June - the month of Juneteenth, Summer Solstice, and Pride - is a month for observations and celebrations. For me, it means appreciating all those who fought for freedom, equity, and justice before us, and keeping promises to ourselves and future generations to keep that spirit, hope, and resilience alive. What does this month mean to you?
In this issue, get set for solar, join our teams, speak out against Duke's dirty plans, and enjoy our regular features - like photos from you, our readers - and much more!
Rebecca Dien-Johns
Chapter Coordinator.
Invite from the Director: Join our Chapter Teams
Greetings Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter Community,
I’d like to start off by extending my deep appreciation to the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter volunteer leadership community. From outings, to energy and conservation, to the incredible staff team that is working to advance our Sierra Club mission, I am inspired every day by the reach and creativity of our Sierra Club community in Indiana.
In just the first four months since stepping in as the new Chapter Director, I’ve seen us mobilize to protect Indiana forests and make progress in expanding the Deam Wilderness. I’ve seen us challenge Duke Energy to move with all speed to a clean energy transition and ensure affordable bills for customers. And I’ve seen us inspire Hoosiers to get outdoors and learn about the nature that is all around us.
Going solar can be daunting. Luckily, Solar United Neighbors is here to help. Their new Indiana Ready, Set, Solar! program will walk you through the process of going solar, step by step. Once you sign up, you’ll receive regular emails with bite-size actions you can take. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to install panels and start generating your own home-grown electricity!
Another benefit of signing up is that you can get personalized help and answers to your questions, just by replying to the program’s emails! The SUN Indiana team will be there to help, every step of the way.
Take action to continue the momentum for this week’s public hearing and the approaching public comment deadline.
We encourage everyone to help spread the word and attend the next public hearing taking place in Fisher’s on June 27 at 5:00 PM (Hamilton East Public Library in the East/Center Rooms) (5 Municipal Drive, Fishers, IN 46038). Let us know if you can attend the public hearing at: sc.org/dukefishers
There are only a few days left before the OUCC’s deadline of July 5, 2024 to submit public comments against Duke’s plans to double-down on coal!
Join us in opposing Duke’s Dirty Plans & invite your friends to take action at sc.org/dukeistheworst
Interested in starting a Green Drinks group in Westfield?
Monica Cannaley is a member of our Energy Committee and lives in Westfield. She is looking for Sierra Club members in/around Westfield that are interested in helping her start a Green Drinks group. Green Drinks is a national organization that supports local groups of environmentally-minded individuals interested in sharing comradery and ideas addressing local environmental issues. Those with no environmental expertise are welcome and encouraged to attend. The group usually meets once a month at a local restaurant or pub. Help securing a venue and occasional speakers would be great.
Contact Monica at mcannaley@gmail.com if you are interested in helping to organize this fun local event.
Way Back Wednesday
Welcome to this occasional feature, where we look back and share a photos from our past
This month, we're celebrating Pride!
Clockwise from top left:
Hoosier Chapter and Winding Waters Group volunteer leaders Julie Lowe (then in the role of Executive Committee Chair) and Michelle Carr(then in the role of Vice Chair) pose with Mike Hot Pence: "over 65K raised shaking my can for causes and communities attacked by the Trump-Pence administration." Columbus, IN Pride Festival, 2019.
Chapter Coordinator Rebecca Dien-Johns and Deputy Regional Field Director Amanda Shepherd (in pre-Sierra Club days) at Indianapolis IN Pride Festival, 2019.
Julie Lowe working at the Indiana Forest Alliance booth: "It was a beautiful day and meaningful conversations were had while greeting festival goers. We invited them to become aware of our public land being auctioned off by the IN Division of Forestry from our local state forests as timber and threats of forest management treatments by the USFS in the Hoosier National Forest that includes logging and prescribed fire. Also volunteering in the booth that day with IFA and Sierra Club were the Friends of Owen Putman Forest." Bloomington IN Pride Festival, 2018.
Chapter Director Roby Skuya-Boss (in pre-Sierra Club days) with their husband, Dr Jacob Boss, at Pride Day at Adventureland in Altoona IA, 2012.
Sierra Club staff and volunteer leaders are passionate about getting out there and spreading the word about issues that matter to Hoosiers!
Attendees of the phenology hike standing in front of the Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve Shelter. Photo: Jesse Kirkham.
Amanda Wanlass of Indiana Phenology led a fun and engaging phenology-focused mini-bioblitz with the Heartlands Group at Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve this month.
Attendees broke up into small groups and then went out to explore the woods with the iNaturalist app, doing citizen science by learning while documenting sightings. Thanks to Friends of Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve and all attendees. We had a great time! More photos on the Heartlands Group Facebook page.
Above: photo taken by Robyn Skuya-Boss from their canoe on Lake Monroe. Right, above and below: photos by Dave Wilderman at Wesley Chapel Gulf.
Outings leader Julie Lowe and Queer Indiana's Tyler Moore led our partnership outing and paddle at Lake Monroe.
The group enjoyed the serene time out on the water and the opportunity for wildlife spotting, including Canada Geese and herons.
The Winding Waters Group led an Orange County driving tour and Martin State Forest hike on June 4th.
Dave Wildemann is an Indiana Beyond Coal Campaign and Winding Waters Group volunteer from Columbus.
Dave has shared these photos that he took at the Wesley Chapel Gulf, a National Natural Landmark in Orange County that is part of the Hoosier National Forest. The gulf is a small part of the Lost River that is seen above ground. Most of the Lost River is subterranean and flows beneath the surface in Orange County.
The Sierra Club hikers standing above the Gulf looking down are (left to right), Marilyn Bauchat, Greg Grant, Mary Reardon, hike sweep and Julie Lowe, hike leader, Sue Wildemann, and Eleanor Lahr.
