Category: Environment and Beautification

  • April 22: David Van Gilder

    April 22: David Van Gilder

    Join us Tuesday for our Annual Arbor Day Program, hosted by the Environment and Beautification Committee. We’re excited to welcome David Van Gilder, Senior Policy and Legal Director with the Hoosier Environmental Council, as our featured speaker.

    David brings a wealth of knowledge and a lifelong commitment to environmental protection, natural resource stewardship, and humankind’s relationship with the natural world. With decades of experience in environmental law, education, and advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels, David’s insights are sure to inspire and inform.

    He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from Bowling Green State University and a Juris Doctor from American University, Washington College of Law. David is also a partner at Fletcher Van Gilder LLP in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

    As a special thank you, everyone in attendance will receive a plant from the Environment and Beautification Committee to take home and grow in honor of Arbor Day.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. If attending in-person at The Rathskeller reservations and prepayment are appreciated, but not required. Register on Square at https://rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/. If registering on site we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

    Lunch and networking start at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

    To join our meeting via Zoom starting at 12:15 p.m. go to https://zoom.us/j/710170874?pwd=bFE4ejJTc29IMlNzVmx1Wlg4MTA1UT09. While our Tuesday programs via Zoom are free to attend a suggested donation of $3 – $5 is appreciated in lieu of the typical room fee. These contributions help defray the cost of our hybrid meetings. Please note that donations to the Rotary Club of Indianapolis are not tax deductible. You can support our hybrid meetings at https://rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/.

    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Password: 821795

    If joining via a mobile phone for audio only click one of the following numbers:
    +13126266799,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (Chicago)
    +19292056099,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (New York)

    You can also join us from a landline phone.
    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
    +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Password: 821795

  • Sargent Road Beautification Project

    Sargent Road Beautification Project

    Last Saturday, our dedicated team of ten Rotarians from the Environment & Beautification Committee, along with five enthusiastic guests, gathered at Sargent Road Nature Park for a rewarding day of service.

    We undertook two significant projects aimed at enhancing the park’s accessibility and beauty. The first project involved improving the new entrance to the park. We moved earth, secured landscape fabric, and added fresh mulch, creating a welcoming entryway for visitors.

    Our second project focused on the gravel path, which had been affected by heavy rain. We cleared away the washed-out gravel, laid down a plastic lattice for stability, and then carefully replaced the gravel, ensuring a smooth and safe walking surface.

    While the tasks were physically demanding, the camaraderie and shared purpose made the experience truly enjoyable. A heartfelt thank you to Ben Miller and Mud Creek Conservancy for partnering with us and enabling our volunteer efforts to have a positive impact on the community. Together, we’re making a difference!

    Sargent Road Nature Park is located at the southeast corner of 82nd Street and Sargent Road in the Castleton area and is open from dawn to dusk.

  • April 27: Mass Ave. Flower Bed Refresh

    April 27: Mass Ave. Flower Bed Refresh

    The Rotary Environment & Beautification Committee is looking for 6 volunteers to load and rake mulch from 9 am to 12 pm on Saturday, April 27. Please consider volunteering to help us mulch and beautify our two Mass Ave plots (close to our luncheon meeting site – The Murat Temple). Paid parking is available very close by. If interested, please contact Erik Johnson at: erikcajohnson@gmail.com or by calling him at 317-590-3204. 

  • Volunteers Needed for Environment & Beautification Service Projects

    Volunteers Needed for Environment & Beautification Service Projects

    Join the Environment & Beautification Committee as they complete two ongoing service projects on Mass Ave. and at RecycleForce.

    RecycleForce: Saturday, October 28, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.  816 N. Sherman Dr., Indianapolis  The RecycleForce Project was initially planned for last spring but construction at their new facility was delayed. October 7 was the new date, but we ran into some barriers and were unable to complete the project. We will meet again on October 28 to wrap up this project.

    Bring shovel, gloves, and rake. And a kneeling pad, if you’d like.

    Mass Ave: Sunday, October 29, noon until possibly 6 p.m.  Intersection of Mass Ave, Michigan and New Jersey. The Mass Ave Cultural Arts District assembled an inspired program to beautify a section of Indianapolis that we now count as our “home.” (We meet at the Murat Shrine, in the heart of Mass Ave, after all.) Rotary volunteers have cleared the two flower beds we adopted, then mulched them. Now it’s time to finish the job by planting 379 plants chosen by a landscape architect. (210 are tiny “plugs.”) It will take a dozen volunteers to get this done.

    Bring shovel, gloves, rakes, broom, blower, drill with planting auger, wheelbarrow. And a kneeling pad, if you’d like.

    The Environment & Beautification Committee projects are funded by the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation.

  • Environment & Beautification Service Blitz – Volunteers Needed

    Environment & Beautification Service Blitz – Volunteers Needed

    Join the Environment and Beautification Committee at their upcoming service projects. Sign up online to participate. All are welcome at these family friendly events!

