In this newsletter- midterm reflections from our Chapter Director, join us this Friday on an Opt Outside hike, how book banning has become a hot topic in parts of our state, and much more. Happy reading!
Midterm Reflections: Challenges & Opportunities
As we re-engage in our legislative work post the 2022 midterms we want to acknowledge the challenges ahead while also celebrating some wins for environmental and social champions.
Statewide legislative results skewed toward Republicans, with the Senate gaining 1 Republican seat resulting in 40 Republicans and 10 Democrats. Similarly, Republicans gained two seats in the House, which is now comprised of 71 Republicans and 29 Democrats. Federally, there were some major victories to be celebrated, including Democrats maintaining control of the Senate and the defeat of election deniers in many races, including those for multiple Secretary of State offices across the nation.
The 2023 legislative session will be yet another challenge as we face a supermajority that tends to oppose environmental and social progress. But we remain hopeful!
We are starting to see Republican lawmakers who acknowledge the existence of climate change and the importance of renewable energy development, which opens the door for engagement and communication. With that being said…
We would like to invite you to join us for an upcoming Meet-and-Greet and Legislative Preview with Hoosier Chapter staff and volunteers on Tuesday, November 29 at 7 pm ET so you can hear directly from us about the work we are doing. Meet our team and learn about what the chapter is anticipating for the upcoming 2023 legislative session. RSVP by clicking here.
If you can't attend this meet and greet, no worries! There will be another meet and greet and legislative preview on January 11 at 7 pm ET. Keep an eye out on our events calendar and Facebook page for more details.
Amanda Shepherd
Chapter Director
Opt Outside this Black Friday!
Opt Outside for Black Friday Hike to Browning Mountain with us on November 25th! Join our Winding Waters Group for a really interesting hike up Browning Mountain in the Hoosier National Forest.
This area is designated as a special management area by the USFS due to the "relatively undisturbed" old growth forest. The Winding Waters Group has started a tradition that we have really enjoyed in the past by meeting for a hike on the day after Thanksgiving instead of participating in the consumerism of Black Friday. We hike up a short distance that is a strenuous leaf covered climb, build a small fire and cook some veggie dogs (or whatever you bring to pitch in) and we share some food and stories on top of Browning Mountain.
"When I hear the words “book banning” my head immediately goes to the Tudor era of times when books that spoke of the unsanctioned religion or beliefs were forbidden. Or the Nazis banning books that didn’t fit the agenda they wanted to prevail upon the people. I saw these efforts at some libraries recently, but they were in other states and part of me wanted to believe that they wouldn’t be something that would happen now or perhaps here. I was wrong..."
Kevin Tungesvick, ecologist, led a hike during the Indiana Beyond Coal planning retreat in Brown County in November (bottom right).
Sierra Club staff and volunteers attended the retreat to make campaign plans for the new year.
Sierra Club in the press:
Photo: Marilyn Bauchat
Photo: Wendy Bredhold
“We are disappointed about the fact that AES is transitioning to gas rather than replacing their aging polluting coal plant with renewable energy” - Wendy Bredhold, Senior Beyond Coal Campaign Representative: Mixed reaction to AES retiring coal units (Tristate Homepage).
This month's Way Back Wednesday is from Chapter Coordinator, Rebecca Dien-Johns, and takes us back to January 2017:
"This was my first protest on American soil. I moved to the USA in October 2016, there was the election in November 2016, I started at Sierra Club in December 2016. Trump was inaugurated on January 20, 2017 - which happened to be my birthday. I had already arranged to be in Cincinnati, Ohio for my birthday, and the following day my family and I took part in the Women's March.
This photo reminds me of what a whirlwind our first few months in the US were - we arrived at a tumultuous time, and I can't say it's calmed down much in the years since! It also makes me think of how glad I was to be surrounded by so many people who were ready to rise up and be counted at such a crucial time, and to be working for an organization which isn't afraid to speak out in difficult times."
Photo: Rebecca Dien-Johns
Readers' photos
Thank you to reader Bruce Snyder for contributing this photo of the beautiful fall trees at Corydon Indiana, near the Harrison Crawford Forest.
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
Monday, November 28, 2022; 10:00 am - 2:30 pm Hayes Trail Service Outing : eradicating multiflora rose. We will work with the Hoosier National Forest to eradicate multiflora rose on the Hayes Trail.
Thursday, December 1, 2022; 1:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Carmel Clay Public Library: Green Gift Shop - Join the Carmel Green Initiative for a green holiday shopping experience where they offer gift ideas that are local, organic, natural, recycled, reused, repurposed and eco-friendly.
