Newsletter- August 2021 update from Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter
August 25, 2021
Readers' photos, redistricting, the IPCC report, weed wrangling, and more!
Welcome to our August update! This month, we have a packed newsletter for you with a summary of the recent IPCC report, updates on our work around the state, information on how to join our executive committee, and much more! We hope you find it interesting and informative. As ever, feel free to get in touch - we love to hear from you!
Addressing the Climate Crisis
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) just released their newest report and, in short, it states that the climate crisis is upon us.
There is much to learn from their findings and I highly encourage everyone to read the Summary for Policymakers (and bring it to the attention of their lawmakers!), but I have tried to highlight some of the most important items in my latest blog, which you can read here.
Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter Director Amanda Shepherd about to dive into the IPCC report, August 2021. Read her blog here.
Get involved in this work. Learn more about how you can volunteer with us. Donate to our work. And keep the faith!
Bartholomew County’s Blazing Stars recognized!
This month, Bartholomew County’s “Blazing Stars” Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) received the Weed Wrangler award at the Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management (SICIM) Conference. Dawn Slack mentioned the energy, speed, and success of organizing Weed Wrangles™ in April and July.
The Sierra Club Winding Waters Group (WWG) members played a key role in developing the group and recruiting volunteers to remove woody invasive species from two parks in Columbus. White mulberry, callery pear, and bush honeysuckle have been the focus for removal efforts.
Local WWG members partnered with Dawn Slack of The Nature Conservancy to develop the group. The Blazing Stars CISMA joins similar organization throughout Indiana – with great models already established in nearby Brown and Monroe County. All CISMAs focus on education about the danger of invasives, developing 3 year management plans, and organizing the signature Weed Wrangle™ events. Learn more about the state initiative here.
Eric Riddle
Secretary and Program Co-Chair Winding Waters Group of the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter.
50 Toyota volunteers at Columbus Weed Wrangle partnering with Blazing Stars CISMA at Mill Race park in July 2021. Photo by Eric Riddle.
Many local organizations are supporting the CISMA, inlcuding: Sycamore Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, Columbus Parks and Rec, Columbus Air Park, Purdue Extension, Soil and Water Conservation District of Bartholomew County, and Friends of Pollinator Parks.
Bartholomew County’s next Weed Wrangle™ is Friday, September 10 at 8 AM at Blackwell Park, Columbus IN. Sign up here!
A Pledge to Fight for Fair Maps
From August 6th to 11th Hoosiers had the opportunity to make their voices heard by a traveling group of bipartisan legislators making their way as far north as Valparaiso and as far south as Evansville. With a total of nine stops across the state and across each congressional districts, many Hoosiers had the opportunity to attend an event in or near their region, but sadly a majority of the meetings were scheduled during the work week and during traditional work hours or soon thereafter.
Despite this, Hoosiers from all walks of life turned out en masse to make their voices heard in overwhelming opposition to the expected unfair, partisan, and less than transparent soon-to-be redistricting process spearheaded by the Indiana GOP. Though the meetings were expected to be a chance for constituents to ask questions and give testimony, the decision was ultimately made to only allow statements, not questions, from those in attendance.
If you're interested in getting involved in our legislative work, contact cory.ray@sierraclub.org.
Concerned constitutes from across the state gather for a rally outside of the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, in preparation for making their voice heard to state lawmakers, August 2021.
Cory Ray, standing at the back far left, at the redistricting event in Columbus, August 2021. Photo by Julie Lowe.
Join our Executive Committee!
Do you have a passion for the environment and our communities, and a commitment to equity and justice? Then we want to hear from you!
Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter is looking for 3 volunteers to serve on its Executive Committee. We are seeking people who have a passion for the environment and are interested in expanding Sierra Club's objectives. There are a total of 9 elected Executive Committee members who work with staff to create and facilitate the overall mission and strategy of the chapter. Each elected member serves a 2 year term. The next term begins January 1, 2022.
Ideal candidates should possess the following attributes:
* Familiarity with Sierra Club and/or Hoosier Chapter. * Strong leadership and communication skills. * Experience and/or interest in fundraising. * Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented manner. * Some knowledge of local politics and conservation issues. * Passion for the environment and environmental topics. * Commitment to social justice and equity.
If interested, please contact Steve Aaholm, Executive Committee member, at steveaaholm1@gmail.com. The deadline to apply is September 24, 2021.
Readers' photos
Thank you so much to William Reese for these gorgeous deer photos!
"Here are a couple of pictures of some visitors to my yard recently. The siblings were in a shoving match over access to their lunch... but were still licking their lips when mom stepped away."
Do you have a photo of nature that you would like to share?
We'd love to see it and perhaps feature it in a future newsletter!
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
That's all for this month, folks. As ever, we truly appreciate your readership and all that you do to protect the environment in Indiana. Until next time!
