Educational Outreach

The Montgomery County Group of the Sierra Club has put together a number of presentations on various local environmental topics.  We would like to offer you the opportunity to bring one of our Executive Committee members to your class or organization to discuss issues that affect all Montgomery County citizens. There is no cost to your school.  Our presentations are designed to fill a typical class period of 45 minutes, but we are flexible. They may include a video, a slide show or a hands-on activity followed by discussion and questions.  Some of the topics we can discuss are:

·        Red Alert! (Air pollution and land use) . This summer Sierra Club won a court victory against EPA for illegally extending the DC region's clean air deadline. David Baron was the Earthjustice attorney on the case. What happens now? What do local officials need to do to avoid a cut-off of federal transportation funds? What impacts will this decision have on transportation and land-use decisions in our area?

·        Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve.  Montgomery County has a rich tradition of farming, but few students are aware of our rural side. Current plans of development threaten this wonderful area of open space important to the economy, culture and environment of our region. You can learn about the history of this area in northern Montgomery County and why it is worth saving.

·        Biodiversity and the ICC.  The Intercounty Connector (ICC) is on hold, but this proposed highway may yet be built, perhaps in sections. The ICC is an 18 mile road from I-270 to I-95 that would cut through some of the best natural areas left in Montgomery County.  An award winning video graphically shows the impact on our forests, streams and wildlife, if it is constructed.  We will discuss the need to preserve our natural heritage and the ever increasing problem of traffic congestion.

·        Living Waters. All of us live within a quarter of a mile of some stream in Montgomery County, yet few citizens know anything about them. A stream is a reflection of local land use.  Our streams are rated poor to excellent, and all drain to the Chesapeake Bay. Their water quality is important to humans as a source of drinking water, and vital to a myriad organisms who call it home.  Learn about our streams and how they have an impact on our quality of life.

·        Alternatives to Sprawl. Using a slide show, we will discuss the problems of current development patterns and look at alternatives.  The Metro DC area is growing at as very fast rate.  Where will we house and employ the projected 2 million new people who will enter our region by 2025?  And, what about traffic congestion and air pollution?!  What is Governor Glendening Smart Growth initiative?  We will discuss many of these issues relevant to all citizens of Montgomery County.

·        Reconnecting our Fragmented Wildlife Habitat.  Development and deforestation are reducing and isolating wildlife habitat.  Learn about the impacts on our native wildlife and how sound ecosystem management can link undeveloped areas and create wildlife corridors.  We will discuss the need to acquire more forests in Maryland, and the need to preserve old growth forests in Maryland.  A videotape "Beyond Borders" showing the Northern Rockies Ecosystem development can be shown as a specific example of the ‘new ecological thinking.'

Our citizens will face many challenges in the new century, many affecting their quality of life. We all should be aware of local issues and sound ecological science to make decisions or affect the decisions made by our political leaders. No textbook can provide such backyard background.  If you would like to schedule or discuss a presentation, please call Ron LaCoss at 301-946-1106 (before 9pm) or email at ronenviroed@aol.com.