WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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Part 2 of EcoReport’s Carrie Albright interview with Emily Winter, owner of Winter Blooms Flower Farm, about how she cares for the soil and water surrounding her flower farm and the role she takes in considering the future of the land.
Environmental Reports
Barneby Woods added to Sycamore Land Trust
Barneby Woods in Owen County has become the ninth
Sycamore Land Trust preserve to receive the designation of
protection against future land use.
The 160-acre property was owned by Karl Barneby and Laura
Fredenhall of Terre Haute. “State dedication of Barneby Woods will add meaningful protection to a place that holds tremendous ecological value for southern Indiana,” said Alex Sienkiewicz, executive director of Sycamore Land Trust. The property has never been logged and it has a mature upland forest with beech trees that are approaching old-growth size, which is 12 inches at 4.5 feet above ground. There are four streams on the property which flow into ravines, with one having an 8-foot-tall waterfall. There are many sensitive plants and ferns as well as small earthsnakes, spotted salamanders and eastern box turtles. At this time, the Preserve is not open to the public to protect the sensitive natural area. Future plans may include the addition of trails, but no timeline has been established.
Trump Admin Rolling Back Regulation
The Trump administration announced on February 20th that it will roll back air regulations for power plants that limited mercury and hazardous air toxins, which he claims will boost energy. However, it will cause public health harm for America’s most vulnerable groups. The Biden-era Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule from 2012, would reduce allowable mercury pollution from the coal plants by 70%; cut emissions of nickel, arsenic, lead and other toxic metals from coal plants by two-thirds; and result in health cost savings of $420 million through 2037, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. Utilities had been phasing out again coal-fired generators, which are major sources of mercury and carbon emissions, but Trump has promised to reduce barriers to meet rising electricity demand from artificial intelligence and data centers. Trump declared an “energy emergency” in 2025 to justify moves to keep open aging coal plants. Sixty-eight coal plants have been granted exemptions. The EPA also recently announced it was repealing the “endangement findings,” which gave the agency the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, and the White House power from coal plants for military use. Coal-firing power plants are among the largest sources of hazardous air pollution, including mercury, lead, arsenic and acid gases, as well as major sources of benzene, formaldehyde, dioxins and other organic hazardous air pollutants. Coal plants generate less than 20% of U.S. electricity, according to the Energy Infomation Administration. Indiana already has one of the worst records for air pollution.
Indiana Bill puts Wildlife Decisions with Homeland Security
The Indiana Natural Resource Commission (NRC) is responsible for designating nature preserves, setting camping fees, and guiding state law interpretation. Proposed House Bill 1003 aims to dissolve the NRC and other state boards, raising concerns among conservation advocates about reduced public involvement in decision-making processes. Dan Boritt, the executive director of the Indiana Wildlife Federation, highlights the NRC’s role in gathering public feedback, emphasizing that its members are passionate residents who engage with Indiana’s natural resources. Stephanie Flittner, general counsel for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), states that while the DNR is neutral regarding the bill, they believe the NRC has become unnecessary since DNR now employs experts who make recommendations formerly carried out by the NRC. Ginger Murphy from the Indiana Parks Alliance points out that the NRC’s regular meetings provide transparency and bring together diverse expertise from citizen members and state agencies, enhancing decision-making for Indiana’s resources. Additionally, the bill proposes to abolish the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, transferring its responsibilities to the Department of Homeland Security, which raises concerns among architects about the loss of oversight by a varied group of experts familiar with complex building codes.
Another Invasive Species!
I thought we were done with educating you about invasive
species, but one slipped through because it is new to Indiana.
It is kudzu. I grew up in Georgia where it grew everywhere.
My father battled it for the twelve years we lived there. I can
tell you, as a child, I loved it! It was the best vine for swinging in the trees. I became Tarzan. Kudzu is starting to grow now in Indiana. It is called the “vine that ate the south.” As it grows in an ecosystem, the plant coats once-vibrant and biodiverse forests in a monoculture carpet. If you have ever driven down to Florida, you have seen entire forests completely covered with vines that have large leaves and cast too much shade for native plants to survive underneath. The trees look like they have blankets on them. Kudzu is starting to take hold in southern Indiana, however, there is a small town outside Bloomington, heading north on old 37 that has it growing along a hillside. So, it is adapting to our weather. The best way to get rid of it is with herbicides, but even with herbicides, it comes back the following year. It is an ongoing battle, and you have to keep at it in order to control it. The Indiana DNR say they are starting to see native trees coming up in areas where they have continued the battle with kudzu. To quote, “It is rewarding to see the wins. However small they may be.”
And now for some upcoming events:
- The next Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park is the Tornado Hike on Saturday, March 7th, from 11 am to 1 pm. Bring your dog as you learn about the May 16th, 2025 tornado that hit Brown County State Park
- Learn about Karst Topography at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, March 8th, from Noon to 1 pm. Meet in the Nature Center to find out how water shaped the land.
- A workshop on The Joy of Journaling is planned for Tuesday, March 10th, from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center. Learn how to record your upcoming growing season in a garden journal so you will remember what works and what doesn’t work for next year. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Take a Winter Wander Hike to Combs Road in Norman, Indiana at Monroe Lake on Friday, March 13th, beginning at 1 pm. This is an off-trail hike with no known path to follow. Keep in mind, there are no restroom facilities. Register at tinyurl.com/winterwanderhikes.
- The Sassafras Audubon Society is having a Woodcock Walk at Flatwoods County Park on Saturday, March 14th, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Experience the mesmerizing “sky dance” of these elusive birds as they perform their aerial courtship.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?
Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail [email protected].
