Notes from the Woods ~ One of our senior trees in the Woods is the Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) that typically grows 50-80' (less frequently to 120') tall with a broad, open-rounded shaped habit.
You can view this large tree just east and south of the meditational circle. This tree is important for our bird and insect population by hosting 368 caterpillar species. Watch her to bloom in March and April. Later in the summer, look for Mourning Cloak, Red-spotted Purple, Viceroy and Tiger Swallowtail butterflies whose larvae have been hidden there.
Highlighting a local environmental non-profit:
Reconnecting our Waterways or ROW
ROW convenes community partners to enhance the quality of life through innovation, analysis, cultural advancement and investment along Indy waterways and in neighborhoods.
See their February newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/e884ac9be74d/current-news-from-row-nov-8105370
IFCL Creation Care updates:
We are halfway through the 2021 Indiana General Assembly session, which was supposed to focus primarily on the budget and COVID-19 relief. There are some interesting bills to consider. If you would like to be on the IFCL mailing list, let me know. Mary.blackburn4@gmail.com
Here is a bill (HB 1283) to support urban agriculture that has crossed over to the Senate. It’s great to have a bill that focuses on helping people grow their own food in the city by having urban agricultural zones. Here’s a digest of the bill.
http://184.175.130.101/legislative/2021/bills/house/1283#digest-heading
For an update from the Hoosier Environmental Council, please click here to see which bills they believe are important for Indiana.
For all you Purdue Fans, here’s a link to the latest report from the Purdue Climate Change Research Center. Among the report's key findings:
* Predicted changes in climate – warmer, wetter springs followed by hotter, drier summers – may increase habitat suitability for a growing assortment of tree species in Indiana.
* Warmer temperatures may increase the number of new invasive species, as plants such as kudzu and Chinese privet expand their ranges northward in response to an altered climate.
* The number of days with frozen soil is projected to drop by one-half to two-thirds by late century, dramatically shrinking the time window for harvesting trees without environmental disturbance and damage.
Here’s the link: https://mailchi.mp/0f8e01ad8a65/in-ccia-newsletter-may-2457745?_ga=2.120209032.1679945187.1614610276-225662745.1614610276
For a Friendly view of Creation Care, check out Quaker Earthcare Witness: https://www.quakerearthcare.org