September 2024 update from Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter
September 23, 2024
Come and join us on the trail this fall!
Hi, Supporter!
In this issue: our Seeds of Democracy launch, a report from our recent outing at Paynetown State Recreation Area, how to join our Executive Committee, an update on the Duke IRP (Integrated Resource Plan), and all our regular features - like photos from you, our readers - and much more!
Rebecca Dien-Johns
Chapter Coordinator.
Seeds of Democracy launch reminder
As fall approaches the season of gathering and preparing for the winter legislative season is here. We are expecting many crucial environmental and energy issues we care about to come up in the 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly. Whether protecting Indiana waters, expanding conservation funding, or promoting an affordable clean energy transition - it takes all of us to make our voices heard!
Join us at our virtual meeting this Wednesday, September 25 at 7 PM Eastern Time to learn how you can participate in shaping Indiana's public policy.
Do you have a love of the outdoors, a strong commitment to equity and justice, a passion to fight climate change and protect the environment in Indiana?
Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter is looking for five volunteers to serve on the Executive Committee who do!
But what's it actually like being on the Executive Committee?
"I think many people imagine being on the board of any organization and they picture a windowless meeting room with a big table, meetings with charts, and taking votes. And while my time with the Hoosier Chapter Sierra Club Executive Committee has had its share of meetings with votes and charts (though more often virtual), I’ve been able to do so many other interesting things, it would be a shame not to tell you!"
It’s urgent to put pressure on Duke to create a 20-Year Energy Plan that retires coal by 2030 and transitions to affordable, renewable energy!
On October 3, Duke is hosting its final public stakeholder meeting regarding its 20-Year Energy Plan (When: Oct 3, 9:30-3:00 EDT on Microsoft Teams, register here: 2024 Duke Energy Indiana IRP Public Stakeholder Meeting). The plan will be submitted to state regulators this fall, and will guide Duke’s decisions about how the utility will generate electricity for the years to come. We know that Duke is delaying coal plant retirements in the rate case, and in the 20-Year Energy Plan.
Here’s how you can help:
Share, comment, and like Hoosier Power’s Video: Youth leaders in Bloomington created an amazing video calling on Duke to end its coal use! Please interact with these posts by liking, sharing, and commenting: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Join our Statewide Evening of Action on Zoom on September 30 at 7:00 PM EST
Plan to join Duke’s October 3 20-Year Energy Plan Stakeholder Meeting: Let us know at bit.ly/socialaction24 if you plan to attend so we can send you more detailed guidance ahead of the meeting.
Take action by collecting petitions, making calls from home, or writing a letter-to-the-editor
Members of the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter and Friends of Lake Monroe hit the Pate Hollow Trail in Bloomington for an outing Sept. 12 to celebrate 60 years of the Wilderness Act of 1964 — and embraced the outing as a chance to discuss conservation issues in Indiana.
Sierra Club Outings Leader Julie Lowe shared information about S.B. 4402 and H.R. 8535, legislation that would add 15,300 acres and more than double the size of the Charles C. Deam Wilderness. It would also establish the new Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area adjacent to the expanded wilderness in the Hoosier National Forest, the state’s only national forest. The expansion would provide additional protection to Lake Monroe and more opportunities for recreational activities.
Outings leader Julie Lowe at the trailhead. Photo: Kasey Grau Jackson.
Along the trail, which is part of Hoosier National Forest, the hikers pointed out — and pulled — Japanese stiltgrass, an invasive species that displaces native plants in the area. They also took note to report to the Department of Natural Resources potentially dangerous areas where trees and tree limbs overhang the trails after a recent severe storm. Hikes such as these are as much for recreation as education and awareness.
“It’s important to get out and visit public land in Indiana that has been set aside and protected for us,” says Lowe. “From the grasslands in northwestern Indiana to the forested lands in other parts of the state, we have a lot to explore and appreciate in the Hoosier state.”
Want to take action? Here are a few ways you can make an impact on conservation efforts in Indiana:
Take a walk. Get out into nature with some friends and talk about what you love most about the outdoors and what you’d miss most if the forests weren’t protected.
Take action. There are countless ways. Here are a few:
Welcome to this regular feature, where we look back and share photos from our past. This month, we are going back to the rally to celebrate the historic Clean Power Plan in 2015, with Heartlands Group Chair Jesse Kirkham:
"This is Loria (my wife) on the left, longtime environmental activist Lori Adelson to my right, and myself holding a sign while standing in front of the Statehouse protesting for clean air standards in Indiana. Sierra Club, Hoosier Environmental Council, Earth Charter Indiana, and many other environmental groups combined for a big turnout."
Loria Kirkham, Jesse Kirkham, and Lori Adelson in 2015. Photo: Lori Adelson.
Spotted!
Sierra Club staff and volunteer leaders are passionate about getting out there and spreading the word about issues that matter to Hoosiers!
Outings leader Julie Lowe and Gillian Field from MC-IRIS (Monroe County Identify and Reduce Invasive Species) led a weed wrangle at Pate Hollow on August 28, arranged by Mary Reardon of the Uplands Network.
MC-IRIS, local Sierra Club members, and Jason Isbell of the Hoosier National Forest identified and pulled highly invasive Japanese stiltgrass on this hike.
Weed wranglers taking a well-earned break for a photo, by Julie Lowe.
Sierra Club in the press:
State spending $25M to address "zombie" oil and gas wells (WRTV) - “A lot of times the pollutants, especially the air pollutants, aren't visible to the naked eye. You may not be aware that you're living or your kids are going to school in close proximity to a leaking well." - Peter Morgan, senior attorney with the Sierra Club's Environmental Law Program.
Thank you Susan Pines for sending in this delightful photo!
"Find the three racoons nestled in the tree! I took this photo behind our house in Lawrence in August. They appeared to be a mom and two babies. They were halfway up a 40-foot tall oak tree."
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
Saturday, September 28, 2024; Noon to 4 pm (CT) 2024 EVs for EVVeryone
The annual EVs for EVVeryone is There will be 40-50 models of EV cars and trucks to check out with several available for test drives with local celebrities. There will be food trucks, an assortment of vendors and organizations, robotic demonstrations by local high school students and children's activities. The event is free. Please make plans to come and bring friends. Evansville Day School, 3400 N. Green River Rd.
Sunday, October 6, 2024; 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Native plant and seed giveaway with Wildergarden.
Join us for a Street Block party and native plant/seed giveaway at Wildergarden in Broad Ripple. This event is FREE for everyone. Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter will be in attendance! Wildergarden, 5947 Winthrop Ave, Indianapolis, IN, 46220.
