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Partner Spotlight:
Indiana Forest Alliance
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 The Indiana Forest Alliance (IFA) is dedicated to preserving the long-term health of Indiana's native forests. Working with experts and researchers, Indiana government at all levels, and the community to create citizen scientists, IFA advocates for forests for all who depend on these important ecosystems.
IFA welcomes Hoosiers to be citizen scientists through conducting surveys on the diversity of life in Indiana forests, called 'Ecoblitzes'. IFA has been conducting long-term inventories of flora and fauna of Indiana's forests, using volunteers equipped with tools like iNaturalist, and use the information to understand what plants and animals depend on the forests.
In 2018, IFA launched Forests for Indy (#ForestsForIndy) along Pogue's Run; a proactive effort to identify, prioritize, and protect Indianapolis' remaining forests. Forests for Indy advocates for the protection of the existing Indianapolis tree canopy, which helps keep neighborhood temperatures cool in the summer and reduces stormwater runoff, as a better alternative to replacing lost trees. Marion County's current tree canopy is 33%, below the 40% to 60% tree canopy coverage recommended by urban forest experts.
The quality of Indianapolis's waterways is directly impacted by the health of the city's urban forests, and ROW is grateful to work alongside IFA to improve the quality of life for all people, plants, and critters that call Indy home. If you would like to volunteer for an IFA Ecoblitz, or participate in Forests for Indy, contact IFA's Conservation Director, Rae Schnapp, who serves on ROW's Ecology Committee and is working with several of its waterway committees.
 Photo from Indiana Forest Alliance's Forests For Indy ARC GIS Story Map Tool. The image shows privately-owned forest parcels along Little Eagle Creek.
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Volunteer Spotlight:
Cindy Maxwell
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This month, ROW recognizes Cindy Maxwell for her contributions to the Pleasant Run Waterway Committee. Long-time Christian Park resident, and founding member of the My Christian Park Neighborhood Association, Maxwell's sense of community and dedication to volunteerism is amplified as she invites her neighbors to share their talents working on projects they care about.
Maxwell's commitment to her community inspires neighbors and partners across the collective to use their time and abilities to contribute to community projects.
Whether she is organizing another Great Indy Cleanup in Christian Park; working with community partners to beautiful Pleasant Run spaces with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful; or, sharing a community resource on a local messaging board, Maxwell's aim is to make the block a better home for all. Even during these months of social distancing and isolation, Maxwell has worked to bring others along, encouraging neighbors to share their dreams for Christian Park and commit to working together to fulfill visions they have for their community.
Thank you, Cindy Maxwell, for sharing your time and talents and inspiring others to do the same!
Photo above provided by Cindy Maxwell. She is shown on the far right along with community members.
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y 29 from 6:30-8:00 PM at the Boner Fitness & Learning Center. As part of 
