Summer 2026 Resiliency coordinator field Updates
Grace Tafolla - Gary
I spent the first part of my summer collecting plants for the school gardens I take care of, and getting educated on the topics that threaten my community the most. At the start of the summer data centers were still a bit of a mystery to me, but while attending events from other nonprofits and experiencing the failure of our utility infrastructure firsthand, I have gained perspective on why they’re seriously threatening our community. Even before the storm, I made multiple great connections with local gardeners, who despite having no action in local politics, are very much affected, concerned, and interested in this topic.
Outcry over energy sharing concerns in our community has become especially strong after the August 11th storm in which over 300,000 NIPSCO energy customers lost power, myself included. The whole region quickly began flocking to any restaurant or business that had power, or a clean water source. The storm itself was terrifying. I was at work doing gardening for a friend’s place when it began. It seemed fine at first, but in a matter of 10 to 15 minutes the winds had become so aggressive I had to seek shelter. I saw a large chunk of a neighbor’s tree fly off and down the street. I knew I needed to try to get home the moment it became calm.
Once the wind didn’t seem so harsh, I hopped in my car and tried to leave Valparaiso. I knew of four different streets I could use to get home, but one after another, they all had fallen trees blocking the path. I finally came to one tree that wasn’t too big, and moved it myself in order to get home. Thats when I heard creaking, and as I drove past a street just before Shirley Heinz’ meadow brook property, a branch came down on my car, I tried to speed off but when I stopped to check my car it was dented, and scratched, but still drove. Once I was able to find my way to 37th ave, what was normally a 40 minute drive home became a 2hr commute of stopping and going at every second to get back to Gary.
There were downed trees everywhere I looked on the commute home, but when I was finally close, I drove over three downed power lines, and saw a tree blocking the entire entrance to my trailer park, followed by my realization that almost every tree in our park had fallen. It was like a scene out of a disaster movie, people coming out and asking if you were okay, debris everywhere, trees everywhere, slanted power poles, smashed cars, and trailers. When I pulled up to my trailer, I saw a large metal shed where my car would normally be parked. It took almost a week for it to be removed before some guy looking for scrap metal hauled it away.
Once I was home, I tried to reach out to my friends and family who lived nearby hoping they were okay. My friend Robin was trapped in their home by a tree. Nick had a tree on his roof. Lexi’s home was okay, but the road beside it was entirely covered by downed power poles. Daniel and Scottie’s backyards where covered in downed trees and debris. My parents and their neighbor’s driveways were both blocked by downed oaks. My fiancé’s mom and aunt were spared, but their neighbor’s roof was gravely damaged.
All you could hear for the next two weeks was saws and generators. There wasn’t a single night of sleep that wasn’t haunted by the hum of the generators, or the humidity and unforgiving heat. The water began smelling like sewage, and I cued up in every free food or water line possible. Lines for gas voucher aids were wrapped around several blocks. Multiple gas stations ran out of gas, and every day there were lines spilling out onto the street. Each time I couldn’t get aid was a time I’d have to buy food with money I didn’t technically have. After getting out of credit card debt, I was now stuck using a credit card to eat for two weeks. For two weeks we had no power. For two weeks we had sleepless nights of humid, sweaty torment. For two weeks we had to leave our home to seek out hot showers and a place to charge our phones. For two weeks my home was unlivable, but I am still expected to pay rent, and NIPSCO sent a fresh bill for $194.
Despite how long restoration took, the Hobart data center construction continued every day as if nothing happened, and as if no one else needed power. I am filled with grief and frustration. Now that we are a part of tornado alley, I am terrified that this will be a new normal every summer, especially for everyone who is too poor to leave this area. Our home where we once thought of as a safe bubble, is now in the line of nature’s fire, and there is no escape.
Ash Ehringer - New Salisbury
In June, we held the first Bloom & Buzz event at Clark State Forest on June 20th and it went so smoothly. We had such great feedback that we have decided to combine forces and make this a yearly event to help bring awareness to biodiversity and support local businesses and farmers/homesteaders/and even an apothecary.
We have also begun work with the community and local activists who are fighting against data centers in Clark County. Just this month we organized with the community to ensure citizens were heard on a vote to extend the data center moratorium to 1 year to allow time for amendments to the current UDO. The public voiced their concerns via email, written letters, and verbal comments at the meeting-and they passed the vote to approve the 1 year moratorium 7-0! This small step is just one of many moving forward and we will make sure the public continues to be heard.
Olimpia Gutierrez - East Chicago
Green EC has continued working on our existing programs. Now that school is back in session, the EC Central High School garden club will be meeting weekly again. We plan to do a indoor plant display and incorporate some aquaponics. We are also planning a field trip to a farmer's market and the apple orchard in September. EC Gardeners are still meeting biweekly to work on the demonstration garden. We will be harvesting tomatoes and peppers soon! At the public library, the seed library will be shifting from vegetable seeds to native plant seeds as we move into the fall.
