Newsletter- March 2022 update from Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter

 

Our tribute to our former Director, Women's History Month, support pollinators, and much more.
 
Black text Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter banner with green pine tree logo image


In this newsletter, we pay tribute to our former Chapter Director, David Maidenberg, who passed away this month. David was with Sierra Club for over seven years and will be much missed by the Indiana environmental community, and beyond.

We have a wrap up of the Indiana legislative session, an update from our Indiana Beyond Coal team, and news of a pollinator path launching this spring. Find out how to vote in national Sierra Club elections, about upcoming events, and how to go solar. All this, and our usual Sierra Club Spotted! feature, readers' photos, and recommendations!

But first- Happy Women's History Month! As Sierra Club's Celebrating Women in History website says: Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate women’s momentous contributions to the environmental movement. Check out content celebrating this month from the U.S. National Park Service (Women's History Month - NPS Celebrates!) the Children and Nature Network ( Women’s Herstory Month) and National Geographic Kids.

March 8 was International Women's Day. We celebrated by paying tribute to some of the amazing women volunteer leaders, activists, and staff on our team here in Indiana. Here are just a few of them!
A collage of 9 women holding up various signs saying "I love clean air", "silence in the face of injustice aids the oppressor", "we can't afford your dirty power plan" "we are here to protect the water", "women's rights = human right" and "Hey NIPSCO, we're tired of your ash". The background is orange and there is green text saying Happy Women's History Month from Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter.
Top Row from left- Julie Lowe (Hoosier Chapter and Winding Waters Group Chair), Marilyn Bauchat (Hoosier Chapter Vice Chair), and Megan Anderson (Indiana Beyond Coal Campaign Senior Organizing Representative), Shannon Anderson (Chapter Executive Committee member), Linze Southwick (Heartlands Group volunteer leader), and Amanda Shepherd (Chapter Director).
Middle row from left- Wendy Bredhold (Senior Campaign Representative, Beyond Coal Campaign), Amanda Shepherd (Chapter Director), Michelle Carr (Chapter and Winding Waters Group volunteer leader).
Bottom row from left- Megan Anderson (Indiana Beyond Coal Campaign Senior Organizing Representative), Ashley Williams (Indiana Beyond Coal Campaign Organizer), and Rebecca Dien-Johns (Chapter Coordinator).

Paying tribute to our former Chapter Director, David Maidenberg

We are saddened to hear of the passing of former Chapter Director of the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter, David Maidenberg. David was our director for over seven years. 
Jesse Kirkham, Heartlands Group Chair: “David was the inspiration for many of us to get involved with the Hoosier Chapter of the Sierra Club. For me it was restarting the Heartland Group. He had a way of relating to people that invited you in. He had a wealth of knowledge and even under the most challenging moments he remained calm, positive, and encouraging. His advice continued to help us after he retired and moved to New Mexico. He would visit us while in Indiana and check up with us. He could make us laugh when we needed laughter. We have lost a true friend and leader.”

Our thoughts are with his family and friends. 

Read our full tribute to David here.
An indoor photo of two men and two women posing together and smiling for the camera.
L-R: Jesse Kirkham, Amy Barnes, David Maidenberg, and Lori Adelson.

Legislative Session Wrap-Up

The Indiana Statehouse with it's green dome in the background, with trees with white petals in the foreground.
We at the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made calls, sent emails, or personally met with their legislators during the 2022 session. We urge you to continue communications with your legislators , even outside of session. Building these relationships is key in future efforts. Don't hesitate to reach out to us if you need assistance in reaching your lawmaker or need talking points before conversing with them!
Thank you to everyone who took action these past few months in opposing bad legislation, encouraging the advancement of positive bills, and supported our efforts in protecting Indiana's people and places! We have now reached the end of the 2022 legislative session here in Indiana - but there is still more to do! We want to encourage continued outreach to Governor Holcomb on legislation that could still be vetoed by his office. Learn more about what we accomplished, what more there is to do, and all of our work in the 2022 session here.

CenterPoint Energy customers face highest energy burden in Indiana

Customers of CenterPoint Energy, the monopoly electric and gas utility in the Evansville area, have long known what it feels like to pay the highest utility bills in Indiana. Now, with CenterPoint’s proposed fossil fuel project, which includes a gas pipeline and two gas turbines, customers can expect to see even higher bills for decades to come.
A collage of dozens of people holding up signs. The text on the signs aren't clearly visible, but in the middle is a group of people holding a banner with the words Hey Vectren Face the Future.
CenterPoint’s $800 million proposed gas plant project will hike utility bills by over $24/mo for the average residential customerRead more.

Robyn Skuya-Boss
Lead Organizer, Sierra Club Indiana Beyond Coal Campaign.

National Sierra Club elections are underway - VOTE!

A Democratic Sierra Club Demands Grassroots Participation

The annual election for Sierra Club’s Board of Directors is now underway.

Those eligible to vote in the national Sierra Club election will have received in the mail (or by Internet if you chose the electronic delivery option) your national Sierra Club ballot in early March. This includes information on the candidates and where you can find additional information on Sierra Club’s web site.

