Indiana Living Green - June 2013

• Site evaluation to determine the • Site evaluation to determine the best options for your propertybest options for your property

• Written conservation plan outlin-• Written conservation plan outlin-ing best management practices ing best management practices (BMPs) for your yard(BMPs) for your yard

• Lists of resources for installing • Lists of resources for installing and maintaining your BMPsand maintaining your BMPs

• Possible fi nancial assistance with-• Possible fi nancial assistance with-in the designated Watershed areain the designated Watershed area

• Education through workshops, • Education through workshops, literature and demonstration areasliterature and demonstration areas

For more information contact:For more information contact:

Leslie WhiteLeslie White Backyard Conservation CoordinatorBackyard Conservation CoordinatorPHONE:PHONE: (317) 773-2181(317) 773-2181

EMAIL:EMAIL: [email protected] [email protected]/Fall-Creek-Watershed-Partnership/hancockswcd.org/Fall-Creek-Watershed-Partnership/

Want to install a rain garden?Want to install a rain garden?Fall Creek Watershed PartnershipFall Creek Watershed Partnership

YOUR GUIDE TO THE BACKYARD CONSERVATION PROGRAMYOUR GUIDE TO THE BACKYARD CONSERVATION PROGRAM

HANCOCKSWCD.ORG • HAMILTONSWCD.ORGHANCOCKSWCD.ORG • HAMILTONSWCD.ORGMADISONSWCD.ORG • MARIONSWCD.ORGMADISONSWCD.ORG • MARIONSWCD.ORG

ILG /// JUNE 2013 /// INDIANALIVINGGREEN.COM 3

C O N T E N T S JUNE 2013

PUBLISHER Kevin [email protected]

EDITORIAL

EDITORJim Poyser [email protected]

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTSGinnye Cubel, Jordan Martich

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COVER PHOTOby Steve Gifford

D E P A R T M E N T S04 Doom & Bloom04 Gardening with Nature06 Watts & Whatnot08 Cover Story14 Advocates16 Cruising Green17 Imbibing Green18 Building Green19 Buying Green20 Doing Green21 Eco-Crossword22 The PANIQuiz22 Ask Renee23 Life is an Egg by Joe Lee

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4 INDIANALIVINGGREEN.COM /// JUNE 2013 /// ILG

DOOM & BLOOM with Jim PoyserGARDENING WITH NATUREby Lynn Jenkins

DOOM &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMM with Jim Poyser

but quickly in JuneBreathe deeply,

There are just a few short moments in early June when you can enjoy the yard and gardens and say “Wow! It’s done.” You’ve planted your

perennials, got the annuals in pots, weeded the veggies and caught up with the mowing. WHEW! Take advantage of those quick moments to check out these new titles, before you get too busy again.

Garden Bilder is a free app by an Indy based company to “enable homeowners to create a kitchen garden or orchard by transforming backyards into productive, sustain-able gardens.” I tried Garden Bilder on my son’s iPhone and found it engaging, but also time consuming and a bit frustrating. If someone has never laid out a garden, they may find the colorful designs and plant listings helpful, but give me a paper and pencil and one of Purdue’s online garden publications to accomplish this quicker.

Got Sun? (IU Press, 2013) Caro-lyn Harstad nailed it again. Most remember the Hoosier author for her groundbreaking book, Go Native! In the same easy to follow format, Got Sun? describes 200 native plants for the sun garden. This is not a typical listing of perennials. Chapters are nicely organized including grasses, vines, ground covers and shrubs. I was surprised to learn of several native ferns listed among the sun-lovers. Respected Hoosier wildlife artist, Jean Vietor created the beauti-ful black and white illustrations, which add the feel of a botanical journal. A winner—again!

Shrubs Large and Small (Quarry Press, 2013) by Moya L. Andrews & Gillian Harris grabbed me, since I consider shrubs a strong and binding force in any garden. The gallery and appendices were help-ful and the colored illustrations beautiful and descriptive. I do wish they had focused only on natives rather than mixing non-native ornamentals, or that the shrubs were labeled in the appendices. The early chapters share valuable info not commonly seen in garden guides. A lovely book.

Breathe, read, plant, enjoy!

Got a comment, question or a tip to share? Contact Lynn at [email protected].

You all know I struggle with balancing doom with bloom. In truth, the doom has been winning lately as the little bit of good news we hear never seems to begin to counter the enor-mity of the bad.

But something has started to shift. Partly, it’s my ongoing Climate Reality slide-

show. I’m getting a lot of gigs and meeting plenty of people — in fact, I’ve met more people in the past half-year than in any similar time period since I was in college.

They care about what’s happening to the planet. Most are concerned. Many are downright worried. Some are even panicking.

All of us are looking for something to do about it.Want to chain yourself to the Keystone XL

pipeline project? Want to try and encourage IPL to retire its coal plants? Want to start a recycling program at your office or school? There’s plenty to do, depending on your level of interest and sense of adventure.

But there’s one particular activity brewing that I hope every one of you will get behind. In what-

ever way you can. Because it’s about the kids.You know. Kids. What I call Generation

Screwed. The ones to whom we handed a planet on the edge of ecosystem-wide chaos.

I finish this column before a May 28 Earth Charter annual meeting in Indianapolis. What will be announced at that meeting is a new initiative, where kids from around the state are uniting to address the devastating effects of climate change.

Inspired by the Oregon-based organization Our Children’s Trust, this homegrown proj-ect, overseen by Earth Charter Indiana, will engage in an educational, politically-oriented series of actions.

Who are these kids? They’re my kids and yours. They’re the kids next door. The ones shivering at the bus stops. The ones wish-ing there was something to look forward to besides fighting the weather.

Get involved with Earth Charter Indiana’s ini-tiative by contacting me at [email protected]. I’ll be glad to get you in touch.

Generation Screwed deserves your kind at-tention.

of Generation ScrewedCome to the aid ...

^illustration by shelby kelley

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!MON-SAT 9AM-7PM • SUN 11AM-6PM

6350 Guilford Avenue • 317.253.3709www.good-earth.com

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to our colleaguesNUVO and sibling publication Indiana Living Green are proud to announce the following fi rst place winners of the 2012 Society for Professional Journalists Awards:

BEST ENVIRONMENT REPORTING:(Indiana Living Green) Jim Poyser, Editor, with Betsy Sheldon, Shelby Kelley, Angela Herrmann, Jordan Martich, Josh Watson, Bethany Tatum, Anthony Orozco, Robert Annis and Mary Ellen Gadski, “Squandered Indiana”

BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING:Andy Kopsa, “Separation Anxiety”

BEST GRAPHICS AND ILLUSTRATIONS: Ryan Alvis, “Mighty Maestro”

BEST PERSONALITY PROFILE:Dan Grossman, “The cultural mashups of Mike Graves”

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August 10, 2013


WATTS & WHATNOT

Whether they were outright killed or simply disappeared into the depths of a committee, no substantial environmental legislation was passed this session. If you missed the action, check out the results below.

DEADThese are the bills that were not ap-proved by the legislature and will not be sent on to the Governor. They may be reintroduced next session.

SB373 (Ag-Gag Bill)LEGAL LANGUAGE: Unlawful to film or photo-graph on private property without the express permission of the owner. CONSEQUENCES: Severely limits the ability of pri-vate investigators to document abuses at factory farms and allow for Big Ag to continue covering up their operations. DIED: 04/24/13; After House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indy) removed the conference committee report prior to the vote in the House. Furthermore, the Senate rejected the House changes effectively killing the bill for the session.

HB1194LEGAL LANGUAGE: Legalize the practice of hunting captive-raised deer in fenced enclosures. CONSEQUENCES: Violates the ethics of hunting and poses a health risk to wild deer. Additionally, it could harm businesses that depend on a healthy deer population.DIED: 04/17/13; After the bill was stranded in the House Committee on Natural Resources in Janu-ary, Representative Matt Ubelhor (R-Bloomfield) tacked onto SB 487 a provision to legalize 5 existing deer preserves. However, Senate Leader David Long (R-Ft. Wayne) refused to accept this provision and the bill died.

STRANDED IN COMMITTEEThese bills received a hearing and were as-signed to a committee but may be reintro-duced next session.

