January update from Uplands Network, connecting Monroe and surrounding counties
January 7, 2026
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
We begin 2026 filled with gratitude for the work our volunteers have accomplished during 2025. Highlights include:
Joining the Forest Campaign, formed by members of the Chapter’s Conservation Committee, and led by our Executive Committee Vice Chair, Lora Kemp. Lora has outlined a plan to address national, state and urban forest issues. Working with allies and partners to spread the conservation message, working nationally on the Roadless Rule, Endangered Species Act, the Climate Forests Alliance and working to educate the public on how to protect and enjoy the forest.
Celebrating and honoring the life of forest legend, Andy Mahler.
Showing up to and leading rallies to stand up for democracy.
Showing up at the Statehouse for conservation, clean energy and water stewardship days.
Showing up at State Forest Open Houses to voice concerns for the forest and use of our public forests.
Coordinating, planning, and executing outings throughout the year to increase community and awareness.
Tabling at local events to raise awareness and our mission.
Showing up at local zoning committee meetings to express water concerns.
Supporting new outings leaders in their quest to become certified.
Showing up in December to show legislators that people do not support gerrymandering that will disenfranchise folks more than ever. 127 folks signed up to speak at the Indiana Senate hearing, with some waiting into the evening to do so. (You know who you are!)
Attending virtual meetings and outings to share and to strengthen our network.
Showing up to Duke Energy hearings and especially for speaking passionately in defense of ratepayers and our planet
Submitting comments, signing petitions, making calls and taking actions to meet deadlines on important issues.
After long days at the Statehouse protesting in December, Greg and I began our holidays savoring the aftermath of the 31-19 legislative vote to say “NO” to redistricting. The energy and inspiration continues to reverberate. Rachel Maddow showed footage of our throng at least twice on her show since the vote. In many mediums, we made national news. The Washington Post declared Indiana "inaugural State of the Year,” noting the senators who did not cave in, even after months of threats.
Maybe you were there and/or made calls to Governor Braun and folks like Republican Senator Walker, who had tears in his eyes as he stood up for democracy.
Whether you are an official member, a donor, or support us by sharing your time and voice, Sierra Club Uplands Network is grateful to you. Going forward, our days can only get brighter.
Hoosiers came from all over Indiana to protest mid-cycle redistricting that would have left many constituents without representation. Photo: Marilyn Bauchat.
Join our Sierra Club Beyond Coal folks and many other organizations who work toward clean, renewable energy for Indiana to show your support and meet with your legislators to advocate for a clean energy future.
Join the ACLU of Indiana and IYG for LGBTQ+ Day at the Indiana Statehouse, a day dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. LGBTQ+ individuals will join from across the state to hear from a great lineup of speakers, share resources, and take meaningful action.
The Hoosier Chapter of Sierra Club is a member of Indiana Conservation Alliance (INCA). The organization’s members work together to plan speakers and engagement with legislators for constituents to learn about and weigh in on bills.
Indiana Conservation Voters organizes this day to address all issues related to water. With recent decrease in regulation and increases in development (including data centers), our water is endangered. The state Water Allies group plans to meet weekly during the legislative session in order to act swiftly.
If you are interested in ways to be involved with water, energy or any other conservation issue, let me know.
Window closing to join our Winter Outings Leadership Training Cohort!
Join our outings program as a certified outings leader for Sierra Club's Hoosier Chapter. As part of our Winter Outings Leadership Training Cohort you will learn how we work together to prioritize the well being of outings and hike participants, be eligible to participate in first aid training as a group prior to planning a qualifying hike, understand how to utilize Sierra Club resources to promote and recruit participants for your outings, and make new friends across the state of Indiana.
We are finalizing our weekly schedule for meeting so please fill out this google form by Friday, January 9 to join!
Webinar Opportunity – The History and Future of America’s Public Lands
7:00 PM, January 15, 2025 - Join Walt Dabney of our Utah Chapter to explore the history of America’s public lands, the importance of keeping public lands in public hands, and the actions we can all take to protect these places. Register here for link.
