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How the Sierra Club Works

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sierra club outings history

Every year, about three and a half million visitors travel to Yosemite National Park to marvel at Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, Hetch Hetchy Valley and the grove of giant sequoias at High Sierra. Most are struck by the beauty of well-preserved wilderness -- more than a thousand miles of forest and meadow, stunning rock formations and diverse wildlife. In the late 19th century, the Sierra Club formed to defend such natural monuments from encroachment and destruction. Today, the organization members refer to as "the club" is one of the premier conservation groups in the United States.

The Sierra Club lobbies for environmental legislation, protects state and federal wildlands and promotes eco-conscious tourism . Its efforts have helped create the National Park Service and Wilderness Act and saved natural monuments like Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone National Park and Joshua Tree National Park from development. The Sierra Club also pursues broader environmental concerns like mitigating global warming and protecting the Clean Air and Water Acts.

Members join the Sierra Club to be a part of the nation's oldest and largest grassroots environmental group. The organization's 1.3 million supporters have networks of connections across state and local chapters and considerable lobbying power in Congress. Every $25 national membership provides automatic entry into a local Sierra Club chapter, an annual subscription to Sierra Magazine, discounts on club merchandise and opportunities for eco-travel. Voluntary officers and a board of directors govern the national organization.

But members also join the Sierra Club for its dashing combination of conservation and fun. Since adventurer John Muir founded the club in 1892, its members have maintained the belief that nature and wildlife should be both protected and enjoyed. Muir valued communal wilderness experiences, and to maintain this tradition members participate in club-sponsored expeditions around the world.

In this article, we'll learn why Muir started the Sierra Club and how the organization has changed in the past 100 years.

Sierra Club History

Sierra club conservation initiatives, sierra club outings.

sierra club outings history

The Sierra Club acts as an environmental advocate but also promotes adventure and shared wilderness experiences. The combination of advocacy and fun distinguishes the organization from environmental groups that focus solely on legislation or protest.

The Sierra Club's Scottish-born founder, John Muir , embodied the organization's dual principles of conservation and exploration. After losing an eye in a mechanical accident in Canada in the 1860s, Muir decided to explore the natural world. But when his plans to travel to South America went awry, Muir found himself in San Francisco at the doorstep of the Grand Central Valley of the Sierra. Shocked by the expanse and beauty of the Sierra, Muir took on odd jobs to maintain his rudimentary existence of solitary hikes and rambles.

Muir's scientific inclinations soon had him wondering how the deep valleys of the Sierra were formed. He suspected that the slow movement of glaciers carved away the mountains. After carefully measuring the movement of glaciers, Muir formed the theory of glaciation and sacrificed his near-hermetic existence to publish a scientific essay on his findings. The essay made Muir famous, and he pursued a successful career in naturalistic writing before withdrawing to farm fruit and raise a family.

sierra club outings history

But in 1889, Robert Underwood Johnson, an editor, persuaded Muir to reenter the literary world and write about the threats of mining, logging and over-grazing in Yosemite Valley. The pair's two-pronged tactic of publishing articles and lobbying legislators and the U.S. president ended successfully. In 1890, President Benjamin Harrison designated the Valley as a National Park. But Muir and Johnson knew that livestock, logging and mining interests would soon pressure the government to cut back the park's boundaries. The men resolved to form the Sierra Club, an organization of 182 activist citizens, in 1892.

The club's early members believed that people were more willing to fight for something they had actually seen. To establish a presence in Yosemite and encourage tourism, Sierra Club member Will Colby proposed the High Trip , an annual summer expedition to the High Sierra. The High Trips, and the published accounts of camp adventures, helped spread the fame of Yosemite and the Sierra Club.

By mid-century, the Sierra Club's Californian and Western focus had spread east. The club opened an office in Washington, D.C. , in 1963. In the next section, we'll learn how the Sierra Club entered the modern environmental movement and find out about the club's conservation initiatives.

sierra club outings history

The 1971 creation of the Sierra Club's Legal Defense Fund propelled the organization into the modern environmental movement. The fund essentially established a firm of lawyers to litigate for the club's initiatives. Around the same time, the Sierra Club expanded its conservational mission to include national environmental issues.

Over the decades, the organization has fought cutbacks of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Superfund law; supported the closure of commercial nuclear reactors and helped create laws that regulate toxic chemicals and radioactive materials. Today, the Sierra Club pursues three primary conservation initiatives.