SB157LEGAL LANGUAGE: A CAFO may not be created or expanded without prior approval from the Depart-ment of Environmental Management.CONSEQUENCES: CAFOs could be constrained if IDEM’s regulations are strict enough. COMMITTEE: Senate Environmental Affairs.SENT TO COMMITTEE: 01/7/13

SB513 LEGAL LANGUAGE: A producer of raw milk may sell the product if requirements set by the Board of Animal Health are met. It still may not be sold or distributed to restaurants, schools or daycare facilities.CONSEQUENCES: More readily available access to raw milk.

COMMITTEE: Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources.SENT TO COMMITTEE: 01/14/13

SB571 LEGAL LANGUAGE: Agriculture operations will not be classified as a public or private nuisance if they adhere to standards established by the Board of Animal Health.CONSEQUENCES: CAFOs will not be classified as nuisances and complaints; it will be more dif-ficult to legally document.COMMITTEE: Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources.SENT TO COMMITTEE: 01/15/13

SB610LEGAL LANGUAGE: An individual may be in posses-sion of raw milk if the milk is obtained from an animal either partially or fully-owned by that indi-vidual. The raw milk may be distributed to family members, friends and non-paying guests only. CONSEQUENCES: Public access to raw milk would be severely limited and it would become a crime to be in possession of it.COMMITTEE: Senate Health and Provider Services.SENT TO COMMITTEE: 01/17/13

HB1202 LEGAL LANGUAGE: All lawn care service providers would be required to make information available to customers on fertilizers that contain phospho-rus. Furthermore, they would be required to offer phosphorus-free options.CONSEQUENCES: Phosphorus-free lawn care options would be more readily available to the public. COMMITTEE: House Natural Resources.SENT TO COMMITTEE: 01/10/13

HB1209 LEGAL LANGUAGE: Owners and operators of wells for oil and gas would be required to submit an environmental compliance plan to the Depart-ment of Natural Resources for review, before starting a drill with hydraulic fracturing (AKA fracking). Within the plan must be a pollution risk analysis. The Department of Natural Re-sources would be required to post on their web-site their approval process and standards and any plans that have been previously approved.CONSEQUENCES: Fracking would still be legal if it meets standards set by Department of Natural Re-sources. Approvals will be announced to the public via the website but the DNR would not be required to post plans that have been submitted (and not yet approved) leaving a gap in public knowledge and less time to react against proposed plans. COMMITTEE: House Natural Resources.SENT TO COMMITTEE: 01/10/13

HB1475LEGAL LANGUAGE: The Indiana Government may not implement or adopt any environmental regula-tions or standards if they are more strict than corresponding federal laws.

CONSEQUENCES: Indiana will not be able to create or implement any environmental regulations that are customizable to the state if it is more strict than current federal regulations.COMMITTEE: House Environmental Affairs.SENT TO COMMITTEE: 01/22/13

HB1489LEGAL LANGUAGE: Creates a green jobs training program that will cultivate a skilled workforce and will offer grants and funds to eligible employers.CONSEQUENCES: More funds and resources will be dedicated to preparing the workforce for a green economy. COMMITTEE: House Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development.SENT TO COMMITTEE: 01/22/13

SJR7LEGAL LANGUAGE: No laws or regulations can be cre-ated or implemented if they infringe on the rights of Indiana citizens to hunt or fish, also to produce fish, poultry, meat or dairy. CONSEQUENCES: Big Ag and other businesses could use this bill to produce animal products unsus-tainably or unethically by arguing that restriction of their actions infringes on their rights to hunt, fish and produce animal products. COMMITTEE: Passed Senate; sent to House Judi-ciary Affairs.SENT TO COMMITTEE: 02/26/13

SJR21/HJR5 LEGAL LANGUAGE: No law or regulation may be created or implemented that interferes with the rights of Indiana citizens to farm using traditional or modern methods. CONSEQUENCES: Big Ag and other businesses could use this bill to farm unsustainably by arguing that regulations infringe upon their rights to farm.COMMITTEE: Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources and House Committee on Judiciary.SENT TO COMMITTEE: Senate 01/10/13; House 01/10/13.

SENT TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEEThis bill is being sent to a conference commit-tee to resolve disagreements. If an agreement can’t be reached by the 4 members, the bill dies. If an agreement is reached, the bill will return to both chambers for consideration.

HB 1011 LEGAL LANGUAGE: A voting referendum would be im-plemented to allow voters to decide whether to pay a local income tax to fund mass transit initiatives. CONSEQUENCES: If voters agree to the tax increase Central Indiana could see expanded IndyGo bus ser-vices and even a light-rail system between Marion and Hamilton counties. COMMITTEE: Summer Conference Committee

2013 Environmental Legislative Wrap-UpBy Ginnye Cubel

WEDNESDAYS, 1-2pm May 29-August 7

The Platform at The Indianapolis City Market 202 E. Market Street

A detailed schedule available online

Bring your lunch and enjoy conversations with experts in the food systems field.

g ro w i n g p l a c e s i n d y. o r g • 317.454.8515

FOCUS ON FOOD:A LUNCH AND LEARN SERIES


Christian Freitag is a man on a mission of preservation in Southern Indiana. As the executive director of Sycamore Land Trust, Freitag oversees a small staff in Blooming-ton responsible for preserving over 8,000 acres of land in 26 counties.

Sycamore Land Trust was originally founded in 1990 by a local chapter of the Audubon Society after they were ap-proached by a Bloomington resident who was looking for a way to secure and protect the natural beauty of his land after his death. The local chapter, known as the Sas-safras chapter, was intrigued by the idea but recognized it was outside their jurisdiction. Undaunted, they did some research and eventually filed paperwork to form the non-profit land trust.

The group operated for 8 years with only volunteers, and was able to obtain 500 acres of land before deciding they wanted to expand their efforts. The solution was to spend 2 years fundraising a salary to employ a part-time staff member.

“It was important to hire someone to

wake up every morning and push the ball forward,” Freitag noted. And that such per-son just happened to be him.

Joining Sycamore Land Trust in 2000, he was the first and only official staff member. In the 13 years since he was hired, Syca-more Land Trust has grown to 4 full-time and 2 part-time staff positions, a permanent headquarters at Lynton K. Caldwell’s old residence, a quadrupled membership base, and over 8,000 acres of protected land.

“Even though we’ve come an amaz-ingly far way, we’ve exceeded my expectations, the founders, the other people involved, I think everyone has been quite proud,” Freitag said. “But it just makes you hungrier ... the potential of what we do in the place that we do it is enormous. And as far as we’ve come we’ve just scratched the surface.”

Principles of Success Freitag believes Sycamore Land Trust

has found the perfect balance by staying

business-minded, non-political, and locally focused in order to increase membership and the number of acres protected.

“We make promises to people that use words like perpetuity. Perpetuity means forever,” Freitag explained. “If you’re going to make a forever promise to somebody you better take the steps to make sure that your business is strong and healthy and so we take that quite seriously ... we can’t run it with our hearts alone.” Running with this idea, Freitag and the other members of Syc-amore Land Trust operate with a business-focused approach making sure decisions are in the best interests of the trust.

Additionally, Freitag attributes Syca-more Land Trust’s success to remaining non-political and distancing themselves from polarizing topics.

Freitag maintains that everyone should like what Sycamore Land Trust is doing, regardless of which political party they identify with. When asked by indi-viduals or organizations to take sides on an issue Freitag said, “We’ve always put

Last year in our J une issue we chose all sorts of “ one-tank wonders,” as we called them. That information still ex-ists on our website , for y our perusal. Just go to indianalivinggreen.com and see our navigation bar on the left for “eco-destinations.” This y ear we de-cided to explore Indiana’s vast tracks of preserved nature — in the form of parks and land trusts . Many of these offer opportunities for public viewing and bucolic contemplation. In fact, we could not fit all the information we’ d gathered into these pr ecious pages. Fortunately, our website will offer all we could dig up regarding land trusts. Happy communing with natur e! photo by steve gifford Sycamore Land Trust works to connect kids to the natural world.

Sycamore Land Trust: Changing the C ourse of Indiana’s Natural Historyby Ginnye Cubel


it through the filter of whether or not it’s going to protect more land in Southern Indiana, and if it’s not, then we don’t have any place in that fight.”

The third and final principle that has brought Sycamore Land Trust great success, is a developing interest in localism. Freitag sees a correlation between the prominence of farmers markets and a growth in the trust’s membership and land acquisition.

“People can give 50 bucks to a multi-national group or they can give 50 bucks to the local environmental group and actually know that money is staying in Southern Indiana,” Freitag said. “In that sense, it’s not any different than want-ing to buy your tomatoes or green beans from the guy down the road.”

