a Q&a with ann mesnikoff, senior washington
representative for the sierra club.
can take to curb
global warming Q: why are strict fuel economy standards strate- in washington. fourteen states are waiting with
emissions is to gically important in fighting climate change? california for a waiver from epa to implement
make our cars a: the biggest single step we can take to curb the pavley standards.
global warming emissions is to make our cars
and light trucks Q: how do you think these issues will unfold in
and light trucks go farther on a gallon of gas.
go farther on a the first year of the obama administration?
twenty percent of u.s. carbon dioxide emissions
gallon of gas.” a: there is so much happening now on vehicle
spew from vehicle tailpipes. corporate average
standards. the bush administration proposed
fuel economy (cafe) standards have virtually
–Ann Mesnikoff
new fuel economy standards in 2008, but did
Senior Washington stagnated since they achieved levels set in the
Representative not finalize them before leaving office. this gives
for the Sierra Club original 1975 law. the stagnating fuel economy
the obama administration the opportunity to
helped drive up our addiction to oil to an 8
issue stronger standards. we are disappointed
million barrel a day habit. new fuel economy
that the standards for 2011 did not aim higher
standards are critical to ensure that the auto
than bush was proposing, but the door is open
industry puts the technology it has to work to
for significant progress for 2012 to 2016. we are
save oil, save consumers billions at the pump,
now waiting for the epa to issue the waiver that
and curb global warming.
will permit california and the 14 other states to
Q: what has the sierra club accomplished on implement the pavley standards. in april, the
this front? sierra club presented the epa with more than
a: the sierra club played a critical role by 1,000 photos of americans holding up their car
supporting the pavley greenhouse gas tailpipe keys to remind the epa that it holds the keys
emission standards for vehicles. through suc- to clean cars. (see above photo.) finally, we
cessful litigation, the sierra club defended cali- are also expecting the epa to propose national
fornia’s right to set pavley standards and joined greenhouse gas standards that will complement
with other groups in the landmark massachu- fuel economy standards and ensure we get on
setts v. environmental protection agency (epa) the right path to even greater reductions in
lawsuit that helped build pressure for change global warming pollution.
14

17. This year, the climate Recovery Partnership’s Green Transportation “new fuel
campaign worked to increase fuel economy, promote low–carbon economy
fuels, and get Americans out of their cars by providing more public
standards
transportation options and designing walkable communities.
are critical
in 2008, a new administration won office with to their promises on fuel economy, ensure that to ensure
a pledge to move towards better fuel economy california receives the federal waiver it needs to
that the auto
standards that can wean our country from its de- proceed with new standards limiting emissions
industry puts
pendence on oil. the economic downturn inspired from cars, and campaign for a national vehicle
more americans to change their driving habits. emissions standard and significant investment
the technol-
sales of gas–guzzling cars have decreased, and in public transportation. ogy it has
more consumers than ever are demanding hybrid to work to
we will also ensure that the right rules are in
cars and riding public transportation. we now save oil, save
place for renewable fuels to prevent producing
must ensure that environmentally friendly alterna- consumers
them in ways that ultimately result in higher
tives are available to meet this demand. billions at the
carbon emissions. and we will oppose incorporat-
in the coming year, the sierra club will help activ- ing new dirty fuels into our transportation pump, and
ists hold federal and state officials accountable fuel mix. curb global
warming.”
–Ann Mesnikoff
Senior Washington
projected gasoline
Representative
savings under for the Sierra Club
pavley and cafe
will cut co2 in the
u.s. by at least
509.2 megatons/
year by 2030.
standards are
expected to con-
tinue to increase
beyond 2020,
providing greater
greenhouse gas
emission reductions.
15

18. grassroots the sierra club foundation helped
impact grassroots activists achieve their goals
through with over $40 million in funding in 2008.
grants
Grassroots Impact
change comes in packages large and and gave 36 grants to other organiza-
small. with grants that ranged in size tions in 2008. the following pages
from $500 to $5.5 million in 2008, highlight just a small sample
the sierra club foundation targets of these many projects. besides
its support at the community level, meeting an immediate need, the
where transformation begins. the sierra club foundation grants help
foundation acts as fiscal sponsor for build a stronger environmental
180 national sierra club projects and movement that can win bigger
over 300 chapter and group projects, victories in the years to come.
16

