December 2024 update from Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter
December 12, 2024
Thank you for your support in 2024!
As the year draws to a close, all of us at the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter would like to extend our deep gratitude to all of our readership this year. We are so grateful to all our supporters, donors, and members. Thank you!
In this issue: take action on Duke's Energy Plan and to protect our forests, how members can vote in our Executive Committee elections, an invite to our Winter Briefing, plus all our regular features - like photos from you, our readers - and much more!
Wishing you a cozy, safe, and happy holiday season,
Rebecca Dien-Johns
Chapter Coordinator.
Seasons Briefings!
One of my favorite things about Indiana is our four distinct seasons of the year. As Fall cools down into Winter and we look to the new year, I wanted to invite you to join me and the Hoosier Chapter for our Winter Briefing on January 23 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time.
On the call you will hear from our Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter leaders, volunteers and staff about our successes and challenges in 2024. You’ll hear about the incredible work of our Sierra Club community in Indiana including our favorite outings from the year, how our Beyond Coal campaign is challenging Duke Energy to transition to clean energy, and our efforts to expand protections for our forests.
We will also take the opportunity to highlight the year ahead and what you can expect to see in 2025 as we work to explore, enjoy, and protect the planet.
On Wednesday, December 4, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Forestry (DoF) held a meeting for the State Strategy Plan for the Forests of Indiana. The 2025-2029 Strategic Direction Plan was presented by State Forester, Jack Siefert at the Spring Mill Inn in Mitchell, IN. The Plan includes Private Forest Management; a Fire Section (pushing the use of fire both on private and public land); Forest Resource Information; the State Forest Section; Community and Urban Forestry Section; Forest Health Program; Utilization and Marketing Section. There were approximately 14 people in attendance including Mike Cheves, the Hoosier National Forest Supervisor.
The plan can be reviewed, and public comments can be made at: IN.gov/forest-management. Comments will be accepted through December 17 at 5 p.m. ET.
The importance of commenting: this year's meeting brought to light the fact that more burning is suggested for Indiana's State Forests and the DoF is pushing for an oak hickory, silviculture prescription for every inch of Indiana's forests, encouraging more landowners to burn on private land. The loss of natural ecosystems, water quality, and quality of life could be severely diminished by this proposed strategic plan. Not every inch of public land should be considered a commercial timber forest. Of the approx. 160,000 State Forest acres, only 4,000 are set aside for NO LOGGING. With this plan they will even be able to burn in nature preserves, changing the entire makeup of the forest forever. The IN DoF will be purchasing a drone that will go into the forest and shoot fireballs to get these fires going.
When did we decide our forests are disposable?
Lora Kemp
Executive Committee Vice Chair
Join the petition to Oppose Duke’s Dirty Energy Plan
Hoosiers deserve better!
Tell the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and Duke that you oppose Duke's 20-Year Energy Plan, which puts customers and the planet in peril at sc.org/dukeistheworst.
Megan Anderson
Senior Organizer
Send-me-back Saturday
Welcome to this regular feature, where we look back and share photos from our past.
This month we're doing things a little differently and flashing back to a video - and possibly the cutest thing that's ever happened at the Sierra Club!
To celebrate World Wildlife Day in March 2020 (right before "normal life" grinded to a halt), we asked Hoosier kids what they love about nature and wildlife. You can hear their answers on Facebook and YouTube. We hope they warm your heart on these cold days!
PS Half these kids are teenagers now - maybe we can convince them to be interviewed again in March 2025? Watch this space!
Love your Chapter? Vote!
Chapter and Group elections are underway!
If you are a member of the Sierra Club, live in Indiana, and are eligible to vote in this election, you should have received (or will soon receive) an invite to vote either by postcard or by email.
Please do take the opportunity to vote and make your voice heard!
Sierra Club staff and volunteer leaders are passionate about getting out there and spreading the word about issues that matter to Hoosiers!
Photo: Rebecca Lorenz
Sierra Club folks of three generations pause before hiking up the Browning Mountain trail to "Indiana's Stonehenge." Once on top, we investigated the old homestead before starting a campfire and cooking our shared feast, an annual fall tradition.
- Marilyn Bauchat, Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter volunteer leader.
Thank you Nicole O'Neal for sending in these very cool photos!
"Sandhill Cranes through a viewing scope on an outing with Outdoor Afro. We watched as they settled to roost over sunset at the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area. International Crane Foundation’s Outreach Biologist Assistant, Sam Urquidez said that they are among our most ancient birds, and the reason they come to that area is that it's been ancestral knowledge to do so. It all used to be a major wetland - the Grand Kankakee Marsh. And even though it was drained long ago, they still stop there during migration"
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
We have many hikes planned for 2025, led by our experienced and knowledgeable outings leaders. Meet new folks and enjoy the nature in our beautiful state!
Be sure to check back at sc.org/hcevents to see our upcoming events in the new year!
