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Serious question.
I know they promote global warming hysteria which I disagree with, but at least that hysteria doesn't do any real harm.

The reason I am considering joining is a desire to see the species Rana sierrae and Rana muscosa restored.

These are high elevation western stream frogs that breed primarily in alpine lakes, ponds, and streams. They have been extirpated from over 90% of their range in the central and northern Sierra Nevadas, and are virtually extinct in the southern part of their range (the 2003 fire in southern california elimanted most of what was left down there, there are probably fewer than 100 of the frogs in the southern population in the wild).

The primary cause of their decline is the introduction of trout into these alpine lakes. Trout never made it to the lakes naturally, so the frogs evolved (yes - I said evolved - take a deep breath and get over the shock) without them as a predator.

Researchers have demonstrated that the tadpoles show a response to natural predators that cause them to try and evade them (garter snakes) but show no response to trout as a predator.

Researches have shown that when trout are removed from a pond without the frogs that are near a troutless pond with the frogs, within a year the frogless pond is full of tadpoles.

Even remote lakes and ponds have often been planted with trout, Department of Fish & Games drops trout fingerlings from aircraft.

What sickens me is that DF&G continues to plant trout in these lakes and ponds. They have stopped in places where the frog is known, but how the smurf is the species suppose to recover from its almost extinct status if former range is kept stocked?

I think the state needs to be sued and ordered to stop ALL planting of trout in alpine lakes where the trout are not native. Further, I think the state should be required to pay for the removal of trout from lakes and ponds near known populations of the frogs. As the frogs naturally increase their range, more removal should be done.

I want to join an environmental group that has a legal department that files these kinds of lawsuits.

Is the Sierra club right for me, or is there another group that is better?

I asked the Sierra club, but I want opinions from the eco-freaks here who have experience with multiple organizations.

As far as those who like to fish for trout in alpine lakes - well, some of the lakes are big enough they'll never get the breeding trout out, enjoy those lakes. Or go to Minnesota.