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.”

Betty Brandt moved to Indiana from Illinois to attend DePauw University. After graduation, she spent decades as a Marriage & Family Therapist, and now serves as the Director of the Community for Contemplation and Justice at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Indianapolis.

Betty also started a Creation Care Ministry Team at St. Luke's in 2007 after attending a Spirit & Place event. She considers renewable energy to be her top priority. “I am grateful for HEC's leadership and expertise,” she says.

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

Mark Nowotarski lived in Jasper, IN, from 1990-2004 and moved back after retirement in 2020. “When I moved back to Jasper,” Mark wrote, “I immediately got involved with a grassroots group of residents opposing the proposed Mid-States Corridor, a 54-mile new terrain highway that will be very destructive to the environment, natural habitat, and compound climate issues. It was at that time I took one of the lead roles along with a few others in forming the Coalition Against the Mid-States Corridor. Shortly after we were connected with HEC along with other environmental organizations like the Indiana Forest Alliance and the Sierra Club who have been very active in supporting our efforts. The efforts and support that HEC has provided has truly been a driving force for us. Learning more about all the initiatives and work HEC takes on has helped me become more educated in understanding climate issues and as a result I am working to bring education and action for climate mitigation efforts in Jasper and Dubois County. Finally, I am a member of the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) and a member of their subgroup Freeway Fighters.”

Mark is also an avid road cyclist and enjoys participating in various cycling events during the year, including HEC's Ride for the Mounds.

“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.”
Andy Mahler and his wife Linda Lee have a small farm and lodge called the Lazy Black Bear, south of Paoli, at the end of a dead-end road surrounded by the Hoosier National Forest.Andy has been active in forest protection efforts since 1985 and has helped start several forest protection organizations including Protect Our Woods, Heartwood, and the Indiana Forest Alliance. Andy and Linda have also been involved in promoting healthy local food, having helped start the Orange County Homegrown farmers markets in Orleans and French Lick, and the Lost River Market and Deli, a member-owned foods co-op in Paoli. They were also successful in stopping a 2,000 hog CAFO that had been proposed within their beautiful neck of the woods.Andy’s biggest focus right now is stopping the 30,000 acre Buffalo Springs "Restoration" Project, the largest and most destructive logging, road-building, burning, clearcutting, and herbicide spraying project ever proposed on the 200,000 acre Hoosier National Forest.Andy and Linda support HEC, because it is the general public’s advocate in the legislature and in the halls of power.

"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..."

Greg Grant and Marilyn Bauchat grew up in the Midwest. They met many years ago at the University of Michigan and have enjoyed exploring and helping to preserve our planet's natural abundance through their many years together. Greg spent a career working on sustainability initiatives at General Motors, such as electric vehicles. Meanwhile, Marilyn taught special needs children with an emphasis on getting them out into the peacefulness and resilience of the great outdoors. Both Greg and Marilyn instilled a love of nature in their sons, always emphasizing the idea of leaving every place (or person) "better than you found it."

Since their retirements, Greg and Marilyn have worked as grassroots volunteers for the Sierra Club and Citizens' Climate Lobby to address their greatest concern, the climate crisis. They love the Hoosier Environmental Council because HEC remains laser focused on Indiana-specific environmental concerns and the welfare of Indiana’s residents. They also have found the Hoosier Environmental Council to be a wonderful collaborative partner and role model for efforts to protect Hoosiers and Indiana's natural heritage. “The increasingly negative impacts for our state from the climate crisis can be discouraging,” they admit, “However, the staff and volunteers of HEC focus on the positive responses everyone can make, patiently presenting the facts and opportunities for action, to slow and decrease the losses from climate change.”

"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."

McKenzie Altman loves to read, birdwatch, learn, travel, hike, and canoe. She lives in Indianapolis now where she volunteers every Sunday for Food Not Bombs Indy while interning with the Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY), but she is originally from a small town in northern Indiana called Wakarusa.

Climate change is McKenzie’s number one concern "because it destroys ecosystems and may trigger mass migration of climate refugees." She supports the Hoosier Environmental Council for our advocacy on climate change and other related issues, including wetland conservation and sustainable agriculture. She says, “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. Taking care of our natural environment is so important for our health and well-being.”

