  
We
are all longing to go home to some place we have never been — a place
half-remembered and half-envisioned we can only catch glimpses of from time to
time. Community. Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion
without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will
open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with
us whenever we come into our own power. Community means strength that joins our
strength to do the work that needs to be done. Arms to hold us when we falter. A
circle of healing. A circle of friends. Someplace where we can be free. I
am my brother’s keeper. I am under a moral obligation to him that is inspired
not by any maudlin sentimentality but by the higher duty I owe myself. Questions
about articles
and artwork?
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Send submissions to
Branches, P.O. Box 30920, Indianapolis IN 46230
EVENTS Bloomington THURSDAYS
– 11 to 11:30 a.m. “EcoReport.”
Tune in to this locally produced radio show covering environmental news on WFHB
Community Radio, 98.1 and 91.3 FM. Listen to archived reports at http://www.wfhb.org/news/ecoreport
and submit story ideas to earth@wfhb.org
Indianapolis SATs.
and SUNs. – 1 p.m. Free guided walks through the gardens are offered April through
September at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Rd. Meet at the main
visitor entrance to Lilly House. 317/923-1331.
NEWS The
U.S. Geological Survey Web site has extensive water resource links for the
Hoosier State, including ground water, water quality, stream stage and water
levels. http://in.water.usgs.gov/
The
Indiana Department of Environmental Management in collaboration with the USGS
has released a report about mercury in streams and precipitation in Indiana.
Download it from http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2008/5176/ Indianapolis
Food Security Initiative has created a draft of an Indianapolis Food Charter to
promote food security in the Hoosier capital.
To receive an electronic copy, send a message to Laura Salyer, laura.salyer@gmail.com
. Sustainable
Indiana 2016 is a grassroots movement to promote and support organizations and
projects that embody principles of sustainability within Indiana.
An online wiki has lots of resources, information and a calendar of events: http://sustindy2016.wetpaint.com/ Presentations
from the 2nd Indiana Environmental Health Summit, “Water Quality and Human
Health in Indiana,” are available online
at http://ikecoalition.org/Environmental_Summit_2009/index.htm
or www.cees.iupui.edu under “Water Quality and Human Health”
in the upper right corner. The
Bloomington Local Growers Guild created a local foods system
that provides high-quality food to communities through direct markets and
retailers; preserves the viability of family farms; improves the quality of life
for growers; makes food issues visible; and promotes practices that preserve and
protect the earth. The 2009 Local Growers Guide is a free publication available
at select locations in Bloomington. Details available at www.localgrowers.org/ 350.org
is an independent not-for-profit international grassroots campaign to mobilize a
global climate movement united by a common call to action.
The group takes its name from 350 parts per million, the level scientists have
identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere. The group is
promoting the 350 International Day of Climate Action on Oct. 24. Watch a short
video at www.350.org/video. Wood-Land-Lakes
Resource Conservation and Development serves DeKalb, Elkhart, LaGrange, Noble,
Steuben and Whitley counties.
Its Web site provides landowners with access to information on topics ranging
from education, energy, farmland protection, forestry and backyard conservation.
While the info is targeted to its service area, it is informative to the curious
regardless of where they live. Details: www.wood-land-lakes.org. IU
School of Medicine pediatrician Dr. Paul Winchester has studied the connection
between birth defects and levels of pesticides in water
during months of conception and found a statistically significant correlation.
The study suggests that further research should be done. Details at http://homepages.indiana.edu/web/page/normal/10531.html. Improving
Kids Environment celebrates its 10th anniversary this year as an advocate for
children’s health and well-being.
Learn more about this nonprofit organization at www.ikecoalition.org
. The
Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has extended the comment
period deadline for U.S. Steel’s closure plan for its Hazardous Waste Disposal
Unit No. 5 (HWD-5) to July 25, 2009.
IDEM is reviewing the plan submitted by U.S. Steel in compliance with state and
federal hazardous waste regulations for closure of HWD-5 on the west side of the
U.S. Steel Gary Works facility at 1 N. Broadway in Gary. Review the closure plan
at http://12.186.81.89/Pages/Member/View.aspx?DocId=33638201 According
to Purdue University forestry professor Douglass Jacobs, a new hybrid American
Chestnut could not only reintroduce this nearly extinct species but also could
help fight global warming by sequestering carbon. The
species was nearly obliterated at the beginning of the last century by chestnut
blight. Jacobs hopes the new blight-resistant hybrid could bring this fast
growing hardwood back into America’s parks, forests and woodlots. For more
info, go to http://news.uns.purdue.edu/hp/JacobsChestnuts.html Save
Chellberg Farm is an initiative by Save the Dunes Council, Friends of the Dunes,
the Hoosier Environmental Council and interested citizens who want to prevent
the historic farm in Porter from being closed.