Your participation is critical for a Strong Sierra Club!

The Sierra Club is a democratically structured organization at all levels. Sierra Club requires the regular flow of views on policy and priorities from its grassroots membership in order to function well. Yearly participation in elections at all Sierra Club levels is a major membership obligation.

In a typical year less than 10% of eligible members vote in the Board elections. A minimum of 5% is required for the elections to be valid. Our grassroots structure is strengthened when our participation is high. That means your participation is needed in the voting process.

Voting Online is Quick and Easy!

Even if you receive your election materials in the mail, we encourage you to use the user-friendly Internet voting site to save time and postage. If sending via ground mail, please note your ballots must be received by no later than noon EST Election Day, April 27, 2022.
How can I learn about the candidates?

Members frequently state that they don’t know the candidates and find it difficult to vote without learning more.

Each candidate provides a statement about themselves and their views on the issues on the official election ballot. You can learn more by asking questions of your group and chapter leadership and other experienced members you know.


Click here to visit the Sierra Club’s election web site for additional information about candidates.

Then make your choice and cast your vote!
 
Not a member yet? Join today so you can vote in future Sierra Club elections.

​Pollinator Path launching in spring 2022!

Columbus Pollinator Committee needs your help to establish an AirPark Pollinator Path to help Columbus become a more environmentally friendly city! 

Donations will provide funding for native plant beds, Ivy Tech agricultural pilot project, educational signage, and wildlife housing. The Pollinator Path on Columbus People Trail will be certified as a sustainable trail by the Indiana Wildlife Federation. 

Help us reach our $7,500 goal and it will be matched with another $7,500 from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA)!​ Beginning at $25 donation, the Columbus Pollinator Committee will provide a gift for your contribution! The last date to fundraise is April 19.
A yard sign with the text Coming Soon- 2022 POLLINATOR MEADOW.
Did you know? Columbus became Indiana's 1st Bee City in 2021!

Bee City USA is a nationally recognized Xerces Society program for creating and maintaining natural habitat for pollinators. 

Establishing the Pollinator Path will be the primary Bee City project for the Columbus Pollinator Committee in 2022.
Find out more here!

Sierra Club Spotted!

A group of around a dozen people stand in a forest. The trees are bare and there are leaves on the ground. Some of the group have their hands on one particularly large tree as though to protect it. The group are wearing warm outdoorsy clothes.
Sierra Club staff and volunteer leaders are passionate about getting out there and spreading the word about issues that matter to Hoosiers! 

Above- Sierra Club volunteer leaders and members Julie Lowe, Marilyn Bauchat, Rebecca Lorenz, Dennis Tibbitts, Mary Reardon, Greg Grant, Lora Kemp, and Kurt Kemp joined Friends of Owen-Putnam State Forest and IU students and staff for a hike in late February.

They are rising in solidarity in the hopes of saving this giant tulip poplar tree from the timber sale in the Owen-Putnam State Forest Rattlesnake Campground Area. The tulip poplar is our Indiana state tree. Please email our chair, Julie Lowe, if you'd like to get involved in defending our forests: j_lowe66@yahoo.com

TAKE ACTION: Sign this petition- Special Places Worth Saving - Rattlesnake Campground Area.
Our Legislative Coordinator Cory Ray was spotted (right), mobilizing our supporters to take action during the Indiana legislative session.

Thank you to everyone who helped Sierra Club phone bank during this session!

If you're interested in getting involved in legislative organizing contact cory.ray@sierraclub.org

Our Chapter Director, Amanda Shepherd, spent some time this month in North West Indiana.

She met with Save the Dunes- whose mission is protect and advocate for the Indiana dunes, Lake Michigan, and the surrounding natural areas- and talked with local activists and Sierra Club supporters.

Amanda also attended the Cleveland-Cliffs Burns Harbor Community Open House in order to learn more about their plans in carbon reduction and addressing nutrient pollution from the facility, where she spoke with the Director of Permitting and Regulatory Affairs and their Director of Sustainability.

Of course, getting some time outdoors was essential too (photo right)!

If you have events coming up that you would like to invite Sierra Club to attend or speak at, please reach out at hoosier.chapter@sierraclub.org
A white man with a beard, glasses, and a hat holds a cellphone up to his ear. With his other hand he is writing on a notepad. There is also a laptop in front of him and a globe.
A white woman stands on a beach with the blue lake and the blue sky also visible. She has brown hair and is wearing sunglasses as it's very bright, but also a coat indicating that it's still a chilly day.
In the news...

“Petersburg is one of the dirtiest coal plants in the country, has continually violated its water and air permits, and broke down repeatedly in the last year” - Wendy Bredhold, senior campaign representative for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign in Indiana and Kentucky, quoted in the Indy Star: AES Indiana plans to leave coal power behind by 2025, parent company says.