    Saturday, September 16: Mass Ave Cultural Arts District from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
    Saturday, September 23: Mass Ave Cultural Arts District from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
    Saturday, September 30: Fletcher Place Community Center, 1627 Prospect St., Indianapolis, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
    Saturday, October 7: RecycleForce, 816 N. Sherman Drive, Indianapolis, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Older youth and adults only due to construction.)

    Special thanks to the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation for funding these projects.

  • Rotarians Beautify the Grounds at ISBVI

    Rotarians Beautify the Grounds at ISBVI




    The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (INSBVI) has been a favorite nonprofit for Rotarians who are willing to work hard outside! On Saturday, June 10, 8 Rotarians and 3 guests helped beautify INSBVI’s property that adjoins the Monon Trail; several runners and walkers said thank you!  We trimmed shrubs, pulled vines and weeds, and weedwacked so mulch could be spread at a later date.  

    Another project involved raking leaves and clearing weeds and poison ivy (yikes!) from a contained area. Elizabeth Garvey, the INSBVI horticulturist, was so thankful and said how great both of the areas looked!

    Finally, several Rotarians pulled the dreaded thistle that was growing in the playground, ouch!
     
    Thanks to all for their efforts!  Rotarians included: Tom Fodor, Stacy Johnson, Bruce Glor, Marie Koenig, Edie Collings, Larita Killian, Charlie Meyer, and Monica Peterson. Guests were: Rob Smith, Allison Meyer, and Gary Koenig.
  • June 10: Service Project with Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

    June 10: Service Project with Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

    Please join your friends from the Environment & Beautification Committee at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired for a service project.

    We will be spreading mulch, weeding, planting and doing other general maintenance projects on Saturday, June 10 from 9 am -1 pm.

    Please enter from the entrance off of 75th and Westfield Blvd and follow the signs.

    We need 12 volunteers. All are welcome. If you can help, let Marie Koenig know by June 3.

    Once you’ve registered, Marie will send info about tools to bring! 

  • Rotarians build planting beds for downtown preschoolers

    Rotarians build planting beds for downtown preschoolers

    Indianapolis Rotarians gathering on a beautiful, sunny April 15-Saturday for a fun work project building ten planting beds for children attending the Flanner House PreSchool on 2424 Dr. Martin Luther King  Jr. Street, northwest of downtown. Flanner House Minister of Agriculture Nicholas Selm and his staff prepped everything, so we could get to work early!

    Rotarians Eric Miller and Erik Johnson, of the Indianapolis Rotary Environment and Beautification Committee, organized the project, and were joined in the morning work by Rotarians Luke Cathcart, Jeff Crane, Charles Meyer and his daughter, Allison, and Erin Weesner and husband, Ben. Funding was provided by the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation.

    The planting beds were put together in good time, and the team took on additional work weeding the preschool’s mulch-filled playground. A good time was had by all, but especially by Flanner House preschoolers who will enjoy their new planting beds for years to come.

    The Indianapolis Rotary Club has done a number of projects for Flanner House over the years.

  • April 15: Flanner House Service Opportunity

    April 15: Flanner House Service Opportunity

    The Rotary Environment and Beautification Committee needs about six volunteers for a wonderful project for the Flanner House Pre-School. April 15, 8:30am-12 noon. The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation is funding new planting boxes for the Flanner House Pre-School. The kids love the planting beds and the strawberries growing within! We’ll do some digging, cutting boards and putting together the boxes. If you’d like to join the fun, please email Eric Miller (emiller at 16tech.com) with your intent to volunteer.  

  • October 8: Service Opportunity with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful

    October 8: Service Opportunity with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful

    Plant. Care. Grow.

    The goal of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful is to increase tree cover in Indianapolis by planting 100,000 large trees – with trunks 1″ in diameter or larger at planting time -in strategic locations. Together we can grow our city’s tree canopy and make Indy a better place to live, work, and play. KIB’s marketing and promotions plan provides many opportunities for positive exposure to hundreds of neighborhoods, including thousands of residents, volunteers, and online followers.

    Sometimes, keeping our city beautiful is as simple as planting a tree.

    Trees enhance our lives in more ways than you might think. KIB coordinates a number of programs dedicated to planting, preserving, and educating people about trees. (Visit kibi.org for more information!)

    On Saturday, Oct. 8 from 9 am -12 pm, join the Rotary Environment and Beautification Committee at 3433 N. Central Ave. 46205 at Constitution Gardens GreenSpace, where we’ll be planting trees and perennials, spreading mulch, and perhaps raking gravel for walkways.

    KIB will:
    – Provide a professionally led day of service for Rotary, with all tools necessary
    – Provide acknowledgment of the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation’s support via two posts on social media
    – Spotlight the Rotary day of service in KIB’s Get the Dirt newsletter, including a photo

    Please contact Marie Koenig koenigmarie55@gmail.com 317-509-0525 or Erika Earl eearl@rje-bi.com by Oct. 5 if you are able to help!  Families welcome.  We would like at least 12 participants, thank you!