To combat the effects of global warming and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the Sierra Club advocates Smart Energy Solutions . It encourages utility companies and states to adopt renewable energy sources and clean up coal-fired power plants. Power companies often allow customers to add a small charge to their monthly energy bill in order to receive a certain percentage of power from green sources. The Sierra Club hopes the United States will run on at least 20 percent renewable energy by 2020 [source: Sierra Club ]. The club also lobbies for stricter standards on new car emissions.

To promote its Safe and Healthy Communities initiative, the Sierra Club encourages stricter state and local legislation regarding air, water and chemicals. The organization helps develop solutions to sewage and storm water runoff and resists the EPA's consideration to reduce the scope of the Clean Water Act. The Sierra Club also helps identify communities that are at a high risk for toxic emissions.

The Sierra Club also continues its original conservation initiative: preserving America's Wild Legacy . The club encourages strict enforcement and generous funding for the Endangered Species Act and the full protection of already designated wildlands.

The Sierra Club, unlike many environmental organizations, makes a conscious effort to enjoy the wildlands it protects. In the next section, we'll find out how the Sierra Club's outings helped shape the organization.

sierra club outings history

The Sierra Club successfully advocates for environmental legislation and effectively attracts the public's attention to ecological issues and solutions. But it is the club's spirit of conscientious exploration that has helped make the group so enduringly popular.

When Will Colby started the Sierra Club's annual High Trips in 1898, he believed that the excursions would create an interest in the natural world and foster a spirit of community among members [source: Sierra Club]. He kept the costs low for the mostly middle-class participants, many of whom were college students. Women also joined in even the earliest High Trips.

But by the late 1930s, the High Trips had grown too large and members requested smaller expeditions. Although the annual High Trip continued, the club began to offer burro trips, knapsack trips and more relaxed expeditions to base camps. The Sierra Club also started organizing international expeditions to places like Peru and the Himalayas to satisfy its factions of mountain-climbing members.

The Sierra Club now sponsors national and international outings that focus on backpacking, rafting, sailing, biking , canoeing, kayaking, snow sports and service. There are expeditions tailored to families, seniors and the disabled. Sierra Club chapters host local outings for day hikes, bicycling, bird-watching, peak scrambles and cross-country skiing.

The Sierra Club also provides the opportunity for low-income children from urban areas to explore the wilderness with its inner city outings program, first established in 1971.

To learn more about the Sierra Club, other environmental organizations and ways to help the environment, explore the links on the next page.

Interested in outdoor adventures? Read about ice climbing and other adventure sports, plus watch video from Discovery’s Fearless Planet.

Every membership in the Sierra Club comes with a yearlong subscription to Sierra Magazine. Today, the magazine features articles on thoroughly modern topics like global warming , green careers and "cool" schools that help protect the environment. The periodical has come a long way from its first issue in 1893 as the Sierra Club Bulletin. The Bulletin, essentially a scientific journal, published accounts of club expeditions and papers on the geography and natural history of the Sierra. By the 1930s, the publication had transformed into the United States' leading mountaineering magazine.

Lots More Information

Related howstuffworks articles.

  • National Parks Quiz
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More Great Links

  • The Sierra Club
  • "Yosemite: History and Culture." National Park Service. http://www.nps.gov/yose/historyculture/index.htm
  • The Sierra Club. http://www.sierraclub.org/
  • "Sierra Club." Encyclopaedia Britannica. http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9067677
  • "Sierra Club History: Origins and Early Outings." The Sierra Club.http://www.sierraclub.org/history/origins/chapter1.asp
  • Turner, Tom. "Sierra Club: 100 Years of Protecting Nature." Harry N. Abrams, Inc. New York: 1991.
  • "Who was John Muir?" The Sierra Club.http://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/
  • "Yosemite." American Park Network.http://www.americanparknetwork.com/parkinfo/content.asp?catid=68&contenttypeid=10

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An Insider's Guide to Moscow Nightlife

Nightlife

As a city that never sleeps, Moscow is known for its vibrant nightlife as much as for its stunning architecture. Having a plethora of choice, you may need someone to guide guide you through the club scene of Russia’s capital. Read on for the best places to take you through the night.

One of Moscow’s oldest nightclubs, Propaganda is an iconic spot that’s been around since the 1990s. Featuring deliberately shabby interiors, Propaganda, affectionately called “ propka ” by regulars, still gathers crowds even on weekdays. The club is particularly favored for scoring world-class DJs, hosting gay parties on Sundays and offering tasty and inexpensive food .

