November update from Uplands Network, connecting Monroe and surrounding counties
November 5, 2025
Rising up for our forests
Happy November!
Have you been feeling overwhelmed by the increasingly negative attacks on all we hold dear? I have!
Here’s something positive on which we can focus - opportunities to get outside. The fall color appears to be peaking as I write!
Lori Peters leads folks through the colorful trails at Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park for her qualifying hike. Photo: Marilyn Bauchat.
Two volunteers have qualified to lead Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter outings and events. Congratulations to Lori Peters and Dave Wildemann. They have completed the online training, first aid courses, and qualifying hikes. Now they will be part of the Hoosier Chapter Outings Committee whose members plan outings each month.
Dave Wildemann discusses the natural history of the Laura Hare Preserve in Brown County. He highlighted the variety of trees as he shared his identification skills. Photo: Marilyn Bauchat.
Staff member Nicole Chandler, will lead her qualifying hike at Green's Bluff Nature Preserve on November 7th (Friday).
What are your favorite places to enjoy nature? Send your ideas and preferred times, and I’ll share them with the outings committee members: marilynbauchat@gmail.com.
When Laurie planned to explore the Bloomington Rail Trail system to be inclusive of accessibility needs, we don't think she had this in mind. "Mooooove over, Marilyn!"
Photo: Laurie Elliott.
Moving Beyond Dirty Power and Data Centers
Join us November 12, at 7:00pm ET to take action to make sure data centers don’t create a dirty future for Indiana. Utilities across the state are attempting to pollute our communities by building massive gas plants and keeping coal online for Big Tech’s profit - join us to learn how we can push back together. You can register here.
Can’t make the webinar on November 12, but want to take action now? You can sign this petition against harmful impacts of data centers at sc.org/INdatacenters.
Clean Energy Advocates Opportunities
Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign is planning to host a one-day intensive training program for people who want to advocate for large-scale solar power in Indiana.
Our goal is that participants will leave this training with:
A foundation of information to feel confident supporting large-scale solar power.
An understanding of how to effectively organize ourselves and others to take action.
An understanding of the tools that can be utilized to mobilize people to take action.
We hope to receive your feedback in this form about the topics and structure of the training along with learning what communities have the most interest in this training.
Thank you to all who visited the State Forest open houses last week. Volunteers visited Morgan-Monroe, Jackson-Washington and Owen-Putnam state forests to demonstrate that public property owners (we) care deeply for our outdoor experiences and the quality of our woods.
As usual, we learned that logging is going on near roads, campgrounds, archeological sites, and areas where threatened species of plants and animals exist. We expressed our concerns and left our comments. If you have concerns, please stop by the property manager’s office and share them. Maybe you have a favorite place to protect.
Good news for the Hoosier National Forest
The Buffalo Springs Project planning status is now "on hold"!
This is a change from the July-September SOPA, which was "in progress" Even though we can't let our guard down, we need to recognize that all our hard work has made a difference!
Uplifting our Community
If you’re in Bloomington TODAY, here’s a chance to support Science!
Please join Concerned Scientists @ IU and Advocates for Science @ IU for our monthly CSIU Community Forum, Wednesday November 5 at 5:30 PM in Myers Hall 130. The forum will feature State Representative Matt Pierce and State Senator Shelli Yoder for a session focusing on “What’s Happening in the Statehouse (and what we can do about it).”
The meeting will feature brief presentations by Representative Pierce and Senator Yoder focusing on science, technology, and health issues at the state level. The informal session will include time for Q&A and community discussion on how CSIU and ASIU can engage with these critical issues.
Urban Greenspace and Sierra Club members gear up to remove invasive species at Griffy Preserve. Photo: Marilyn Bauchat.
Partner with Urban Greenspace
Feel like a couple hours of exercise with folks removing invasives and protecting native species as part of the Wildlife Corridor Project? Laurie Elliott and Marilyn Bauchat have been volunteering and are registered for 11/5, 11/19, and 12/5. We’d love for other Uplands Network folks to join us!
We'll be controlling invasive species at the southwest rim of Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Folks meet at N. Dunn and Clover, then walk across the street. Register Here.
Another chance to take action with our partners – Citizens’ Climate Lobby is focusing on Clean Energy Permitting Reform.
Ask Congress to enact permitting reform legislation now. The new package must boost transmission projects, improve early community involvement, and speed up the pace with which the U.S. builds and deploys new clean energy projects.
Call:
Sen. Todd Young (202) 224-5623 Sen. Jim Banks (202) 224-4814 Rep. Erin Houchin (202) 225-5315
Your Invite to Get Involved!
Our November Meeting is virtual at 6:30 PM, Monday, November 10, 2025.
Please join us to hear Ray McCormick as he shares decades of farming experience to lead the way for soil health, innovative wetlands restoration, and wildlife support. Ray is a lifelong conservationist who is active across the nation to educate others in sustainable farming practices.
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 opportunities include tabling at events and at local farmers’ markets.