MechanicsA lawyer by trade, and a graduate from

Indiana University’s Maurer School of Law, Freitag is no stranger to the complexities of land rights and ownership. However, he says that Sycamore Land Trust’s preserva-tion style can be summed up with, “We pre-serve land the old-fashion way: we own it.”

If you want to get technical, Sycamore Land Trust maintains land in two ways: outright ownership and holding land easements. In general, a majority of the protected land owned by the trust is donated by persons who want to make sure their property is protected from development or being used in a way they see as unfit. Some donate their land upon receipt of their death. Others donate it during their lifetime to participate in tax breaks associated with the donation.

In terms of purchasing land, Sycamore Land Trust tends not to buy just any property that comes up for sale, but prefers to reserve their funds for buying “special” properties. Special properties include holes in already established conservation spots or pieces of land that would add to a national or state park. Last year they bought about $4 million worth of land.

The second way in which Sycamore Land Trust procures land is through holding land easements, which are permanent contracts authorized by state statutes. Easements al-low owners to retain their land but negoti-ate terms with a land trust on how the land is to be maintained and utilized.

“They need to work with us [Sycamore Land Trust] and we determine together what are the appropriate uses for that land that will allow people to own and use their land but also protect the things that make it a special place environmentally,” Freitag said about creating easement terms.

Even if the land is sold by the owner or passes to a family member in the event of a death, those terms still apply to the property. A violation of the established terms by anyone (including the original owner) is punishable under law. Currently, Sycamore Land Trust holds land easements on roughly 1,000 acres of family farms in Southern Indiana and they visit each ease-ment about once or twice a year to make sure all terms are being met.

People-Centric Optimists With a rise in pollution, extreme

weather, and other environmental mala-dies, it’s hard not to feel negatively about

the state of the earth. And while most are placing blame on humans in general, Fre-itag is looking specifically at environmen-talists for creating a system of negativity and people loathing. Freitag is instead trying to focus Sycamore Land Trust’s mission on accentuating the positive.

“There’s reason to be frustrated but there’s also so much stuff we can do that can help,” he said.

He cites an instance at Goose Pond, a 7,000-acre wetland in Green County. After 5 years of the land being preserved, species of animals that hadn’t been seen for genera-tions began to return to the area. This past winter, more whooping cranes wintered in Southern Indiana than anywhere else in Eastern United States. “I look at that and I say there is hope in that.” Freitag said. “’If you build it, they will come.’”

In addition to perpetuating this opti-mism, Sycamore Land Trust strives to make land conservation a people-centric endeavor. They currently host educational programs for adults, senior citizens, and kids alike with activities like family hikes and volunteer opportunities. They also host over 3,000 school-age students every year for outdoor programs that teach about ap-propriate uses for land, awareness, and con-nectedness to nature. Freitag says it may be too late for the rest of us, but we can teach the next generation about the importance of land conservation and perpetuate the incremental good already being done.

“If we continue to do what we’ve been doing, Indiana will be a different place in a 100 years than it otherwise would be, ” Fre-itag said. “Sycamore Land Trust is changing the course of Indiana’s natural history.”

photos by jeff danielson (left, right); photo by carroll ritter (center) For more on Sycamore Land Trust, go to sycamorelandtrust.org.


The opportunity to get lost in the woods or to navigate the trails and tribu-taries requires no road trip. Central Indi-ana Land Trust protects land to preserve Indiana’s natural resources and facilitate connections with nature.

This nonprofit organization has been operating since 1990, with paid staff since 2001. The current executive director, Heather Bacher, has held the position for ten years. When she started working with Central Indiana Land Trust, she was the only paid employee.

Central Indiana Land Trust protects over 4,000 acres of land. While the main focus of the nonprofit’s endeavors is conservation, it also strives to provide resources to help people engage with nature via low-impact activities. These activities include meaning-ful experiences through photography, ex-ploring, nature study and basic observation. Geocaching, a GPS-driven treasure hunting activity, is also allowed on the protected lands. Dogs are welcome, provided they do not chase after the wildlife.

Visitors must abstain from removing specimens and avoid bringing wood into the

preserves. All these guidelines ensure that these lands will remain adequately protect-ed, preserving them for future enjoyment and environmental education.

Central Indiana Land Trust, as a mem-ber-supported organization, encourages people to support its mission by becoming members. It never charges entrance fees to its visitors, allowing people to visit from sunrise to sunset. Parking is usually avail-able in a nearby area, and the organiza-tion has identified key preserves that will be the focus for increased accessibility through signage, trails and parking.

These key preserves are the protected lands that most often attract families and peo-ple seeking relatively easy, casual exploration. For example, Burnett Woods in Hendricks County recently underwent an addition that brought it to a full 80 acres. Central Indiana Land Trust specifically advertises Burnett Woods as a good preserve for young children who will enjoy exploring via marked trails.

For visitors seeking more adventure, Mossy Point is a preserve nearing 200 acres, located in Western Park County on Sugar Creek. This preserve does not

have many trails, but does boast beautiful topography of ridges and ravines.

The land preserves are available for more than exploration. Programming and volunteering opportunities are available as well. These areas have been hosts to poetry readings, hot dog roasts, wildflow-er walks and environmental education. Volunteers can become involved through program organization and leadership, booth staffing, photography facilitat-ing and more. One service project dealt in direct conservation involvement by transplanting wildflowers from the trails to other areas of the preserve.

“One of the things that we really want to get out as part of our mission is that being wise stewards of the land and protecting the best part of our natural areas is a good thing for the community and it’s good for economic development,” says Bacher.

Its website, ConservingIndiana.org, provides a comprehensive list of each nature preserve so visitors can plan their next exploration.

submitted photo Numerous volunteer opportunities exist at Central Indiana Land Trust.

Land trusts provide opportunity for nature appreciationBy KatELYN Breden


Ecotourism has taken off around the world. This environmentally friendly form of tourism allows those who are interested to enjoy the outdoors without harming the environment, while the profits garnered from the venture tend to go towards local communities. To put it succinctly, ecotour-ism is defined by The International Ecotour-ism Society as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.”

However, somehow the trend of guided ecotours has remained nearly non-existent within the United States. Steven Higgs is changing that. Higgs is creating Natural Bloomington: Historic, Environmental & Sce-nic Tours. Natural Bloomington, according to Higgs, is only the second example of guided ecotourism to exist within the United States.

Starting May 1, Higgs began offering the first of his three planned tours. Dubbed the Full Circle Tour, participants will be driven roughly 140 miles around the Bloomington metro area, and 11 different natural land-marks will be visited during the trip. As it is

planned now, the expedition begins at the Lower Cascades Park, and visitors will then be taken to locations including the Morgan-Monroe State Forest, the Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve, Hoosier National Forest and the tour ends at the Campbell Preserve.

Along the way Higgs plans to support lo-cal businesses with various stops throughout the trip. “As we’re out there we’re learning the ecology of it all, as well as the culture, because you can’t separate the culture from the ecology of it,” says Higgs.

What makes the tours stand out is that they are being led by Higgs himself, who has been covering the Bloomington area as an environmental journalist for many years. With the knowledge he has garnered through reporting, Higgs will educate participants on topics ranging from how the forces of nature shaped the Bloomington area to how activists saved the nature preserves from logging.

“I’m not a science person per se,” says Higgs. “I understand some of the science. The history and the politics and all of that, I know as much about all of that as much as

anyone in Indiana except for those involved daily in roles at the nature preserves. I’ve got thirty years of lifelong knowledge to share.”

Acquiring this knowledge has taken a toll on Higgs. A large portion of his time has been devoted to toxins and toxic chemicals being released into nature, and how these chemicals affect the body. Especially within children and the causes of autism. “It’s just been really dark,” says Higgs. “So this is kind of getting me back to the beauty of nature, and getting me back in touch with people.”

As of now, Higgs also plans to develop a Karst Country Tour, which will focus on Indiana’s limestone region, and an Old Growth Indiana Tour, which will involve the exploration of Indiana’s old-growth forests. Higgs hopes that including these additional tours in his repertoire and only allowing 15 people a week to participate will limit the environmental impact of the tours. “That’s why I want to do a lot of different tours,” says Higgs. “I can disperse the impact, find different ways to do that and support local business along the way.”

