Newsletter- May 2021 update from Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter
June 1, 2021
Mental health resources for May
Hi Supporter,
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As it draws to a close, we want to reflect on what this means in this particular time and place.
The past year has been one of the most stressful in memory for many. In addition to navigating a pandemic and living with many losses, we’ve been fighting for the environment and justice in our communities. We found these resources helpful, and hope you do too.
Finally, take courage and inspiration from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis. In a performance entitled Heroes and Dreamers, scholars reflect on being alive in this most interesting time. It includes hopes for the future- like making progress on human rights and creating a more sustainable future - and pledges to rise up to fight injustices.
May is also Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and pay tribute to the contributions and leadership of AANHPI people, which has been a powerful catalyst for change at the Sierra Club and other progressive organizations. Celebrate and learn more from our Sierra Club site!
In this newsletter- volunteer extraordinaire Marilyn Bauchat, our call to join our volunteer legislative teams, information on our chapter's first Sierra Club Military Outdoors Virtual Outdoor Adventure, how to get solar installed at your home, and of course our regular features of readers' photos and recommendations.
Volunteer spotlight... introducing Marilyn Bauchat!
I grew up in Lincoln Park, Michigan, just south of Detroit. Our family of eight lived in a house that backed up to a forest where my siblings and I led the neighbors in daily adventures. We took this small piece of paradise for granted until the day the trees were cleared and replaced by a doughnut shop. Luckily green space was abundant in Michigan in the form of parks, beaches and my grandparents’ property on Ore Lake which we explored regularly. There we enjoyed clean air and water and plentiful wildlife as we swam, rowed, dug, skated and took our first photos. Here at the lake and on many camping trips across the country, my siblings and I developed a strong sense of nature’s interconnectedness and of our impact on the delicate balance.
Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter volunteer Marilyn Bauchat at Lake Michigan, 2020.
New leaders needed: Hoosier Chapter Legislative Network call out
The Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter is currently seeking sincere, motivated individuals with a passion for protecting and promoting environmental and social justice-oriented policy to join our volunteer legislative teams for the next legislative session.
These teams will be the backbone of our chapter’s new action network across the state of Indiana dedicated to helping move policy and elected officials at the local, statewide, and national levels for lobbying efforts.
By building this statewide network and teams of individuals, we can give our members and fellow Hoosiers the best chance possible to impact legislation and influence legislatures to help build a better, more environmentally friendly Indiana for years to come.
First Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter Military Outdoors Virtual Outdoor Adventure!
The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis has partnered with the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter and Military Outdoors to create the Outdoors Challenge. The goal is to improve overall health and wellness through connections with the great outdoors. Although the target for the Outdoors Challenge is veterans, members of the military, and their families, the event is FREE and open to all.
The mission of the YMCA of the USA and Sierra Club Military Outdoors partnership is to improve the lives of veterans, members of the military, and their families through connections with the outdoors and to inspire them to become outspoken champions for environmental conservation and justice within their local communities.
This Virtual Outdoor Adventure begins on Thursday, June 17th at 5pm EDT by Zoom. Leaders from the Y and Sierra Club will welcome participants with introductions for all and a "Trailhead Talk" for participants where they will learn ways to experience their own Outdoor Adventure over the weekend. On Tuesday, June 22nd at 6pm EDT we will meet up by Zoom to have a virtual "Campfire" session to share our experiences and talk about the physical and mental benefits of being outdoors. In the future we will be planning Outdoor Adventures together in nature.
Please email Julie Lowe if you would like more information about this event. J_lowe66@yahoo.com
Interested in installing solar panels on your home?
Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is here to help!
SUN's solar co-op model is designed to help neighbors join together to get a good deal on rooftop solar with unbiased technical support from SUN along the way.
Joel Padilla, who recently installed solar panels in Indianapolis.
Reader's photo
Thank you to reader William Roger Reese, who sent in this wonderful photo!
"Here is a picture I took a few years ago in Scott County near the Clark County State Forest. We have some property that abuts the forestry and I was able to get the picture using my home as my blind. Actually more like blind luck since the male decided to impress the ladies right in front of the house and I was lucky enough to spot it. The iridescence of the feathers is pretty impressive."
We love to see your photos of nature! If you'd like to send in your photographs for consideration, please hit the button below.
The Ohio River provides drinking water for over 5 million people and has been affected by toxic algae blooms. The EPA has failed at protecting the Ohio River and the people that rely on it for basic human needs. Take action and sign this petition demanding the U.S. EPA set a numeric standard limiting excess nitrogen and phosphorus from entering the Ohio River!
Staff member Rebecca Dien-Johns showing new Chapter Director Amanda Shepherd around the Sierra Club office in Indianapolis. We are still working from home for now, but we are looking forward to getting back to the office and to in-person activities when it's safe to do so! Look out for news of activities resuming soon.
