Skylands Group to host Music in the Park

SPARTA — Sierra Club’s Skylands Group will host an evening of “Music in the Park” on Tuesday, June 13, from 7-9 p.m.
Singer, guitarist, and songwriter Rick Barth will perform some of his acoustic repertoire under the pavilion by the pond at Station Park, 95 Station Road in Sparta.
“Rick Barth is an accomplished local musician who cares about the environment. We are excited to have him set the mood for this event,” says Nicole Guerrieri, Political Co-Chair of the Skylands Group.
A postcard writing opportunity will be announced prior to Barth’s performance, and the audience will be encouraged to write and decorate postcards while enjoying the music. The addresses of federal and state representatives, postcards, stamps, and other supplies will be provided, along with issue summaries. Seating will be at picnic tables.
“After the Women’s March, the Science March, and the People’s Climate March, people are really inspired to take action,” says Guerrieri. “This postcard drive will be a fun, relaxing way for people to express their opinions to their legislators about current environmental issues.”
According to Greg Gorman, Conservation Chair of both the New Jersey Sierra Club Chapter and the local Skylands Group, “There are bills in Congress that are intended to roll back decades of progress in protecting and improving the environment.”
Gorman points to the “Stopping EPA Overreach Act,” a bill he says would prevent the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases, and the “No tax Dollars for United Nations Climate Agenda Act,” as two pending bills that need public attention.
Participants will also be invited to write postcards to their state legislators calling for them to enact a New Jersey Climate Change Plan. “We need a state-wide plan to mitigate, adapt to, and, where possible, eliminate the effects of climate change on the people of New Jersey,” says Gorman. “New Jersey is the only state on the eastern seaboard without such a plan,” he adds.
Anyone concerned about the environment is welcome to attend free of charge. Coffee and desserts will be served. For more information, email skylandsgroup@gmail.com or call Greg Gorman at 973-886-7950.