19. noRTHEAsT (select grants)
n Maine Woods n Michigan forest Biodiversity Project n sierra student coalition climate
Sierra Club National Sierra Club Michigan Chapter campus challenge
grant amount: $48,000 grant amount: $23,000 Sierra Club National
Created public demand for the Worked to restore Michigan’s once- grant amount: $45,000
permanent protection of Maine’s great forests, winning a lawsuit Helped students win climate and clean
forests and is currently negotiating blocking the U.S. Forest Service energy policies on their campuses and
the preservation of nearly 50,000 from allowing oil and gas drilling built a base of young climate activists
acres of priority wildlife habitat. near the Mason Tract. throughout the northeast.
n clean Energy for Kansas and Missouri n Virginia Endangered Landscape n forests and Parks Partnership
Sierra Club National campaign Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter
grant amount: $38,000 Sierra Club Virginia Chapter grant amount: $6,600
Aimed to secure large-scale energy grant amount: $178,000 Achieved greater state funding for
efficiency gains in Missouri and Kansas, Concentrated on the far-reaching forests and parklands and helped pre-
collaborating with Kansas City Power impacts of global warming on Virginia’s pare conservation management plans,
& Light to take the lead in embracing natural and human landscape, fighting improving the overall environmental
clean energy. air pollution, sprawl and offshore stewardship of Massachusetts’ state
drilling across the state. forests and parks.
17

20. grassroots
impact
through
grants
soUTHEAsT (select grants)
n Everglades Restoration campaign n chapter and Group Education Project
Sierra Club National Sierra Club North Carolina Chapter
grant amount: $158,000 grant amount: $126,000
Partnered with a broad-based coalition Ran environmental campaigns in eight
to restore natural water flow in the communities, advocating for reduced
region, and recently convinced the greenhouse gas emissions, local foods,
state of Florida to purchase and community-based clean energy and
protect over 70,000 acres of sugar clean water.
cane fields, an area three times the
size of Miami.
n Gulf coast Restoration Project n Military family camping Project n campaign to Protect Public Health and
Sierra Club National Armed Services YMCA the Environment in the Deep south
grant amount: $60,000 grant amount: $479,000 Sierra Club National
Engaged communities hardest hit Provided outdoor opportunities to grant amount: $12,000
by Hurricane Katrina in the rebuild- military dependent children and Protected the natural resources and
ing process and supported environ- families who have experienced a environmental heritage of Alabama,
mental and health measures that will deployment in conjunction with the Mississippi and Louisiana by opposing
protect the Gulf Coast in the future. wars in Iraq or Afghanistan or to oil and gas drilling projects, improving
trouble spots around the world. wetlands management, working to
reduce air pollution and publicizing
the health effects of animal waste
runoff from factory farms.
18

21. GranTS In
THE SPOTLIGHT:
green homes
for our
troops
Thanks to our donors, The sierra club foundation has provided critical “everything in
support for veterans during this time of great need. my new home
when staff sergeant travis strong lost both his “everything in my new home is accessible to
is accessible
legs after his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb me,” says strong. “i can get around and do more to me. and
in iraq, he returned to the u.s. to face another things on my own. and it’s energy efficient, so it’s energy
challenge: finding an accessible home for himself our bills are low, too.” efficient, so
and his family. our bills are
now, through a partnership with the sierra club
most houses didn’t have the wide hallways and foundation, homes for our troops is adding low, too”
elevator that strong, who uses prosthetics and even more green features to their buildings.
–Staff Sergeant
a wheelchair, needs to get around. then strong the organization will build four leeD-certified Travis Strong,
Golden, CO
got help from massachusetts-based homes for green homes in 2009 and plans more for 2010.
our troops, a grassroots organization that builds
“the sierra club foundation grant has made
free, accessible and now environmentally friendly
it possible for homes for our troops to expand
homes for veterans.
the number of green homes we build and
strong’s new house is barrier-free and features increase the level of green building materials
solar panels that provide 80 percent of the build- and construction techniques in our homes—
ing’s electricity, efficient spray foam insulation while at the same time allowing us to meet our
and a geothermal heating system. target for the total number of homes built for
these veterans and their families,” says John
gonsalves, the organization’s founder.
“the sierra club foundation grant has made it possible for homes
for our troops to expand the number of green homes we build and
increase the level of green building materials and construction tech-
niques in our homes.”
–John Gonsalves
Founder, Homes for Our Troops
19

