Classical Music Indy works every day to enliven public spaces with beautiful music and powerful neighborhood-based programs. We believe everyone needs and deserves a sense of beauty and humanity. To honor Earth Day on April 22nd, we asked Jim Poyser at Earth Charter Indiana, to help us compile this feature highlighting a few local organizations that are doing great work on the environment and climate here in Indianapolis.
Nature’s Song: Musical Inspiration & Connections to Nature
Earth Charter Indiana
Jim Poyser, Executive Director
Accomplishment: “Earth Charter Indiana was started in 2001 by John Gibson and Jerry King. They saw the need for an organization dedicated to connecting the dots between our challenges: climate change, racism, poverty, peace and justice, and a lack of democratic transparency. We cannot solve our problems in silos. We need to unite to overcome injustice in all its forms. ECI is part of a worldwide network of Earth Charter organizations, though we are the only one in the U.S. We have an ongoing goal to create an irresistible movement of people who want the world to be a livable one for their children and children’s children, and they are willing to change their lives and alter the political and policy landscape as well.”
Earth Month/Day: “Nature is a remarkable thing. Some give her a gender and she never takes a day off. Numerous local organizations never take a day off, either. They are always there for nature, for you, and for the creatures that comprise this great web of life. Celebrating the earth on one day is ludicrous. Let every day be Earth Day because nature is always there.”
Music: “I believe that every movement in human history has required music to be successful- like a song that got people up and marching for change. We are developing a number of ideas right now to more deeply integrate the arts into the curriculum for our Climate Camps, and showcase local musicians as they grapple with the challenges facing us.”
Hoosier Environment Council
Jesse Kharbanda, Executive Director
Marianne Holland, Media Consultant
Accomplishment: “With a strong foundation in knowledge, our organization is willing to be candid about the state’s leading environmental challenges. We are bold in addressing those challenges, whether through an outreach campaign, a blitz of key lawmakers or, when all else does not prevail, a lawsuit.”
Earth Month: “We strive to be very visible during Earth Month, so we schedule our Staff in a way that they can represent us at Earth Month events all across the state. We also have a unique statewide partnership with the global, environmentally minded beauty company, Aveda. The apex of that partnership takes place in April during Earth Month.”
Music: “Beautifully-crafted music has been a powerful force in social movements across history. We are intentional about weaving music into our work. When we had our first-ever awareness-building bike ride (“Ride for the Mounds”), we capstoned the day with a performance by a wonderful local bluegrass band.”
“When I am in a forest, my senses are always astounded. I can only draw on musical analogies to do justice in describing its beauty. I see the rich tapestry of life there working together and creating a symphony, which brings a sense of peace and awe.”
For more info on the Earth Day Indiana Festival, go here: www.earthdayindiana.org
The Nature Conservancy of Indiana
Mary McConnell, State Director
Accomplishment: “We are inspired by the amazing places we have been part of protecting throughout Indiana—now more than 100,000 acres! We know our work will benefit our children in their lives, as well as the lives of their children and grandchildren.”
Earth Month: “EVERY month is Earth month for The Nature Conservancy. But April is an extremely busy time for us. We have volunteer workdays at many of our preserves, and of course we’ll participate in the Earth Day Indiana Festival. Look for bison hats!”
Music: “I think it’s nearly impossible to walk through a forest—Big Walnut Nature Preserve west of Indianapolis, for example—and not be overwhelmed by the sounds of the trees rustling in the wind, bird calls, or insects chirping. Nature is full of beautiful music—you just have to listen. Whenever I hear a flock of sandhill cranes flying by—with their distinctive loud calls—I have to rush outside and look for them. That to me is some of the most beautiful music on the planet!”
Reconnecting to our Waterways
Corrie Meyer, Collective Impact Director
Accomplishment: “Reconnecting to our Waterways is a collective impact. We are not a for-profit or a non-for-profit. We are just a group of people sitting around the table, trying to get things done in the city. We host a creative place-making conference annually, where we look at, how we can creatively improve the areas along our waterways. We also host a ROWport, which is a report on our progress throughout the year. Our educational programs are run through our partners, which include: IUPUI, Butler, and the White River Alliance. “
Music: “We are all about creative minds and using all different methods in our places along the waterways that we create.” Meyer highlights StreamLines, which is funded by a grant given to Butler University through the National Science Foundation. Part of our work is connecting people to places and connecting people to people. Music and other forms of art really offer that opportunity connection.”
Learn more about Earth Charter Indiana here.
Learn more about the Hoosier Environmental Council here.
Learn more about The Nature Conservancy of Indiana here.
Learn more about Reconnecting to our Waterways here.
For more info on the Earth Day Indiana Festival, go here: www.earthdayindiana.org
Photo Credit for the cover image goes to Dan Axler.
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