Tours will run for $75 per person, and discounts may be given for groups of seven to fifteen. For more info.: 812-929-2430, [email protected] or NaturalBloomington.com.

submitted photo

Bloomington’s natural beautyJournalist Steven Higgs starts eco-tour business

By Devin Zimmerman


Over 25 land trusts work in Indiana to pro-tect and preserve our state’s land for future generations. An estimated 118,872 acres of Indiana’s land is protected, comprising approximately 0.5 percent of Indiana’s total state acreage. This total number includes both out-right owned properties and conser-vation easements, which grant organizations the right to protect the land under ease-ment from destruction in perpetuity. From national to local trusts, from protection of prairies to dunes all work for Indiana’s people, wildlife, environment and future.

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY (IN INDIANA)FOUNDING: 1959ACREAGE: 80,000+ LARGEST LAND PROJECT: Kankakee Sands Preserve (7,800 acres)ABOUT: The mission of the Nature Conservancy is simple, but encompassing: to conserve the lands and water on which all life depends. An interna-tional organization working in all 50 states and over 35 countries, the Nature Conservancy cares deeply about the diversity of life on earth and works hard to protect it in conjunction with local governments, communities and partner organizations.

WOOD-LAND-LAKES RC&DFOUNDING: 1994ACREAGE: 9,433LARGEST LAND PROJECT: Easement Donations of Juanita K. Waugh in White County (7,600 acres)ABOUT: Wood-Land-Lakes RC&D works to per-manently protect farmland, including woodlands, wetlands, prairies, pastureland, and wildlife habitat,

from non-farm development. Wood-Land-Lakes works through conservation easements, which are often donated. Wood-Land-Lakes currently protects 23 conservation easements, one of which protects wind energy production. The land trust is currently working with two landowners to protect an additional 370 acres, and hopes to continue to expand protec-tion efforts into the future. More specific goals include promoting better land conservation, strengthening water quality and quantity management, expanding rural community development, and stimulating land protection and management. Wood-Land-Lakes relies almost solely on volunteers and donations.

SYCAMORE LAND TRUSTFOUNDING: 1990ACREAGE: 8,000+LARGEST LAND PROJECT: Patoka River National Wild-life Refuge (addition of 1,043 acres)ABOUT: Sycamore Land Trust’s mission is to preserve the disappearing natural and agricultural landscape of southern Indiana. SLT was especially excited to learn that the endangered Indiana bat lives at one of their nature preserves and that their efforts are helping to keep this bat species safe. Sycamore Land Trust is growing quickly, having preserved 37.5 percent of their total 8,000 acres in 2012 alone.

CENTRAL INDIANA LAND TRUSTFOUNDING: 1990ACREAGE: 4,000+LARGEST LAND PROJECT: Bob’s Woods Conservation Easement (246 acres)ABOUT: Central Indiana Land Trust’s mission is to “pre-serve natural areas, improving air and water quality and enhancing life in our communities for present and future generations” through land protection, steward-ship, and education. Protecting land throughout

nearly 50 sites in Central Indiana, CILT owns various preserves and forests, but also protects lands through conservation agreements and protection partner-ships. CILT envisions a future in which nature adds to humanity’s sense of place, where we live in cohesion with natural ecosystems such that they clean and improve our air and water in a way that mutually benefit the ecosystems and the plants and animals within them, and where humans can find solace in the wonder of our natural heritage.

NICHES LAND TRUSTFOUNDING: 1995ACREAGE: 2,638LARGEST LAND PROJECT: Weiler Leopold/ Black Rock Barrens (279 acres in Warren County)ABOUT: NICHES land trust strives to protect ecosystems of plants and animals in northern Indiana, in turn improving the quality of people’s lives through making sustainable, healthy and at-tractive landscapes a reality. NICHES is working to make some key acquisitions that will unite many of their current lands for the purpose of hiking, as well as for the connectivity of wildlife and plants. NICHES preserves sandstone bluffs overlooking the Wabash River, as well as preserving vital oak woodlands habitats for box turtles, salamanders, redheaded woodpeckers, and whip-poor-wills.

RED-TAIL LAND CONSERVANCYFOUNDING: 1999ACREAGE: 2,224LARGEST LAND PROJECT: Dennis Nixon Conservation Easement (411 acres)ABOUT: Red-Tail Land Conservancy preserves, protects, and restores natural areas and farmland in east central Indiana. The trust is funded totally through generous contributions from individuals, businesses and foundations. Protecting over 20

submitted photo Sunrise at Wapahani

Land trusts: Working to preserve the state’s landscapeBy Francesca Conterno


sites, including 8 nature preserves and 18 conser-vation agreements, RLC woks primarily through-out six counties in east-central Indiana. The non-profit has not only protected our environment while simultaneously providing land conserva-tion options to individuals, but has also partnered with local government in restoration projects and engaged student and adult volunteers in land appreciation and stewardship activities and education. The conservancy recently became the first land trust in Indiana to purchase an existing Indiana State Nature Preserve.

BLUE HERON MINISTRIESFOUNDING: 2001ACREAGE: 1,300+LARGEST LAND PROJECT: Seneca Co., Ohio Easement (343 acres)ABOUT: Blue Heron Ministries works primarily throughout northeast Indiana and several Michigan counties to care for the earth as God’s creation. BHM both owns and manages land, sometimes in the form of easements. Through the SOLG (Save Our Great Lakes) grant, BHM has been able to add to their land a management crew. Additionally, private contractors and a large amount of volunteer stewardship assist the organization. Last year 871 work hours were volunteered in efforts toward seed collection, invasive species eradication, and preserve maintenance. This year, BHM has 51 restoration projects on the horizon.

SHIRLEY HEINZE LAND TRUSTFOUNDING: 1981ACREAGE: 1,200+LARGEST LAND PROJECT: Amber Flatwoods (353 acres)ABOUT: Shirley Heinze Land Trust was established as a charitable trust aiming to preserve and protect the unique ecosystems of the Indiana Dunes region. Along with acquiring and preserving lands throughout northwestern Indiana, SHLT also offers educational programs to inform the public about the area’s rich natural history. SHLT owns and manages much of their total acreage outright, though they also protect land through conservation easements. Working in conjunction with various other preservation entities, SHLT’s holdings cover an extremely broad range of habitats, including sand dunes and interdunal ponds, dune-and-swale habitats, woodlands, wet woodlands, stepped fen, bur oak savanna, tallgrass prairie, sand prairie, yellow-birch fen, marsh, floodplain, upland woods, boreal flatwoods, wetlands, and moraine forest. Alongside their work in the field, SHLT has published four books about the environment.

LITTLE RIVER WETLANDS PROJECTFOUNDING: 1990ACREAGE: 1,200LARGEST LAND PROJECT: Eagle Marsh (716 acres)ABOUT: A non profit working to restore and preserve wetlands in the watershed of the Little River (a tributary to the Wabash River), Little River Wet-lands Project thrives with the help of members and volunteers. The work LRWP does to protect wet-lands is absolutely vital, as wetlands control flood-ing and cleanse groundwater, as well as providing habitats for many species. In addition to protecting the river and the much-endangered wildlife that inhabits it, LRWP promotes educational methods to encouraging good stewardship of wetlands and other natural ecosystems. LRWP also holds free nature education programs for people of all ages, and offers free nature recreation meant to connect people to their environment.

OXBOW, INC.FOUNDING: 1985ACREAGE: 1,126LARGEST LAND PROJECT: Oxbow Area adjacent to Lawrenceburg/Greendale (970 acres)ABOUT: Oxbow, Inc.’s goal is to preserve, protect, and improve the flood plain wetland at the mouth of the Great Miami River through land acquisition, land management, and dedication to constant diligence in such stewardship. The Oxbow is a broad floodplain where the Great Miami River empties into the Ohio River, almost always an-nually flooded with shallow waters that deposit nutrients from upstream. One major part of Oxbow’s function is to facilitate the transition of migratory birds, as the wetland serves as a migra-tory stopover for a variety of bird species. The organization sees the importance of carrying on the vast terrain of knowledge that is the Oxbow to future generations; thus, education of children is a part of their vision as well.

WAWASEE AREA CONSERVANCY FOUNDATIONFOUNDING: 1991ACREAGE: 750+LARGEST LAND PROJECT: WACF Martin Property (128 acres)ABOUT: The Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the Wawasee Watershed (covering 23,618 acres) for present and future generations. Specifically, the foundation anticipates and solves problems concerning threats to the Watershed and its water quality. Certain wetlands have been targeted for preservation due to their reduction of water velocity and their absorption of polluting nutrients. Currently, WACF has acquired 35 wetland properties covering 53,000 feet (10 miles) of shoreline. For the future, WACF hopes to enhance their education program. In addition, WACF has applied for three grants in 2013 for work on lands that the foundation protects.

