Eco Report – February 7, 2025

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Hello and welcome to Eco Report.

Today, we have two broadcast to share with you. First, you will hear from WFHB Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger as she reports on WINGS – Women in Nature Gaining Skills – which aims to increase female participation in outdoor activities. Then, we hear about new laws being proposed in this year’s legislative session of the Indiana General Assembly from our guest, David Van Gilder, Senior Policy and Legal Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council.

And now for your environmental reports:

• The Indiana Capital Chronicle reports water is very much on Hoosiers’ minds. From the unpopular legislation from four years ago that stripped our critical wetlands of protection to the 2023 announcement of a proposed pipeline carrying water 35 miles from Tippecanoe County to the LEAP development in Lebanon, it’s at the top of the mind for many.
• According to internal guidelines obtained and reviewed by various sources including Politico, The Hill and The Guardian, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has begun removing references to climate change on its webpages and sites, including the U.S. Forest Service website.
• The Indiana General Assembly is meeting and one of the bills being considered is HB 1447. Our representative, Matt Pierce, is a sponsor. It requires the department of natural resources, before January 1, 2026, to designate at least one undivided area comprising at least 10% of each state forest as an old forest area. It provides that, wherever possible, the size of a designated old forest area must be at least 500 acres.

Feature Report:

And now, lets listen to MacKenzie Lionberger as she tells us about WINGS.

And now, we turn to Zero Roze for Part One of his interview with David Van Gilder of the Hoosier Environmental Council or H.E.C., known as “heck”, regarding bills that they are supportive of, are neutral on -or actively opposing becoming law. The full interview will be posted online as an Eco Report EXTRA.

And now for some upcoming events:

• Take a Self-Guided Bald Eagle Drive Tour during the Eagles Over Monroe event on Saturday, February 8th, and Sunday, February 9th, all day. Consult the on-line map for best locations and times. Go to bit.ly/monroelakeeagleguide.
• Whooper Wednesday’s will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area every Wednesday until February 26th. Meet at the Visitor’s Center at 8 am Wednesday, February 12th, to walk around the property to see if you can spot the endangered Whooping Crane.
• Take a Full Snow Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Friday, February 14th, which is Valentine’s Day, beginning at 8 pm. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center to hike under the full moon while you learn the history and folk-lore of the Full Snow Moon.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news features were produced by Kade Young and Zero Roze
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.