Indiana State Fair Queen Deems Environmental Pledge Worthy

IDEM leads four state agencies in promoting value of personal action

STATE FAIRGROUNDS - Hoosiers like Kristen Schmitt, Miss Indiana State Fair 2008, are learning simple tips from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to improve the environment. IDEM is working with three other state agencies to emphasize the value of personal actions in a new outreach initiative called “Hoosiers Care,” on display in the “Our Land Pavilion” at the Indiana State Fair.

Designed to educate Hoosiers on what they can do to protect their environment, Hoosiers Care encourages individuals to focus on small things that can be done every day, such as replacing the type of light bulb used or waiting until later in the evening to pump gas or mow lawns. These small actions, when multiplied across the state, reduce unhealthy emissions and promote a cleaner and healthier environment.

“With all of us making small changes in our daily lives, we can see big results with an improvement in the quality of our air and the quality of our lives,” IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly said. “Multiply a small change by the six million Hoosiers living in Indiana and you create a large, state-wide impact.”

An added bonus of making simple behavioral changes is saving money. “Walking to work or carpooling, using compact fluorescent light bulbs, recycling paper products, turning off lights when not needed, and using electric-powered lawn equipment can save money and our environment,” said Commissioner Easterly.

Visitors are asked to take the Hoosiers Care pledge to affirm their commitment to making one or more of these small changes. In return, many participants are given compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs), as well as a hand fan which honors the Indiana State Fair’s tree theme this year.

IDEM is joined in the Indiana State Fair’s “Our Land Pavilion” by The Indiana Department of Energy & Defense Development, the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority and the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor through Sunday, August 17 in Indianapolis. All four agencies are focused on the Hoosiers Care theme.

For additional information about the Hoosiers Care program, visit http://www.HoosiersCare.IN.gov.

Kristen Schmitt, Miss Indiana State Fair 2008, visits the Hoosiers Care booth operated by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and other state agencies. Schmitt, who is from Haubstadt, IN, took the Hoosiers Care pledge and will be changing small things in her life to help protect and improve Indiana’s environment. Hoosiers from around the state can visit the booth in the “Our Land Pavilion” to learn more and take the pledge. (photo by Amber Finkelstein)

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