October 2024 update from Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter
October 25, 2024
Take action for our forests
This past month, our thoughts have been with communities impacted by the hurricanes which left so much devastation in their wake. I know many of our readers will have loved ones in these states; I sincerely hope that you, your family, and your friends are safe.
Before our usual newsletter, I'd like to share a few links and resources:
In this issue: you're invited to our Seeds of Democracy virtual meeting, take action for forests, native plants, and renewable energy, plus all our regular features - like photos from you, our readers - and much more!
Rebecca Dien-Johns
Chapter Coordinator.
Objection! Protect the Buffalo Springs area of the Hoosier National Forest. Comment Today!
Wetland spotted along the Lick Creek Trail in the Buffalo Springs area during our Lick Creek Settlement Hike October 19. Photo: Robyn Skuya-Boss.
The Chapter Conservation Committee has been following the USFS Buffalo Springs Restoration Project at every step and we oppose it. Please speak up and let the USFS know that we need our trees to help stabilize our climate and that we can’t afford to burn 15,000 acres of forest that will make things worse. These public lands should be protected for us and for future generations to enjoy beautiful hikes in the woods, and not be burned and clear cut by the USFS.
Fall is here: the season of gathering and preparing for the winter legislative season. 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 on Nov 7, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time to learn how you can participate in shaping Indiana's public policy.
Expand Indiana's Deam Wilderness and establish the Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area!
We have a prime opportunity to expand and preserve our public lands in Indiana!
Hoosiers have an important role to play by supporting legislation that would more than double the size of the Charles Deam Wilderness Area and establish the Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area.
Duke is delaying its exit from coal from 2035 to 2038 at its Gibson plant in southwest Indiana. While every other major Indiana utility will exit coal by the end of the decade, Duke is offsetting that progress by extending its coal plant operations far longer than what's needed to limit the impacts of our already changing climate. It also means extending the harmful pollution that fouls the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil our farmers cultivate.
Tell Duke to cancel their plans to delay coal retirements and to start the transition to renewable energy now at sc.org/dukeindiana
Joab Schultheis
Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter Executive Committee Chair
Energy Committee Chair
Stop the Sale of Callery Pear in Indiana!
Callery pear is one of a dozen invasive species in a rule amendment that would allow the DNR to ban it from sale – but it will take public support to keep moving this rule forward.
Welcome to this regular feature, where we look back and share photos from our past.
This month we're travelling back to September 2018. Several organizations including Sierra Club, Indiana Forest Alliance, Hoosier Environmental Council, Central Indiana Jobs with Justice, 350, and Earth Charter Indiana marched through a rainy Indianapolis to rise for the People's Climate March Indiana.
People's Climate March Indiana. Photo: Rebecca Dien-Johns.
This photo shows many Sierra Club folks - including Beyond Coal organizer Megan Anderson with the megaphone, and volunteer leaders Michelle Carr and Julie Lowe with their solar signs. Hundreds of folks joined for an inspirational day of action!
Spotted!
Sierra Club staff and volunteer leaders are passionate about getting out there and spreading the word about issues that matter to Hoosiers!
Earlier this month, Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter attended the Wildergarden Block Party with Wild Ones Indianapolis native plant giveaway:
Top photo: Rebecca (Chapter Coordinator) played original songs inspired by nature at the event.
The Wild Ones Indianapolis Chapter promotes environmentally friendly landscaping through the preservation, restoration, and establishment of native plant communities across the city of Indianapolis and surrounding areas.
Sierra Club at Spencer Pride Festival:
Bottom photo: Owen-Putnam Friend of the Forest and Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter Vice Chair Lora Kemp and Hoosier Chapter Director Robyn Skuya-Boss tabling at Spencer Pride, October 5. We worked to engage the community in conversations about endangered bat species found in the Owen-Putnam Forest and promote our petition to expand the Deam Wilderness.
The Spencer Pride Festival is the largest rural LGBTQ+ gathering in the state of Indiana.
Carmel Green Initiative and the Carmel Clay Public Library are partnering to host another Green Gift Shop on Thursday December 5, 2024, 1:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