22. grassroots
impact
through
grants
noRTHWEsT (select grants)
n central and Eastern oregon Public n northern Rockies Wildlife and
Lands Protections campaign Wildlands
Sierra Club Oregon Chapter Sierra Club National
grant amount: $30,000 grant amount: $76,000
Reached settlements with the U.S. Promoted the successful coexistence
Forest Service, the timber industry of communities and wildlife in the
and rural communities to protect Greater Yellowstone Area, creating
unlogged old-growth forests, as a bear pepper-spray program to help
part of a larger effort to halt short- hunters and campers stay safe and
term threats to forests, wildland reduce bear mortality.
and wildlife habitat east of the
Cascade Crest.
n Building Environmental communities n Utah smart Energy campaign n Rocky Mountain Ico
Sierra Club National Sierra Club Utah Chapter Sierra Club Inner City Outings
grant amount: $88,000 grant amount: $41,000 grant amount: $15,800
Fostered understanding among Fought new conventional coal-fired Organized wilderness adventures
Alaskans about the economic, cultural power plants and promoted efficien- and environmental education programs
and recreational importance of sus- cy and renewable energy. for diverse groups of youth, fostering
taining the state’s natural treasures, personal growth and respect for nature.
addressing gatherings of sportsmen
and organizing a week-long salmon
celebration.
20

23. soUTHWEsT (select grants)
n california Vision 2020: Great n campaign to Restore and Protect the
coastal Places Greater Grand canyon Ecoregion
Sierra Club National Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter
grant amount: $84,000 grant amount: $43,000
Protected the California coast by Fended off threats to this diverse, wild
defeating a plan to build a private and remote landscape by stopping
highway through a state beach park a proposal to explore for uranium on
in Orange County, mobilizing activists national forest lands, building strong
to protect nesting habitats in Marina alliances with local tribes and pushing
del Rey, and working with the state’s for better education on lead poisoning
Coastal Commission to limit damage of California condors.
to marine mammals from Navy sonar.
n new Mexico Local climate Protection n santa Lucia cool cities Project n chapter and Group Education Project
campaign Sierra Club Santa Lucia Chapter Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter
Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter grant amount: $6,700 grant amount: $74,000
grant amount: $13,000 Worked with the cities of Morro Sued Shell Oil Company for violating
Protected New Mexico from climate Bay and San Luis Obispo to evaluate Clean Air Act standards in a Houston
change by reducing greenhouse their greenhouse gas emissions and refinery, delayed a permit for a proposed
gas emissions, increasing the use develop climate action plans. coal-fired power plant, and worked to im-
of renewable energy and preventing prove water quality by contesting expan-
energy and mining development in sion of polluting dairy farms and advising
environmentally sensitive areas. state agencies on new regulations.
21

24. boarD of
Directors
anD national
aDvisory
council
The sierra club foundation Board of Directors
2008 Board of Directors national Advisory council
an independent, volunteer board of Directors, wendy & Jim abrams
supported by a professional staff, governs the loren blackford & michael Dubno
sierra club foundation. the board primarily philip & amy blumenthal
focuses on enhancing the overall performance allan & marilyn brown
of the foundation and supporting the charitable barbara brunkhorst
and educational work of the sierra club frank brunckhorst iii
and other grantees. bob burnett & Kathy barry
pete & June cartwright
the 2008 Directors above (from left to right)
amy toma cherot
are: michael loeb, paul craig, michelle skaff,
bill cohen
Dick fiddler, Joe fontaine, amy cherot, nels
theresa & mark cohen
leutwiler (treasurer), chuck frank (fifth of-
Daryl & michele connell
ficer), mike mccloskey, loren blackford (sec-
michael s. cornish
retary), larry Keeshan, bob heil (chair), bob
paul craig & Kay cox
mcKinney (vice chair), paul farr.
timothy crowell
not pictured: allison chin, pete cartwright, sunil Deshmukh
tim ryan. anil Deshpande
Judith Drake
Joel D. & ellen s. fedder
22

