Newsletter - October 2022 update from Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter
October 31, 2022
Join our team!
Hi Supporter,
Happy fall, all! In this newsletter- how you can take action to protect our forests, a successful pollinator project in Columbus created with help from our supporters, updates on our work around the state, readers' photos, and much more!
This newsletter is dedicated to local Sierra Club volunteer leader, Joe Bronnert. You can read our chair Julie Lowe's memories of this very special person below.
Remembering Joe Bronnert
Joe Bronnert, Vice-Chair of the Sierra Club Winding Waters Group and Outings Leader passed away Tuesday, September 20th one week before his planned "City Hike and Winding Waters Group Fundraiser". Although he was 85 years old, he died suddenly and it was very hard on us. We take comfort in knowing that he did not suffer and that he has joined his wife, Kay who preceded him in death 5 years ago.
I met Joe only a few years ago when he answered an invite to the Sierra Club, Winding Waters Group party at Tipton Lakes community center. Our local Sierra Club Group was searching for new members in the area to join us in our conservation efforts and leadership roles. Joe answered the call.
Save the Virginia Bluebells! Joe Bronnert wields a chainsaw to cut invasive bush honeysuckle with the Winding Waters Group and the Bartholomew County Blazing Stars CISMA at the Earth Day Weed Wrangle, 2022 in Mill Race Park, Columbus, IN. Photo by Julie Lowe.
Successful Pollinator Path Campaign in Columbus
The Winding Waters Group helped Columbus become a Bee City USA affiliate in 2021. This year began with a successful $15,000 Patronicity fundraising campaign to fund the Columbus AirPark “Pollinator Path”. Volunteers put in hundreds of hours planning, planting, watering, and hosting events for the project.
Photo courtesy of Eric Riddle shows new 1-acre native plant meadow to right of tree line. Columbus Community Garden on the left. East side of pollinator path.
Thank you for joining us in the pines!
The whole Sierra Club team in Indiana would like to thank everyone who joined us at our event at White Pine Wilderness Academy earlier this month where our Chapter Coordinator, Rebecca Dien-Johns, sang songs inspired by her sabbatical and nature. It was great to meet with so many of you in person and chat about our work and how we can protect our beautiful state's natural places!
L-R: Some of the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter team - Julie Lowe, Rebecca Dien-Johns, Roxanna Caldwell, Marilyn Bauchat, Shannon Anderson, and Amanda Shepherd. Photo courtesy of Julie Lowe.
Spotted!
Sierra Club staff and volunteer leaders are passionate about getting out there and spreading the word about issues that matter to Hoosiers!
Chapter Director Amanda Shepherd and Heartlands Group leader Jesse Kirkham attended Greening the Statehouse earlier this month.
Hosted by the Hoosier Environmental Council, this year's event celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act.
Amanda and volunteer leader Shannon Anderson also attended the Heartwood Reunion, where the focus was on protecting our woods and forests.
Our volunteer leaders were present at Spencer Pride.
Vice Chair of the Executive Committee, Marilyn Bauchat: "We enjoyed speaking with many people regarding social and environmental justice - a very positive experience."
The Heartlands Group attended the Carmel Electric Vehicle Show.
Volunteer leader Richard Steiner showed the replica he built of a Waverly EV demonstrating that electric vehicles were some of the first cars on the car market. Waverly manufactured their cars around the turn of the century right here in Indianapolis and their electric vehicles were world famous!
Our Chair, Julie Lowe, and other Sierra Club volunteer leaders and supporters attended the Indiana Division of Forestry Owen Putnam State Forest open house.
Friends of Owen Putnam, Wild Tecumseh Friends, Queer Indiana, IFA and Sierra Club joined the protest where we presented the banner signed by Spencer Pride festival goers that signed their names in support of "Saving Rattlesnake Campground Area" to the IN Division of Forestry.
Read how to take action below!
Amanda and Jesse at Greening the Statehouse. Photo: Courtney Brooks.
Photo from the Heartwood Reunion, courtesy of Amanda Shepherd.
Volunteer leaders Marilyn Bauchat and Greg Grant at Spencer Pride - photo by Julie Lowe.
Carmel Electric Vehicle Show - photo courtesy of Jesse Kirkham.
Dave Seastrom, Marilyn Bauchat, and Jeff Stant holding the banner at the Owen Putnam Forest open house. Photo by Greg Grant, courtesy of Julie Lowe.
Take a stand for public land!
There are special places worth saving - reach out to elected officials & administrators ASAP!
The Hoosier Chapter Conservation Committee and the Friends of the Owen Putnam State Forest are asking everyone to call Governor Holcomb and ask that he save the Rattlesnake Campground Area in the Owen Putnam State Forest from being logged. Special places are worth saving and let the Governor know that you are taking a stand for public land!
Contact: Governor Eric Holcomb - Office of the Governor, 200 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204; Phone: 317-232-4567; Email: govholcomb@gov.in.gov
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!
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions! We look forward to hearing from you. Email: j_lowe66@yahoo.com and rhill@cinergymetro.net
Readers' photos
Thank you Neal Dake for sending in this beautiful photo: "tall boneset with a monarch migrating south. I am currently splitting and dividing a smaller patch of Tall boneset and propagating."
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
Fri, Nov 25, 2022; 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM: "OPT OUTSIDE" for Black Friday, hike up Browning Mountain instead! Info and register here.
Southwest Indiana Network:
The Southwest Indiana Sierra Club Network will meet on November 8 at 6:30PM. The guest will be Megan Ritterskamp, vice president of the SW Chapter, Indiana Native Plant Society. Evansville Central Library, Browning Meeting Room B. Contact: nilesrosenquist@gmail.com