7 Bolshoy Zlatoustinsky Pereulok, Moscow, Russia , +7 495 624 5732

Another legendary spot, frequented by the cool crowd, this bar was founded by celebrated Russian designer Denis Simachev. Fancier and pricier than Propaganda, it’s worth a visit if only for eclectic interiors and salmon pizza.

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12 Stoleshnikov Pereulok, Moscow, Russia , +7 495 629 80 85

Nauka i Iskusstvo

Tiny and nondescript, Nauka i Iskusstvo (‘Science and Art’) is all about the music . Although there are no fancy cocktails, glitzy interiors or bohemian entourage, the club hosts some of the best electronic parties, hip music gigs and cool designer shows.

13/15 Nastavnichesky Pereulok, bld.3, Moscow, Russia

One of Moscow’s quirkiest nightclubs, Squat ¾ occupies the basement of the former Central Baths building. Instagrammed by Moscow’s it-girls, the club is famous for gothic techno-balls and bohemian raves. Apart from the club and a bar, it is also home to a Greek cafe, barber shop and fashion store.

3 Teatralny Proyezd, Bld. 4, Moscow, Russia , +7 967 162 6062

The newest venue on the list, Pluton is located on the premises of the hip design center Artplay. Despite the high ceilings of a former industrial building and tiled walls, Pluton feels strangely homely and comforting. Opened in 2017, this is not a nightclub in the traditional sense. Pluton promotes all kinds of events: from cathartic ambient, to jazz music to art-performances.

8A Nizhnyaya Syromyatnicheskaya Ulitsa, Moscow, Russia , +7 903 254 2669

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc17o50FqNO/?taken-by=plutonplace

Another Artplay resident, Rodnya is a rooftop club that hosts resident DJ sets and international bands on tour. In summer you can dance until sunrise on the club’s rooftop terrace.

5/7 Nizhnyaya Syromyatnicheskaya Ulitsa, bld.7, Moscow, Russia , +7 925 003 559

Aglomerat is a multi-purpose art space, housed in the former Mars factory. With a spectacularly dystopian interiors, it plays host to all kinds of events – from movie screenings and art exhibitions , to metal band shows and rave nights.

3 Kostomarovsky Pereulok, Bldg. 12, Moscow, Russia , +7 968 450 8760

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19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

sierra club outings history

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Thinking of visiting Russia? When visiting such a famous city, one must, of course, visit the iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists. Once you’ve seen the sights that are on most travelers’ lists, it’s time to branch out and visit some of the lesser-known sites, and there are some fascinating places to see and things to do.

I know this list is long, but I just couldn’t help myself. You probably won’t have the time to see them all. But that’s okay. Just scroll through the list and choose what sounds the most interesting to you. Where possible, make sure to book in advance, as things can get crowded, especially during high season.

Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, Russia

1. The Red Square, Kremlin, And Surroundings

Red Square (Krasnya Ploshad) is the heart and soul of Russia, and where much of the country’s history has unfolded. This is the most famous landmark in Moscow and indeed the whole country, it’s an absolute must-do! The square is always full of people and has a rather festive atmosphere!

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

This is the famous church with the rainbow-colored, onion-domed roof. The cathedral was commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible and according to legend, the Tsar thought it was so beautiful, that he ordered that the architect’s eyes be cut out afterward, so he could never build anything more beautiful! He wasn’t called Ivan the Terrible for no reason!

Lenin’s Mausoleum

The “love-it-or-hate-it” of tourist attractions in Russia. A glass sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. It may seem a bit bizarre to display the mummy of a person, but it has been there for almost half a century and the 2.5 million visitors who come each year, clearly feel the queuing and thorough body search are worth it, to be in Lenin’s presence.

Pro Tip: no photos and no loud talking are allowed inside the Mausoleum.

Eternal Flame

There is an Eternal Flame in honor of an unknown soldier on the left side of Red Square. The hourly changing of the guards is worth seeing.

The Kremlin is the official residence of the Russian president. You can see it from the outside, or you can take an excursion to one of the museums located inside. This is the biggest active fortress in Europe, and holds a week’s worth of attractions! Once behind the 7,332-feet of walls, there are five squares, four cathedrals, 20 towers, various museums, and the world’s largest bell and cannon to see. Worth a special mention is the Armory Chamber that houses a collection of the famous Faberge Eggs.

