DCIM100MEDIADJI_0680.JPG
Bundles of saplings ready to be planted
Indiana trees and the world’s climate challenge
Written By: Cliff Chapman
Date Published: November 9, 2021
Cliff Chapman
By Cliff Chapman
Executive Director, Central Indiana Land Trust
As world leaders gather in Glasgow for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (Oct. 31-Nov. 12), it can feel as though the Earth’s fate rests in the hands of a few politicians. At the same time, it might seem like the areas where meaningful change can happen are far from home: rainforests, massive urban areas, the oceans, and so on.
Both of those statements are true, but they are not exclusive: Those leaders aren’t the only ones shaping the Earth’s future, and those places aren’t the only ones where a difference can be made. Each of us can make a difference, and we can do it close to home.
The fact is, we in Indiana are positioned well for impact, because we live in an area that does an incredible job of filtering carbon out of the atmosphere, and it could do even more.
How is this so? Trees.
Actually, all plants capture carbon and hold onto it until they are destroyed. Trees, being big and long-lived, capture a lot of carbon and hold onto it for a long time. And Indiana, with its ample moisture, great soils and moderate temperatures, does a great job of growing trees. Furthermore, we grow the right kind of trees: The deciduous forests that dominate the state allow snow on the ground and on tree limbs to reflect light, helping to cool the atmosphere. Evergreen forests, on the other hand, absorb heat in winter, adding to warming.
So, by protecting and adding to Indiana’s forested land, we fight climate change. Think about it: Each newly planted oak tree will scrub carbon from the air and lock it in for the oak’s lifespan—roughly 400 years. If you have a protected forest filled with such trees, you can capture and contain massive amounts of carbon forever.
And it’s not just about air. Forests also filter groundwater and help to prevent flooding. They provide homes to countless species of animals and native plants. They give us places to explore and enjoy.
All of this is why, when the Central Indiana Land Trust and our peer land conservation organizations across the state work to restore land, we’re not doing so simply for the sake of a particular piece of property. When we set out to plant millions of trees, we’re not doing it just to have more trees. And when we ask you to help us protect our state’s last remaining natural areas, we’re not doing so simply to save another chunk of Indiana from development. We’re doing it for the sake of the planet.
And you can help. Support your local land conservation organizations. Plant trees of your own. Let elected officials know that you want to protect and expand Indiana’s carbon-capturing forests. Because we’re all facing climate change together, and we’ll only solve it if we work together.
Of course, sweeping policy changes like the ones being forged in Glasgow are needed and can have huge impacts, but they also take years to enact, can be hard to understand and are frustratingly difficult to achieve.
That’s why it’s important to know that, regardless of what happens in Glasgow, Indiana’s land protection community will continue to work to enact change we can enjoy close to home, while also helping to ensure a more resilient future for the entire planet.
Ben Valentine
Guest Blogger
Ben Valentine is a founding member of the Friends of Marott Woods Nature Preserve and is active in several other conservation organizations. He leads a series of NUVO interviews with Indiana's environmental leaders, and he cherishes showing his son all the wonders of nature he grew up loving.
DJ Connors
Guest Blogger
DJ Connors, a Central Indiana native and late-to-life hunter, combines a lifelong appreciation for wildlife and the outdoors with a deep passion for exploring the natural beauty of the area he has called home for most of his life. As a husband and father of three, he is committed to ensuring his children have the same opportunities to connect with nature and appreciate the outdoors in their community. DJ’s unique journey into hunting emphasizes sustainability, responsible stewardship, and the importance of preserving these experiences for future generations.
Bridget Walls
Guest Blogger
Bridget is our first ever Communications and Outreach Intern. She is a graduate of Marian University, where she combined English, studio art, and environmental sciences in her degree studies. As treasurer for Just Earth, the university's environmental club, she helped plan events encouraging a responsible relationship between people, nature, and animals.
Jordan England
Guest Blogger
Jordan England is a lifelong Shelby County resident who graduated from Waldron Jr. Sr. High School (just a few miles from Meltzer Woods!). After earning her B.S. degree in Retail Management from Purdue University, she returned to Waldron to start a family with her husband, Brian. Together they have 3 young children and enjoy sharing with them their love of the community. Jordan is the Grants and Nonprofit Relations Director at Blue River Community Foundation, managing BRCF’s grant program, providing support to local nonprofits, and promoting catalytic philanthropy in Shelby County.