Green EC participated at the Festival de la Monarca (Monarch Festival) on August 29th. I tabled with the other local RCs, Kathy Sipple from Valparaiso and Grace Tafolla from Gary. I set up a craft table set up for kids, a native plant giveaway, and dislayed educational signs for the Monarch Butterfly garden on. The educational signs were created by Brian from Where's Wildlife. They will be installed permanently in the garden next year. This is always a great event and I look forward to it.
Jane Santucci - Terre Haute
This summer, I continued my work with a group of young environmental changemakers called the “EARTHlings” as well as serving on the Terre Haute Sustainability Commission.
Recently, the EARTHlings developed and distributed a Sustainability Snapshot Survey among Vigo County schools to establish a baseline understanding of the district’s sustainability practices. They are also building a countywide inventory of sustainability initiatives at local schools. On the sustainability commission, I continue to facilitate monthly meetings, encouraging initiatives like IDEM’s Clean Community Challenge and grant applications to plant trees in Terre Haute.
In August, I met with Abby Butler with Solar United Neighbors and have invited her to speak to the EARTHlings and at the Sustainability Commission meeting. Ebbie McInerny a member of the Sustainability Commission and I have started going door to door informing residents about the Hoosier Habitats Challenge. We compliment residents on their flowers and encourage them to enroll.
Kathy Sipple - Valparaiso
The recent derecho storm in Northwest Indiana has tested the resilience of many locally, 43,400 customers of 374,500 who lost power on August 11th when the storms raged through our area still do not have it restored. We recategorized our planned potluck to instead host a "switchboard" operation, connecting members who needed help removing brush, charging devices, accessing internet, getting a hot shower, etc. with members and resources available to help. With only 200 or so members, it's powerful but could be so much more so if we could scale our efforts...
Other than that, I have been working with Purdue University Northwest's leadership team for a 2nd Annual Sustainability Symposium, tentatively scheduled for March 2027. I have also been working with a leadership team comprised of several Earth Charter Indiana colleagues, along with National Wildlife Federation and Indiana Wildlife Federation staff on our shared Hoosier Habitats Challenge project. I have also been working with the leadership team from RePower REMC to help them identify a candidate to run for a board position -- this week we kicked off Sharon Angelina's campaign at her home in Hanna, Indiana (photo below.) Sharon has attended Renewable Energy Day at the statehouse in the past, is an Indiana Master Recycler, Master Gardener, timebank member, native plant enthusiast and much more.
Gowri Somasundaram - Carmel
The Green Innovation Challenge was started in the academic year 2025-2026 by two enthusiastic students from Carmel high school, who showed interest in crafting an environmental innovation challenge competition. Innovative submissions were received from many Hoosier students around the state, focused on topics including the mitigation of water and air pollution for the betterment of human health, reducing/reusing water in data centers, and plastic pollution reduction in the waste water with a smart bin system. Be on the lookout for this year’s challenge by subscribing to our newsletter or following us on social media for updates and announcements.
I recently attended the Women 4 the Land Circles series, sponsored by The Nature Conservancy. The sessions focused on soil health and conservation practices that can be implemented on large-scale agricultural fields to minimize external chemical inputs. The series included a field visit to Rulon Farm, where conservation farming practices have been in place for more than 25 years. One of the key takeaways was that the farm has been able to maintain higher crop production during both drought and flood years compared with other farms in the state. I also recently attended the Indiana water summit alongside fellow RC, Jane Santucci. The summit covered a diverse range of topics, including emerging concerns related to PFAS and microplastics, policy discussions on ensuring clean and safe water, economic development, and the relationship between water resources and data centers. I also attended a public meeting with state representative JD Ford to raise questions about pressing issues, including transparency around data center infrastructure, zoning, the Data Center Energy Tracking Bill (SB 79), solar legislation (SB 74), and wetlands protection. I have also participated in ECI initiatives like doing outreach in Hamilton County for the Indiana Thriving Schools Challenge and assisting with the planning and facilitation of a candidate forum.
Kimberly Koczan - Fort Wayne
Summer time is a time for enjoying the outdoors, going to festivals and fun. This is true for our efforts, too, but this summer has been heavily focused on civic engagement to Protect Allen County. I have supported efforts for a sustainable energy grid, public health, and clean air, water & soil by helping our community understand public policy and interact with decisions makers. I am working with residents who are concerned about various environmental issues on how they might use research, civic engagement and power building to amplify their voices for ecological health of our region. We have seen tremendous efforts to engage IDEM on air quality permits and to protect wetlands around AI data centers and fight a large quarry project. Like other communities, residents are learning to organize, work across perceived differences, and speak to local and state officials about the best environmental practices they demand for our well-being.