"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."

We have lived in Washington, Indiana, for our entire fifty years of marriage. We enjoy traveling, birding, hiking and visiting our state and national parks and recreation areas. We have a passion for music, theater and the arts, antiques and all things “old.”

We live within a few miles of a major coal fired power plant at Petersburg and one of Indiana’s 86 coal ash pits (the most of any state) near Wheatland. HEC’s efforts to modify and control these polluters favorably impacts not only our community, but many similar communities across Indiana.

Our largest environmental concern for the world is climate change, and its causes and ramifications. Nationally we see our country flip-flop on environmental management as the political climate changes. In Indiana, we are aghast at the lack of oversight and protections not being afforded coal ash pits; lack of state concern for recycling; how wetland protections have been downgraded; and the resistance of communities to accept responsibility for proper sewer management.

"HEC enables me to think globally, while acting locally."

Tom Probasco, recently retired from Indianapolis’ Central Library, originally moved to Indiana’s capital city in 1978. However, he’s from a small town in Ohio and had a father who owned a popular local barber shop in Xenia until it closed. In addition to supporting HEC and volunteering for Citizens Climate Lobby, Tom writes poetry and plays harmonica in an Indianapolis-based folk-rock band called True North.

Tom is fearful of climate change and the documented ways it is already impacting communities in Alaska and on the Gulf Coast. He says he supports HEC because we help him track state legislation that will potentially impact our state and national environment and provide detailed recommendations for email and phone communication with legislators, enabling him to "think globally, while acting locally."

"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."

We’ve enjoyed attending the last many Greening the Statehouse gatherings (and so look forward to attending them again in person in coming years!) We are so fortunate to have such a talented team of activists working at the state level on environmental issues of profound concern to us all during this time of rapid planetary warming and collapsing ecosystems. We understand how significant these times are, how much we have to do as a human collective in the next few decades to reduce global warming, soil loss, biocide use, extinctions, etc. and grateful for your continued work in all sectors of the local household of nature.

We especially hope more Indiana farmers come to understand how industrial farming, especially the wide use of CAFOs, is unsustainable and how we must learn to care more for the soil’s fertility. We hope that we can phase out all coal-fired plants and come to rely more and more on solar and wind energy here in Indiana and across the U.S. and the planet so that we can slow the rate of and eventually end global warming. We hope we can do more to protect and increase the acreage of our natural areas and ensure our creeks, streams, and lakes are bordered with forests (rather than eroding fields) and thus enable our state’s biotic communities to survive. And we hope that greater care will be taken for those who live in heavily industrialized areas and bear the brunt air and water pollution. We hope, finally, that our state legislatures are peopled with folks with some environmental understanding, imagination, and respect for God’s Creation so that they make decisions with an eye not to their re-election or the power of their party but to the prosperity of our human and biotic communities.

(Marc Hudson). I am a writer, a medievalist, and scholar who taught English and American literature and creative writing at Wabash College for 28 years. I have written articles on the environment and natural history for such magazines as Audubon, Sewanee Review, Iceland Review, Pacific Northwest magazine, and Environmental Action. My several books of poetry, including Afterlight, The Disappearing Poet Blues, and, most recently, East of Sorrow, often focus on the natural world. I am presently finishing a book entitled, Imagination and the Household of Nature: A Study of the Lives and Thought of Henry Thoreau, Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson and Wendell Berry. At Wabash, I was a member of the Environmental Concerns Committee; I was also a board member of our local Friends of Sugar Creek for many years and wrote and edited the newspaper column, Currents from 2015-2020. I am also a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and have served on its vestry; and a member of the League of Women Voters and serve on its Climate Action Committee. I am an unrepentant Earthiest, gardener, and vegetarian. And proud father of a daughter, Alexandra Hudson, pre-school special ed. teacher, actor, and playwright, and of a son, Ian G. Hudson, now gone but beloved of many.

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.”