25. richard fiddler Jim & sue higman Jon & lillian lovelace william sarnoff
marjorie findlay & Jan & maurice holloway robin mann william h. scheide
geoffrey freeman cecelia hurwich, ph.D. Janice mccoy miller stephen schneider
robert & susan flint loren & Jane Jahn craig mcKibben & robert & ann shafer
charles e. frank maryanne tagney-Jones & sarah merner val shaffner
lisa fremont David Jones robert & arlene mcKinney greg shaw
Kay gillis wendy e. Jordan rebecca p. milliken stephen silberstein
elaine gold robert & Jane Katz nancy & andrew mills michelle & Dan skaff
steven gold lawrence & ellen Keeshan pat o’Donnell fred & alice stanback
richard goldman Jonathan & Dr. monica Kern gilman & margaret ordway elizabeth steele
leonard goodman nancy Kittle mike & veronica richter timothy Dunn & ellen stofan
roxane googin John m. Kramer Karen rosenbaum & peter Danzig & lava thomas
eileen & paul growald John Kriendler ben mcclinton carroll smith walraven
garrett gruener & amy slater nels & liz leutwiler marjorie b. roswell alice waters
george gund iii adam J. lewis tim & annette ryan Dr. edgar wayburn
John o. & Janet haas andrew lewis bill sander linda & peter werner
william & sally hambrecht roger & florence liddell roger & victoria sant sherman & anne wheeler
robert & rosemary heil michael loeb & guy & Jeanine saperstein mary willis
robert & phyllis henigson ann ross loeb george sardina, m.D.
23