SAVE THE DUNES CONSERVATION FUNDFOUNDING: 1952ACREAGE: 521LARGEST LAND PROJECT: Father Basil Moreau Nature Preserve (96.7 acres)ABOUT: With a mission to preserve, protect, and restore the Indiana Dunes and all natural resources in Northwest Indiana’s Lake Michigan Watershed for an enhanced quality of life, Save the Dunes Conservation Fund works primarily to conserve dune ecosystems through land conservation. Save the Dunes hopes to continue to preserve the dunes for future generations and is currently working with other conservation organizations, including the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Shirley Heinze Land Trust, on securing the Moon Valley property, a 58-acre parcel of dune located in Long Beach north of Michigan City. It is one of the last undeveloped dune properties in Indiana, making it a major focus for Save the Dunes right now.

OAK HERITAGE CONSERVANCYFOUNDING: 2002ACREAGE: 357LARGEST LAND PROJECT: Cohron easement, south-eastern Jefferson County (314 acres)ABOUT: In cooperation with Historic Hoosier Hills RC&D, Oak Heritage Conservancy’s mission is to pre-serve, protect, and conserve land water resources that have special natural, agricultural, scenic, or cultural significance. Another goal of OHC is to educate the

public about the importance of honoring land, water, and local culture. OHC believes that the acquisition and protection of natural land and greenspace is vital to the quality of life of the people living in southeast-ern Indiana. Currently, OHC is working on the dona-tion of 50 acres of land located in Dearborn County.

OUABACHE LAND CONSERVANCYFOUNDING: 2007ACREAGE: 145LARGEST LAND PROJECT: McDonald Farm Easement (248 acres)ABOUT: Ouabache Land Conservancy works to protect properties containing natural characteristics that deserve protection so they can be appreciated and enjoyed by future generations. Ouabache considers meadows, open pastures, lakes, creeks, streams, wooded hillsides, valleys, and ponds all to be deserv-ing of protection. Additionally, Ouabache works to protect areas of working agricultural areas as well as areas of sustainable timber production. The organiza-tion deals both in ownership and in easements.

LAPORTE COUNTY CONSERVATION TRUSTFOUNDING: 1996ACREAGE: 82.5LARGEST LAND PROJECT: Ridgeway Wetland Preserve (59.5 acres)ABOUT: An organization comprised fully of a volunteer board of local citizens, LaPorte County Conservation Trust is dedicated to maintaining, preserving and protecting the natural resources and biodiversity of LaPorte County. Among the habitats that LPCCT protects is the Boreal (North-ern) Flatwoods, a very rare habitat in Indiana found only in a few places throughout the state. Within one of their properties alone, they protect the habitat and well-being of 218 native species, including one Indiana threatened species and five rare species. The trust also runs a series of pro-grams as part of a larger initiative to focus efforts on land acquisition of specific types of habitats.

GEORGE ROGERS CLARK LAND TRUSTFOUNDING: 2000ACREAGE: 85LARGEST LAND PROJECT: Easement on property of Ed & Dorothy Troncin in Harrison County (85 acres)ABOUT: The mission of George Rogers Clark Land Trust is to preserve and enhance the rural charac-ter, agricultural production, and natural integrity of Southern Indiana through land stewardship. The land trust preserves open space, farmlands, traditional cultural heritage, rural and scenic vistas, and sensitive natural areas for future gen-erations through conservation easements.

MUD CREEK CONSERVANCYFOUNDING: 1995ACREAGE: 34LARGEST LAND PROJECT: Biesterfeldt parcel, Sargent Road (6.1 acres)ABOUT: Mud Creek Conservancy strives to provide proactive alternatives to the unrelenting development pressures confronting Mud Creek watershed, located in eastern Madison County, southeast Hamilton County, and northeast Mari-on County. MCC currently protects lands located in Lawrence Township and Marion County in the form of 12 conservation easements. MCC hopes to bring to fruition a project involving reforesta-tion of part of the Indianapolis Water Company, specifically an easement with native hardwoods located at Sargent Road & Fall Creek Road.


SIERRA CLUB

Are you bored with the current civility of public policy debate in Indiana? Are you depressed that the Demo-

crats embraced their minority status in the legislature and stayed in their seats the entire session this year? Do you pine for a rousing environmental battle that will get your tree-hugging sap boiling?

You’re in luck, my friends. The economic development folks in Madison County have decided the only way to get anybody to invest in their future is to build a dam across the White River and create a 2,100-acre reservoir to increase shoreline property values and attract enthusiasts from across the Midwest. Other than clear-cutting a forest, nothing elicits a conservationist call to arms quite like a proposal to stop a flowing river.

Dam fights are great. In the checkered history of the environmental movement, they have given us some of our most storied victories — even here in Indiana where environmental successes have been few.

In the 1960s the Army Corps of Engineers proposed a dam on Big Walnut Creek in west-central Indiana, which would have flooded one of Indiana’s most significant natural areas. The plan was practically a done deal before environmentalists learned of it, but impossible odds rarely deter the truly committed. Assisted by Alton Lindsey, one of the nation’s most prominent ecologists and a Purdue professor for 26 years, local conservationists fought the Corps at every turn, losing “every battle but the last one,”

in the words of one participant. Finally, in 1979 the state legis-lature withdrew its support and the plan was dead.

Meanwhile, the Corps had proposed another way of meet-ing Indianapolis’ drinking water needs — raising the Geist dam to increase the size of that reser-voir. Sen. Birch Bayh took up the cause of the environmentalists and Fall Creek homeowners who opposed the plan and it, too, went down to defeat, which was a Pyrrhic victory for environ-mentalists because it led to the upper-crust home development that they had fought for years.

So now comes a proposal to back up the White River for seven miles in Madison and Delaware counties, ostensibly to provide drinking water and flood control for central Indi-ana, although it’s noteworthy that the proposal emanates from the Madison County Corporation for Economic Development rather than the Corps. In fact, the original idea reportedly came from a local oil company president who conceded that he thought it was “nutty” at first.

Estimated costs run in the $350 to $400 million range. Next up is a $300,000 feasibil-ity study that will take six months. The project would take about seven years to complete.

But the battle lines are forming now and so far the opponents are comfortably in the minority. As of this writing, the Support the Mounds Lake Reservoir page on Facebook has 2,693 Likes; the two (naturally the opponents are already di-vided) anti-reservoir pages have a total of 316 Likes.

We’ve got them right where we want them.

By Bowden Quinn

for a dam good fight?Ready


There are many reasons for the dra-matic increase in farmer’s markets and the rising popularity of the

local food movement. Many con-sumers seek out locally sourced foods because they want to know where their food comes from and how it was produced. Often this is sought because of concerns about food safety and the ethical treat-ment of animals; two areas where the mainstream industrial food production system falls short.

We know about the system’s shortcomings not because of strong consumer protection laws or because errant op-erators choose to voluntarily clean up their act, but because of undercover investigations that have exposed hidden practices for all to see.

SB 373, the “Ag Gag” bill, was sponsored by Senator Travis Hold-man (R-Bluffton) and would have made it a crime to expose unsafe, inhumane and unethical practices at factory farms, by recording and then sharing the information. Had the bill passed, it would be far more difficult to monitor how our food is produced, leaving Indiana’s food production system cloaked by a veil of secrecy.

We cannot rely on understaffed state and federal inspectors or lo-cal law enforcement to catch fac-tory farm operators who mistreat animals or ignore laws designed to protect food safety. Making it a crime to record unsafe or unethi-cal behavior protects wrongdoers and allows their actions to go unreported, ultimately harming the public.

Fortunately, thanks to a broad base of interests who advocate for free speech, worker and animal welfare, consumers and the envi-ronment, the many calls and let-

ters that poured in resonated with leadership. The bill was withdrawn after House Speaker Brian Bosma and others responded to citizens’ concerns and put the brakes on.

We know that the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is behind efforts to shield corporate agriculture from public scrutiny and they have vowed to try again next year. We have demonstrated to them and corpo-rate ag interests that when many different groups and people come together and communicate with their elected officials, the public interest can prevail.

