Eco Report – September 29, 2022

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HEADLINES

All stories this week are by Norm Holy

A plan to construct in Northwest Indiana one of the largest commercial solar energy systems in the world is likely to remain at least partially unrealized for the near future. The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the Aug. 24, 2021, Pulaski Superior Court ruling that halted the portion of the Mammoth Solar project that aims to deploy solar panels across 4,511 acres of Pulaski County farmland.

When ranked on air/water pollution, Louisiana is the worst in the US. Indiana is 3rd worst. Recently, Louisiana activists successfully battled to block an enormous plastics plant in a corridor so dense with industrial refineries that it is known as Cancer Alley. The ruling canceled the company’s air permits.

Wildlife biologists in Vermont have discovered a hopeful sign for the state’s Indiana bat population: One colony, located in Hinesburg, appears to be flourishing.

Inside Climate News reports that with rare, bipartisan support including a phalanx of Republican lawmakers, the U.S. Senate voted 69-27 Wednesday in favor of ratifying a key international climate agreement that will significantly curb global warming and, climate advocates say, could serve as a springboard for further emissions reductions.

Nearly all species of sea turtles are considered endangered, according to WWF. [World Wildlife Fund]  Despite this, people have continued to poach them for food, medicine and luxury goods in astonishing numbers.

Millions of imperiled animals are killed each year to buy and sell. This wildlife trade is one of the greatest drivers of the extinction crisis. But at an upcoming international conference, there will be an opportunity to make changes. The conference is a meeting of CITES.

 

CALENDAR

Learn all about amazing insects at Bloomington’s 10th Annual Bug Fest on Saturday, October 1st, from 10 am to 2 pm at Hilltop Gardens at Indiana University.  All kinds of “buggy” activities are scheduled.  For more information and to pre-register, go to hilltop.indiana.edu/events-programs-classes/bugfest/index.html.

Take a Tree ID Hike at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Sunday, October 2nd, beginning at 1 pm.  Meet the Naturalist at the Trailhead for a relaxed, easy hike through the woods to learn how to identify trees based on their leaves.

The Bloomington Gardening Program is offering a program on Collecting and Sowing Native Wildflower Seeds on Thursday, October 6th, from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Switchyard Park, Picnic Shelter.  You will collect native wildflowers seeds for winter sowing and enjoy a demonstration on starting native plants at home.  Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Go to the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, October 8th, from 8 am to 2 pm for a Trapper Education Course.  Learn the ethics, best management practices, necessary skills and some history.  At the end of the course you will have your very own Indiana trapping license.  Go to https://on.in.gov/goosepondfwa to register.

Take a Full Hunter’s Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, October 8th, from 8 to 9:30 pm.  Meet Anthony at the Pioneer Village parking lot for a multi-trail, 2-mile night hike to learn the history and folklore of the Hunter’s Full Moon.