Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter

Our mission to is to explore, enjoy and protect the planet. We prioritize actions that protect our climate, ensure clean air and water, and conserve wildlife and public lands in New Mexico and West Texas.

You may learn more about our environmental issues by exploring this page: https://www.riograndesierraclub.org/issues/

Up to date campaigns and events can be found on the main page. https://www.riograndesierraclub.org/

To explore outings and other full calendar of events, please visit:https://www.riograndesierraclub.org/calendar/

In recent years we have lobbied for environmental policy at the legislative level and have activated communities across the state to defend their environment, homes, and public lands. This includes our work with energy policy, such as the Just Transition Act; fighting for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; and recently organizing around data centers and the threats many of those projects pose to our home.

The Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club is a volunteer-led organization representing over 35,000 members and supporters in New Mexico and West Texas. The Rio Grande Chapter was founded in 1963 and originally included New Mexico and all of Texas. In 1965, the Lone Star Chapter was formed. Lone Star encompasses all of Texas except for El Paso, Hudspeth and Culberson counties, which stayed with Rio Grande to this day.

Four regional groups make up the chapter:

• Northern New Mexico Group
• Central New Mexico Group
• Southern New Mexico Group
• El Paso Group

Each group has at least one representative on the chapter Executive Committee, which is made up of volunteers elected by members. To see the makeup of the Executive Committee or to contact a chapter leader, please click here.

The Executive Committee meets in person three times yearly to set priorities, vote on political endorsements and make decisions on budget and hiring of staff. The chapter currently employs four full­-time employees and one part-­time employee.

The Sierra Club is a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization. This means that membership dues and most contributions are not tax-deductible. This status allows us to lobby for environmental issues and support political candidates. Our membership activities and lobbying costs relating to advocacy can be supported by your non-tax-deductible contributions to the organization.

Some of our outreach and education projects – such as Water Sentinels and environmental advocacy – are tax-deductible, as are all contributions to the Sierra Club Foundation.