Tod Bassler met his wife Dawn in West Lafayette, Indiana, where Tod was studying at Purdue University. They both love to travel and learn about life in other places, and this has inspired them to be passionate supporters of improving our transportation options here at home. “Our country's population has almost doubled in my lifetime and less efficient low density travel options like automobiles just don't cut it any more in urban areas,” Tod explains. “Our time is valuable and unrecoverable, and we shouldn't waste it sitting at stop lights and in traffic jams.”

“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."

Charles Gardner is a lifelong resident of Indianapolis and a member of the Indiana leadership team for Bread for the World, "a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad." His wife, Dianne, is a Marion County Master Gardener/Volunteer. They also do weekly home deliveries for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Indianapolis.

Charles enjoys playing piano, organ, guitar, singing in choirs, biking, reading, and being a grandfather to 8 grandchildren. His #1 environmental concern is carbon emissions, especially in Indiana where we are still so highly dependent on burning coal. “We baby boomers have spent most of our lives ‘taking’ from this fragile earth.” he told us. “The least we can do in our remaining years is try to begin to undo some of the damage we have done.”

“Dianne and I have decided to make an annual contribution to HEC from our IRA. 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. We are hopeful that more and more Hoosiers will come to see the many benefits of this work for the sake of our children and grandchildren and the earth that sustains us all. “

"HEC brings dedication, expertise, knowledge and facts - and a dose of pragmatism - to state environmental issues.”
Jennifer and Nathan Yumibe relocated to Indianapolis when Nathan accepted a position at Lilly. They installed solar panels on their roof five years ago and added seven more this year at the end of July. Jennifer and Nathan’s firsthand experience with solar energy inspired them to take a trip to the Indiana Statehouse to advocate against the phaseout of important net metering incentives for residential solar. They believe other Hoosiers should continue to be able to benefit from net metering and having solar panels like they have. Jennifer appreciates that HEC “brings dedication, expertise, knowledge and facts - and a dose of pragmatism - to state environmental issues.”

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

Carol’s first memories of nature come from those small moments: playing in the mud and the creek in Georgia as a kid, spending years of her childhood in the Rockies, and getting to touch, taste, smell, and hear nature, living in several places across the Americas (she was born in Panama) as the child of an Army officer and a radical feminist.

Her love and concern for the environment grew during graduate school, when she worked at the Incarnation Center, a summer camp in Connecticut. While there, she learned about protecting at-risk plants and trees, got to observe an osprey living on the lake, learned about spring warbler migration, and so much more.

Carol’s career has been dedicated to the connections between creation care ministry, economics, and ecosystems. One example in an exemplary career: Her doctoral dissertation was a theological history of how economics in capitalism and Marxism ended up leaving both human and natural communities completely out of the equation. “We are still totally dependent on the natural world,” says Johnston. “But societally we have a very unhealthy relationship with it.” She cites figures like the Prince of Wales, who advocates for a shift from working against nature to learning from and working with nature’s unlimited creativity, and Alfred Marshall, an architect of capitalist theory, who stated that it was a mistake to make unlimited production – rather than unlimited health of all things – the goal of a capitalist society.

Carol also worked with Indiana’s former first lady, Judy O'Bannon, on a highly regarded public television documentary on Indiana’s everyday environmental champions.

Carol says she’s especially impressed by HEC because the organization, with Executive Director Jesse Kharbanda at the helm, has figured out how to work on environmental issues in a largely conservative state. She admires the way in which HEC works under the assumption that anyone can be a part of environmental change regardless of their political beliefs.