Pro Tip: You can only go inside the Kremlin if you are part of a tourist group.

Interior of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscos

2. Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre translates to “The Big Theatre” in Russian, and the building is home to both the Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera — among the oldest and most famous ballet and opera companies in the world.

Pro Tip: It’s hard to get an inexpensive ticket, so if you’re reading well in advance of going to Moscow then try buying tickets on the official website . Last-minute tickets cost around $250 per person. If this is out of your budget, about an hour before a performance, you can try buying a ticket at the entrance from a reseller. Most can speak enough English to negotiate the price.

Tour the Bolshoi Theatre: You can take a group guided tour of the Bolshoi Theatre which focuses on the history and architecture of the theatre and behind the scenes. There’s an English language tour that lasts 2 hours and costs around $300 for a group of up to six.

GUM, a popular department store in Moscow

3. Luxury Shopping At GUM And TSUM

Russia’s main department store, GUM, has a stunning interior that is home to over 100 high-end boutiques, selling a variety of brands: from luxurious Dior to the more affordable Zara. Even if shopping is not on your Moscow to-do list GUM is still worth a visit; the glass-roofed arcade faces Red Square and offers a variety of classy eateries. TSUM, one of the biggest luxury malls in town, is right behind the Bolshoi and GUM. It’s an imposing building with lots of history, and worth a visit just for its design and its glass roof.

Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow

4. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This is one of Russia’s most visited cathedrals and is a newer addition to the gorgeous array of Muscovite cathedrals, but don’t let its young age fool you. After perestroika, in the early 90s, the revived Russian Orthodox Church was given permission to build a cathedral on this site. It did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church. The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes, gold, gorgeous paintings, and decor!

The cathedral is located just a few hundred feet away from the Kremlin and was the site of the infamous Pussy Riot protest against Putin back in 2012.

Pro Tip: Bring a shawl to cover your hair as is the local custom.

Gates at Gorky Park in Moscow

5. Gorky Park

Moscow’s premier green space, Gorky Park (Park Gor’kogo) is the city’s biggest and most famous park. There is entertainment on offer here for every taste, from outdoor dancing sessions to yoga classes, volleyball, ping-pong, rollerblading, and bike and boat rental in summer. In winter, half the park turns into a huge ice skating rink. Gorky Park is also home to an open-air movie theater and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also Muzeon Art Park, a dynamic contemporary space with a unique collection of 700 sculptures. It is located right in front of Gorky Park.

6. Sparrow Hills Park

If you take a walk from Gorky Park, along the Moscow River embankment, you’ll end up in the city’s other legendary park, Sparrow Hills. Although the park doesn’t offer as many activities as its hip neighbor, it has a great panoramic view of the city

Pro Tip: You can take a free walking tour to all of the above attractions with an English-speaking guide.

River cruise in Moscow

7. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow, and see all the famous landmarks, but from a different angle, is from the Moscow River. Take a river cruise. Avoid the tourist crowds. There are little nameless old boats that do the cruise, but if you are looking for a more luxurious experience take the Radisson Blu cruise and enjoy the sights with some good food and a glass of wine.

Moscow Metro station

8. Metro Hopping

Inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow Metro system is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world. Started in Stalinist times, each station is a work of art in its own right. I’d recommend touring the stations between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This way, you’ll be able to properly see it without the crowds. Ideally, I’d recommend taking a tour with a knowledgeable guide with GuruWalk, who will tell you stories of forgotten stations and how the history of the country is interconnected with the metro development. If going by yourself, then I definitely recommend checking out: Mayakovskaya, Ploschad Revolutsii, Kievskaya, Kropotkinskaya, Kurskaya, and Novoslobodskaya stations.

Visit the free Moscow Metro Museum: For real train enthusiasts, located in the southern vestibule of Sportivnaya station is a small free museum. Here you can take a peek into the driver’s cabin, see a collection of metro tokens from different cities, and see different models of a turnstile, traffic lights, escalator, and more.

Moscow State University at dusk

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings and the one with the best view is the main building of the Moscow State University. Although this is a little outside the city center, the view is more than worth it.