Part of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Chellberg Farm has offered popular
public programs for many years, including a working farm with animals that
connects area residents to the region’s agricultural history. The U.S.
National Park Service, which operates the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, cut
funding for the farm earlier this year; that eliminated animals and the farmer.
An online petition drive will end Aug. 31 when the petitions will be compiled
and given to the Park Superintendent. For more information or to sign the
petition, go to http://www.savedunes.org/petition2/ The
highly destructive Emerald Ash Borer has been detected in a dozen Hoosier
counties.
Purdue University has established a Web site to educate the public on the
situation with a comprehensive resource guide on symptoms and management. Go to http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/EAB/ The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recognized the Indiana Department of
Environmental Management and the State Department of Health Laboratories for
their contributions to improving the environment on three national wildlife
refuges in Indiana.
IDEM’s Office of Water Quality and the Health Department’s Chemical
Laboratory Division were cited for their participation in a two-year effort with
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to identify sources and patterns of
contaminants in rivers and streams on Big Oaks, Muscatatuck and Patoka River
national wildlife refuges in southern Indiana. For more information, go to www.fws.gov. Don’t
throw that analog television in the trash; recycle it! With
the end of analog broadcasting, many Hoosiers are replacing their old units with
digital televisions. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management
encourages recycling unwanted televisions to keep toxic materials out of the
waste stream and recover valuable materials such as circuit boards, metal
wiring, leaded glass and plastics. To find an electronics reuse/recycling
facility near you, go to www.recycle.IN.gov. Lake
Michigan Watchdogs is a citizen advocacy group devoted to bringing prosperity
through sustainability by monitoring Indiana’s unique environmental habitat in
the northwest part of the state.
Learn more at http://lakemichiganwatchdogs.com/home.html The
American Human Development Project has created a series of interactive maps
that display health, education, income and environmental data on the regional,
state and national level. http://map.measureofamerica.org/maps.aspx The
Indiana State Department of Health offers an Asthma Resource Guide.
Download it from www.in.gov/isdh/files/Asthma_Resource_Guide_August_2008(1).pdf Any
Hoosier gardener knows that climate change is real and has affected first and
last frost dates and what kinds of plants thrive in Indiana.
The USDA will soon acknowledge this with a revised hardiness map for the
country. www.dailyclimate.org/tdc-newsroom/usda/climate-change-comes-to-your-backyard Plant
A Million is a project of the Hoosier Heartland Resource Conservation and
Development Council and the ten Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Central
Indiana.
Begun in 2004, the project’s main goals are to educate people about the
benefits of trees and their management, and to help the citizens of Central
Indiana plant a million or more mostly native trees in the10-county area. To
find out how your neighborhood group can participate or to find out about
scheduled tree planting events, go to www.plantamillion.org
. The
Environmental Protection Agency has established Watershed Central online to help
disseminate information on protecting and restoring watersheds. www.epa.gov/watershedcentral A
brochure describing volunteer opportunities at DNR properties
is at www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2443.htm
. Earth911.com is a comprehensive search engine for finding a recycling center near you by city, ZIP code, and/or type of item you want to recycle. RESOURCES The Indiana Recycling Coalition (IRC) has launched www.DefendRecycling.org to keep the public informed about efforts by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management that might change the definition of recycling to include incineration. The IRC is concerned that such a change would undermine existing community recycling programs and eliminate funding for legitimate recycling industries and businesses. Citizens
from around the state who are opposed to Confined Animal Feeding Operations have
compiled resources to help inform the public about the many problems associated
with such facilities. www.sierraclub.org/factoryfarms/
www.factoryfarm.org/guide/1.html
www.grist.org/news/muck/2005/01/24/factory_farms/ http://www.msu.edu/~howardp/infographics.html www.mythinglinks.org/FactoryFarms.html Bloomington’s
Center for Sustainable Living is a storehouse of information about services,
projects and networking opportunities for people interested in exploring
ecologically sustainable ways of thinking, living and interacting. For
more information, contact CSL President Lucille Bertuccio, lbertucc@indiana.edu,
call 812/332-8796, or visit www.simplycsl.org.
Lake
Michigan Watchdogs let you know who’s polluting Indiana’s waterfront in
northwest Indiana.