We encourage everyone to call and thank their legislator if he or she opposed SB373 and encour-age them to promote policies that protect the public’s right to know and encourage a more sustainable production in Indiana. Our state remains one of the most pol-luted in the country and we must work to strengthen regulations on factory farms to protect the public health and environment. Corporate ag interests and some in the legislature called us “radical malcontents,” but demanding safe water, safe food, safe working con-ditions and free speech is hardly a radical agenda.

The Downstream Project is an initiative of the Citizens Ac-tion Coalition Education Fund that works to educate Hoosiers about the negative impact of factory farms and to build a strong statewide coalition of consumers, food producers, food business owners and others who will work together to strengthen state regulation of industrial agriculture and promote policies that embrace a sustainable food system. cacefindiana.org

For more information contact Dave Menzer, Organizer Down-stream Project, at [email protected] or call 317-727-8467.

By Dave Menzer

public interest prevailsAg Gag bill dies ...

CITIZENS ACTION COALITION

Fifth Annual

Festival lines Saturn StreetCumberland Town Hall

to Cumberland First Baptist Church11501 E. Washington St. to 116 S. Muessing St.

FREE EVENT ADMISSION & PARKING

9 A.M. – 4 P.M.100 Art, Craft & Farmers Market Vendors

Entertainment • Food TrucksArts Activities • Kids Zone

A Celebration of Art and Community

August 17, 2013

/cumberlandartsgoestomarket

cumberlandfbc.org

FREE EVENT


CRUISING GREEN

Technically considered a bicycle, Jetson Bike’s E-bike combines the economical street savvy of a big-city delivery bike with the sophisticated style of a Vespa — all in an environmentally friendly, lightweight package. “It’s cool, it’s fun, it’s colorful, it’s good for the environment,” said designer and company CEO Josh Sultan.

Because it uses no fuel, it produces no emis-sions. “There are no leaky fluids with this,” Sultan states: no petroleum products, no oil changes, no nitrous oxide, no pollution.

Powered by a removable lithium ion battery, the all-electric bike has a range of 40 miles per charge. Even the battery is greener. “It’s lighter – and cleaner – than a standard lead acid battery,” Sultan explains.

Weighing only 6-7 pounds, the lithium battery provides approximately 1,000 battery charges over its lifetime. Based on a calculation of 0.05 cents per charge for 40 miles, the Jetson bike can travel 1,000 miles for under a dollar.

It can go even farther with a little effort from the rider, thanks to the pedal assist.

Two functioning pedals is one of the require-ments for inclusion in the bike category. Other requirements include maximum speed of only 20 mph and a motor under 750 watts (the Jetson E-bike is 500 watts). The importance of qualifying as

a bicycle relates to legal requirements. The E-bike doesn’t require a license or registration.

The lightweight, quiet bike can carry two peo-ple and even features a small amount of lockable cargo space under the seat. “Creating something that’s practical, fun and good for the environment was hard to accomplish,” Sultan said.

The original target market for the bike included students and urban riders, but after being featured on Oprah, Sultan said the bike found a new audi-ence with suburban moms. Another demographic soon discovered the Jetson. “We didn’t expect customers with disabilities, but people tell us it’s the first bike they’ve been able to use.”

Weighing only 125 pounds, the bike features built-in shocks for a smooth, comfortable ride. Thanks to 18” wheels, it fits in a bike rack.

High- and low-beam headlights, brake lights, turn signals and heavy-duty disc brakes provide a safe ride.

“Our goal is to be the No. 1 brand in affordable electric bikes,” Sultan indicates. His long-term goal is to expand the company’s product line and distribution outlets. The E-bike is currently available for sale exclusively on Jetson’s website. Sales will soon be extending to retail stores such as Urban Outfitters and Sam’s Club.

Beyond the cityElectric bike:

By Lori Lovely

Freewheelin’ BikesThe Earn-a-Bike program at

Freewheelin’ Bikes is an innovative initiative to help at-risk kids foster leadership and community skills. The program allows a child to choose one bike from the group’s stock of donated bikes, and then after the repair and educational process, take it home as a proud owner, along with a lock and helmet.

By awarding progress with colored aprons, Freewheelin’ Bikes is teach-ing kids about responsibility, delayed gratification, perseverance and problem-solving skills. Adopted from Chicago’s Blackstone Bike Works, the apron advancement process tracks proficiency levels from the beginner’s green apron to the master’s black apron. Those that reach the final plateau of black apron have the op-portunity to apply for a paid appren-ticeship at the Freewheelin’ shop.

The group also places importance on diet, exercise, safe riding skills and bike mechanics for kids ages 10 to 18 that participate. Freewheelin’ doesn’t stop there: Other programs include Explore Indy, which educates with twice-a-week trips to events and places in the city; and at their headquarters they offer affordable service and bike accessories. To get a child involved with Earn-a-Bike, fill out the application found on their website below.

3355 Central Ave926-5440freewheelinbikes.org Earn-a-Bike hours: Thursday 4-6 p.m.Saturday 10-12 p.m., 12-2p.m. &

2-4 p.m.

^submitted photo

By Jordan Martich

UISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG GREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN

^submitted photos


In 2007, Power House Brewing Co. revived Columbus, Indiana’s pre-Civil War brewing history with a tiny, 20-gallon brewing system tucked into the front bay window of the for-mer Columbus Bar. It was then the smallest among Indiana’s 23 craft brewing operations, with brewer Jon Myers and his partner Doug Memering jumping in at the forefront of res-urrecting the heart of downtown Columbus.

A half-dozen years later, Columbus and nearby Hope are home to four of Indiana’s 60 plus breweries and brewpubs.

An easy drive from all directions via Interstates 65, 70 and 74, Columbus fea-tures three centuries of unique residential, business, church and corporate buildings, plus gardens, parks, outdoor sculpture and lifestyles from rural to urban — reflected in the choices of craft brews.

Columbus, says brewer Jon Myers, has “some of the best architecture in the world. Columbus was rated as the No. 6 most important city for architecture in the country and was one of Rand McNal-ly’s top 100 places to visit before you die.”

Visit and you’ll be in the midst of an un-expected phenomenon—four craft brewer-ies whose buildings were refurbished by local labor using found materials.

“Columbus is not like any other south-ern Indiana town,” explains Myers. “Co-lumbus, and by extension Bartholomew County, are more culturally diverse, open to new things and appreciative of quality while retaining its small town feel.”

As home to Cummins and Camp At-terbury, residents and visitors tend to be well traveled and expect businesses to

engage in sustainable practices.All four breweries are family-owned and

operated, use eco-friendly cleaning and serv-ing products, share spent grains from brewing with area farmers and source locally-grown and made ingredients as much as possible.

450 North is unique, because it is part of the family farm—they serve what they grow and are always looking for ways to be good stewards; having added a solar water-heating system to the brewery.

Hawcreek Brewing’s mantra, “It’s in the water,” reflects their location, not only their water source. Their location reveals discoveries about the watershed and the Town of Hope, whose invitation to “make yourself at home” speaks for all the brewers of Bartholomew County.

The craft beer of Bartholomew CountyTapping into quality

By Rita Kohn

^submitted photos

Power House Brewing reflects southern Indiana hospitality with full plates and beer to bring out the best tastes.

IMBIBING GREEN

All give brewery tours and offer a sample tray of their regular line up and seasonals. Power House, ZwansigZ and 450 North also make sodas.

IN COLUMBUSPower House Brewing Co. & Brewpub322 Fourth St., Columbus, INSPECIALTY: Local fare and eclectic innovationsHOURS: Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.;

Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sun. 4-11 p.m.CONTACT: 812-375-8800

powerhousebrewing.com

ZwansigZ Pizza & Brewery1038 Lafayette Ave., Columbus, INSPECIALTY: Brick oven pizzas, cheese sticks & pastasHOURS: Sun.-Tues. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.;

Wed.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.CONTACT: 812-376-0200

zwanzigz.com

450 North Brewing Co. & Brix Haus Restaurant, also home to Simmons Winery8111 E. 450 N., Columbus, INSPECIALTY: Pizza, salads with farm-grown vegetables

HOURS: Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

CONTACT: 812-546-0091450northbrewing.com

IN HOPE

Hawcreek Brewing Co.11420 N. State Road 9, Hope, INSPECIALTY: No food; beer tasting onlyHOURS: No set hours, call ahead CONTACT: 812-374-2998

twitter.com/HawcreekBrewCo


BUILDING GREEN

Rival schools from Indiana and Kentucky have partnered to compete in an international competition in environmental engineering, the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2013 Solar Decathlon. Ball State University, the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky have set aside grudges associated with their athlet-ics teams to design, build, operate and exhibit a solar-powered house, competing with 19 other teams from around the country and the globe.

