Steve Farrell

Vice Chairman & Co-Conservation

Last year, I volunteered to temporarily help fill in some personnel gaps that were hobbling the Mountains Group amid a plethora of conservation and organizational challenges.

There was so much happening, there were simply not enough interested and willing members to address it all: the Forest Management Plan, the County's General Plan, the Old Fire fallout, bark beetles, and of course the ongoing inappropriate mountain development applications (and approvals).

It was a difficult and remarkable year, and I am proud to say that I helped.

As part of a team of truly magnificent people (the Mountains Group ExCom, its officers, leaders, and activist members), I believe we did an extraordinary job in extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Where others might have been happy to just "stay afloat" during the deluge, I believe that we thrived and grew stronger. 
By working closely with other conservation groups, Sierra Club itself, local community leaders and Forest Service personnel, we strengthened our relationships, our reputation and our sense of purpose.

In fact, I enjoyed the experience so much that I want to go beyond my original (temporary) commitment, and serve again. In no small part because I am confident that we can do even better in the future.

Even though we still face many of the same issues this year as last, the progress, experience and knowledge we have gained leaves us better prepared than ever. I know we can do what we did last year, again. The challenge now is to do even more.

My goals for the Mountain Group are to:

·         Increase membership participation and involvement

o       In our outings

o        In our issues

o       In our actions

·         Improve our monthly programs and outings

o        Their value

o        Their attendance

o        Their effectiveness

·         Improve our "message" and communication

o        With our members

o        With our communities

o        With the agencies we work with

I look forward to it.