August update from Uplands Network, connecting Monroe and surrounding counties
August 6, 2025
Join us outside this summer!
“Mushroom! Caterpillar! Slug!” Shouts of discovery echoed through Griffy Lake Nature Preserve this morning as families walked along the Nature Trail. Our annual Art in Nature Family Hike was underway with our partners, Artists for Environmental Restoration. Excitement ensued as we came across animal tracks on the trail, a scarlet tanager allowing us a closeup, many beautiful mushrooms, trees and other natural wonders.
AER is a nonprofit whose members “use art-making processes to inspire deep levels of communication about the condition of our environment amid climate change and global warming.” If you'd like to see their work, check out the Crash & Burn: an Environment in Crisis exhibition at the Waldron until August 30.
At the end of our hike, participants agreed to share photos and set a date to meet for a drawing workshop led by artists Dena and David at their workspace in August. We all look forward to meeting up again, and come away with renewed hope for the future.
If you have an idea for more family activities, please share them. And “family” can be any shape or size; just bring your person/people and join us!
Young naturalists didn't miss a chance to investigate along the Griffy Nature Trail as they found caterpillars, slugs, mushrooms and even worm poop! Photo - Marilyn Bauchat.
Protect Our Progress Toward Renewable Energy
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
Check out this front page coverage on the Sierra Club in the Evansville Courier and Press. In this article, local Sierra Club Beyond Coal Organizer, Nicole had the opportunity to give Sierra Club's perspective on the state and federal government rolling back environmental regulations, keeping old, polluting coal plants online, and how that only hurts our health and wealth here in southern Indiana.
After reading this if you want to take action now, you can sign our petition sc.org/centerpoint to tell CenterPoint to maintain their coal retirements and bring more affordable and clean energy to our region!
Protecting our Forests
Last week some of us worked at the MC-IRIS/Hoosier National Forest stiltgrass pull on the Pate Hollow Trail. The plan was to hike to the spot where folks had left off the week before.
Typically we find some perilla mint along the way and stop to remove that also.
Perilla mint, also known as Shiso, is used medicinally and as an herb in Japan and Korea, now popular here in the states.
Close up of perilla mint, also known as Shiso or beefsteak plant. Photo - Marilyn Bauchat.
As I researched this, I learned that folks have purposely encouraged this plant to “naturalize” large areas, explaining why it is so pervasive. We discovered huge patches along the trail that we’ve never seen! Since it reproduces by reseeding, we still have time to keep it from doing so.
Outings Leader Mary Reardon has added a new service outing to address this problem.
If you encounter perilla mint on hikes, you might consider carrying some small hand pruners. Pulling out the perilla mint caused much disturbance, so we plan to cut off the tops.
A national forester will guide us on best techniques.
Perilla mint is taking over the trail - HELP! Photo - Marilyn Bauchat.
National Legislation
Update on the Roadless Rule:
USFS is likely to initiate the Roadless Rule repeal process next month. We are hearing there will be an initial scoping comment period of 14 days.
Near-term actions:
Shape the local narrative: We just launched this Roadless LTE tool that makes it extremely easy to draft and submit a Letter to the Editor of your local media outlets. (We used this same tool to submit LTEs opposing a bad forest bill last month and published 17 pieces across the West and into the lake states in a matter of days. Let's do that again!)
Approach state electeds: They are not decision-makers in this process, but they are important spokespeople and we want them on our side.
More on roadless -- inform your community! Did your friends and family take notice of the public lands selloff fight last month? If so, then they ought to know more about the next big conservation battle.
Here is a recent episode of the Wild Idea podcast featuring Chris Wood, who is sometimes called the "Godfather of the Roadless Rule" and some of you may have seen on our recent webinar. They have a great conversation about the Roadless Rule. It makes for colorful and informative listening while multitasking over the weekend.
Meanwhile, 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. Moreover, there are far better solutions to protecting communities from fire. More talking points can be found in this toolkit from Climate Forests Coalition.
Senator Todd Young: 202–224–5623 Senator Jim Banks: 202–224–4814
Urban Forests in Peril
Hoosier Chapter Conservation Committee has been working with folks to save the Briar East Woods, a 4,700 year-old-sand dune-woodland and ancient shoreline of Lake Michigan. It is the last unprotected remnant of the High Tolleston Dunes. Read more about this and consider joining our committee that meets monthly.
Wed, Aug 6, 2025; 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM (Eastern) Rooted in Community: Growing our Environmental Movement Columbus, IN
Sat, Aug 9, 2025; 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Eastern) MC-IRIS/Hoosier Nat'l Forest partner weed wrangle Bloomington, IN
Mon, Aug 11, 2025; 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Eastern) Indiana Beyond Coal Campaign Mixer Indianapolis, IN
Mon, Aug 11, 2025; 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM (Eastern) The Fascinating World of Moths - Uplands Network August Virtual Meeting (Virtual)
Tue, Aug 12, 2025; 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Eastern) MC-IRIS/Hoosier Nat'l Forest partner weed wrangle Bloomington, IN
Sat, Aug 16, 2025; 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Eastern) MC-IRIS/Hoosier Nat'l Forest partner weed wrangle Bloomington, IN
Tue, Aug 26, 2025; 6:00 - 7:30 PM Summer Book Group
We’re excited to be reading Sea of Grass: The Conquest, Ruin, and Redemption of Nature on the American Prairie by Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty. Register for link.
Looking for more theater this summer? This one addresses climate chaos!
Off Night Productions presents Hurricane Diane August 3-12 at the Waldron Auditorium
A hilarious story about four women, their relationships, and the process of shifting how they are thinking about the world and their choices (past and present). Four Housewives, One Greek God, and a Backyard Bacchanal.
Show your support for our community partner while having fun at Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard Annual Garden Gala.
MHC works to increase access to healthy food in ways that cultivate dignity, agency, and community.
The Uplands Network has sponsored this event during the three years we’ve been reforming the local network.
Gala tickets are $40 each and are available for purchase online or in person at the event. Your ticket includes 2 drink tickets, a light meal from local vendors, tours of the Hub garden, on-site community activities, and live music from two local bands: Time Well Spent and Sleeping Trees. Tickets here.
Join Our Monthly Meetings
Please join our August meeting virtually at 6:30PM, Monday, August 11, 2025.
Michele Pollock will present “The Fascinating World of Moths.”
While butterflies tend to get most of the attention, moths are incredibly diverse, ecologically important, and surprisingly beautiful. In this presentation, we’ll explore the world of moths and delve into mothing, a growing hobby that combines citizen science and nature appreciation. Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or just curious about one of the nocturnal wonders in your backyard, this journey into the world of moths promises to open your eyes to a hidden side of nature. Michele is a visual artist, poet, amateur naturalist and moth enthusiast.
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.
Suggested reading:
Sea of Grass by Dave Hage & Josephine Marcotty Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
