On February 22, a few brave, dedicated Hoosiers trekked out to the Burdette Trail in Evansville, Indiana to enjoy the last gasp of winter and discuss the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign. As someone currently undertaking the Sierra Club Outings Leadership Training, it was also a great opportunity to see how a seasoned Outings Leader shows up for the community.
The Burdette Trail connects the University of Southern Indiana to the outskirts of western Evansville in a 3.5-mile long paved trail used for biking and walking. Closer to campus, student athletes use the trail to train. Despite its proximity to the city and campus, on any given day visitors might encounter deer, turkeys, ravens, hawks, and even foxes.
But when the high was 28 degrees Fahrenheit, it was just us hikers and a trio of plump cardinals perched on the stone steps at a steep incline where the trail rises into a densely woven patch of deciduous trees.
Of course, walking warmed us up, as did our conversation about the volume of ash ponds in southern Indiana and how entrenched the coal industry is despite markets increasingly favoring renewables. A veteran engineer with plenty of experience in the energy sector joined us, alongside a professor of environmental ethics familiar with the Sierra Club’s renewable campaigns. For a small group, we were a testament to the variety of reasons people show up in the cold to hear about clean energy.
The sun broke through when we reached the half-way point. For me at least, it was a lesson in determination, in the high reward that comes with sticking to the trail, staying the course. It was also a good reminder, for all of us I think, that bitter times are improved with good company.
If you’re in the area, check back at Upcoming Events and Outings page in coming weeks for an upcoming hike in May. I have been participating in Outings Leadership Training and this will be my qualifying hike. To find out more about becoming an Outings Leader with Sierra Club, come along to the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter: Summer Outing Leader Training Orientation on May 11.
Keene Short
Volunteer, Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter