Featured chapter: CCL Fayetteville

CCL Fayetteville group leaders Sterling Smith and Joanna Beth Person-Michener recently joined forces with other local climate advocates to plan a multi-faith climate event for Northwest Arkansas.

“Joanna had the original vision,” Sterling shared. “She is very people-focused and wanted to put together a community event that would draw people together for climate action from all walks of life.”

Called the Interfaith Climate Retreat, the event brought together nearly 100 faith leaders, climate advocates, and community organizers for documentary films, guided discussions, and opportunities for climate action over the course of a week.

"The Interfaith Climate Retreat was an inspiring experience for me,” Joanna said. “I witnessed people from many different worldviews come together around shared values: protecting our livable planet for this and future generations. It was easy to find common ground and that common ground was love."

“The retreat was extremely well received,” Sterling said. “On the final evening, discussion was focused on all the climate advocacy opportunities available to volunteers in Northwest Arkansas. Citizens’ Climate Lobby was one of the organizations represented, with several people signing up to become members.”

Plans are in the works for another retreat in a different part of the state, as well as climate-friendly community activities, including a tree planting event next spring. Great work, CCL Fayetteville!