Damaging tornadoes last Spring, like the EF-4 tornado suffered by Henryville, Indiana, inspired stu-dents in both Kentucky and Indiana to become a part of the project, which seeks to create an energy-ef-ficient, wood and metal, two-bed-room residence for disaster-relief crews to build and maintain for victims of natural disasters. To be fully sustainable the structure must also be durable and produce more energy than it uses, making the end-product a permanent solution to reconstruction.

Team Kentuckiana will put their skills to work building ‘The Phoenix House’ mostly on the University of Louisville’s Belknap campus, then shipping the assembled pieces to Orange County Great Park in Irvine California to be finished by students at the competition site from Oct. 3-13. Other teams include students from Europe, like Czech Repub-lic’s Czech Technical University and Austria’s Vienna University of Technology. Canada’s University of Calgary, Queen’s University, Carleton University and Algonquin University are all participating as well.

Since 2002, this competition has been held biennially, promoting the intelligent use of sustainable technology to manage disaster-relief initiatives. The Solar Decathlon prepares students with experience in interacting with clean-energy proj-ects, building upon an eco-conscious future work force. The event in Oc-tober is free and open to the public, which showcases the cost-saving comfort of sustainable products and design to consumers and industry representatives. Two similar compe-titions are organized internationally – Solar Decathlon Europe 2013 and Solar Decathlon China 2013.

Follow the fun at: solardecathlon.gov

^submitted photo

The cottage of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis.

Welcome to a quick tour of some current solar installations in the Indy area:

Less than a year after its impressive LEED certification, the Indianapolis International Airport broke ground for a massive solar farm project. The installation, comprising over 41,000 solar panels, will be the largest solar farm based at an airport in the U.S. The expected annual electricity genera-tion of 17 million kilowatt hours is equivalent to the power necessary to provide electricity for over 1,800 average American homes every year.

Sunrise Energy received approval to build a 130-acre site and an adjacent 156-acre plot in southwestern Marion County. Indianapolis Power & Light will purchase 30 megawatts of power from Sunrise Energy as part of its 15-year con-tract. Investors will see a 30 percent reimburse-ment in federal tax credits. This 8-month, $56 million project will begin in July or August.

In following the Sustainability Principles outlined by its Office of Sustainability, IUPUI has installed solar panels on the roof of its Business/School of Public and Environmental Affairs building. The $245,000 installation of 164 solar panels generates 43 kilowatts of electricity per day, enough to provide over two dozen houses with a day’s energy usage. This is one of the largest solar installations in its area. The project

is also one of eighteen Qualified Energy Savings Projects now in development at IUPUI.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of In-dianapolis (UUI) has installed solar panels on its cottage. The installation was made possible by a $25,000 grant from the Indiana Office of Energy Development, as well as contributions from members of the congregation. This grant also requires the church to reduce its energy use by 25 percent. As a church committed to sustainability and environmental justice, these are goals central to its mission.

A variety of new solar installations show Indy area’s great growthSolar’s busting out all over!

By Katelyn Breden

Hoosiers compete in solar decathlon

By Jordan Martich

Looking to purchase solar? Here are some suggestions:• Earth Solar Technologies (Indianapolis)

esolartech.com• ECIWAS Services (Fairmount) www.eciwas.com• Greenworks Energy (Yorktown)

greenworkspower.com/about-greenworks-energy• Johnson Melloh Solutions (Indianapolis)

johnsonmellohsolutions.com/project-solutions/renewable-energy-solution

• Mann Plumbing, Inc. (Bloomington)mannplumbinginc.com/solarpower.html

• Nusun Solar (Columbus) nusunsolar.com/about-2• The Solar Garden Store (Indianapolis)

solargardenstore.com• Sunrise Energy Ventures (Minnetonka, MN)

sunriseenergyventures.com


Products for home and travelBy Indiana Living Green Editors

BUYING GREEN

Gather near, darlings, and see what the year ‘round Eco-Santa has brought us this month. Note that while we’re in the process of developing a more holistic rating system for these items, we will assess their useful-ness now in terms of two categories: before the eco-apocalypse or after the eco-apocalypse.

1. THE ENERGIZER SOLAR FLASHLIGHTHere’s a nifty little product we’ve been using for well over a year. Durable, easy to carry and rechargeable – with the power of the sun or, lacking the Rays of the Great Orb, a crank! Five hours of sun charges the unit for two hours, but we’ve never needed it to shine that long. Always gets the job done. And the light? It’s a beatific LED!

PRICE: $25 FOR SALE AT: Target, Wal-Mart and sporting good storesUSEFULNESS: Post-eco-apocalypse, but great fun in the pre-apoc, too!

2. THE ENERGIZER GLAS TASK LIGHTSpeaking of light, this lovely LED lamp has been sitting bedside for quite some time and has shed its saintly glow over many pages of survivalist manuals as we’ve drifted off to sleep beneath its unwavering gaze. Some specs for the curious: 19” tall, two settings (high and low), a moveable shade and the LED light never needs replacing, unless you are too frisky at reading time and knock it off the table.

PRICE: Under $60FOR SALE AT: amazon.comUSEFULNESS: Definitely a pre-eco-apocalypse unit.

3. TICK & FLEA COMBAs we know, climate change is making life a lot easier for ticks and fleas, and thus more miserable for our cats and dogs — and us! This little comb, brought to you by the Company of Animals people, rids your beloved beast of both ticks and fleas. One side of the comb features fine-teeth to remove fleas while the other side can capture a pernicious tick with a slit. Parasites be gone!

PRICE: Under $2FOR SALE AT: Camping World, Greenwood, INUSEFULNESS: This product works great with both pre and post!

4. DOG POWERED SCOOTERWe loved this idea the moment we saw it. We’ve heard about a Victoria University study (and cover your ears, dog-lovers!) that a mid-sized dog has the carbon footprint of an SUV. So why not put the little buggers to work for you and the planet! That could have been the motivation behind this idea, from an inventor in Bend, Oregon, named Mark Schuette, who sells these out of his home, we presume. Read all about it at dogpoweredscooter.com

PRICE: VariesFOR SALE AT: See his web siteUSEFULNESS: Both, but especially in the post-apoc when vehicles running on petroleum are

impossible to find.

5. GET FLASKY: INDIANA LIVING GREENWe could, perhaps, fashion all sorts of reasons why this product is “green,” but, really, folks, you can safely judge this book by its cover, can’t you? Indianapolis Ashten Houpt created a host of these for our recent shindig at the City Market, and boy do we love them. Now, we have a localvore suggestion for you: Why not fill this flask with Harrison Indiana Bourbon?

PRICE: $23FOR SALE AT: getflasky.comUSEFULNESS: Let’s add a category for this: Not only useful before and after the eco-apoca-

lypse, but during, too.^submitted photos

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JUNE EVENTSMAYOR’S BIKE RIDEJune 1, 9 a.m.The Fifth Annual Mayor’s Bike Ride is finally here! This year’s fun-filled, 10-mile ride, beginning and ending at Butler University in Indianapolis, will take place along the new bike lanes on Illinois and Capitol Ave. Last year, over 800 cyclists were drawn to the event, and this year the goal is to attract 1,000 recreational riders to the event. Registration begins at 9 a.m., and the ride will commence at 10 a.m. Bike safety information, children’s helmets and snacks will be available to participants, and the first 200 to register will receive a free T-shirt! Mayor Greg Ballard will be there, promoting a healthy lifestyle and a sustain-able environment, will you?

RECYCLE FESTJune 1, Noon–10 p.m.Presented by the magazine you are holding in your hands! Held in the MacAllister Amphithe-ater inside Garfield Park, the inaugural Recycle-Fest will become a reality this year through collaboration between Indy Parks, Indiana Living Green and MOKB. The RecycleFest will be an all day festival featuring activities, edu-cation, demonstrations and live music, with a theme of promoting environmentally respon-sible initiatives. Recycling-based demonstra-tions will be a focus, as well as a “recycled fashion” drive (Pattern Magazine will be col-lecting donated clothing). Plenty of gourmet food options will be available, per the Indiana Food Truck Alliance, and upcoming bands will provide entertainment as each group performs a 40 minute set, half original music, and half “recycled” music (cover songs). Artists include Darwin Deez, The Main Squeeze, KO, The New Old Cavalry, Hotfox, The Pro Letarians, Rodeo Ruby Love, Blue Moon Revue, and the Boneset-

ters. Tickets go on sale on Friday, May 3 at 10 a.m. via Do317.com and Ticketfly.com for $15.

