October update from Uplands Network, connecting Monroe and surrounding counties
October 10, 2024
Come and join us on the trail!
We are excited as we enter our third year as the local Uplands Network, connecting Monroe and surrounding counties. Since June, 2022, we have held monthly informational meetings (mostly virtual) and regular hikes in the area. We partner with local groups to uplift social and environmental justice while working to conserve our public lands and protect the watershed. Our mission includes facilitating “Outdoors for All” while supporting other local groups working on conservation and equity.
A prime opportunity to expand and preserve our National Forests in Indiana
Flourishing natural areas and parks are indispensable to people’s health, prosperity, cultural traditions, and enjoyment. They also play a critical role in combating the climate and extinction crises.
Hoosiers have an important role to play in helping us achieve this goal by supporting legislation that would more than double the size of the Charles Deam Wilderness Area and establish the Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area.
We are also planning to visit Senator Todd Young’s office to speak with them about supporting the expansion later in October. If you’d like to be included, let us know at marilynbauchat@gmail.com.
You’re Invited to State Forest Open Houses!
This is our opportunity to question and comment on the way our forests are managed. We are partnering with Friends of Owen-Putnam to form a unified gathering on Wednesday, Oct. 23 with hopes to save what is left of this beautiful place. A guided hike will be offered beginning at 5 PM. Please consider joining us or visiting your favorite forest to explore and show concern for how our public land is used. Reach out to marilynbauchat@gmail.com if you'd like to meet us there!
Here is the schedule from the DNR website:
Ferdinand-Pike State Forest: Oct. 22, 4 to 7 p.m., at the property office off State Road 264, approximately 4 miles northeast of Ferdinand. Call 812-827-2857 for more information.
Harrison-Crawford State Forest: Oct. 22, 4 to 7 p.m., at the property office off State Road 462, just past the gatehouse for O’Bannon Woods State Park. Call 812-738-7694 for more information.
Salamonie River and Frances Slocum State Forests: Oct. 22, 4 to 7 p.m., at the Salamonie River State Forest office off State Road 524, approximately 6 miles east of Wabash. Call 260-782-0430 for more information.
Greene-Sullivan State Forest: Oct. 23, 4 to 7 p.m., at the property office on State Road 159, approximately 1.5 miles south of Dugger. Call 812-648-2810 for more information.
Martin State Forest: Oct. 23, 4 to 7 p.m., at the property office off U.S. 50, approximately 4 miles northeast of Shoals. Call 812-247-3491 for more information.
Owen-Putnam State Forest: Oct. 23, 4 to 7 p.m., at the property office, which is 5 miles west of Spencer and less than a mile north of State Road 46. Call 812-829-2462 for more information.
Clark State Forest: Oct. 24, 4 to 7 p.m., at the property office, which is a mile north of Henryville on U.S. 31. Call 812-294-4306 for more information.
Jackson-Washington and Selmier State Forests: Oct. 24, 4 to 7 p.m., at the Jackson-Washington State Forest office, which is 2.5 miles east of Brownstown, just east of the Jackson County Fairgrounds on State Road 250. Call 812-358-2160 for more information.
Morgan-Monroe, Ravinia, Yellowwood, and Mountain Tea State Forests: Oct. 24, 4 to 7 p.m., at the Morgan-Monroe State Forest office off State Road 37, approximately 6 miles south of Martinsville. Call 765-792-4654 for more information.
Continuing to Put Public Pressure on Duke’s Dirty Coal Plans
Urgent: Join the petition to tell Duke to CANCEL their plans to delay coal plant retirements and backtrack on renewable energy at sc.org/dukeindiana. If you’d like to learn more about how you can take action to stop Duke’s dirty plans, join us on Zoom this Thursday, October 10 at 7:00 PM EST - register here: Statewide Advocates moving Duke Beyond Coal.
Special thanks to our Uplands Network member, Peg Hausman, for her powerful letter in the Herald Times on Oct.29. Peg invited readers to “tell Duke to retire coal by 2030 and move rapidly toward affordable renewable energy in its plan.”
Upcoming events, outings, and ways to get involved!
October Uplands Network Meeting
Mon, Oct 14, 2024; 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM
We will meet to share updates regarding the Duke rate increase, the wilderness bill, our state forests, our wildlife corridor project, and how you can still encourage others to vote.
An Artistic Approach to contribute to Uplands Network Hoosier Chapter – We are partnering with Art for Earth Bloomington!
You can help support our work by donating a piece of art you have but no longer need, and Uplands will receive 100% of the proceeds!
Art for Earth is NOW collecting donated previously owned art for sale at the Morgenstern’s Community Fair (Saturday Nov 2nd, 11am - 5pm). The earlier the better, but we are accepting art all this month.
Art pieces can turn into funds for the Uplands Network. You can decide the price $5 - $50. This is a “budget art sale”. Think of items that might appeal to people, but not expensive pieces. We’re putting the price and non-profit info on each piece. If you wish, you can have your piece back if it doesn’t sell.
Please spread the word among friends and family who might like to declutter a bit and help the environment at the same time!
Thank you to Christine Missik for this opportunity!
Our leadership team includes dedicated people who plan meetings and outings, table at events, and connect with other groups. We welcome anyone who wishes to volunteer with our network. Open volunteer positions are: co-chair, treasurer, social media coordinator, conservation committee members and outings leaders. Shorter volunteer commitments include tabling at events and at local farmers’ markets. To volunteer write Marilyn at marilynbauchat@gmail.com.
To view upcoming outings and events, check this page - Events and Outings
Thank you Robyn (Chapter Director) and Lora (volunteer leader) for tabling at Spencer Pride to share our work. They offered folks a chance to sign petitions to our legislators asking them to support the Wilderness Expansion bill.
Sat Oct 19, 2024; 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM Lick Creek Settlement Hike - Join the Sierra Club for a "Walk and Talk" into the historic Lick Creek African American settlement.
Whether we’re pulling invasives, caring for seedlings, or taking a hike in these wondrous forests, we’re always uplifted. We’re looking forward to seeing you at our monthly meetings and in the woods.
Explore. Enjoy. Protect.
Marilyn Bauchat and the Uplands Leadership Team