"HEC," she says, "helps fight the bigger battles: polluting companies and irresponsible government actions to name just two."
HEC Supporter Keri Jeter Lewis was born an “army brat” at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Much of her childhood was spent in Yonkers, New York until her family moved to Indianapolis, where she has remained since (except a brief time after college in Chicago). She is an HR manager at a civil engineering firm and also a yoga instructor. She loves to read and sew and the proud parent of a teenager and…a newborn! Keri says both her children have made her contemplate how she stewards the planet: from breast feeding and diapering her 7-month-old to planning not to replace her car once her 15-year-old daughter starts driving.Keri remembers the first moments she felt connected to the environment: “I remember going to Camp Tecumseh in the 5th grade and LOVING it: getting stuck in a canoe, hiking and feeling peaceful in the woods, and seeing stars for the first time. Like, not just the North Star, but a whole sky full of stars. It's something folks take for granted but growing up in the city, it had an impact. I believe the big turning point was a report I did in high school on animal testing, both for medical and beauty products - that led me to being a vegetarian, and my advocacy for animals and the environment all stem from there.”In fact, Keri is so passionate about the environment that she says she can’t understand why everyone isn’t! “Mars exploration aside, we’ve only got the one planet to live on,” she says. “We should be protecting the land for everyone.” She loves nature and the outdoors and together with her “bestie” jokes they’re solar powered. But Keri is also an asthmatic, so breathing is something she thinks about more than most people. The toll of bad policy decision on the environment is frustrating to her because of her health, and, knowing that those actions have a disproportionately negative impact on people experiencing poverty and communities of color that are already fighting for so much.Keri says she supports HEC because even those she’s doing all she can as an individual to help the planet, she can only do so much on her own. HEC, she says, helps fight the bigger battles: polluting companies and irresponsible government actions to name just two. Keri supports the Hoosier Environmental Council with her time, talent, and treasure – choosing to be a member of our monthly giving Sustainability Club and host Facebook Fundraisers, because they are easy ways to give back that fit with her busy lifestyle. “I’m a big believer that everyone can be a philanthropist, and that every little bit helps. Facebook fundraisers have made it super simple to both spread the good word and give everyone a chance to donate.”

"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."
Andy Pike and Sharon Horvath’s love of the environment is rooted in their faith and the demand that we care for our neighbors and our common home. They are both active in their parish Creation Care Ministry in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood of Indianapolis, and they are active in the Creation Care Ministry for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.Sharon loves to garden. Andy brews his own beer. Both have a goal to visit every state park (and as many national parks as they can). 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. Since Sharon and Andy both come from careers in the sciences, they appreciate that aspect of how HEC works for change.

"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.”

George Schenetzke was born and raised in Evansville (and now resides in Carmel). He is passionate about clean air and water, and is an active volunteer. His time and advocacy support a number of organizations including the Hoosier Environmental Council, Citizens Climate Lobby, Common Cause, and Carmel Green Initiative, where he is a board member.

George recently met with his State Representative over Zoom and dreams of a day when all utility coal ash ponds in Indiana are cleaned up and properly enclosed.

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

HEC Supporter Angee Grogan is from Muncie, Indiana. Angee, her husband Brent, and their two children live in Central Indiana now. They love biking, running, hiking, and generally being outdoors. In fact, enjoying Indiana’s park land is a tradition. This year the extended family has gotten together for nature outings in Fort Harrison State Park, in Brown Country State Park, and on Lake Monroe. This follows in Angee’s grandparents’ footsteps, who made Pokagon State Park the site of their honeymoon in 1947.

In addition to her heart for conservation and outdoor recreation, Angee’s top environmental concern is air pollution. Motivated to make positive change happen here by Indiana’s poor air quality ranking and the respiratory problems that are caused by that poor air quality, Angie supports HEC’s mission to make Indiana a better, healthier place to call home.She also backs better standards for air pollution and stricter enforcement against major polluters.

“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.”

Rev. Patricia (Trisha) Tull grew up, attended college, and attended seminary in the South. She settled in Jeffersonville, Indiana, in the southeast part of our state, 17 years ago. Last year, she and her spouse Don Summerfield (also an HEC supporter….thank you, Don!) built a house outside Henryville, IN in which one of their sons and his family are living with them during the pandemic. Everyone is learning about frogs, chipmunks, and spiders. And Trisha's and Don's 4-year-old granddaughter can name about a dozen of the birds at their feeders!

Now that they are semi-retired, Trisha and Don have been using most of their newfound time to explore just how well they can translate their environmental commitments into daily life. They built a solar-powered, net zero energy home and have been expanding their vegetable and fruit growing. They’ve long looked forward to teaching their grandkids about the outdoors as well.

Trisha first came to know the Hoosier Environmental Council when she was working part-time for Hoosier Interfaith Power & Light. “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.”