DRUMMIN’ FOR THE DUNESJune 1, 5–11 p.m.Save the Dunes, one of the oldest environmental groups in Indiana, will be hosting its annual Jam-min’ for the Dunes festival on Saturday June 1 from 5-11 p.m. at the Washington Park Amphitheater in Michigan City, Indiana. The festival will include lots of local music, brews and food. Featured bands will include Stealin’ the Farm, Ron Buffington, the All Good Things Bands, Chester Brown, and Flyin’ Circus. Craft beers will be served by Burn ‘Em Brewing, Shoreline Brewery and Bulldog Brewery. And food vendors will include Soda Dog, Cabos Ice Cream, Rolling Stonebaker, Shoreline Brewery and Water’s Edge. Tickets are $15 cash-only at the door. All proceeds go directly to Save the Dunes.

BLOOMINGFOODS EAST MARKETJune 5, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.This great farmer’s market, held in Bloomington, at 3220 E. 3rd St. and featuring stellar growers from across Indiana, will open on June 5 and will continue until Sept. 4 every Wednesday and Sat-urday morning. To support healthful, high-quality and environmentally sound products, come to this farmer’s market, featuring locally grown and non-chemically produced foods.

SUMMER SOLSTICE BARTER FAIRJune 21–23A chance for artisans, craftspeople, teachers, bodyworkers, energy workers, gardeners and more to gather to sell, barter and share talents. This fun event, held at 2809 State Rd. 38, will not disappoint! On an open field, vendors will camp out and vend in about 15 ft. of frontage space. The design of the fair will be a circle, with performances (drumming, play, bonfire, dancing) in the inner circle. Set up your booth on Friday, June 21 at 5 p.m., and attend an

opening ceremony at 9 p.m. The event will be open to the public from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, and from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 23. Cost for vendors is 25 percent of profits. Cost of admission for foot traffic is $10 for all 14 and older — free for kids. Be there for a great experience promot-ing the protection of the earth. For more information or to participate as a vendor, contact Jona Ray at [email protected] or 317-787-3817.

SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATIONJune 22, 6:30 p.m.It’s been three years since the opening of the IMA’s 100 Acres: Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park! To celebrate this momentous an-niversary, as well as the summer solstice, spend the day at 100 Acres park and discover the new “Flock of Signs” work, a whimsical installation of clever signs intended to perplex onlookers. Live entertainment from the Chicago Afrobeat Project will be park of the free event, as well as arts and crafts activities for all ages. For more information and a full schedule, visit imamuseum.org.

INDIAN MARKET AND FESTIVALJune 22 – 23, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.Over 60 different tribes, participate in this event, brought to you by the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, and held at Military Park, 601 W. New York St. This marks the 20th anniversary of this incred-ible festival, complete with Native American artists from across the country selling art, entertainment from some of the premiere Na-tive American performers, including dancers, singers and storytellers, and the opportunity to try unique foods like Indian tacos! This is a family-friendly event, and activities for kids will be a part of the festivities. Tickets for adults 18+ are $10, or $8 for museum member; youth 17 and under enter free.

DOING GREEN

submitted photosLeft: Performing at Recycle Fest, Darwin Deez; right: Support the Dunes on June 1.


EXPLORE INDIANA by William Saint

See solution in the July issue of Indiana Living Green.See May’s solution on pg. 22.


The ApocaDocs’ Pre-Apocalypse News & Info Quiz (PANIQuiz) tests your knowledge of current environmental news. Brought to you by the ApocaDocs, Michael Jensen and Jim Poyser. Check your results (at the bottom), then see www.apocadocs.com to find out more.

THE PANIQuiz

© 2013 William Saint

ASK RENEE

Got a question for Renee? [email protected]

1. What was the 2012 level of energy-related U.S. carbon dioxide emissions?

__ a. The government won’t release that information.__ b. The same as 2011.__ c. The highest since 2010.__ d. The lowest since 1994.__ e. The highest since 2009.

2. What will new U.S. science teaching standards include?

__ a. Extensive lessons in magical thinking.__ b. A section on the glory of James Inhofe.__ c. A series of poems by Wendell Berry.__ d. Extensive lessons in human-created climate change.__ e. A section on the glory of the Koch brothers.

3. What does James Hansen think will kill fewer people than fossil fuels?

__ a. Nuclear power__ b. World War III__ c. Geoengineering__ d. His retirement from NASA__ e. SARS

4. What left a sheen on the Grand River in Michigan?

__ a. An “environmental artist”__ b. Oil refinery leak__ c. Run-off from a new fertilizer__ d. Hydraulic fluid spill__ e. Detroit

5. Where did scientists find the “missing heat” of global warming?

__ a. The troposphere__ b. 700 meters below the sea__ c. Sequestered in starlettes__ d. Antarctica__ e. Sequestered in livestock

6. Days into the Mayflower spill clean up, who appeared to be completely in charge?

__ a. Obama__ b. Brawny Man__ c. Exxon__ d. TransCanada__ e. Nobody

7. What compelled Facebook to build a data center in Iowa?

__ a. They thought they were in Wisconsin.__ b. Wind power__ c. Influence on presidential elections__ d. A love of corn__ e. Iowa’s well known as the Silicorn Valley of

the Midwest.

8. Between 2001 and 2009 what was the change in average yearly number of miles driven by 16-34 year olds?

__ a. Nobody has time to keep track of that!__ b. Dropped by almost a quarter.__ c. Stayed the same.__ d. Increased by about a quarter.__ e. Increased by about half. 9. Instead of sitting in sediments as

assumed, what are toxic chemicals doing in the Great Lakes?

__ a. Spontaneously combusting__ b. Evaporating__ c. Dissolving__ d. Being consumed by zebra mussels__ e. Clinging to plastic waste

10. A recent scientific review indicated what substance was associated with “Diabetes, Autism, Infertility and Cancer”?

__ a. Jell-O__ b. RoundUp__ c. Fracking Fluid__ d. High Fructose Corn Syrup__ e. Maple Syrup

Correct Answers: 1(d): The lowest since 1994. (The Hill); 2. (d): Extensive lessons in human created climate change. (International Herald Tribune); 3. (a): Nuclear power (Popular Science); 4. (d): Hydrau-lic fluid spill (Associated Press); 5. (b): 700 meters below the sea (Mongabay); 6. (c): Exxon (InsideClimate News); 7. (b): Wind power (Midwest Energy News); 8. (b): Dropped by almost a quarter. (Washington Post) 9. (e): Clinging to plastic waste (Great Lakes Echo); 10. (b): RoundUp (Sustainable Pulse)

start your green enginesMAYSOLUTION:

Q:I recently started a new job with a company

that does NO recycling! Can you believe it?!? They aren’t opposed to it but no one’s made it a priority before - that’s about to change! Where should I start when it comes to corporate recycling programs?

Thanks! Keri

Hi Keri!

Congratulations on the new job – and the opportunity to make a difference! Of course, it really depends on what you do, but my first thought is paper – I don’t know of many offices that don’t use it.

Since recycling is the third of the 3 Rs, the first thing I’d do is make sure that the printer is set to print double-sided – no meeting needs a single-sided agenda. It would also be ideal to choose FSC-certified paper. I recently toured a property of The Nature Conservancy and learned that FSC-certified paper is made from trees that are responsibly harvested.

If your organization is willing to invest in recycling, there are services now that will pick up your co-mingled items. That means you don’t even need to have separate bins for paper, can, bottles, plastic, etc. – everything can be placed in one bin for recycling.

Other ways to reduce the items that need to be recycled in the office in-clude eliminating bottled water, using real coffee mugs instead of paper or foam cups, and replace plastic flatware and paper plates with the real thing.

Recently I was in an office in New York that had a Reusable Bag Station – cloth bags on hooks for employees to use for errands. Love this! Keri, I chal-lenge you and all AR readers to find clever opportunities like this to make your office more green!

Piece out,Renee

SIGN UP for the Ask Renee newsletter at indianalivinggreen.com


Look for the July issue of ILGon stands June 24

Exemplary IndianaThe people and organizations that

make Indiana great

LIFE IS AN EGG by Joe Lee

Documents

Indiana Living Green - June 2013