Maryland's environment is in serious trouble! It's water, land and air resources continue to be exploited without any meaningful regard for the future. In spite of some leadership from our current governor, ...

...the Maryland Department of the Environment does not enforce the environmental laws already on the books,

...development and exploitation of Maryland's rural land continues in spite of the good intentions of Smart Growth policies,

...Maryland developers continue to draw down the state's aquifers without any plan for recharge or sustainable use,

...animal factory production continues to threaten water quality, human health and the future of family farms,

...new roads continue to be built through environmentally sensitive areas,

...public lands and forests increasingly are exploited for private corporate gain at the expense of the environment,

...the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem is on the verge of collapse.

In the fight to stop this destruction, the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club plays a special role. We are the only state-wide environmental organization run by grassroots volunteers. We are the only state-wide
environmental organization that operates from the community level to the national level. We are the environmental organization rated most effective by 66% of the members of Congress (the next highest organization rated 22%). If the Sierra Club doesn't do it...who will?

We need your financial help to succeed.

The Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club must raise $120,000 from our members to continue and expand the work described in this newsletter. I urge you to send us a contribution, using the coupon attached below. If we receive it by March 10th, we won't call you on the phone to ask for help. This is how you can give.

Contribute between $50 or more and we will send you a copy of "The Sierra Club Family Outdoors Guide: Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Bicycling, Water Sports, and Winter Activities with Children." (See article)

Contribute $100 or more to the Maryland Chapter's Sierra Club Foundation account, we will send you a copy of the guide AND you will be able to deduct your contribution from your taxes.

Whatever you can contribute will be welcome. But please give as much as you can. We need your help to continue our collective struggle. Thanks for all your support and work in the past. Together, we can make a difference. After all, if the Sierra Club doesn't do it...who will?