June update from Uplands Network, connecting Monroe and surrounding counties
June 5, 2025
Hi Supporter,
As Greg and I traveled back from the Pacific Northwest last week, the person seated next to me shared his window view of the tall redwoods and mountains in the distance. We quickly discovered we were both headed home to Bloomington, and he began to speak about the Eastern Hardwood forests we enjoy here. We soon discovered that we share concerns about the increases in logging and burning. Imagine his surprise when I shared footage of the Rally for the Forest at the HNF Headquarters where he once worked!
Andy Mahler lists the many concerns regarding logging and burning our public lands. Photo: Marilyn Bauchat.
On May 15, the rally for the Forest began with a bald eagle circling overhead in a clear sky. Andy Mahler, a lifelong protector of natural places, spoke directly to the HNF staff, saying, “The people of Indiana are making it unmistakably clear to the Forest Service that they do not want their only National Forest cut down. We want our publicly owned Hoosier National Forest protected and the trees left standing for water, wildlife, recreation, and innumerable other public benefits only available from publicly owned land, including making nearby communities desirable places to live, work, retire, or visit.”
Three Sierra Club members show their support at the Rally for the Forest- Liz Brown, Amy Thomas and Amy Henn. Photo: Marilyn Bauchat.
Protect Our Progress Toward Renewable Energy
Zoom: Solar Siting 101 presented by Solar United Neighbors on June 10
Sierra Club is launching a series of activities to support clean energy advocacy in Indiana. We're tackling the big topic of large scale solar projects at our next event. Please invite your fellow clean energy advocates to attend Solar Siting 101 Training happening on June 10.
About the training: Learn from Solar United Neighbors about solar siting policy, advantages to solar host communities, and how we can responsibly locate and advocate for large scale solar in Indiana.
Volunteer with Beyond Coal
Repower Indiana New Volunteer Orientation When: Tuesday, June 17 from 6:30 - 7:00 pm ET Where: Zoom, register here.
If you’re interested in volunteering with Beyond Coal, join us on June 17 to learn about our organization, our campaign goals, and about volunteer opportunities. At 7:00 PM, you are welcome to stay on the call for our volunteer team meeting taking place directly after orientation.
Protecting our Forests
Hoosier National Forest
The Protect OUR Woods Concert on June 28 featuring Tim Grimm will raise awareness and funds to support preservation of OUR Hoosier National Forest, which is facing the largest logging and burning project ever proposed in its history!
There is still time to contact Senators Young and Banks to ask them to oppose FOFA, the Fix Our Forests Act. Call and tell them to oppose FOFA. Submit a comment on their website, or call their staff (especially the ones in-district). Even though our senators are Republican, many are still working to improve the bill before they are expected to vote for it.
Why should they oppose FOFA? It undercuts bedrock environmental laws like NEPA, it drastically hinders the ability to litigate, and it paves a path for Trump's logging Executive Order.
If you haven’t checked our Outings and Events page lately, we have many new events! Aside from exploring Cagle’s Mill and Cataract Falls this coming Saturday to celebrate Public Lands Day, there are seven service hikes with our MC-IRIS partners, our family art and nature hike, a paddle on Lake Monroe, trainings for activism, and a new virtual book club you can join!
Since moving to Bloomington, our family has experienced the rich and varied offerings from Constellation Stage and Screen as they explore both tough and whimsical topics - friendship, aging, diversity, equity, individualism and racism - while making theater accessible with “Pay what you will performances.”
This month you may want to experience The King’s Wife, a new musical that offers a bold new perspective on the story of Katherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII, as she navigates the pressures of queenship and the fight to secure her legacy. This powerful reimagining of history explores Katherine’s resilience and the enduring impact of extraordinary women.
See it on stage June 5-29 at Constellation Stage & Screen.
Also, please stop by our table Friday as the City of Bloomington invites the public to attend a vibrant Juneteenth celebration from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 13, at Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St.
This free, family-friendly event honors the history, resilience, and culture of Black Americans with an afternoon and evening of celebration, reflection, and community.
About the Uplands Network
Our leadership team includes dedicated people who plan meetings and outings, table at events, and connect with other groups. We welcome anyone who wishes to volunteer with our network.
Open volunteer positions are: co-chair, treasurer, social media coordinator, conservation committee members and outings leaders.
Shorter volunteer commitments include tabling at events and at local farmers’ markets. To volunteer write Marilyn at marilynbauchat@gmail.com.
We hope you’re finding community and purpose in the Uplands Network and Hoosier Chapter.
We’re excited to have so many outings planned and hope to see you in person. Our next Uplands meeting will be in August with Michele Pollock, who will share her passion for Lepidoptera. (No Uplands Network meeting is planned for July.)
Explore. Enjoy. Protect. Marilyn Bauchat and the Uplands Leadership Team
