Earth Charter Indiana

ROUND TWO IS OPEN!

The Roots to Rise: Indianapolis Food Fund is an initiative to expand access to and build an equitable food system throughout Indianapolis and Marion County by supporting local growers with grant funding. If you are a community garden, co-op, or farm that grows food outside of a for-profit model, you can receive up to $1000! Applications are open from June 29-June 31, 2026.

Link for more information, or to apply: earthcharterindiana.org/roots-to-rise

EPA has proposed weakening rules about the permanent storage of coal ash, the toxic byproduct of burning coal. Indiana has a particularly high stake in this action because we lead the nation in coal ash ponds, many that are unlined and in flood plains. Take action by making a public comment opposing this change by June 29, 2026!

Learn more about coal ash, use the toolkit, and submit a comment now.

LlNKS lN BlO!

Voting isn't the only way to impact your community, so is ensuring our communities have the tools and knowledge to take that step forward. You can be a part of having an impact on the midterm elections by joining us. Come to our event this Saturday, June 6, to gather and learn about how we can work together to register, educate, and motivate voters who, like us, want to protect our environment and communities.

Join the Voter Engagement Campaign Kick Off on June 6, 2026, from 1-3pm at the Kurt Vonnegut Museumand Library! Refreshments provided.

https://secure.ngpvan.com/Ez-Nfinu0kO6HHXLS2_1mQ2?emci=38b2dfac-6d5b-f111-8fcb-000d3a18905c&emdi=f7e368b7-705f-f111-8fcb-000d3a14b640&ceid=55038

Climate action starts with community, and this is a great place to plug in. 🌱

Our friends at Earth Charter Indiana are hosting their Climate Voter Engagement Campaign Kickoff on June 6th from 1 to 3 pm at the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library in Indianapolis.

This event brings together people who care about protecting our environment and neighborhoods, with a focus on how we can register, educate, and motivate voters ahead of the midterms. Refreshments will be provided, and all are welcome.

Register below!
https://secure.ngpvan.com/Ez-Nfinu0kO6HHXLS2_1mQ2?emci=4ed96a5b-4552-f111-8ef2-000d3a14b640&emdi=2ffd7a67-4852-f111-8ef2-000d3a14b640&ceid=58798

We will be hosting our Voter Engagement Campaign Kick Off on
June 6, 2026, from 1-3pm at the Kurt Vonnegut Museum! and Library Calling all climate action champions who want to have a big impact on the midterm elections to gather and learn about how we can work together to register, educate, and motivate voters who, like us, want to protect our environment and communities. This event will be a lot of fun, so don't miss it! Refreshments provided.

https://secure.ngpvan.com/Ez-Nfinu0kO6HHXLS2_1mQ2

The Indiana DNR is proposing to increase the bobcat killing quota from 250 to 400 – a 60% increase – and to add bobcat hunting in addition to strangling snares, leghold traps, and cage traps. DNR’s own model shows that killing 400 bobcats annually could drive bobcats extinct in Indiana within a decade.

This move is entirely political. There is still no data to show bobcats are having any negative impact on any other species, there are fewer than 30 conflicts between bobcats and farm animals on average annually, and the DNR’s mortality data is more than 5 years old – meaning they have no idea how 2025’s killing of 253 bobcats impacted the population.

What you can do:

1.) Submit your respectful comment to the DNR’s Rulemaking Docket page or email it to [email protected] by May 19.
Use rule name “Hunting of Bobcats and Increase in Statewide Season Quota (312 IAC 9).” Mention that you oppose both the interim and permanent rule.

2.) Call Governor Braun’s office at (317)232-4567 and respectfully ask that he pull the proposed rules.

3.) Consider attending and speaking at the public hearing on May 19th at 12:30 p.m., at the Fort Harrison State Park, Garrison Conference Center, Blue Heron Ballroom, 6002 North Post Road, Indianapolis, Indiana.

With the addition of over 8700 MW of Data Centers under contract with Indiana electricity suppliers, we are set to DOUBLE the power we use from all of our homes statewide. It is well past time for a new plan. Indianapolis has an opportunity to create new rules for zoning but it is critical we get them right. Placing a moratorium on all new projects while we investigate the impact these massive facilities are having in other areas will make time for us to listen to our neighbors' concerns and hopes for the future of our city.

The Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development (IndyDMD) presented draft zoning policies for local data centers last month and it is an important first step to creating a new zoning class for these unique facilities, but the draft is extremely limited and does not account for the enormous electricity and water demands of large data centers, how they source their power, and in what communities they can build. The draft does not take into account how to reconcile these projects' enormous greenhouse gas emissions with our city's Thrive Indianapolis goals and our commitment to carbon neutrality. DMD has a Data Center Page where you can learn more about the draft ordinance and how to take action. Indy residents deserve a moratorium while we assess this situation.

We urge you to submit a public comment by May 17th with the link in our bio or at
https://bit.ly/moratorium-support

the Roots to Rise: Indianapolis Food Fund, an initiative to provide micro-grants of up to $1,000 for farmers and food retailers working to get fresh food to the people who need it most.

$25,000 is available. Applications are open now through May 31. Priority funding goes to BIPOC growers, women, veterans, and those operating in areas with limited food access.

The initiative addresses food scarcity in our community. In some Indianapolis neighborhoods, more than 40% of households rely on SNAP. And more than 1 in 10 Central Indiana residents lives in a food desert.

Those interested can learn more here: https://www.earthcharterindiana.org/roots-to-rise

Application link here:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/EarthCharterIndiana/RootsToRiseCommunityCatalystGrantApplicationretailer

LINKS IN OUR BIO!