26. Donors the sierra club foundation gratefully
acknowledges those whose gifts help
sustain our work and our planet.
InDIVIDUAL DonoRs george e. coleman roland h. parker sharon macDonald
$1,000,000 + rajnikant & helen Desai roberta l. rosenberger Doug maclaughin &
anonymous Donors robyn Dinwoodie wolf paul & catherine rosenberger catherine graff maclaughlin
eric & margot egan gillian rosenfeld bob massad
$100,000–$999,999 steven c. gensler george sardina, m.D. sandra & John mcgonigle
anonymous Donors leonard goodman andy sawyer & carol bingham robert mcKee
Judith Drake ralph & louise haberfeld elizabeth seelig robert & alexandra mcnamee
Jim & sue higman mr. & mrs. robert henigson robert & ann shafer barbara meyer
fred & alice stanback helmut Kapczynski mildred solomon ralph & Janet miller
lawrence & ellen Keeshan mr. rand sparling & william e. miller & ida houby
$50,000–$99,999 mr. & mrs. richard s. Kent ms. adrienne meisel michael & sharon mitchell
anonymous Donors Jonathan & Dr. monica Kern bernard & anne spitzer Judith moore
allan & marilyn brown pritpal singh Kochhar John h. & ellie sutter lois s. moore
mr. frank brunckhorst iii barbara lane edwin spotts weaver mary J. moran
Daryl & michele connell michael & ann ross loeb francis w. white Joan n. neil
mr. & mrs. robert h. mcKinney rebecca p. milliken marian g. wilcox brant noziska
pierre & pamela omidyar ms. bonnie pence george & oma wilcox suzanne oparil
network the ariel fund linda & edward m. ornitz
gary & angela rappeport sally c. rodgers $2,500–$4,999 David K. oyler
tim & annette ryan greg shaw anonymous Donors theresa a. perenich
claire silberman Denny arter & tim martin hans peters
$25,000–$49,999 Doris sosin Julia basbagill Karen phelps
anonymous Donors paul strauss, m.D. pamela & albert bendich mary a. Quam
wendy & Jim abrams John l. swanson James D. & cynthia l. berkey D. real & l. teeper
michael s. cornish eugene w. wan Joyce blumenshine ruel h. robbins, Jr.
sunil Deshmukh Donald whitteaker philip & amy blumenthal mrs. & mr. Jonathan p. rosen
barbara & Donald frank Kenny brody bruce rowland
eileen & paul growald $5,000–$9,999 william & loulie canady carol & george sabochick
robert & rosemary heil anonymous Donors richard & Doris cellarius gloria salick
mr. & mrs. loren a. Jahn Joe andrew & peter chesson robert w. sanderson
wendy e. Jordan anne slaughter andrew Dr. David chittenden June K. schloerb
Judith Kuehen thomas & elaine beal harvey cohen James b. schoedler
andrew lewis John bullitt edwin a. & fumiko e. cranston barbara & robert seiler
mr. & mrs. D. roger b. liddell andrew c. christie patrick & anna cudahy fund lawrence l. shih
Jon & lillian lovelace mr. elliott close James K. & sara c. Donnell James siler & susan butler–siler
mr. craig mcKibben & leroy s. close robert Dwyer & ellen smucker John & mary helen slater
ms. sarah merner roberta conroy peter fellman brendan smith
guy & Jeanine saperstein helen m. cooluris evan flaschen mr. & mrs. michael swimmer
sarah m. coulson mr. & mrs. Dennis friedman michael & amy tiemann
$15,000–$24,999 harry m. & becca h. Dalton Jennifer & larry garfield Kenneth valley
anonymous Donors the hub, llc Ken gart ruby wahrhaftig
timothy crowell Dr. & mrs. larry Dee celia & walter gilbert tom wallace lyons
bill Denneen sage capital mr. James b. given, m.D. Dr. edward warren
robert & elizabeth fisher leland w. & frances Doan Jean gramlich sanford waxer
garrett gruener & amy slater ann & David Drumm ms. mary p. harrison betty white
maryanne tagney–Jones & carol Dumke Jill & gerben hoeksma william wicker
David Jones stanley eisenberg David husch roger & ann worthington
ms. nancy Kittle bob epstein & amy roth phil & liz Johnson Jerry wray
mr. & mrs. gilman ordway paul farr hoyle c. Jones rose Zobian
carroll smith walraven Joel D. & ellen s. fedder the Darling foundation
howard & lisa wenger betsy & Jesse fink mike & martha Kahn $1,000–$2,499
linda & peter werner lisa fremont James Katz anonymous Donors
the wiancko family frederick fultz robert & Jane Katz charles abela
Kingdon gould, Jr. murray s. Kilgour henry abrons & li–hsia wang
$10,000–$14,999
gail & roy greenwald Jeanie Kilgour stanley & hope adelstein
anonymous Donors
robert l. Jennings, Jr. & Dr. graydon c. Kingsland barbara adler
nancy K. anderson
barbara h. bott william Knox ronald & patricia adler
Joan & robert arnow
James & nancy Joye brad & mary Kay Kollars howard J. aibel
terri & mark avery
sandy lerner marta J. lawrence tom ala
Dr. & mrs. robert b. baer
mr. Kurt leuthold barbara lee garrad hassan & Kimberly albert
John & barbara brooks
leslie lihou bernard & lory levinger richard alberts
rev. & mrs. frederick buechner
Dr. seymour metzner ernest lieblich Joe albright & marcia Kunstel
Drs. terry & elvira burns
mr. frank michnoff Kenneth lipper elizabeth & David allen
James Kimo campbell
Drs. susan ott & David ralph Dolly maass Dan & mim allison
amy t. cherot
24

