2013 Legislative Review: Several Victories, Yet Missed Opportunities
 We can never take Indiana's environment for granted. This was especially true of the 2013 legislative session: There were aggressive efforts to weaken protections of our environment in general, and to weaken safeguards from factory farm pollution in particular. Fortunately, thanks to far-sighted legislators, HEC supporters and partners, and the tireless efforts of HEC's policy team, we were able to hold back many damaging bills. 'Ag gag' - defeated. 'Canned hunting' - defeated. 'Right to Harm' constitutional amendment defeated.
But the legislative session wasn't all about stopping damaging legislation from becoming law. HEC and our many partners achieved successes in moving forward public policy that would be good for Indiana's economy and environment: IDEM, DNR and Clean Water Indiana funding were sustained. A mass transit bill, at last, passed out of one of the chambers of the Indiana legislature. And we secured bi-partisan sponsorship of a bill to reduce phosphorus contamination of our lakes. But the legislature failed to move the transit bill and phosphorus bill to the finish line. We will keep striving to forge the alliances needed to move positive legislation forward in the months ahead!
Thank you for all of your support this session! Please read our Legislative Session in Review and don't hesitate to write us with your questions and comments.
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Looking Back at the Aveda-HEC Clean Water Campaign
 | | HEC staff members at Aveda's Catwalk for Clean Water |
Earth Month has come to an end and so has our annual clean water awareness and Earth Month fundraising campaign with eco-minded Aveda. Without question, 2013 was our best Aveda-HEC collaboration yet, and we hope you had an opportunity to join in the fun! Some of our favorite moments included participating in the Global Cut-A-Thon for Clean Water (where we may have set a new Guinness World Record) and watching designer fashion and eco-couture come down the runway at our first annual Catwalk for Clean Water!
Our sincerest thanks to all the Indiana Aveda salons, spas, and experience centers who hosted these fantastic events and helped us raise awareness of, and funds for, our clean water initiatives. Make sure to check out all the photos from the event by visiting hoosierwaterwarrior.org.
 | Members of the Fox59 WXIN-TV team modeled at the Catwalk for Clean Water fashion show. Each wore couture by famed Indy designer Nikki Blaine. From left: Angela Ganote, Ann Keil, Jennifer Ketchmark |
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From Nashville to Fort Wayne, the Hoosier Environmental Council traveled throughout the state to take part in the many Earth Month events during April.