Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club

What Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club does

The Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club is a volunteer-led 501(c)(4) environmental advocacy organization founded in 1963 and operating as a regional subdivision of the national Sierra Club (headquartered in Oakland, CA). It represents approximately 7,000-10,000 members and roughly 10,000 supporters across New Mexico and three West Texas counties (El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culberson), delivering advocacy on climate, public lands, wildlife, water quality, zero waste, and nuclear waste issues. Operationally, the chapter is run by a small paid staff of four full-time and one part-time employee led by Director Camilla Feibelman, with an elected volunteer Executive Committee and four regional groups (Central NM, Northern NM, Southern NM, and El Paso) acting as the primary delivery nodes for local programming.

The chapter's core outputs are programs and campaigns rather than commercial products. The portfolio includes youth climate education (Global Warming Express, Sierra Student Coalition), water quality monitoring (Water Sentinels), outdoor access programs (Inspiring Connections Outdoors, Excursiones a la Naturaleza, Military Outdoors), a calendar of volunteer-led hikes and outings, and a dense coalition infrastructure spanning 13+ issue-specific alliances. Revenue is generated from membership dues (starting at $15 annually) and donations routed through the national Sierra Club donation platform, supplemented by a Political Action Committee for electoral work. The chapter has a documented track record of influencing state and federal policy, including the 2019 Energy Transition Act, two national monument designations (2013-2014), and EPA methane pollution safeguards (2021). Distribution and engagement run through a multi-channel model: a website, email newsletter (The Rio Grande Sierran), social media, grassroots lobby trainings, press releases, and on-the-ground community events.

Name

Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club

Legal name

Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club

Website

https://riograndesierraclub.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club is a volunteer-led 501(c)(4) environmental advocacy organization, founded 1963, representing roughly 10,000 members across New Mexico and West Texas and delivering climate, public lands, wildlife, water, and youth education programs through four regional groups and 13+ coalitions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Advocacy and Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education & Community Programs (Junior Ranger, Citizen Science, School Programs) (THAAAGAK)

Keywords

• Environmental advocacy
• Conservation programs
• Climate education
• Grassroots organizing
• Outdoor recreation access

Headquarters

HQ city

Albuquerque

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues and Donations: Primary revenue stream from membership dues and donations. Membership starts at $15. Donations support local environmental work including climate protection, public lands advocacy, wildlife conservation, and water quality initiatives.
2. PAC Contributions: Political action committee accepting donations to support environmentally-focused candidate endorsements and electoral work.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club is a New Mexico-based nonprofit chapter that delivers environmental advocacy, conservation education, and community organizing programs. It runs youth climate curricula, watershed monitoring, and outdoor access programs for underserved and veteran communities. Its core activity is mobilizing members and volunteers to influence environmental policy and engage New Mexicans in conservation activities.

Product overview

The Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club is a volunteer-led nonprofit environmental organization offering advocacy programs and educational initiatives rather than commercial products. Its portfolio includes youth climate education programs (Global Warming Express, Sierra Student Coalition), outdoor access programs (Inspiring Connections Outdoors, Military Outdoors Program, Excursiones a la Naturaleza), environmental monitoring (Water Sentinels), recreational outings, and advocacy campaigns focused on climate, water, land, and wildlife protection in New Mexico and West Texas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Global Warming Express: A climate change education and advocacy non-profit program created By kids/For kids, ages 8-12, adopted by Sierra Club in 2018.
• Sierra Student Coalition

Products and services

• Global Warming Express A youth climate education program that teaches children about climate science, leadership, and advocacy. Designed for elementary-aged students and delivered in partnership with schools and community educators.
• Sierra Student Coalition A student-led environmental organizing network that empowers young people to advocate for climate and conservation action on their campuses and in their communities.
• Water Sentinels A volunteer-driven watershed monitoring and protection program that trains community members to test water quality and advocate for clean water in New Mexico.
• Inspiring Connections Outdoors A program that provides nature outings and outdoor experiences to underserved youth in New Mexico, fostering environmental stewardship and outdoor recreation access.
• Excursiones a la Naturaleza A Spanish-language nature outing program designed to engage Latino families and communities in outdoor recreation and environmental education across New Mexico.
• Military Outdoors Program A program offering guided outdoor experiences for veterans, active-duty service members, and their families to support wellness, connection, and environmental engagement.

