Newsletter- April 2022 update from Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter
April 19, 2022
Happy Earth Month!
Hi Supporter,
Happy Earth Month, friends! After a few false starts, spring finally feels like it is springing!* We are looking forward to getting out there and enjoying the sunshine- especially now we have our new Outings Committee Chair on board (Welcoming Paul Fuchs, below). Look out for Sierra Club hikes near you soon, and check the upcoming events section of this newsletter for Earth Day activities. (*Of course, today we woke up to snow, because this is the Midwest after all!)
The Sierra Club Earth Month website has ideas on how to get involved and celebrate this month, including Earth Day DIY tips, a reading list, and ways you can fundraise for the Club.
As well as being Earth Month, did you know that April is National Poetry Month? We at the Hoosier Chapter are huge poetry fans- so much so that in 2019, we published our own chapbook, Human/Nature. We still have a few copies of this lovely small compendium of Hoosier poetry left for sale- get in touch if you’d like to purchase one! All profits from sales go directly to supporting your Sierra Club chapter here in Indiana. Not so much of a poetry fan but want to donate to our work online? You can donate here!
If you’re feeling inspired, Sierra Club is looking for Earth Month haikus, and Indiana Humanities is asking everyone to contribute to their poem, All together now, Indiana. (Contribute to both these projects by 22 April)
Also in this newsletter- we throw a spotlight on volunteer leader Richard Hill, let you know how you can take action on CenterPoint's rate rises, and the mid-states corridor, as well as updates on our work and our usual recommendations, readers’ photos, and more! We hope you enjoy.
Volunteer Spotlight- Richard Hill
Richard Hill is a longtime volunteer leader and activist.
"I grew up on a family farm in southeastern Indiana. Spent time planting, harvesting, and weeding (ugh) in between. And then there was gathering eggs – we had lots of chickens. But, there always seemed to be time for fishing, baseball and basketball. As you can see, I spent a lot of time outdoors and thoroughly enjoyed it."
Richard aboard a riverboat sunset cruise on the Savannah River in Savannah, GA in 2016.
Take Action - Beyond Coal Rally at CenterPoint's Jurassic Park!
This Earth Day, join Ohio River Valley Beyond Coal and partners at the corner of 4th & Main in downtown Evansville, where CenterPoint Energy has the naming rights to a city park planned for the site.
We believe CenterPoint's proposal to build two new gas power stations in Posey County is a plan that should be as extinct as the dinosaurs.
Join us (come as your favorite dinosaur if you like) as we say "Spare Us the Expense" of CenterPoint's proposed $800 million+ project that will extend our dependence on fossil fuels for decades to come.
Welcoming Paul Fuchs - Our New Outings Committee Chair!
We are excited to welcome Hoosier Chapter Executive Committee Member, Paul Fuchs, into his new role as Outings Committee Chair!
Paul: “I can’t wait to help get the Outings Committee moving once more; I hope that - together - we’re able to provide plentiful opportunity to get out and explore nature in the coming months.”
Paul and his girlfriend Maria enjoying the beautiful weather of the Keys while exploring Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas National Park.
Take Action to Stop the Mid-States Corridor
The next Stop the Mid-States Corridor Town Hall will be in Mitchell on April 21st at 6:30 p.m. in the Emerson School Gym. This town hall is open to all to attend.
The meeting will be covering the importance of attending the public hearings on the 26th of April in Odon and the 28th of April in Jasper, discussing the public comment periods and written comments that can be submitted.
Members of our Winding Waters Group noticed the sign for Mountain Tea which was just installed on highway 46 in Brown County, and it inspired them to go and check out the forest.
Winding Waters Group volunteer leaders Joe Bronnert, Rebecca Lorenz, and Julie Lowe hiked it together in March. Their purpose was to see the new state forest for the first time, and to practice orienteering for a trip to Utah. They took trip prep seriously and trained on hills in southern Indiana forests.
We'd love to know- what are your favorite state forests in Indiana? Where would you love to see Sierra Club hikes? Reply to this email to let us know!
Volunteer leader Joe Bronnert demonstrates using a compass and map to stay on course.
Sierra Club Spotted!
Sierra Club staff and volunteer leaders are passionate about getting out there and spreading the word about issues that matter to Hoosiers!
During the 2022 legislative session, Sierra Club told you that Indiana legislators are putting Hoosiers on a dangerous path, refusing to listen to our urgent concerns about climate change and the need for greater access to renewable energy.Instead, they are pursuing false, risky and expensive schemes on behalf of special interests in exchange for our health, environment, financial security and collective futures. Read more and see your legislators' grades here.
Several faith, environmental, social justice and consumer advocacy groups - including the Sierra Club Southwest Indiana Network and the Ohio River Valley Beyond Coal Campaign- have formed a coalition, Energy for All, in response to the widespread distress and hardship in our community caused by exorbitant CenterPoint bills and the utility’s intent to raise rates even more. Read the declaration here.
If you have events coming up that you would like to invite Sierra Club to attend, or to reach out to us for a quote, please contact hoosier.chapter@sierraclub.org
Readers' Photos
Thank you to Roger Reece for sending in this stunning photo from an ice storm in early February:
"It wasn't as bad as some we've had in the past, I didn't hear limbs crashing down, although we were without power for a few hours. My ten year old grandson and I went for a walk in the hills of Clark County State Forest afterwards. The snow was mostly sleet so we were walking on top of the snow, it made for a nice hike."
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!
April 23- Earth Day hike. Owen-Putnam Friends of the Forest will host an Earth Day Hike along with the Indiana Forest Alliance. For more info click here.
Wild & Scenic Film Festival April 28- Doors open 5:30pm, screenings begin at 6:30pm at Kan Kan Cinema and Brasserie. Tickets can be purchased here. This is a benefit to support Indiana Forest Alliance, and the proceeds will go toward furthering the mission of protecting Indiana's forests.
Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter and Owen-Putnam Friends of the Forest partner events:
Saturday, April 23, 11:00 Energy for All Town Hall, sponsored by DAACE (Direct Action Against CenterPoint Energy), Evansville Central Library, Browning Room
Tuesday, May 10, SW Indiana Sierra Club Network, 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.
For more information on events in Southwest Indiana, contact nilesrosenquist@gmail.com
Winding Waters Group:
The Winding Waters Group will be hosting its annual Farmer's Market Native Plant Sale at the Columbus Farmers Market on 2 Saturday mornings, May 21 & 28. The Market is located in the south parking lot of Columbus City Hall at 123 Washington St. Most plants cost $4 and are locally sourced from Spence Nursery in Muncie, IN.
What have you been reading, listening to, or watching lately? We'd love to hear from you! Use the button below or email rebecca.dien-johns@sierraclub.org