Izmailovsky Market in Moscow, Russia

10. Izmailovsky Market

Mostly known for the city’s largest flea market, the district of Izmaylovo is home to a maze of shops where you can get just about anything, from artisan crafts to traditional fur hats, handcrafted jewelry, fascinating Soviet memorabilia, and antiquities. It’s also one of Moscow’s largest green spaces. There are often no price tags, so be prepared to haggle a bit. Head to one of the market cafes for a warming mulled wine before continuing your shopping spree.

The History of Vodka Museum is found here, and the museum’s restaurant is the perfect place to sample various brands of the national drink.

Once you’ve covered the more touristy spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer, and the places below will also be full of locals! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend the spots below!

The skyscrapers of Moscow City

11. Moscow City

With a completely different vibe, Moscow City (also referred to as Moscow International Business Center) is like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressive tall glass buildings. Here is where you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, like Ruski Restaurant, the highest restaurant both in Moscow City and in Europe. Moscow City is great for crowd-free shopping and the best panoramic views of the city.

Art in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow

12. Tretyakov Gallery

Tretyakov Gallery started as the private collection of the Tretyakov brothers, who were 19th-century philanthropists. They gave their private collection to the government after their deaths. If there is just one museum you visit in Moscow, I recommend this one!

Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve, former residence of Catherine the Great

13. Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno was a residence of Catherine the Great more than two centuries ago. It became derelict during the Soviet era but has now been fully renovated. With its opulently decorated buildings, gardens, meadows, and forests, Tsaritsyno Park is the perfect place for a green respite in Moscow.

Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve in Moscow

14. Kolomenskoye

A 10-minute metro ride from the city center is Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve, where you can get an idea of what Russia looked like 200 years ago. You’ll find ancient churches (one dating back to the 16th century), the oldest garden in Moscow, and the wonderful fairytale wooden palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, father of Peter the Great.

Ostankino TV Tower in Moscow at night

15. Ostankino TV Tower

Built in 1967, Ostankino TV Tower was the tallest free-standing construction in the world at the time, it’s still the 8th tallest building in the world and the highest in Europe. It’s also the best observation deck, with a glass floor and 360-degree views. The speedy elevators take you 1,105 feet in next to no time.

Pro Tip: You need to book in advance; entrance is based on specific ticket times and the capacity is limited and only a certain number of tourists are allowed per day. Don’t forget your passport, you’ll need it to get through security.

The floating bridge of Zaryadye Park in Moscow

16. Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye is a newly opened, landscaped urban park so new you won’t find it in a lot of tour guides. The park is near Red Square and is divided into four climatic zones: forest, steppe, tundra, and floodplains, depicting the variety of climatic zones in Russia.

These last three suggestions are a little quirky, but all are really worth checking out.

17. Museum Of Soviet Arcade Games

Release your inner child playing on 66 arcade machines from the Soviet era! What a great way to spend a couple of hours when tired of visiting museums and palaces. The staff speaks excellent English and are happy to explain how the games work.

The rooftops of Moscow, Russia

18. Moscow Rooftop Tour

Take a 1-hour private Moscow rooftop tour with an experienced roofer. I can just about guarantee none of your friends will be able to say they’ve done it! For your comfort, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Take your camera, there are some amazing photo opportunities out there!

A pool at Sanduny Banya in Moscow

19. Sanduny Banya

This classical Russian bathhouse opened its doors in 1808 and is famous for combining traditional Russian banya services with luxurious interiors and service. If you enjoy spas and saunas, then you should experience a Russian bathhouse at least once in your life! Go with an open mind and hire a specialist to steam you as it’s meant to be done — by being beaten repeatedly with a besom (a leafy branch)! This is said to improve circulation, but is best done by a professional!

So there you have my list of things to do in Moscow. I could have gone on and on and on, but I didn’t want to try your patience! There are so many things to do in this vibrant city that you’ll definitely need to allocate several days for exploring.

Here are some other reasons to visit Moscow and Russia:

  • 7 Reasons To Put Moscow On Your Travel Bucket List
  • Russia 30 Years (And 30 Pounds) Ago
  • Massive Mysterious Craters Appearing Again In Siberia

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Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.

IMAGES

  1. History & Archives

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  2. National Outings Training Trip: Day Hikes & History at Sierra Club's

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  3. National Outings Training Trip: Day Hikes & History at Sierra Club's

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  4. Service, Kayaking, Hiking, and History in New Jersey's Pine Barrens

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  5. 50 Years of Wilderness

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  6. National Outings Training Trip: Day Hikes & History at Sierra Club's

    sierra club outings history

COMMENTS

  1. History: Origins and Early Outings

    Chapter Five. Sierra Club outings were never simply hiking trips. Before the first outing, campers were advised to read Muir's The Mountains of California and LeConte's Ramblings Through the High Sierra.Once the trip was underway, William Dudley lectured on forestry, C. Hart Merrian taught biology, Theodore Hittell discussed the history of Yosemite, and Muir spoke on geomorphology.