Trisha says her faith has always been deeply connected to her sense of ethics. “My father, both a Presbyterian elder and an astronomer, taught me that there is no necessary discrepancy between faith and science. I believe humans have no right to do harm, and ought instead to actively support the well being of all who share this planet. We have been given hearts to love the world and intelligence to figure out how to live well in it, if we will only pay attention.”

Trisha is most concerned about two visible symptoms of climate change: air & water pollution and species extinction. “It breaks my heart that my grandchildren will grow up in a world that will be, at best, less colorful and bountiful than what we take for granted today. I’ve spent the last fifteen years writing and teaching about the climate crisis from a faith perspective, and about what ordinary people can do to help mend the world. I pray that, with guidance from HEC and other brilliant organizations, we will find our way through.”

“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.”

HEC member Ray Wilson was born in a small town in Pennsylvania, spent summers on his grandparents' small dairy farm, and holds degrees in Agricultural Engineering. He was an officer in the Army Corps of Engineers and spent a year in Vietnam building bridges, roads, and buildings. His career has predominantly been spent designing farm buildings to meet EPA environmental compliance. More recently, he consults in organizational development and operational improvement.

Ray has attended several of HEC’s Greening the Statehouse annual forums and helped form Indy Green Congregations. He is a Board Member of Solarize Indiana and he is involved with the Indiana Solar Energy Forum, promoting solar panel installation and sustainable energy solutions for Indiana.

Ray also chairs the board of Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light, an organization with which HEC has long collaborated and held mutual respect. HEC and HIPL have worked together on legislative priorities and on Climate Boot Camps. “HIPL is now launching a project called Thriving Faith Communities to help congregations and their congregants across the state to reduce their energy consumption and thus their carbon emissions by 25% by 2025. We started out just thinking about doing this in Indianapolis in support of the Thrive Indianapolis plan, but realized with all the Zoom [virtual training] capabilities, that we could open it to the whole state," noted Ray.

Ray says he views the Hoosier Environmental Council as Indiana’s premier environmental advocacy organization. “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,” he says.

His environmental issue of greatest concern is global warming - the most important problem in human history. Ray says that not wasting energy is critical to climate action. “My dream is that very soon our national and state elected officials will come together and see the critical period we are in as a civilization. That we will see the life or death crisis for what it is, and we will, for the next 5 – 10 years, do what we did in three years during World War II. We can do it. In this crisis we will be building something. It will be much easier [than waging a world war] and more rewarding.”

“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!”

HEC member and supporter Theresa Bruno was born and raised in Elkhart in North Central IN (population, 50,000). She graduated from Butler University and has lived in Central Indiana since. Today, she lives on the east side of Indianapolis, teaches history at Ivy Tech Community College, is married, and has two “handsome, rambunctious” boys and nine chickens. She is a voracious reader of nonfiction and has a “pie” garden: growing raspberries, gooseberries, cherries, and currants, along with an abundance of native flowers to feed the bees. Theresa says she bakes a lot when she is not involved in advancing social justice-oriented public policy.

Theresa says that she was fairly indifferent to environmental issues until she began studying history. She recalls seeing a picture in a history book of the Cuyahoga River on fire. It was then she realized how important it was to protect our environment.

Theresa cares a great deal about HEC and the environmental issues we work on, attending several educational opportunities HEC has provided, most redistricting reform events (for which HEC works closely in coalition with others), and being a part of Renewable Energy Day at the Statehouse. She says HEC’s environmental justice work is very important to her too. Theresa is a survivor of a ruptured brain aneurysm, so she says access to affordable healthcare is important to her. She says she’s witnessed first hand how vulnerable populations’ health is negatively affected when the environment is neglected, such as when someone with asthma has to worry whether their expired inhaler can get them through an ozone action day, or, when a young mother has to worry about the lead paint in her home causing long term health damage for her children. “I don’t think many people realize that when we care for the environment, we make it easier for vulnerable populations to literally breathe. Environmental justice is social justice,” Theresa says.

Like many HEC supporters, Theresa has called and written her local, state, and federal government on numerous environmental issues…even meeting them in person as she is able. “I love how HEC collaborates with other organizations,” Theresa continues. “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!” Thank you, Theresa, for your passion for environmental justice, renewable energy, and for redistricting reform!