Matt Gravatt’s love of nature is rooted deep in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. “For as long as I can remember, the outdoors and natural places have invoked a sense of peace and wonder. As a kid, I spent more time outside than in.”

This childhood spent outdoors instilled a deep appreciation for not only the beauty of the outdoors, but the power of the natural world as a place of inspiration and learning.

As an adult, Matt transformed his love and appreciation of nature into ardent support of people-powered action to advance positive change. When he moved to DC, Sierra Club was the first place he volunteered. He was thrilled to find he could “join with neighbors that shared a passion and concern for the environment and climate.”

After ten years and several leadership positions at the DC Chapter, this commitment to advocacy has only deepened. One of Matt’s favorite memories is of a rapid-response action where the Chapter delivered “dirty water” to the DC Council to bring attention to high levels of lead in DC schools. This action brought home the undeniable and unacceptable reality: DC school kids were being exposed to toxic lead. The Chapter’s creativity, determination, and daring resulted in significant media attention and ultimately, action. Says Matt: “grassroots advocacy works.”

Matt recently made a planned gift to the DC Chapter. With this commitment, Matt ensures that this crucial advocacy work will continue long into the future. “Local action is a significant driver of powerful change, so it feels absolutely right to invest and empower that work now and as part of a legacy.” By making a planned gift, Matt is making a powerful impact on the future of the environmental movement in DC — without any effect on his current budget.

As a member of the Rachel Carson Society, Matt has once again joined a community of dedicated individuals who are passionate about protecting our natural world. Sierra Club has been fighting for decades to build a sustainable and just world for everyone to enjoy; thanks to planned gifts like Matt’s, that local fight will continue in DC for generations to come.