Quantifiable outcome

• Achieved permanent protection for Rio Grande del Norte and Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks as national monuments (2013-2014)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Greater Chaco Coalition (Frack Off Chaco)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative effort between Indigenous community leaders, environmental organizations, nonprofits, and environmental justice advocates working to protect Greater Chaco region from oil and gas development. The coalition calls on Interior Department, BLM, state and tribal governments to address cumulative impacts of fracking.
• Caja del Rio CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition working to protect the 107,068-acre Caja del Rio plateau from development, preserving it as a sacred area for local pueblos and ecological wildlife corridor.
• Coalition for Clean Affordable EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition working on clean energy policy and advocacy in New Mexico, with chapter staff and volunteers actively involved.
• Chaco CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on protecting Chaco Canyon and surrounding Greater Chaco landscape from oil and gas development impacts.
• Valles Caldera CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition supporting proper management of Valles Caldera National Preserve under National Park Service.
• Citizens Dairy CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of citizens living near industrial dairies and clean water groups working with dairy industry and Environment Department on groundwater protection rules.
• New Mexico Permian Environmental Justice CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition addressing environmental justice concerns related to Permian Basin oil and gas operations impacting New Mexico communities.
• Southwest Alliance for a Safe FutureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on safety and environmental protection in Southwest region.
• Otero Mesa Action TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAction team from El Paso Group actively participating with BLM Las Cruces District on Resource Management Plan covering gas/oil leasing policy and Lands with Wilderness Characteristics.
• Doña Ana County CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on environmental issues in Doña Ana County, New Mexico.
• Rio Grande Water FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition working on water resource management and protection for Rio Grande watershed.
• Green Amendment CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition working to secure constitutional environmental rights protections.
• Bosque Action TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity coalition formed in response to Rio Grande Vision development plan, working to preserve and protect Albuquerque's Bosque riverfront forest ecosystem.
• El Paso AudubonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for monthly General Meetings at UT El Paso's Centennial Museum in El Paso Group territory.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Earthworks: National nonprofit focused on mineral extraction impacts, including oil/gas and mining. Active in NM on Permian Basin methane, mining issues (Copper Flat), and abandoned mine cleanup, intersecting directly with Rio Grande Chapter's mining and methane advocacy priorities.

Direct peers

• WildEarth Guardians: Southwest regional environmental advocacy organization focused on wildlife, public lands, and climate. Competes for similar NM donors and engages in overlapping federal policy advocacy around endangered species, public lands management, and fossil fuel extraction.
• 350 New Mexico: State-level affiliate of 350.org focused on climate action and fossil fuel opposition in New Mexico. Directly competes for NM climate donors and volunteers, with overlapping campaigns on methane, renewable energy transition, and Permian Basin oil/gas operations.
• New Mexico Wilderness Alliance: New Mexico-focused conservation nonprofit advocating for wilderness designation, public lands protection, and wildlife corridors. Directly competes for NM environmental donors, volunteers, and policy influence on overlapping public lands and wildlife campaigns.
• Lone Star Chapter of Sierra Club: Sister regional chapter of Sierra Club originally spun off from Rio Grande Chapter in 1965. Operates with same volunteer-led model, regional group structure, and member dues/pricing approach across Texas, making it the closest structural and operational peer.
• Conservation Voters New Mexico: NM-focused environmental policy and electoral advocacy organization. Operates the same NM legislative and electoral advocacy playbook, with overlapping donor base and direct collaboration on campaigns like the Energy Transition Act and methane safeguards.

Broad incumbents

• Earthjustice: National environmental law organization using litigation to protect public lands, wildlife, and climate. Frequently partners with the chapter on regulatory and legal actions around methane rules, mining, and public lands protection across the Southwest.
• National Parks Conservation Association: National nonprofit focused on protecting and enhancing the National Park System. Overlaps with Rio Grande Chapter on national monument advocacy (Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks, Rio Grande del Norte) and operates with broader geographic scope and substantially larger budget.
• Sierra Club (National): Parent 501(c)(4) organization headquartered in Oakland, CA, providing brand, infrastructure, and capacity to the Rio Grande Chapter. Operates a broader portfolio across all 50 states with national campaigns, while the chapter specializes in NM/West Texas regional execution.

Regional players

• Western Watersheds Project: Regional nonprofit focused on protecting and restoring western watersheds and public lands, with significant NM activity. Overlaps on grazing, mining, water quality (Water Sentinels), and public lands management issues affecting NM and broader Intermountain West.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/riograndesierra
• Facebookfacebook.com/NMSierraClub

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club