In Allen County/ Fort Wayne area I was able to represent Earth Charter at our annual Eco-Fest, which is growing every year. I have had the chance to speak several times at large community gatherings, to congregations, community organizations and media outlets about promoting the health of people and planet. With my background, I bring together the links of human rights and environmental justice. We continue to highlight the Hoosier Habitats Challenge and our efforts with education on the impacts of AI data centers, specifically the one that has become operational in our county. I have supported residents who have filed an appeal of IDEM & Google’s air permit for diesel generators without pollution controls and we will be moving through next steps in that legal process in the months ahead. Our local volunteers have been a resource to several communities across the state & have compiled resources on our website
Kathryn Lisinicchia - Huntington
As the fall school semester commences here in Northeast Indiana, I'm focused on several youth-oriented initiatives. The first is an inaugural Regional Student Environmental Conference with Manchester University's Center for Environmental Resilience and Social Engagement. The conference aims to connect youth to environmental education, stewardship, and action. The conference is open to high school and college students and educators. Thanks to the support of our sponsors, the conference is free to attend.
Initial call-out meetings for the high school and elementary Green Teams took place in August. Green Teams provide a space and opportunity for students to engage in environmental stewardship on campus and in their communities. Green Team initiatives are student directed. Support through ECI and our donors help remove financial barriers and accelerate student initiatives. This year the Huntington North Green Team will continue work on their campus restoration project and their work with the city forester to oversee the municipal tree nursery.
Nature based climate solutions will be another focus for fall. For a second year, the City of Huntington will aim to plant 500 trees as part of Oaktober. New for this year is the Root for Your Block competition which provides free trees for residents as part of a neighborhood competition and culminates in a free block party. The competition was one of the projects developed by the city's climate fellow from Indiana University's Environmental Resiliency Institute.
Amy Rhodes - Evansville
Over the past four months as a new Resiliency Coordinator, I’ve been exploring Evansville's local food system, discussing climate action initiatives for youth, and brainstorming new sustainability education programs.
I’ve met with farmers, farmers market coordinators, food entrepreneurs, and organizations working in food distribution, shared-use kitchens, and innovative growing systems. These conversations are helping me better understand our community’s needs, strengths, and opportunities for building a more resilient local food system.
I’m also representing ECI in the Evansville Climate Collaborative Round Table, where local environmental organizations come together quarterly to share ideas and initiatives. I’m looking forward to assisting community engagement, recruiting participants, and serving as a stakeholder in the ECC’s upcoming resiliency hub study on October 22 and 24.
And finally, I’ve had some fun conversations with the Children’s Museum of Evansville about opportunities to offer sustainability education programs for all ages. I’m especially excited about the possibility of combining my love of nature, science, and experiential learning to help people discover practical ways to take climate action.
Stay tuned—there’s more to come!
LaMonica Henson - Lawrence
Lawrence Community Gardens kick off is Saturday, September 5! We are inviting all community members to come out and help us assemble raised garden beds for our garden. We will have soil on hand to fill the beds and mulch to fill in around them as well. We are excited for this partnership with the city of Lawrence and look forward to all of the possibilities this brings to life for our residents!
Alison Zajdel - Richmond
Good news for Richmond! Recently, I received notice that an application for the Climate and Democracy Catalyst Fund grant from the Indianapolis Foundation has been approved! This grant will pay for a part-time contractor to focus on two climate projects: 1) finish the urban forestry master plan, and 2) aid in the multi-modal transportation work by coordinating efforts and applying for larger funding to implement things that were relying on IRA monies. We've also been participating in another IU climate cohort for urban green infrastructure with Richmond city employees and other stakeholders. (See photo of a stakeholder meeting.) With our recently completed tree inventory, our urban forest is finally getting some attention!
Our next steps with my Youth Climate Champions is to work with the school principal to revamp program. I'm hoping to align it with the new Graduation Pathways so the students get credit for their good work. Fingers crossed!
And finally, work on our Climate Action Plan implementation marches on! We've recently held meetings with our local economic development corporation and emergency management agency to determine next steps in areas of climate resiliency. In many cases, much is being done but not documented well. Hoping to change that with this process!
Introducing - Toria Callow - Muncie
Toria Callow is a multidisciplinarian when it comes to caring for the environment. Growing up as the 6th generation on a farm between Indiana and Ohio, Toria has always been surrounded by nature, plants, and the effects of climate change on both income and food sources. Over the past 5 years, Toria has spent time writing and managing watershed management grants, installing and managing native plant spaces, and teaching citizens about water quality through the Hoosier Riverwatch Program. While she currently works as a digital freelancer, Toria still has a passion for environmental research and community engagement. She has a B.S. in English Education and an M.A. in Emerging Media Design and Development from Ball State (chirp chip). When she’s not working on a new website or out in nature, Toria can be found making linocut prints, cycling, reading, or spending time with her two cats.
Introducing - Caitlin hall - scott county
Caitlin comes to Earth Charter Indiana with a strong background in government policy. Excited to jump into this new role, she works alongside local partners, youth leaders, and community members to build stronger, more sustainable neighborhoods. Outside of work, they can usually be found exploring the trails and tending to their herbs.