Advocacy
"If working apart we're a force powerful enough to destablise our planet, surely, working together, we are powerful enough to save it." Sir David Attenborough, COP26
The mission of the Evansville Audubon Society (EAS) is to promote the awareness, appreciation, and preservation of birds and other wildlife and their habitats through education and conservation. One of the ways we achieve our education and conservation goals is through advocacy.
EAS advocates for birds in a number of ways, including writing letters to local newspapers, meeting with legislators, communication outreach, and Audubon Action Alerts. Legislators do care about our views and opinions on policy issues that impact birds and their habitats and as informed constituents we have the ability to convey our concerns (see Congressional Contact page).
To advance our advocacy efforts we rely on the power of Audubon, and especially the Audubon Great Lakes regional office, for necessary support to address issues such as bird conservation, ecosystem restoration and protection, clean air and water, and climate change.
Audubon Action Alerts:
(Click here to see all current Audubon Action Alerts)
Recovering America's Wildlife Act (learn more here)
Audubon Great Lakes has written a letter on behalf of all the local chapters within the Great Lakes region in support of the Recovering America's Wildlife Act.
(Click Here to read)
Local Advocacy:
Save Wesselman Park
Supporters of Wesselman Park are being asked to send comments to the mayor, members of the city council and the parks director to consider an alternative to the planned pickle ball courts at Wesselman Park. For example, Roberts Park (site of the old Roberts Stadium) is a better option because infrastructure already is in place to support the proposed pickle ball courts. (Click here to get more information).
Upcoming Advocacy Opportunities:
Audubon Great Lakes Advocacy Day
You are invited to the Audubon Great Lakes Advocacy Day at the Indiana Statehouse on January 30, 2023, a special day that will bring Indiana residents to the legislature to make their voices heard for birds and their habitats. You must RSVP. Click here for details and to register for the event.
Climate Crisis Event Invitation
The Indiana High School Student Coalition invites you to a "climate crisis" rally and press conference at the Indiana Statehouse in support of bills that advance clean energy, conserve forests and wetlands, and establish a task force for a statewide climate action plan. The event is co-sponsored by Rep. Carey Hamilton of Indianapolis and scheduled for Wed, February 1, 2023 at 11 am (Eastern Time) in the fourth floor of the North Atrium of the Indiana Statehouse. Click here for details and to RSVP for the event.
Some examples of recent advocacy efforts by EAS members:
Growing Climate Solution Act
The U.S. Senate recently passed the Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021 by a wide margin; 92-8. This bipartisan legislation will provide farmers, ranchers, and foresters resources and know-how to support conservation measures on their land, protect bird habitat, and fight climate change. It is now up to the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the bill. You can read more about this bill here and take action by contacting our representative to Congress, Larry Bucshon.
EAS members wrote letters to Senators Braun and Young, filled out Action Alerts and/or worked with policy personnel at Audubon Great Lakes in support of this legislation.
Senate Enrolled Act 389
This act is designed to deregulate isolated wetlands in Indiana. These are wetlands that do not come under the jurisdiction of the federal government. Authors of this bill submitted legislation to remove or limit regulations on Class I and Class II wetlands and eliminate 'red tape' for builders and farmers. The bill passed the Senate and, with some modifications, also passed the House. All this despite efforts by EAS and other local Audubon chapters voicing opposition to the bill.
Governor Holcomb signed the bill into law recently, even though he received a letter signed by representatives of numerous groups asking that he veto the bill. City leaders, hunting clubs, environmental organizations, wildlife advocates were among the diverse array of groups hoping the governor would veto a bill that will reduce the amount of wetlands in Indiana.
The bill allows for the complete removal of protections for Class I wetlands, which make up 53% of Indiana wetlands. It also removes protection for a certain number of Class II wetlands, which make up 31% of Indiana wetlands.