IU Climate Week Forest Forum: Rediscovering Indiana's Wild Register

Date and Time:
Sun, Nov 8, 2026; 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM  (Eastern)

Organized By: Hoosier Chapter Uplands Network

Location: 2601 N Walnut St Suite 1, Bloomington, IN 47404, USA

Map | Directions

Event Organizers:
Marilyn Bauchat
   marilynbauchat@gmail.com
   3175136315
Julie Lowe
   j_lowe66@yahoo.com
   3173458355
Lora Kemp
   lorakemp1221@gmail.com
   8128593721

Indiana University Environmental Resiliency Institute is planning an inaugural IU Climate Week from November 8th - 14th dedicated to the science-informed, community-driven, and equity-centered solutions needed to flourish in a changing climate. Please join the Sierra Club for our IU Climate Week event, Forest Forum: Rediscovering Indiana's Wild.

Please join the Sierra Club Uplands Network for an afternoon of forest advocacy that will include a Forest Forum at the Cascades Inn in Bloomington, IN. We will have 10-15 minute presentations from environmental activists that are familiar with Indiana Public Lands and can share the importance of protecting our public forested lands in our Indiana State Forests, the Hoosier National Forest and the Deam Wilderness Area. We expect lively conversation in this "forum style" gathering and we hope that you will be there to join in the advocacy and find out what you can do to help. Please come and share your ideas about how we can continue to protect our Indiana wild places!
Speaker: Brandon Andress, his experience in the Deam Wilderness... "some of my best stories and favorite memories are from all the backpacking trips I've taken to Deam Wilderness. I will share stories about my trips and the human/relational importance of protecting this land."
Speaker: Lora Kemp, Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter Conservation Committee Chair, State Wild Areas proposal.
Speaker: Jeff Stant, Executive Director of the Indiana Forest Alliance, Deam Wilderness expansion legislation and the State Wild Areas proposal.

The Forest Forum gathering will be at Cascades Inn meeting room from 1pm-2:15 pm. Soft drinks and light food will be served during the forum. We will hear updates, stories and about the current state of Indiana Public Lands from invited speakers. We will hear testimonials about the importance of saving some of our forested wild places to remain wild and not be auctioned off and logged for timber. We advocate to save 24% of the Indiana State Forests from ever being logged and we have submitted a proposal to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and to Governor Braun called the Indiana State Wild Areas proposal. Come hear about this proposal that was made by grassroots Hoosiers from the Indiana Forest Alliance, Owen Putman Friends of the Forest, Sierra Club and others and have a look at the maps included in the proposal that will protect what little wild places that are left in Indiana!

 At 2:30 pm join us for a walk behind Cascades Inn to explore Cascades Falls. The walk is easy and will last about 30 minutes. After we return from the Falls we plan to adjourn to Sleeper's Bar at the Inn for more conversation and we invite you to join us

Cost: The Forest Forum is free. Light food and drinks will be served during the Forest Forum and Sleeper's Bar will have food and drinks available for purchase during and after the forum.

Signup Instructions: Please register and sign waiver so we can expect you.

More info