Supporter Spotlight

"I am a 61-year-old retired teacher and newly elected member of the City of Lawrence Common Council. My husband, Jim, and I moved to Indiana with our three daughters almost 30 years ago. The whole family has always enjoyed being outdoors, whether it’s planting a garden, swimming at the neighborhood pool, biking/hiking/running at Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park, or sitting on our porch on a summer evening watching fireflies.

We have supported HEC ever since a volunteer knocked on our door, over 20 years ago, and asked us to help HEC help otters…how can you not love an organization which looks out for otters?! I support HEC because it stands up for Indiana’s environment. It lobbies for clean water and clean air, and it tirelessly works to defend Indiana wetlands from the building industry."

What do you like most about living in Indiana?
"I love going out in our yard, which is in a suburban neighborhood, and checking on our native pollinator friendly plants and the insects, birds, and mammals which they nurture. In the winter I delight in the chickadees chattering as they balance on the purple coneflowers and nibble at the seeds; and in the spring I look for violets and mayapples.  This year I can’t wait to see if the Virginia bluebells planted last year are spreading, and if the pawpaw saplings survived the winter. I anticipate the hummingbirds enjoying the lobelias and cardinal flowers, and keeping my eyes peeled for hummingbird moths. Maybe an opossum will scuttle along, on the outside of the fence, or several pileated woodpeckers will hammer away at a dead limb on the walnut tree. A barred owl will hoot. The sassy little red squirrels hassle the bigger fox squirrels. Red-winged blackbirds converse, bluebirds zip around, and the prehistoric looking rattle-snake masters attracts wasps. Once the common milkweed has grown, I will gently flip over leaves, hoping to spy monarch butterfly eggs."

What gives you hope about the future of our planet? 
"In our suburban neighborhood quite a few of the homeowners have realized that their landscaping practices need to change, and common milkweed is flourishing in many yards, along with other native nectar flowers. People are recognizing that we can think globally and act locally, that planting some natives and reducing the turf grass in their yard makes sense economically and environmentally. Also, aesthetically!"

Tell us one unusual or interesting fact about yourself that most people probably don't know. 
"When we lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan I was employed as the Brule Bear, the mascot for the Ski Brule ski resort. I got to ski around in a bear costume and hand out candy to kids."

Do you have a favorite quote?
"Margaret Mead’s “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

What's your favorite Indiana animal? 
"I can’t choose one! Otters, red squirrels, opossums…Okay, I will go with opossums…they eat ticks, and they are so silly looking."

Describe how you became interested in native plants. 
"In April of 2020 I read an article in the Indy Star about plummeting monarch butterfly populations and how turf grass is basically a green desert, a monoculture which provides no nourishment and habitat for insects, which are the foundation of the circle of life. The article explained how absolutely vital native pollinator friendly plantings are for insects, and I decided that helping pollinators by planting native flowers was something I really wanted to do."

Please tell us anything else you think might be good to include. 
"For an early birthday present I was given a battery-operated saw. I cannot wait to use it to cut down any Japanese honeysuckle I encounter in our neighborhood!"

"As the largest statewide environmental policy organization, the work of the Hoosier Environmental Council to protect our lands, waterway, and air is essential and deserves widespread support."HEC supporter Julie Singer grew up between Indianapolis and New York, and now lives in Indianapolis. She enjoys hiking, bicycling, kayaking, birding, and baking."I was an 'outdoor kid' and that never changed as I grew up. Noticing and being bothered by litter was the first step for me becoming an advocate for our environment."Julie supports the Hoosier Environmental Council an individual annual donor, but also as an HEC Green Business (Singer Wealth Advisory) for the past six years. She's attended every Greening the Statehouse since moving back to Indiana in 2015. She has also included HEC in her estate plan to continue supporting our mission in perpetuity.

“The Hoosier Environmental Council always has helpful and detailed information that can be used to encourage people to get involved in a variety of advocacy efforts.”

"The efforts and support that HEC has provided has truly been a driving force for us."

“HEC gives voice to the people of the State of Indiana who want a healthy future for their children and grandchildren and for all the other creatures who depend on our air, land, water and soil for their survival.” (more…)

"The increasingly negative impacts for our state from the climate crisis can be discouraging. However, the staff and volunteers of HEC focus on the positive responses everyone can make..." (more…)

"It is not easy to keep up with all the environmental policies in Indiana and I truly appreciate that HEC is dedicated to giving Hoosiers a voice."(more…)

"We support the efforts of the Hoosier Environmental Council because we believe the most effective way to achieve change and make progress in relation to the environment is through organizations like HEC who have staff who are educated and trained to understand the complex issues and know how to approach the rule makers to effect change." (more…)

"HEC enables me to think globally, while acting locally." (more…)

"We support HEC because of its mission to protect Indiana’s waters, natural environments and biotic communities, its stance on environmental justice, its good-hearted activism and its patient work with a difficult state legislature." (more…)

Tod and Dawn support HEC, because they believe in the mission of HEC “and the importance of fighting to protect Indiana from damage by unwise policy decisions.” (more…)

“Even though progress is often slow in an environmentally recalcitrant state like Indiana, we are appreciative of the strong leadership and direction provided by HEC." (more…)

"HEC brings dedication, expertise, knowledge and facts - and a dose of pragmatism - to state environmental issues.” (more…)

"HEC has figured out how to work on environmental issues in a largely conservative state."(more…)

"HEC," she says, "helps fight the bigger battles: polluting companies and irresponsible government actions to name just two." (more…)

"They believe in the mission of HEC and appreciate the fact that HEC works on Indiana issues with a thoughtful, non-partisan, science-based approach."(more…)

"HEC is a dynamic and influential voice, working in partnership with other advocacy groups to promote laws protecting our environment and public interests in the state legislature.”

Angee considers support for the Hoosier Environmental Council to be a “beautiful investment in the future, protecting precious land and water.” (more…)

“I am very impressed with the energy and commitment of the members and staff of HEC, and their reaching out to create a network of environmental education, activism, and change throughout Indiana. Most of all, I am impressed, in an age of combativeness, with the spirit of hopeful cooperation with which HEC invites participation across the state and advocates for change.” (more…)

“I like HEC because it speaks the truth. It looks for solutions. It works at building bridges. HEC works on some problems that no one else does and supports other organizations working on common problems.”(more…)

“I love how HEC collaborates with other organizations. I love the presence this organization has at the Statehouse. I love the cheerful and can-do attitude. The legislative process can be frustrating, but this organization just keeps on fighting!” (more…)