Cliff Chapman
President and CEO
As CILTI’s President and CEO, Cliff keeps CILTI’s focus on good science and stewardship. He’s mindful that the natural places you love took thousands of years to evolve and could be destroyed in a single day, and that knowledge drives his dedication to their protection.
Stacy Cachules
Chief Operating Officer
Among her many key duties as Assistant Director, Stacy has the critical task of tracking our budget, making sure we channel donations for maximum efficiency. When her workday’s done, Stacy loves to spend time with her two young boys—and when not traveling, she’s likely planning the next travel adventure.
Ryan Fuhrmann
Vice Chair
Ryan C. Fuhrmann, CFA, is President and founder of Fuhrmann Capital LLC, an Indiana-based investment management firm focused on portfolio management. Ryan’s interest in land conservation centers around a desire to help preserve natural habitats for wildlife and the subsequent benefits it brings to people and the environment.
Joanna Nixon
Board Member
Joanna Nixon is the owner of Nixon Consulting, an Indianapolis-based strategy and project management firm focused on the nonprofit sector. She currently serves as the Philanthropic Advisor for the Efroymson Family Fund. Prior to opening her consulting practice in 2000, Joanna was vice-president for grantmaking at Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). Joanna has more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit and arts and culture sector. She is passionate about the environment and loves bringing big ideas to life and creating high-quality arts and culture programs and experiences. Joanna enjoys outdoor adventures, including competing in fitness obstacle course races and hiking with her high energy Australian Cattle Dog, Jackson.
Karen Wade
Board Member
Before retiring, CILTI board member Karen Wade worked for Eli Lilly & Co. In retirement she volunteers for a number of organizations, including the Indiana Master Naturalist program, Johnson County Native Plant Partnership CISMA, Meadowstone Therapeutic Riding Center, and Leadership Johnson County.
David Barickman
Development Systems Manager
Born and raised in Central Illinois, David spent many days as a child wandering around the river, forest and lakes there. He works behind the scenes as a key member of our fundraising team. When not working, David loves to be outdoors hiking, fly fishing, kayaking or woodworking.
Jamison Hutchins
Stewardship Director
Jamison leads our stewardship team in caring for the land that is so important to you. He comes to our team after eight years as Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for the city of Indianapolis, where his work had a positive impact from both health and environmental perspectives.
Jen Schmits Thomas
Media Relations
An award-winning communicator and recognized leader in Central Indiana’s public relations community, Jen helps us tell our story in the media. She is the founder of JTPR, which she and her husband John Thomas own together. She is accredited in public relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America, and loves to camp and hike in perfect weather conditions.
Shawndra Miller
Communications Director
Shawndra’s earliest writing projects centered around the natural world, starting when a bird inspired her to write her first “book” in elementary school. Now she is in charge of sharing our story and connecting you to our work. Through our print and online materials, she hopes to inspire your participation in protecting special places for future generations.
Phillip Weldy
Stewardship Specialist
Phillip enjoys nature’s wonders from an up-close-and-personal perspective as he works to restore the natural places you love. As an AmeriCorps member in Asheville, NC, he had his first full immersion in relatively undisturbed land while reconstructing wilderness trails in National Parks and National Forests.
June 11, 2025
First in a series about CILTI’s early supporters, in honor of our 35th anniversary John Bacone has been a supporter of CILTI since the beginning. He was involved in the first conversations of CILTI’s creation, after the idea was sparked by available land harboring a rare species of phlox. [...]
Fern Station,Meltzer Woods,Newsroom
May 15, 2025
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the importance of mental wellbeing and the many ways we can nurture it. One powerful yet often overlooked source of healing is nature.
Mossy Point,Newsroom,Properties
May 8, 2025
You may have seen a one-room schoolhouse building on your way to Meltzer Woods. But did you know that it houses a Little Free Library?
Meltzer Woods,Newsroom,Properties
