Newsletter - September 2022 update from Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter
September 30, 2022
Join our team!
Hi Supporter,
Happy first days of Fall! In this newsletter: find out how to become a member of our Executive Committee, meet our latest team member Ashlyn Devine, an update on our work including a crucial victory for clean air, and much more!
Could you be our next Executive Committee member?
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? We want to hear from you!
Executive Committee members Roxanna Caldwell and Marilyn Bauchat
Victory! BP pays millions
For more than a century the Whiting Refinery wreaked havoc, spewing dangerous pollution into the air on the shore of Lake Michigan. BP, who owns the plant, has agreed that they repeatedly violated the legal limits on deadly particulate air pollution.
But now, BP is paying up– to the tune of $2.75 million dollars. That money’s going towards Clean Air Act monitoring and enforcement and to local projects meant to improve local quality of life– like putting better air filters in school to protect kids from dangerous pollution.
The settlement payment is a huge victory for Hoosiers and everyone in the Chicago metropolitan area– all of whom were threatened by BP’s criminal negligence.
Further reading: “We are thrilled to see BP held accountable for its dangerous pollution and lack of regard for our communities,” said Amanda Shepherd, Director of the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter - BP reaches $2.75M deal over Indiana refinery pollution (Associated Press)
Introducing Ashlyn Devine
"Growing up in a town right on the Ohio River, I always enjoyed walking along the water, watching the sunset reflect its warm glow, and feeling the breeze that cut through the Southern Indiana humidity in the summers. However, it didn’t take long for me to learn that most people thought swimming in the river was repulsive and that my town was surrounded by not one, but four ‘super polluters’..."
The Hoosier Chapter of the Sierra Club is excited to announce an evening of music, art, poetry, and celebrating nature at White Pine Wilderness Academy on 1 October, 2022.
Sierra Club staff and volunteer leaders will be on hand to answer questions about our work. There will also be pizza and sweet treats!
Sierra Club staff and volunteer leaders are passionate about getting out there and spreading the word about issues that matter to Hoosiers!
Amanda and Ashlyn attended Earth Charter's annual Climate Leadership Summit in Richmond earlier this month (right).
While there, they got to hear from climate leaders from across the state, working in local cities and towns to address the ongoing climate crisis. It was a great opportunity to network with those who are on the ground doing the important work of resiliency and prevention.
Hoosier Chapter Chair, Julie Lowe, attended the Sierra Club Council for Club Leaders in Oakland, California.
Each year, delegates from every chapter meet for education, updates from national staff and most importantly to vote on Resolutions submitted by the Chapters. Resolutions are written by grassroots Sierra Club members and are requests to the Board of Directors to take a certain action. Julie Lowe is the CCL Delegate from the Hoosier Chapter and served as the Nomination Committee Chair for the CCL Executive Committee Election. Marilyn Bauchat (Hoosier Chapter Vice Chair) attended virtually in her role as the alternative Delegate.
Julie with SC Board member, Allison Chin, Shruti Bhatnagar from Maryland and Interim Executive Director, Loren Blackford.
Wendy Bredhold from the Indiana Beyond Coal Campaign: “It’s long past time for them to retire. It’s something that city leaders and local customers have been asking for for a very long time so it’s overdue.”
October 2: Evansville, Indiana – EVs for EVV (National Drive Electric Week), Evansville’s historic first-ever Electric Vehicle cruise-in coupled with test drives and ride-alongs, will be Sunday, October 2, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm CT, at 6100 E. Lloyd Expressway. The event is free and open to the public. Tri-State Creation Care, a local interfaith nonprofit promoting good stewardship practices for this Earth, is hosting the event and partnering it with the Road Knights of Evansville’s established cruise-in of classic cars. Contact acnellis@twc.com for more info.
October 13: Owen-Putnam Friends of the Forest monthly meeting Community Room, Spencer Pride. 5:30-7PM
October 16 - December 11: Indiana Waterways: The Art of Conservation, an exhibition of 60 paintings created by five Indiana artists to call attention to the importance of protecting the state’s water, will be on display at the Indiana State Museum. The exhibit features stirring images of 25-30 different locations in the 62,000 miles of rivers, streams and tributaries in Indiana. It’s free with admission to the museum.
October 25, 6:30 PM: Southwest Indiana Sierra Club Network meeting. Leigh Ramon, Animal Curator, Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden, on successful captive breeding of Hellbenders. Contact nilesrosenquist@gmail.com for more information.
