In The News
Tom Neilson shows coming to Indy & Fort Wayne!
Singer-songwriter Tom Neilson will perform two shows in February to benefit the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter. An Indianapolis show will be on Wednesday, February 15th at the Indiana Interchurch Center (42nd & Michigan Rd). On the following Monday, February 20th, Tom will play at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne
5310 Old Mill Road. Both shows will begin at 7:30 PM. Advance tickets are $10 ($15 at the door or $10 with a student ID). Contact us for tickets -- and to volunteer to help. You will like these shows!
Would you, your business, or your organization consider sponsoring one or both shows? Click for information.
Come to a Lobbying Workshop!
Bloomington Sierra Club's Advocacy/Conservation Chairman, Brian Wright, will share a presentation to help us better understand legislation and legislative processes that can have an impact on the environment. Wright worked for 8 years as a registered lobbyist in the Indiana legislature. He will also teach us how to communicate effectively with our elected officials so that our voices can be heard to help protect the environment. No experience or commitments necessary, just plan to attend if you've ever had interest in learning more about these topics. Monday, January 30th, 7:00pm - 8:30pm at the Monroe County Public Library - Room 1B. Contact bloomingtonsierraclub@gmail.com for more info.
2012 Conservation Day at the Statehouse
We must admit that we do not have incredibly high hopes for this session of the Indiana General Assembly. Nevertheless we will support positive legislation - and defend against the not so good. Tuesday, January 24, 2012 was Conservation Day at the Statehouse. Along with partners in the Indiana Conservation Alliance we met with legislators - and brainstormed with one another. Our efforts will continue throughout the legislative session - and the year. Stay tuned.
Richard C. Smith, Sierra Club friend, passes away
Rick Smith, Noblesville, passed away a few days after 2012 began. Friends remembered him as a wonderful guy who was passionate about his family, the outdoors, and the environment in general. Rick battled cancer in the last eighteen months of his 64 years. Upon his passing, Rick and his family asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Sierra Club. We are grateful for those contributions and for the passion behind them. We will strive to make sure that the work these contributions support is work that would make Rick proud.
For information about additional means of planned giving, please contact us.
Outdoor Leadership Training
If you have interest in becoming a Certified Outings Leader, please let us know by emailing bloomingtonsierraclub@gmail.com. We are working to set up a weekend training seminar to help you gain certification and tentatively planning it for the last weekend in March or first weekend in April. We'd like to gauge the interest level and accommodate as many schedules as possible for those who are interested.
Richard Hill receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Richard Hill, a longtime environmental activist in Indiana and an executive committee member of the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter, is winner of the Hoosier Environmental Council's 2011 HEC Lifetime Achievement Award, named in honor of Robert Klawitter. From Madison, Hill's award is in recognition of his many years of dedication to southern Indiana, including leadership of Save the Valley, protecting the Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, safeguarding Hoosiers from factory farms and coal ash, successfully fighting the problem-plagued Marble Hill nuclear plant, among other battles. Richard will receive the award on December 10, 2011 at HEC's 4th Annual Greening the Statehouse Forum, to which all are invited. We are very proud of and grateful for Richard.
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Top Stories from the Indiana Chapter
Stop Indiana's pro-canned hunt bill (HB 2065) - Hearing January 18
Rep Sean Eberhart, Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, has scheduled HB 1265 (a bill that would legalize captive hunting) for a hearing on Wednesday, January 18th. Captive hunting operations are private trophy hunting facilities where shooters pay to kill native and exotic animals trapped within enclosures. Have you voiced your opinion to members of the Committee? The majority of Hoosiers do not want canned hunts here!
Help Indiana's Wildlife - Prohibit Fox and Coyote Penning
The Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) continues to vacillate on the issue of prohibiting fox and coyote penning in Indiana. Why? "Killing pens" are cruel and inhumane, with no sense of the fair play that every true sportsman believes in. Take action now!
Citizen Advocacy 101
Are you hesitant to talk with your elected officials? Do you worry about making your point and effectively sharing your views? If so, these pointers and resources from the Nature Conservancy may help.
Why children in southwest Indiana are surrounded by toxins
There are two industries in Rockport, Indiana, that release 30 million pounds of toxic chemicals into the environment. A report considers the serious consequences this has on its residents, particularly children.
Make Healthy Choices for Healthy Oceans
Don't dine out or shop for seafood without the Monterey Bay Aquarium's seafood guide! Available free on their website, take these free printable pocket guides to the market or restaurant to make eco-friendly choices.
Forbes Ranks Indiana 49th out of 50
Forbes Magazine recently published its list of "America's Greenest States." Indiana ranked at the bottom, 49th out of 50, only ahead of West Virginia which is closely tied to the coal industry. Tell your lawmakers that a good environment and a good economy go hand-in-hand.
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