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2011 Legislative Session

2010 Legislative Report

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Legislation & Other Actions

Become a Forest Watch Volunteer
Our partners at the Indiana Forest Alliance are seeking Forest Watch volunteers. If you might be able to help protect our forests as well as the wildlife that depends on this habitat, please check this out.

Take Action!
Be part of the solution. Here are easy ways for you to express your views on important legislation about conservation and the environment.

By the People, For the People
Let your lawmakers hear from you

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Indiana Chapter Calendar

Feb 10
Film: Real Dirt (Indianapolis)

Feb 15
Tom Neilson Sings - Indianapolis

Feb 18
Paddling Indiana Rivers

Feb 20
Tom Neilson Sings - Fort Wayne

Feb 27
Water Monitoring Workshop - Wabash

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Working to Keep Indiana Green!

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. You will like these shows! For more information, see this page.

Would you, your business, or your organization consider sponsoring one or both shows? Click for information.

Legislature's environment: not the best...

As feared, the environment in the 2012 Indiana General Assembly is not very hospitable to our issues and concerns. Although PACE (property assessed clean energy) enabling legislation has fared well in many other parts of the country, irregardless of political philosophy, it still isn't advancing in Indiana. PACE is an innovative financing mechanism that allows interested property owners a tool for dealing with the upfront cost of installing clean energy systems. Another issue that isn't moving this year (again) is one that would place restrictions on fertilizers containing phosphorus. Phosphorus contributes to water quality problems including algae growth. On the bright side, a ‘canned hunting’ bill has been dropped. The House had approved a bill allowing the fenced hunting, but Senate President Pro Tem David Long moved to kill the proposal for this legislative session.

Come to a Lobbying Workshop?

The Bloomington Sierra Club group recently hosted a lobby workshop spearheaded by its advocacy chair, Brian Wright. More such workshops are likely. Are you interested in attending one? Let us know!

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 tribute donations or 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.

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Top Stories from the Indiana Chapter

Asian hooded crane spotted in Indiana
Bird watchers are flocking to a southwestern Indiana wildlife area to try to catch a glimpse of a crane usually spotted only in Asia. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says a hooded crane was first spotted Tuesday at Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area about 40 miles west of Bloomington. By Wednesday, more than 100 bird enthusiasts from as far away as Minnesota, West Virginia and Nebraska had visited.

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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