Former Sierra Club Leaders Launch “Sierrans for Alabama” to Rebuild Environmental Advocacy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 12, 2025

Lawsuit Highlights Larger Pattern of Exclusion and Mismanagement

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A group of longtime Sierra Club leaders, including former Chairs and Director of the Alabama Chapter, has launched Sierrans for Alabama, a campaign to restore environmental advocacy, democratic principles, and transparency within the Alabama Chapter of the Sierra Club.

The campaign follows the filing of a federal lawsuit by former Chapter Director Steven DeCaprio, who alleges wrongful termination and misallocation of funds earmarked for grassroots and political work in Alabama.

“This lawsuit is part of a bigger problem,” said DeCaprio. “It’s not just about what happened to me but rather a pattern of exclusion that’s sidelining the very people who want to fight for clean air, clean water, and conservation in Alabama. We were making real progress, and that momentum was derailed. Sierrans for Alabama is our way of getting back on track.”

The lawsuit, DeCaprio v. Sierra Club, filed in federal court, cites retaliation and abandoning Sierra Club’s mission and values.

Sierrans for Alabama is supported by former leaders who bring decades of experience in environmental protection and community-based activism.

“We fought hard to build something powerful here,” said Bob Hastings, former Chair of the Alabama Chapter. “From protecting Forever Wild to cutting Alabama’s reliance on coal by more than half, we’ve seen what can happen when the Sierra Club supports real advocacy. But now, instead of building power, we’re shutting people out. No open meetings. No real outreach. That’s not the Sierra Club we worked to build.”

Another former Chair of the Alabama Chapter, Peggie Griffin, emphasized the loss of democratic participation within the Chapter and its impact on young activists and people experiencing environmental injustice.

"Lack of activism literally closes the doors to the very people we should be reaching out to, especially those directly impacted by pollution," said Griffin.  "If we don't return to our activist roots, we are not doing all we can to preserve Alabama's environment - and we risk losing the next generation of environmental leaders."

The group is calling for a general membership meeting open to all Alabama Sierra Club members to reinstate political and advocacy programs and return to inclusive, transparent governance.

“In the past, we had open Executive Committee meetings and public retreats where members could learn, connect, and shape the direction of the Chapter,” said Hastings. “Those practices strengthened the movement. We need to bring them back.”

Jacey Meeks, who co-led campaigns to stop harmful dredging in Mobile Bay and co-produced the documentary A Disrupted System, underscored the value of grassroots leadership.

“When I was Chapter Chair, I worked with Sierra Club national staff to build real local capacity,” said Meeks. “We were working to hire local Chapter staff and build a fundraising network to sustain our local work. That gave us hope of making a real impact in Alabama. Today, that activity has dried up, and the Chapter has gone quiet. Alabama deserves better.”

Currently, the Alabama Chapter’s website lists hikes and social outings but offers no public meetings, no contact information for leadership, and no visible path for members to engage in environmental advocacy.

In response, Sierrans for Alabama has launched a petition calling for:

• A general membership meeting open to all Alabama members 

• The reinstatement of the Chapter’s Political Committee 

• A commitment to transparency, inclusion, and democratic governance

Supporters can learn more and sign the petition at www.sierransforalabama.org.

“This is about doing the work,” said DeCaprio. “We have coal waste and sewage overflows polluting our rivers, poorly regulated industry and development threatening biodiversity, and communities breathing toxic air. The Sierra Club should be fighting those battles, not avoiding them. Sierrans for Alabama is about rebuilding those efforts.”

Media Contact: 

Steven DeCaprio

Sierrans for Alabama: sierransforalabama@gmail.com