"We need our leaders to face the facts. There’s nowhere to hide from the climate crisis — not even the halls of the State Legislature.” - Wendy Bredhold, senior campaign representative for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign in Indiana and Kentucky, quoted in the Indiana Environmental Reporter: Report Warns Time is Running Out to Affect Climate Change, Indiana Dawdles on Fossil Fuels.

Net metering deadline approaching- Go Solar! 

Clean energy and energy democracy are important to us, so we’re proud to partner with Solar United Neighbors to sponsor solar co-ops around the state. The groups are free to join and will help you better understand your options for rooftop solar.

Join the group to install solar panels before the July 1 net metering deadline!

Readers' photos

Reader Neal Dake has some inspiring words from a property he is bringing back to nature.

"I bought 2.66 acres and it is basically a blank canvas. I am currently in the process of making it into a wildlife preserve. I am so dedicated to nature I went out and sought this property. It was originally a horse farm. I have planted 5 different trees so far on the property to help with soil stabilization. I have already made a hugelkultur (soil stabilization mound) with the wood that was on the property that was already rotting. I have seen many different types of birds on the property. There are some low spots on the property that hold water and I will be making wetlands and planting native marginal plants such as arrow arum, marsh marigold, and cattails.

I will keep fighting for nature for my whole life."

Do you have a photograph of Indiana nature that you would like to share?

We'd love to see it and perhaps feature it in a future newsletter!

Use the button below or email 
rebecca.dien-johns@sierraclub.org
A close up photo of a bird with spotted wings and belly and a prominent beak on a bird feeder.
"This is one of the first birds to visit my feeder. This is one of the different types of woodpeckers that has visited my new property. He has flown in every day. This gives me hope for nature and shows diversity through nature and its beauty." - Neal Dake
I have a photograph to share

Upcoming events 

Southwest Indiana Network events:

Tuesday, April 12- Discussion of the Mid State Corridor (proposed highway project in the south-central part of the state) led by Tim Maloney, Hoosier Environmental Council.

Tuesday, May 10- Presentation on the Lower Pigeon Creek Watershed Study, Speaker Sara Peel, consultant to the Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District.  

Tuesday, May 24, Indivisible Evansville meeting with a program on environmental issues. 

Contact Niles Rosenquist at nilesrosenquist@gmail.com for more information.

Our annual Sierra Club Winding Waters Group Native Plant Sale is here!
Please browse the 2022 plant brochure and check out favorites from the past as well as some new additions including more grasses and button bush. Deadline to receive order form: April 1st, 2022.

Owen-Putnam Friends of the Forest will be hosting an Earth Day Event "Save the Frogs" at the Owen County Library from Noon - 2 PM on Saturday, April 30. In the upstairs children's department they will host games and activities for teens and children, and downstairs, for adults, they will be showing a couple of short films about the Owen-Putnam State Forest.

Recommendations

Reader recommends: 

Reader Kitch Carter recommends The Home Place, by Dr. J. Drew Lanham which "talks about Dr. Lanham’s experiences as a Black conservation biologist and ornithologist in a largely white field. This lovely book is often funny, touching, always thought-provoking. I encourage everyone to read it."

What have you been reading, listening to, or watching lately? We'd love to hear from you!
Scroll down to use the button below or email rebecca.dien-johns@sierraclub.org

From Indiana:

IU program aims to help cities address local climate impacts (The Exponent)
NAACP visits "the people's house" for annual day of legislative action (The Statehouse File)
Inside Indy food deserts, Black gardeners and farmers grow the freshest greens in town (WTHR)
Urban trees, soil take in more CO2 than previously thought (NUVO)
Local pantries struggle to keep shelves stocked for the community (Indiana Daily Student)
Exhibits and parks reveal our collective experience across Indianapolis (NUVO)
Customers paying for idled AES plant. They're also paying to buy power it should have produced (Indy Star)
Indiana town was built on contaminated coal ash. Now, NIPSCO must pay $12M to clean it up (Indy Star)

From the rest of the country and beyond:

Led Zeppelin member leads multinational version of “When the Levee Breaks” to fund conservation groups (Indiana Environmental Reporter)
A Black Homestead Homecoming 2022 (Outdoor Afro YouTube)
Can Rights of Nature Laws Make a Difference? In Ecuador, They Already Are (Inside Climate News)
Bees can play soccer – 10 little-known facts about insects (The Guardian)
Native Americans are at the heart of Yellowstone. After 150 years, they are finally being heard (The Guardian)
Why soil is a surprisingly noisy place (BBC)
National Park Foundation Launches Program To Advance Equity In The Outdoors (National Parks Traveler)

From Sierra Club:
Stories to Be Told - Unearthing the Black history in America’s national parks
EPA Must Protect Families From Mercury and Other Air Toxics
Why a Black Woman Deserves the Next Seat on the Supreme Court
I have a recommendation!
That's all for this month! We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter. Please don't hesitate to get in touch - we love hearing from our readers! 

Until next time,

All the team at Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter.

(Photo- Turkey Run State Park by Rebecca Dien-Johns)
Many trees line the banks of a gorge which has some snow and ice on the ground. Some of the trees are evergreen and the sky is blue.
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