Hoosier National Forest
We are in the process of reactivating our quest to expand the Deam Wilderness, with leadership from IFA and support from many partners. Hoosiers enjoy their outdoor recreation experiences and by expanding the Deam Wilderness Area and reintroducing the Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area and Wilderness Establishment Act in the US Senate and House Hoosiers would increase and expand Indiana’s only wilderness area by 15,300 acres and also establish the 29,382-acre Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area on surrounding lands of the Hoosier National Forest (HNF). Passage of this legislation would conserve the largest tract of wilderness on public lands in Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio, and alleviate overuse of the Deam by spreading its use over a wilderness more than twice as large.
Jeff Stant, IFA Hoosier National Forest Advisor, led a call on December 11 to formulate strategies. He shared these reasons for the expansion:
1.“To keep the movement to expand the Deam (Wilderness) and protect the largest island of wild nature in the lower Midwest officially alive. This will set the stage for moving the legislation to passage when the political environment changes and major legislation begins to move through the Congress; 2. To influence the court remedy that will be decided by Judge Pratt for the halted Houston South Project; 3. To establish a decisive precedent for management of other areas in the HNF.”
Progress so far: Rep. Houchin stated at the beginning of 2025 that she will reintroduce the bill (H.R.8535), but then stated in July, that we must get the bill introduced in the Senate first. Governor Braun has approached Senators Banks and Young twice asking them to reintroduce the bill (S. 4402).
Actions we can take:
1. Each write a personal letter to Senators Young and Banks asking them to reintroduce the legislation (S. 4402) and a letter to Representative Houchin thanking her for introducing H.R./ 8535 in 2024 and asking her to reintroduce it in the 119th Congress. Making phone calls to the staff persons handling the bills for Young, Banks, and Houchin. 2. Activate our networks of members, friends and family to write these letters 3. Approach institutions, businesses, local governments, officials, and other organizations to endorse the legislation (S. 4402 and H.R. 8535) and convey that endorsement to Banks, Young and Houchin 4. Spread the word on social media/news media/other.
Interested in protecting a lovely parcel of land and a small creek near Griffy Lake Preserve?
A developer is asking for variances from Bloomington's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to allow a single home and four acre lot to become 15 houses and to remove 103 mature trees believed to have been planted by Dr. John Sinclair, IU Biology professor, in the 60s and 70s at 2511 N. Dunn Street. Requests for variances are for setback, lot size, tree and forest preservation, and riparian buffer requirements.
You can show support for the UDOs that are in place to protect our Tree City and more recent Bee City certifications. The UDO promotes the responsible, and sustainable development and redevelopment of the areas within Bloomington in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan and its components. This includes protecting “the character and stability of residential, institutional, business, employment, and natural areas.” Learn more here.
To take action, please attend a zoning meeting scheduled for Jan. 12 at 5:30PM, an hour before our virtual Network meeting at 6:30PM. It is hybrid, and here is a link - Zoning Meeting. Jan. 22 - zoning appeals Feb 9 - Plan Commission meeting. Contact April Waxler for further information at awaxler10@gmail.com
5:30 PM, January 28, 2025- Green Drinks Bloomington - Join us at the Upland Brewing Woodshop to hear Madi Hirschland present on Bloomington Energy Works/Electrify Indiana.
Your Invite to Get Involved!
Our next meeting will be at 6:30 PM, Monday, January 12. Please register for the Zoom link at Uplands Network January Meeting.
The Indiana State Legislature has convened for 2026 and we’ll hear from Chapter Director, Robyn Skuya-Boss on bills coming up this session impacting the environment.
Join us as we hear about our Community Lobbying program and how you can participate in advocating for Indiana state and national forests, clean energy, and clean water with public officials in Indiana.
Suggested reading:
Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization by Bill McKibben. This is the book we'll be discussing at the Hoosier Chapter Book Club on Tue, Jan 27, 2026; 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Eastern).
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.
