March 2026 update from your local Heartlands Group
March 13, 2026
Join us at Eagle Creek this weekend!
In this newsletter:
๐ Thank you for showing up this past month! ๐ฆ Join us on the trail at Eagle Creek ๐ฟ Become an Outings Leader with Sierra Club ๐ฃ Take action to Protect Heartlands Area Water ๐ Come to our virtual Book Club ๐ซถ How to get involved with our activities this year
Happy reading! As always, if you have any questions about our work in and around the Indy area, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Rebecca Dien-Johns Chapter Digital Strategist Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter
๐Thank you for showing up this past month ๐
Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter Heartlands Group and Protect Pike Township with Indianapolis City Councilor Dan Boots attended Lebanon City Council Meetings to advocate to protect Eagle Creek.
We had the first meeting of the Heartlands Group Water Issues Team (WIT) last month!
Members of Heartlands have been doing so much work on water issues in the Heartlands Group area, Marion, Boone, Hamilton, Hendricks, Hancock, Morgan, Johnson, and Shelby Counties, and while we were at the Statehouse for Water Stewardship Day during the session this year members started a conversation about how to keep that work and advocacy going after the session ended. This is a great space to organize, learn and advocate for water and wetlands.
Thank you again to everyone who came along, and look out for more Type-In events soon!
Rebecca Dien-Johns Chapter Digital Strategist
๐ฆ Join us on the trail this Saturday๐ฆ
Join the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter's Heartland Group on Saturday March 14th at Eagle Creek Park for lunch at noon, and then we'll set off for our hike on the Red Trail around the Bird Sanctuary Loop around 1:00 PM.
Prior to lunch we will be at the Walk for Water March hosted by our partners at Protect Pike Township. That event begins at 10:30 near the 56th street entrance.
You can find out more about that event and register here: Walk for Water.
For lunch bring your own packed lunch and we'll provide plates, cutlery, cups, napkins, beverages, and some light snacks to share. Hike participants will need to sign in and ensure you have filled out our liability waiver. Please no unaccompanied minors, bring water for the hike, and wear sturdy waterproof shoes as the trail is slightly muddy in some areas.
Join us for a lovely day outdoors, lunch at Eagle Creek Park, and a hike to enjoy some of the local wildlife.
๐ฟ Become an Outings Leader with Sierra Club ๐ฟ
We welcome new folks who would like to join our team of Outings Leaders. No matter your background or experience, weโd love to hear from you.
๐ฃ Take action: Protect Heartlands Area Water ๐ฃ
Let Mayor Hogsett know that you want him to protect Eagle Creek and our drinking water, and to call for an independent study of the Citizens-Lebanon Water Supply Program!
We are calling on the City of Indianapolis, as the owner of Eagle Creek, to use its voice and power to protect our ecosystem and water supply.
Please help spread the word by sending this link to your friends: sc.org/indymayor.
๐Join our Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter Book Club๐
Join us for the 2nd year of our Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter Book Club! This year we have some fantastic reading selections as well as opportunities for members to submit suggestions for future books. Have a book you want to see us read this year? Submit your recommendation here or via email to colleen.curtin@sierraclub.org.
Gentle reminder that it is totally okay to show up to Book Club having read all of the book, some of the book, thought about reading the book, or looking for a pitch to sell you on reading the book. ALL are welcome! Also a reminder that the goal of this space is to facilitate conversation and there is not a quiz at the end or an objective beyond learning more about issues we care about and cultivating community with one another.
We look forward to the opportunity to connect, share about, and reflect on the issues, themes, and excerpts that resonated with you in the book.
Colleen Curtin Chapter Outreach Coordinator
About the Heartlands Group
The Heartlands Group serves the greater Indianapolis area. It's part of the Hoosier Chapter of the Sierra Club, hosting Sierra Club outings, hikes, conservation education and sustainability events in Central Indiana. Our mission is to leave a better environment for future generations.
To get involved with our activities this year, email Chapter Outreach Coordinator, Colleen Curtin: colleen.curtin@sierraclub.org
Join us on the trail! You can find all Sierra Club hikes and outings in Indiana at sc.org/hcevents
Here are two meetings you can come to this month:
๐ Heartlands Group Monthly Meeting Monday March 30th from 7-8:00pm ET hybrid online via Zoom or in person at the Interchurch Center 1100 W 42nd St Suite 315, Indianapolis, IN 46208
๐งWater Issues Team (WIT) Meeting Monday March 30th from 6-7:00pm ET hybrid online via Zoom or in person at the Interchurch Center 1100 W 42nd St Suite 315, Indianapolis, IN 46208
๐๏ธAnd finally, some news stories featuring some of the issues we are working on locally...๐๏ธ