  2. Historical Accomplishments

    The Sierra Club organizes its first volunteer-service outings. 1960s The landmark Wilderness Act is passed by Congress after a long campaign by the Sierra Club and others, marking the first time that public lands (9.1 million acres) are permanently protected from development. The Sierra Club also mobilizes public opinion to stop two dams in the ...

  3. Sierra Club

    The Sierra Club was founded in 1892 by a group of Californians who wished to sponsor wilderness outings in "the mountain regions of the Pacific Coast.". The naturalist John Muir was its first president (1892-1914) and very soon involved the club in political action to further nature conservation. Among its first successes was the defeat ...

  4. History & Archives

    History & Archives. Founded in 1892, the Sierra Club has grown and evolved dramatically during its more than 125 years of existence. During that time, many gifted and dedicated men and women have helped to shape the organization's direction, while the Sierra Club itself has played an important role in influencing conservation policy and ...

  5. Sierra Club

    The Sierra Club is an American environmental organization with chapters in all 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.The club was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by Scottish-American preservationist John Muir, who became the first president as well as the longest-serving president, at approximately 20 years in this leadership position.

  6. How the Sierra Club Works

    In the late 19th century, the Sierra Club formed to defend such natural monuments from encroachment and destruction. Today, the organization members refer to as "the club" is one of the premier conservation groups in the United States. The Sierra Club lobbies for environmental legislation, protects state and federal wildlands and promotes eco ...

  7. Shenandoah National Park: History, Trails, and ...

    The Trip Shenandoah National Park is a glittering jewel in the Appalachian Range; a 300-square-mile sanctuary of secluded canyons, roaring waterfalls, diverse flora and animal life, rich in cultural history. We will hike past pioneer farms and homesites from a bygone era where settlers scratched out lives in the craggy mountain highlands. The scenic Skyline Drive parallels the Appalachian ...

  8. The Sierra Club--A History. Part 1: Origins & Outings

    Sierra Club Bulletin, 62, 8, 10-14, Oct 77 This article discusses the early beginnings of the Sierra Club, nearly 100 years ago, and the leadership of John Muir and his contemporaries. Turn of the century photographs show campers and hikers on organized club outing designed to introduce people to mountain wilderness and its preservation.

  9. Chapter History Intro

    Angeles Chapter History The Angeles Chapter was founded in 1911, starting first as the Southern California Section of the Sierra Club, then as the Southern California Chapter, and finally, as the Angeles Chapter. Our members have explored almost every nook and cranny of our region, both on their own and in tens of thousands of chapter-sponsored outings. Through these pages we recognize some of ...

  10. Chronologies

    Donate to California Sierra Club PAC; OUTINGS & EVENTS. OUTINGS & EVENTS; Come Hike With Us! Rules and Guidelines; ... Sierra Club Southern California/Southern Nevada Representative: 1971: Activities Administration Committee: ... History Committee September 28, 1986. 1911-12 : Clair S. Tappaan, Ch. W.M. Caswell, Treas.

  11. Sierra Club Outings

    Adventures With a Cause. Part of the largest grassroots environmental organization in the country, Sierra Club Outings provides environmentally friendly outdoor adventures—from Tahoe to Tibet—for people of all ages, abilities, and interests. Whether you're seeking lodge-based explorations or supported treks, backpack journeys leisurely to ...

  12. Origins and Early Outings

    Origins and Early Outings. Note: We are revising this section of our website, which presented the Sierra Club's history in an insensitive and exclusionary way. We are committed to engaging more critically with our past and reckoning with the ways racism, sexism, and other systems of oppression have shaped our organization. Please check back ...

  13. Women in the Wilderness

    Women around the nation were fighting to cement the gains made by the women's movement in the 1960s and 1970s, amid backlash and discrimination. With so much change in the wind, a few leaders saw the opportunity to grow Sierra Club's Outings program by leading the first Sierra Club backpacking trip exclusively for women.