Get the details at http://www.lakemichiganwatchdogs.com/home.htm
Evansville-based
Valley Watch has created a valuable Web-based resource featuring an impressive
selection of environmental and health links. A
special section called PM Comments Tool Kit (in the “library”) gives readers
everything they need to file formal comments on EPA’s proposed new standards
on particulate matter. The site also tracks ongoing efforts to clear the air in
Vanderburgh and surrounding counties. Visit: www.valleywatch.net A
“Citizens Guide to Protecting Your National Forests” has been posted online
for free download.
The document was created by members of Heartwood, the Bloomington-based
grassroots coalition of forest protection advocates. www.heartwood.org/Guide.pdf
Humanity’s
ecological footprint exceeds the Earth’s biological capacity by nearly 40
percent,
according to a new “Footprint of Nations” report by Redefining Progress, an
Oakland, Calif.-based policy institute. The ecological footprint is a measure of
the amount of natural resources it takes to sustain a given population over the
course of a year. By comparing a population’s footprint with its biological
capacity, ecological footprint analysis suggests whether that population is
living within its ecological means. If a population’s footprint exceeds its
biological capacity, that population is said to be engaging in unsustainable
ecological overshoot. According to the report, humanity’s footprint is 57
acres per person, while the Earth’s biological capacity is just 41. Read the
full report at www.ecologicalfootprint.org.
Environmentalists
are embracing the green cemeteries movement, an alternative to the hidden toxins
and wasted resources of traditional cremations and burials.
Long practiced by non-Christian cultures, natural burial is rapidly becoming
popular among people looking for burial methods that won’t degrade local
resources with formaldehyde, mercury and metals. Natural burial options can
include no embalming; biodegradable boxes without liners or crypts; shrouds and
no markers; caskets made of fiber or paper; or trees planted as monuments
instead of costly headstones. While Britain has more than 200 green cemeteries,
the United States has only half a dozen so far. www.AlternativeFuneralMonitor.com
and www.FuneralResources.net.
The
Campaign for Sustainable Economics
is dedicated to promoting ecological economics in academic thought and as common
sense. www.sustainableeconomics.org,
317/917-1638. Earth
Day Network (EDN) has partnered with Google for the launch of the new Google
Maps Summer of Green, an environmentally focused video and map guide to
eco-tourism spots.
The resource features guided virtual video tours of environmentally friendly
destinations, including organic spas, hotels, restaurants, eco car rentals, and
green family-friendly activities, such as nature museums and horseback riding
outposts. http://services.google.com/earth/green/
An
online air permits search engine lets citizens look at the status of projects in
their community.
The site was created by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management
(IDEM) and Access Indiana. The search engine sorts air permits by source name,
county, permit number, time frame and other criteria. The status and information
in the permit will be automatically updated when changes occur. Visit www.IN.gov/idem/air/permits/Air-Permits-Online/index.html The
National Campaign Against Dirty Power has created the Clear the Air Web site,
offering facts and figures about the health hazards associated with pollution
from coal-burning power plants. View data by state and metropolitan area at www.cleartheair.org/dirtypower/. The
Worldwatch Institute offers free downloads of articles on sustainability and the
environment.
Visit www.worldwatch.org
. A
recently revised report, originally released in 2003, finds that Indiana and the
entire Great Lakes region may suffer from the effects of a changing climate more
than previously thought.
A team of leading scientists from Midwest universities and solutions experts at
the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) recently found that extreme heat events
are occurring more frequently; heavy precipitation events, both rain and snow,
are becoming more common; air quality may deteriorate due to harmful gases
released during more frequent forest fires; and the number of summer pollution
days may be on the rise. These changes will bring challenges to residents in
Great Lakes cities as well as in rural areas, highlighting the need for action
to forestall many of the most severe impacts. The report, Confronting
Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region, can be found at www.ucsusa.org/greatlakes.
The
Indiana Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program has designated13 Important Bird Areas
in the state with plans to identify an additional 15 early this year. Part
of a nationwide program spearheaded by the National Audubon Society, the Indiana
IBA Program is an all-volunteer effort to identify habitat important to promote
abundance and diversity of bird species. Details: www.indianaaudubon.org/IBA.htm The
City of Indianapolis has expanded its Knozone program into a year-round effort
to increase public awareness of the effects of poor air quality.
The move was prompted in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
declaring Marion and four other counties in central Indiana as being in
non-attainment for the fine particle federal health-based standard. Fine
particles are released as part of the combustion process when burning fossil
fuels such as oil, coal, gasoline and diesel as well as wood. When air pollution
levels are predicted to become unhealthy for sensitive groups such as senior
citizens and children, the City will declare a Knozone Action Day. On such days,
at-risk groups are urged to limit outdoor activities and monitor their health
problems. The City also encourages carpooling, mass transit and other strategies
to help reduce pollution. Details: www.knozone.comor
317/327-4AIR. Has
a new power plant been proposed in your community?
