No, Sierra Club Canada is Not American nor a U.S. Organization

There are three distinct ‘Sierra Clubs’ (which are not branches nor chapters of each other) in case you’re wondering if you’ve got the right one:

Sierra Club Canada – around since 1971 – (that’s us!), Sierra Club BC (in British Columbia), and Sierra Club (in the U.S.). While we sometimes work together on common causes, these three organizations are all separate legal entities with separate management, financial structures, and boards. So if you’re looking to donate please note that a donation to one of the clubs is not a donation to all three clubs, but only to the one you selected.

• You can find out who’s on our board here at Sierra Club Canada here.
• You can meet our staff and team here.
• Read more: Oil & Gas Advocates Try to Divide Canadians with Alberta Separatism: We’re Their Obstacle.

Our sister organizations do important work too though: Sierra Club U.S., has filed a new lawsuit against the Trump Administration after its Department of Government Efficiency refused to release records about its ties to polluters and special interests: They’re calling for transparency about who’s influencing DOGE’s massive budget cuts — and how those decisions are harming people, public health, and the environment. Sierra Club U.S. is also taking part in – an is partner on – the No Kings day protests across the U.S.

In February 2025 Sierra Club Canada met with our sister organization, Sierra Club U.S. in Montréal to discuss collaboration on growing offshore wind in Canada and raising awareness of the destabilizing effects U.S. tariffs on Canadian products will have on manufacturing.

Read more about the meeting: Canadian wind turbines, made with Canadian steel and aluminium.

“Together we are sharing lessons that can help strengthen Canada’s future and sovereignty. Around this table we see what the U.S.-Canada relationship should be: two separate entities supporting each other in friendship,” our Executive Director noted at the time.

The U.S. Sierra Club has also been coordinating with the United Steelworkers Union which represents workers on both sides of the border.

Learn more about how sovereignty, democracy and renewable energy are all connected in our podcast sub-series here.

Some of our Sierra Club Canada team in Edmonton, AB, working with our Wild Child Edmonton program.

Sierra Club BC ‘is the longest-running environmental charity in B.C. with over 55 years of experience speaking up for forests, biodiversity and a stable climate. They have a long and proven track record with a network of over 30,000 people and growing.’

They also leverage their “decades of experience to implement stronger environmental policies, support Indigenous-led solutions, and empower local leaders from all walks of life to create positive change.”

It should also be noted, Sierra Club Canada is against fracking and gas expansion, and always has been. Find out more about the faulty economics of gas expansion, as well as impacts on local health and climate impacts, here.

Read more:

• Canada Can Go 100% Renewable.
• How batteries let renewables get around needing baseload power.
• Canada Wind Power Facts.
• Canada Electric Vehicles Facts.

Our President and Executive Director

Gretchen Fitzgerald is Sierra Club Canada Foundation’s (SCCF’s) Executive Director. She has focused on environmental impacts of oil and gas and mining, volunteer engagement, and climate change. Having grown up in northern Newfoundland, Gretchen witnessed the impacts of the collapse of the cod fishery on her community and was drawn to marine biology and conservation ecology as a student at Dalhousie University.

She has produced a report on the harpoon swordfish fishery, spearheaded activity on marine invasive species and ballast water management in Atlantic Canada. Gretchen has participated as an expert in numerous environmental assessments, including the Joint Panel Review for the Digby Quarry. In her spare time she loves getting out in the garden to grow veggies, birding, and baking really good treats for her family (although reportedly not enough of them!)

Please note: There is a different Gretchen Fitzgerald who apparently lives in Colorado, but our Gretchen Fitzgerald is originally from Newfoundland and Labrador.

Owen Leggatt Stewart (he/him) – President 

Owen Leggatt Stewart is a practicing lawyer who has been involved in constitutional litigation across Canada. Born and raised on the West Coast of Canada, Owen grew up fishing and camping – which fuelled a growing concern for conservation and environmental protection.

This led Owen to volunteer with environmental issues and organizations; something he has now been doing for over a decade. While Owen has deep roots in British Columbia, he has lived in or travelled to almost every province and territory in Canada, instilling a keen interest in local and national issues.

Owen briefly considered a career as an outdoor guide before questionably deciding that an office life would suit him better. Owen remains an avid backcountry camper and can be found gardening, fishing or cooking in his free time.

Meet our full team:

• You can find out who’s on our board here at Sierra Club Canada here.
• You can meet our staff and team here.

Sierra Club Canada supporters planting trees in Ontario