We are beginning a series of articles highlighting Sierra Club Connecticut members and staff who you might like to know. Find out what’s inspiring us to fight for the environment, what brings us hope, and more! This month, meet Chapter Organizer Julianna and her dog, Ruby!

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Julianna Larue (she/her) has worked for Sierra Club Connecticut since 2024 as a Chapter Organizer. Her work focuses on legislative lobbying for our priority bills and outreach to our membership for grassroots support. She is also the lead on our Make Polluters Pay campaign along with Volunteer Leader Sydney Collins. Julianna lives in Rocky Hill and loves to be out in nature with her rescue pup, Ruby. 

 

What first inspired you to start fighting for the environment? 

• When I was a kid I was always in nature. I grew up camping in Vermont at my Grandparents’ house and always had fun outdoors. I would play in a local stream by my home and people in my neighborhood started hitting golf balls, and throwing scraps away near the stream where I would play and look at plants and animals. At 8 years old I wrote notes to every single one of my neighbors telling them to stop littering. I would go to the beach to pick up litter and little did I know this would be my future. 

• In High School I took an environmental science class and knew I wanted to pursue science in some form, especially marine biology. My teacher, Elizabeth Dilernia, changed my life! I took her class and she mentored me throughout high school. I asked her “I want to make a difference, what should I do?” and she said “Change law and advocate”. Since that day I knew I wanted to work in Environmental policy. This was during the 2016 election as well where I started to get involved in policy watching the destruction the Trump Administration was doing. 

• I was invited to the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment in High School where I went to George Mason University. The Washington Youth Summit on the Environment is an interactive program that provides high-achieving high school students with an interest in the environment, conservation, sustainability, and related fields with a unique experience exploring careers in these areas. 

• These experiences and feeling connected to nature is what drew me to fight for the environment. I never questioned my passion and where I wanted to leave a mark on the world. 

What gives you hope in your environmental advocacy?

• As a young person what gives me hope is the growing number of young people stepping up—not just to advocate, but to lead. More are getting involved in organizing, showing up in their communities, and even running for office. At the same time, we’re seeing more progressive candidates challenge the status quo and push for the bold climate action this moment demands. There’s something powerful about a generation that refuses to accept inaction. I’m also grounded by something bigger: Mother Nature never lies. She will be here with or without us. That reality is both humbling and motivating. I’m hopeful that the signs we’re seeing serve as a wake-up call—pushing people to act, organize, and make a difference while we still can.

What ways do you reduce your impact on the environment that you feel best about?

• I vote for candidates who support and champion the environment because I know they will make a difference.

• I do small things day to day like sign petitions, I refuse to use plastic, I donate to organizations and causes I care about, I make sure to do small things everyday that make me feel good about contributing to the wellbeing of mother earth. 

 

What is your favorite …

Natural place in CT? State or National park?

• I went to Acadia National Park for the first time and I LOVED it!! 

• In CT I love Peoples State Forest 

Way to enjoy nature? Or outdoor activity?

• I hike pretty much every weekend with my rescue pup, Ruby. 

• I go Kayaking and Canoeing 

• I plant pollinator plants in my garden

 

Thanks, Julianna!