In a press conference Friday afternoon, Bernero, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Director Anne Woiwode, Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell and Sierra Club President Robbie Cox gathered at the Lansing Center to celebrate the chapter's 40th anniversary.

Representatives of other environmental groups tiered under the Sierra Club stood behind them, holding a banner. Later that night, they reconvened at the center for food, drinks and live music.

“This is a chance to reflect on what we've accomplished and to look at 40 years ahead,” said chapter coordinator Amanda Hightower. {mosimage}

Founded in 1892, the Sierra Club is America's oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization with more than 1.3 million members nationwide.

To commemorate its first 40 years, the Michigan Chapter compiled a timeline featuring 40 accomplishments it has achieved during its tenure. The list included everything from founding groups in different cities and the induction of influential officers to initiating water pollution permit fees and helping to pass a state ban on directional drilling for oil and gas under the Great Lakes.

Lansing is the headquarters for the club's Michigan Chapter and part of the Central Michigan group, which includes Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson and Shiawassee Counties.

Bernero praised the group, giving its members credit for raising environmental issues throughout the state. He said legislation like the Environmental Protection Act would have never happened if it not for the Sierra Club's commitment.

“They've been at the forefront of the environmental movement in Michigan,” Bernero said. “In a short sentence, they give 'treehuggers' a good name and respectability. There's research; they have respect, because they have the science to back it up.”

The club also turned the mayor on to environmental issues in the state and helped him see their relevance to other city matters.

“Truthfully, I had more pressing issues,” Bernero said. “They helped show me that [issues with environmental health] were pressing issues. …Politicians and people in general have been taught what's good for the environment isn't good for the economy. We know people want to live in cities that are clean. The right thing for the environment is [also] good for development.”

One step the mayor has taken toward protecting the environment in Lansing is signing up for the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels launched the agreement in February 2005. Participating cities pledge to advance the goals of the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement among 144 countries to address climate disruption through efforts including polices that discourage urban sprawl to urging the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation. Bernero said Lansing was also the second city to sign on to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star Challenge.

The challenge is meant to improve the energy efficiency of the nation's commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more.

Bernero said he also hopes to assist the state with implementing a renewable portfolio standard, making it mandatory for the state's electric utilities to use a certain amount of electricity from renewable resources. According to the PEW Center for Global Climate Change's Web site, 27 states already have renewable portfolio standards.

Hightower said Bernero and Heartwell's support was important and appreciated.

“[The mayors' support] is just what we'd hope [to receive],” Hightower said. “People are really understanding issues. We're all community members, and to go toward community goals is what we want. It doesn't all have to be the same way, but these ways are tailored, and that's good. Each community can do something different.”

The club is also setting the foundation for younger members to join. The national club has a Sierra Club Student Coalition, and Michigan State University and Wayne State University both have chapters.

Leigh Fifelski, Sierra Club organizer for the Michigan chapter, said membership fees for the Sierra Club range from $39 to $1,000 and are available by filling out an application at the state chapter at 109 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing, or online at www.michigan.sierraclub.org. But Fifelski says even those who don't join can still do their part by doing simple things, like turning off the lights when leaving the house.

“Anything starts with the individual. …[R]educe the amount they're suing on a daily basis,” Fifelski says. “Get involved in local politics and government. Talk to your legislators, and let them know the environment is important to you.”