27. $1,000–$2,499 (cont.) loyce & Joe braun ms. susan Davey elizabeth n. furber
timothy alloway charles h. brayshaw sandy & robbie Davis martha w. furst
louis f. ambrosio David & cathy brenner martin Davis m. l. gaillard
marcia angle alan brodie glen Dawson alan & sarah galbraith
June y. arata Dr. barbara ann broker Joe Deitch l. & K. gallagher
sharon arendshorst lorraine brown yves Delepine & Karen strokes bob & may gamer
thomas & sharon arendshorst axson brown morgan william & christine Deloache a. Jack garnett
bernard & holly arghiere J. a. browning paul Denapoli al garren
terri & Ken ash mrs. patricia l. bruggere patrick h. Dennis, Jr., m.D. richard l. geidel
gordon b. asselstine Kristen bruxvoort patricia Diedrich Jack & Joan george
lindsay & Kirsten austin mr. & mrs. David bryce scott Dietzen David & laraine gerber
george & nancy badger Drs. richard & virginia buck Joan Diggs David gervasi
mr. & mrs. michael bailin James J. buck, Jr. Karen Dike mr. & mrs. stephen v. gifford
albert J. balducchi michael & geraldine buckles tanya & robert Dimpsey Kay e. gilmour, m.D.
Ken & ginger baldwin gro buer & bruce williams robert Dodson martha & howard girdlestone
marybel balendonck roger Johnson & michael & brenda Donahoe ray goetz
andrew & Julia balinsky Donna buessing–Johnson paula Dougherty mark & Kitty gogins
aline K. ball gene & mary Kay buinger aimee & bernard Doyle Diane & peter goldenring
John w. ballard John nicholson bulica linda K. Drake wallace m. good &
Joseph baribeau patricia burbank tavy Dumont charlotte p. ohayer
william t. barker Dr. Kathleen burchby timothy r. Dupay susan roome goodwin
timothy patrick & K. barnes christa burgoyne lynn & michael Dustin Dan goodwin
eugene & neil barth mary p. burke stan & Joan Dutrow claire e. gordon
susan & william bartovics mitchell a. byrd marjorie post Dye elizabeth gorman &
brad baskin cenie cafarelli rachel g. edelson mark Kritzman
robert & Denise bayer Dr. william h. calvin & laura edwards ms. Kathleen gould
linda m. beale Katherine calvin noel D. eichhorn peter l. gove
gildon n. beall, m.D. & thomas capello verna e. & benjamin s. eiland arthur & Diana graham
barbara f. beall Karen m. caraway John eisberg & s. Kline David & Julia grambort
stephen f. befort James s. carlyle richard & carole eisner helen m. granatelli
ted & Julia behar harold carpenter Doug ell carolyn grant & robert Krenz
benjamin & michelle belfer ann Kathleen carr Jane ann ellis susan grau
Jon & metta belisle Deborah carruth carole elm robert & Donna green
Josephine s. benedek gerald & Joyce carter nancy english ward & marlene greenberg
cheyann benedict John & Joan casey gail & charles entrekin lumina greenway
paul bennett John b. cassidy Jennifer eplett & sean reilly waldo r. griffin
Dan berg & welcome Jerde greg & amy caucutt thomas erickson Donald & Doris griffith
richard bergmann & ann cerney everett h. erlick foundation
Denise filakosky shirley chami Joline esparza & Ken mills Jessica griffiths
steven bergsieker mark chee ruth D. ewing barbara grodd
steven & nicey berkenfeld Jennifer chu michele fabrega & paul brown rick & Kathy groshong
James berneking & Jan campbell margot clarke mary b. faris richard l. grossman
wendell & tanya berry Kevin & lisa coakley Dr. sam & maydelle f. fason Janet & Douglas grout
mr. lee bice margina cogswell mary a. ferguson geoffrey & sarah gund
margot & Kyle biehle vera s. cohen Jesseca D. ferguson Dan gutman
eric bing & barbara rhomberg prudence cole gertrude ffolliott lester gutstein
Dr. thomas blackburn & richard & shauna colella Danny field Khin Khin guyot & Kevin brock
Dr. Katherine bell bob & Jackie conley Jon fieldman David gwyn
Juliet bleha mrs. Kenneth conrow margaret s. filios cheryl s. hagedorn
Joan blosser rita consolvo Dr. & mrs. charles fischer David e. & nancy m. hall
betty blanchard blume mary l. contakos thomas fischer todd hall
april bodman David J. cook Dr. & mrs. scott c. fleischman tomas hallin
philip bogetto priscilla cortez gunther s. fonken & barbara f. hallman
reinhard bohme & eugene l. cox agnes J. hughes michael halpern
Kathryn hobbie philip craig & Deborah mccalpin Joe & bugs fontaine alfred & shawna hanan
pamela t. boll margaret o. cromwell cynthia a. forbes sharon & Dan hanan
brenda m. booth elizabeth crowell & robert wilson David foster & sarah stoesz John c. hansen, m.D.
James bordas frances & george crutchfield tom & myrna frankel ms. lois hansen
terry & susan borman rigney & robert cunningham mr. robert frankland & eileen g. & richard t. hardaway
frank & steven borth warren s. Daansen ms. helen owens beverly harju & thomas long
Dr. william boyd nancy m. Daly–riordan James l. franklin sarah harkinson
miranda & ted boylan Daniel family foundation ebony frelix Darla & ivan harms–becker
carol a. brand gordon Darby walt french & virginia yang Ken & Janice harper
mr. & mrs. James h. brauer mr. & mrs. michael J. Daugherty benno friedman patricia cook harrington
25