  14. Adventure History Culture in Quebec

    As the birthplace of French North America and the only walled city north of Mexico, Québec City is teeming with history, culture, museums, galleries, architecture, dramatic scenery, and international cuisine and delicacies. Québec-Vieux (Old City) was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985, and you will soon see why.

  15. Shenandoah National Park: History, Trails, and ...

    The Trip Shenandoah National Park is a glittering jewel in the Appalachian Range; a 300-square-mile sanctuary of secluded canyons, roaring waterfalls, diverse flora and animal life, rich in cultural history. We will hike past pioneer farms and home sites from a bygone era where settlers scratched out lives in the craggy mountain highlands. The scenic Skyline Drive parallels the Appalachian ...

  16. Portugal Traverse: Hiking through History from ...

    The Trip From Porto to Lisbon, this comprehensive journey takes us across the historical and natural landscapes of Portugal. We will discover what attracted Iberians, Phoenicians, Romans, Muslims, and Christians to fight for this land. Alongside the country's rich history are the diverse landscapes of forests, mountains, and coast woven into ...

  17. Outdoor Activities

    More than 5,000 Sierra Club Local Outings volunteers lead a range of outings that are as diverse as their interests from picnics, day hikes, peak scrambles, community building, bicycling, skiing, paddling, bird-watching, conservation-oriented activities, and forays into the remaining natural areas of our major cities. Our 45 volunteer-run ICO ...

  18. An Insider's Guide to Moscow Nightlife

    Aglomerat. Aglomerat is a multi-purpose art space, housed in the former Mars factory. With a spectacularly dystopian interiors, it plays host to all kinds of events - from movie screenings and art exhibitions, to metal band shows and rave nights. 3 Kostomarovsky Pereulok, Bldg. 12, Moscow, Russia, +7 968 450 8760.

  19. 19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

    5. Gorky Park. Moscow's premier green space, Gorky Park (Park Gor'kogo) is the city's biggest and most famous park. There is entertainment on offer here for every taste, from outdoor dancing sessions to yoga classes, volleyball, ping-pong, rollerblading, and bike and boat rental in summer.

  20. Sierra Club Outings

    Sierra Club Outings. By Dan Chu March 15, 2022. From exploration treks to backpack journeys to leisurely vacations in far-off destinations, the Sierra Club has offered outings opportunities to enjoy and explore culturally and environmentally rich corners of the world. For nearly a decade now, Israel is one of the countries we've offered ...

  21. Outings

    Our Outings. Sierra Club offers a variety of outdoor experiences to both members and non-members of Sierra Club. Trips include paddling, hiking, bike-riding, bird watching, visits to sustainable gardens, history walks, and many other activities. All trips have experienced, and Sierra Club trained and certified leaders.

  22. Kansas Outings: Explore, Enjoy, Protect Our Waterways

    Kansas Chapter members on the Kansas River / Richard Voss. By Mimi Moffat, Kansas Chapter Fundraising Chair. Sierra Club was founded 130 years ago to organize outings for the enjoyment and protection of California mountains and wilderness.

  23. Texas Activists Are Fighting to Stop Construction on One of the Biggest

    Illustration by Binh Nguyen/Canary Media. Nor does the pause affect the seven export terminals currently under construction—such as Rio Grande LNG —or any additional projects that have received the necessary federal approvals to start building, including Texas LNG.. Christa Mancias-Zapata, the executive director of the Carrizo/ Comecrudo Tribe and Juan Mancias's daughter, said that while ...

  24. We KNOW that Moscow is Ready for 100% clean energy!

    As the City of Moscow prepares to set in place a new climate action plan in 2022, we are raising community voices to advance local climate solutions that center equity and the climate economy of the future. Moscow is #Readyfor100 percent clean, renewable energy for all. Sign your support to this petition to help grow this movement, and read on ...

  25. The Climate Justice League strikes again!

    Moscow High School seniors Nicole Xiao and Devon Conway jumped into action by working with the ID Sierra Club staff and organizing Moscow's first Climate Justice League into action. After coordinating a climate story writing workshop, student activists hit the streets, attending Sustainable Environment Commission meetings, meeting with ...

  26. Sierra Club Statement on February Wildfires

    WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A winter wildfire in the Texas panhandle has grown into the largest blaze in the state's history.The Smokehouse Creek fire has grown to more than 1,700 square miles in Texas and Oklahoma, with the vast majority burning in the Lone Star State. Firefighters have had limited success bringing the wildfire under control, which has claimed the life of one person and burned ...