In this issue: meet our new team members and get involved this legislative session, plus all our regular features - like photos from you, our readers - and much more!
Rebecca Dien-Johns
Chapter Coordinator.
PS be sure to scroll down to our upcoming events listings, as there is so much happening across our state over the next month!
Come to our Winter Briefing this evening!
Join us for our Winter Briefing this evening - January 23 at 7:00 PM.
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.
Join us at the Statehouse this Legislative Session
The Indiana legislative session has begun! This includes two more special days where we can show up together and make our voices heard on important environmental issues. Here's how to get involved - we'll be with you every step of the way!
Water Stewardship Day - Tuesday, January 28, 9 AM - 3 PM
Join us and Indiana Conservation Voters at Water Stewardship Day to champion responsible water policy in Indiana. Register here: Water Stewardship Day.
Conservation Day - February 19, 11 AM - 3 PM
Join us at Conservation Day to advocate for conservation funding in our State Budget. Register here: Conservation Day at the Statehouse.
We have a busy few months ahead as we advocate for affordable clean energy for all Hoosiers, strengthen efforts to steward our waters, and ensure Indiana invests in our state parks and public lands for all Hoosiers to enjoy.
I look forward to seeing you at the State Capitol this year!
Robyn Skuya-Boss
Chapter Director
New faces at the Hoosier Chapter!
We're so exited to introduce new faces at the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter!
Following a competitive Executive Committee election in December, we are thrilled to be welcoming three new Executive Committee members to our team. Congratulations also to Joab Schultheis and Lora Kemp who were both reelected to serve another term.
Chapter Chair, Joab: "With the Executive Committee election complete, I’d like to take a moment to thank our outgoing members and welcome our newly-elected members. I want to give a big thank you to Shannon Anderson, Mark Nowotarski, and Rossi Wingler for everything they’ve done for the Hoosier Chapter while serving on the Executive Committee. We’ll miss their dedication, expertise, and enthusiasm on our Executive Committee, and we wish them all the best.
I’d also like to introduce our newly-elected members: Kasey Jackson, Jamie Comerford-Barnett, and Delaney Barber Kwon. On behalf of the Executive Committee, welcome! We look forward to working with you to continue pushing for clean air and water, protecting Indiana’s forests, advocating for the clean energy transition, and so much more."
We are also welcoming new staff members to our team!
Colleen Curtin joins us this month as Outreach Coordinator. Colleen will be working with volunteers and communities across Indiana to advance our mission to explore, enjoy and protect the planet and our communities.
Nicole Chandler is the new Beyond Coal Campaign organizer joining the Indiana team. Nicole will be supporting coal and clean energy work in Southern Indiana and supporting statewide utility campaign efforts.
Newly-elected and reelected Hoosier Chapter Executive Committee members
Colleen Curtin
Nicole Chandler
Throwback Thursday
Welcome to this regular feature, where we look back and share photos from our past.
In honor of Jeff Stant's retirement from the Indiana Forest Alliance, this month we are looking back to 2016 when the Heartlands Group and local activists were "all allied fighting for the Crown Hill Cemetery Woods. This is Jeff holding the megaphone for Kevin Tungesvick" - Jesse Kirkham, Heartlands Group Chair.
To get involved with our forests work, you can email our Conservation Committee Chair Julie Lowe: j_lowe66@yahoo.com.
To find out more about our Heartlands Group which serves the Greater Indianapolis area, email Jesse: jlkirkham@earthlink.net.
Spotted!
Sierra Club staff and volunteer leaders are passionate about getting out there and spreading the word about issues that matter to Hoosiers!
Photo by Marilyn Bauchat: Jeff Marks, Greg Grant, Pam Patterson, Chris Marks, Lora Kemp and Kurt Kemp.
Friends of the Owen-Putnam State Forest and Sierra Club members gathered in freezing temperatures to observe the Winter Solstice.
Chris Marks blew the Gjallarhorn, used "to announce the arrival of the gods."
Renewable Energy Day attendees in the House Chambers Tuesday!
House Bill 1007 would make broad sweeping changes to energy laws in Indiana - aiming at bailing out coal and giving payouts to corporations and our electric utilities for unproven small modular nuclear reactor development (SMR) and more. Call your legislators and tell them to vote NO on House Bill 1007!