Evansville-based Valley Watch has prepared a document for citizen activists
entitled, “So You Have a New Power Plant Proposed!” It lists a series of
questions to ask to determine what kind of strategy can be used to fight the
facility. (Additional resources include Web sites such as http://Scorecard.org
and www.cleartheair.org/dirtypower/map.html.)
For a free copy, contact John Blair at 812/464-5663 or Ecoserve1@aol.com,
or write: Valley Watch, 800 Adams Ave., Evansville, IN 47713. To
help encourage the reuse and recycling of electronics, the Indiana Recycling
Coalition has posted its E-Scrap Toolkit online at www.indianarecycling.org/escrapmanagementtoolkit.html.
The toolkit lists current state and federal regulations; makes recommendations
on buying “green” and offers contact information to companies and
organizations reusing and recycling electronics in Indiana. The Plant A Million project has the goal of planting a million or more native trees in central Indiana. Plant A Million is a combined effort of Hoosier Heartland Resource Conservation and Development Council and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Boone, Brown, Hamilton, Hendricks, Hancock, Johnson, Marion, Monroe, Morgan and Shelby counties. You can become involved by planting a tree or trees in your yard, encouraging your neighbors to do the same or donating trees to be planted at schools, parks or other open spaces. Plant a Million Project Coordinator Bob Eddleman can also arrange an informational program for service and civic clubs and church and other community groups. Details: 317/271-4413. Networking
The
Hoosier Environmental Council has upgraded its Web site to provide updates on crucial developments in the
Indiana General Assembly. Visit www.hecweb.org. The
Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society (INPAWS) is a membership based organization that promotes the
appreciation, preservation, conservation, utilization and scientific study of
flora native to Indiana. www.inpaws.org The
Indiana Master Naturalist program brings together natural resource specialists with adult learners to
foster an understanding of Indiana’s plants, water, soils, and wildlife and
promote volunteer service in local communities. It is a cooperative project of
Resource Conservation & Development Councils, Indiana Soil & Water
Conservation Districts, Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, Indiana Department
of Natural Resources. www.in.gov/dnr/masternaturalist/index.html Wood-Land-Lakes
Resource Conservation and Development Council is a volunteer organization
working for responsible stewardship of natural resources in northeast Indiana.
The Council recently updated its long-range area plan that will help guide the
Council for the next seven years. The plan shows the Council’s mission,
vision, background and structure as well as an overview of the region. This
overview includes geographic, natural resource, agriculture, demographic and
socioeconomic information and graphs. The Council’s goals, objectives, and
strategies revolve around land conservation, water management, community
development, and land management. Download a copy at http://www.wood-land-lakes.org/adobe/Plans/2008-2014%20Area%20Plan.pdf Green
Sanctuary is a growing movement among faith communities of many denominations to
recognize the importance of environmental stewardship in all aspects of life —
at home, at church and at work. Improving
Kids’ Environment is working with local congregations to help them understand
the importance of this effort and to provide practical tools to help them on
their journey. IKE’s helpful resource list is posted at: www.ikecoalition.org/Green_Sanctuary/Green_Sanctuary.htm The
Indiana Forest Alliance
meets at 6 p.m. the first and third and Wednesdays of each month at 116 1/2 S.
College in Bloomington. Details: Joanna Gras 812/332-4878 or Joanna@heartwood.org The
Great Lakes Information Network
is a resource created by the Great Lakes Commission, a bi-national, nonpartisan
alliance that takes an ecosystem approach to protecting and sustaining the
health of the Great Lakes basin. www.great-lakes.net/ Interested
in how an intentional community functions?
Learn about the Raccoon Creek Community’s efforts to establish a center for
permaculture and alternative energy on a 154-acre site in Owen County by
visiting Check out the latest ongoing activities of Bloomington’s Center for Sustainable Living,including the Bloomington ECO Center and the Community Bike Project: www.simplycsl.org/cal.html RemindersThe average American
uses 24 acres of land to support his or her current lifestyle.
In comparison, the average Canadian lives on a footprint 30 percent smaller (17
acres), and the average Italian on a footprint 60 percent smaller (9 acres).
Want to see how you compare? Take the survey at www.redefiningprogress.org.
Then download the new Household Ecological Footprint Spreadsheet, to create a
more detailed look at your household’s consumption of natural resources. Support Your Local Land Trust! Corporate Ownership of Organics Pattern Map for a Conservation Economy
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