Happy New Year from the Woods! The trees and shrubs are working below the surface right now, getting ready for the glorious spring that is before us. The little prairie at the entrance to the Woods is divided in half. One half has small plants called plugs that are getting established. The other half was planted with a low growing prairie mix. During the first growing season, it will need to be mowed down when the plants are 12 inches tall to keep weeds from taking over. This pilot project should be interesting to watch and see which method is more pleasing and easier to maintain. Let’s see what happens in the spring.
Creation Care Happenings: Climate Change is real and your voice is needed. Call your legislators and attend some of these events.
· The Indiana General Assembly is opening on January 8, 2024 and ends March 15, 2024. So things can be fast and furious!
· "IN This Together: Uniting Hoosiers for Our Future”. High school students are leading the way to ask for legislation to promote resilience. Tuesday, January 16, 2024, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM - Indiana Statehouse Fourth Floor South Atrium. LEARN MORE AND RSVP: www.ConfrontTheClimateCrisis.com/event-details/in-this-together-uniting-hoosiers-for-our-future (RSVPing is not required, but it is recommended so we can send you an email reminder in January.)
· Tuesday January 23 ,2024. Conservation Day at the Statehouse, sponsored by the Indiana Conservation Alliance .
· Friday, February 9, 2024. Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference, sponsored by ERI and IUPUI https://eri.iu.edu/news-and-events/events/indiana-sustainability-and-resilience-conference.html
· Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Indiana Renewable Energy Day from 9-3 PM, sponsored by Solar United Neighbors and other alliances. Our legislators continue to turn a blind eye to opportunities for job expansion in the renewable energy sector as well as create barriers to adoption of renewable energy for residents.
· Deadline to give input by January 14, 2024 to CIRDA.
The Central Indiana RDA (CIRDA) is developing the Central Indiana Environmental Action Plan and wants your input now through January 14, 2024 through a short online form. CIRDA is also hosting two public meetings on January 8 at 1pm and January 9 at 6pm to gather input. CIRDA was awarded $1 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a regional plan for reducing GHG emissions and other harmful air pollution. After the regional plan is complete, CIRDA will compete for $4.6 billion in EPA grants to fund priority actions and associated projects. Visit https://centralindianarda.org/epa-grant to give your input now and learn more.
You can sign up for information about the legislative session at the Hoosier Environmental Council or at QuakerIFCL.org