COMMUNITY
Community in Action
Building a healthy, climate resilient community takes a village. Partnerships are vital to addressing community needs, finding suitable solutions, and gathering resources to get the job done. ECC facilitates innovative partnerships among individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and governments throughout Evansville and beyond to further our mutual success. There are a lot of good things happening in our community to ensure we have a healthy, resilient future, and we want to showcase them here!
There are many local organizations working toward more sustainable and resilient communities, benefiting the greater Evansville region and beyond. Check out some of the local organizations working on climate action and sustainability in the area.
Leadership Everyone, through its staff and volunteers, teaches people to identify their passion for community betterment, to make a commitment to create a better community, and to take responsibility for making sustainable changes.
The mission of Wesselman Nature Society is to preserve and protect Wesselman Woods and Howell Wetlands for future generations through conservation, education, research, and to provide equal access to nature.
Welborn Baptist Foundation is working to cultivate communities that flourish. Some of Welborn's focus areas are healthy eating, active living, and non-profit excellence.
Tri-State Creation Care is committed to educating on the issue of climate change and advocating for better policies.
Solar United Neighbors is a national 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to helping Hoosiers go solar, join together, and fight for our energy rights.
Mesker Park Zoo and Botanical Garden provides conservation and environmental education programs to help advocate for conservation practices for our ecosystems and wildlife.
Urban Seeds supports the health of our community by advocating for a quality, robust, and equitable local food system, to increase access to nourishing food for all.
The Evansville Trails Coalition’s (ETC) mission is to connect people and places, promote active living, and advocate for the development of multiuse trails
Zero Waste Evansville members are committed Evansville area residents dedicated to elevating the awareness of alternate choices to single-use disposable items.
Evansville's Circular Venture Lab believes that creative entrepreneurship can change communities. Alongside entrepreneurs and industry, the team investigates the potential roles of climate-based technology in their community, in Indiana, and across the nation.
The Energy For All Coalition brings together consumer, environmental, faith, and justice organizations working collaboratively to ensure an affordable clean energy future for all.
Keep Evansville Beautiful is committed to planting trees in the city to help alleviate heat islands caused by concrete.
JD Sheth Foundation runs a weatherization enhancement program to support lower income households in the City of Evansville.
WNIN Climate Initiative
Evansville Climate Collaborative has partnered with WNIN to demonstrate sustainability and climate actions happening right here in our community. Together, we won a PBS Climate Engagement Grant to spark dialogue about climate change and encourage the community to take action.
WNIN has launched a multi-platform initiative “Healing the Heartland: Climate Action Stories”, a documentary video series demonstrating groups tackling climate action projects in our community. See more about WNIN’s Climate Initiative here: https://www.wnin.org/climate/.
Check out this video introduction to the series.
Staying Current
Renewable energy will be required for a clean energy transition. Solar systems can be energy and cost efficient, while generating clean energy. Solar can be utilized for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes.
Charging Ahead
Clean transportation options are necessary to address climate change and reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions. Learn more about electric vehicles and Evansville's public transit system and the use of hybrid buses in "Charging Ahead".
Waste Into Energy
Certain operations such as treating wastewater or managing and caring for animals on a large scale results in waste by-products. Learn more about how the Evansville Water Sewer Utility and Mesker Park Zoo turn their waste products into energy in "Waste into Energy".
A Greener Backyard
You don't need to take monumental actions to help address climate change. If you feel overwhelmed about how you can help reduce your impact on the environment, start with making your backyard native. Learn more about that process and the benefits in "A Greener Backyard".
Healthy Recycling
The healthcare field can produce a lot of waste, therefore Berry Plastics and Deaconess Health have teamed up to reduce medical waste safely and effectively. By minimizing waste when possible, Berry Plastics and Deaconess Health help promote and facilitate a circular economy.
Fields of Tomorrow
Learn more about sustainable farming practices can help promote local agriculture and address climate change. Innovations are happening on traditional style farms and through startups working on indoor farming.
Building Momentum
Learn more about how local affordable, energy efficient housing programs can help strengthen our community and reduce energy use. Affordable, restorative housing programs can help promote infill development and reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions through energy efficiency upgrades.
A Growing Need
Growing, purchasing, and eating local food not only helps create a robust local food system, it also helps combat climate change. Reducing food waste and participating and promoting local food systems helps reduce food insecurity and reduce emissions through the food transportation process.
Sustainable Spirit
Local faith groups in Evansville talk about the importance of climate action, environmental stewardship, and taking care of the planet. From solar, tree plantings, and hosting educational events, watch "Sustainable Spirit" to learn more about what local faith groups are doing to address climate change and stewardship of our environment.
Native Plant Gardens
Native plant gardens, like the ones located at USI, play a crucial role in addressing climate change by promoting biodiversity and reducing resource use. By creating pollinator-friendly spaces, these gardens support various species and offer a sustainable alternative to traditional lawns, encouraging broader adoption across communities.
Urban Canopy
The trees that make up a city's urban canopy play a pivotal role in combating climate change at the local level by reducing carbon emissions, cooling urban spaces, and managing stormwater. In Evansville, initiatives like canopy assessments and targeted tree planting projects aim to expand and protect the urban canopy for generations to come.
Managing Waste
Old tires, chemicals, and even pesticide containers all find a second life in Dubois County, where innovative recycling efforts divert tons of waste from the landfill. At the Process Center and the “Last Chance Corral,” farmers, homeowners, and community members get the opportunity to dispose of challenging waste materials for free, reducing environmental hazards and fire risks while actively participating in their region’s sustainability initiatives.
ECC partners with Leadership Everyone to host community groups where everyone can engage to learn more, discuss concerns, share resources, and find solutions. They vary in focus on sustainability or environmental topics, but always welcome others that want to get involved. Contact us for the most up to date meeting schedule or meeting minutes.
A forum of not-for-profit organizations involved in climate, sustainability, and environmental justice to maintain connection and collaboration to support our common goals.
A citizen group where everyone has the opportunity to have a voice, stay informed, and get involved with climate, sustainability, and environmental justice in our community.
