Basic History
First explored by the French in 1679-1680, the region figured importantly in the Franco-British struggle for North America that culminated in British victory in 1763. During the American Revolution, it was recaptured from the British, and by the Treaty of Paris of 1783 ending the Revolutionary War, Great Britain ceded the region to the United States. In 1800, Indiana Territory was formed and included the states of Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, and parts of Michigan and Minnesota. A constitutional convention met in 1816, and Indiana achieved statehood.
Environmental History
There are 124 native tree species, including varieties of oak, black walnut, sycamore, and tulip tree. Fruit trees like the apple, peach, pear and cherry are common. Local indigenous species are now reduced because of urbanization and industrialization. Among them are the black gum, southern cypress, tamarack, white pine.
Although the presence of wolves and coyotes has been reported occasionally, the red fox is Indiana’s only common carnivorous mammal. Others are the common cottontail, muskrat, raccoon, and several types of squirrel. Bird population includes marsh birds, yellow warbler, red-headed woodpecker.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed 25 Indiana animal species as threatened or endangered. Among these are the bald eagle, Indiana and gray bats, gray wolf, piping plover, and two species of butterfly.
Green Initiatives
For a greener Indiana, WaterFurnace Renewable Energy, Inc. is creating a positive environmental impact and taking steps to reduce carbon footprint. The company is engaged in the business of building and promoting the most environmentally-friendly heating and cooling system; has an enterprise wide program to ‘Cut-out-Waste’; has a paperless initiative across all office areas to eliminate the use of paper wherever possible; helps install geothermal heating and cooling units at homes; is actively involved in Green Build initiatives; regularly recycles office waste paper and aluminum cans; installs ultra-low flow aerators on all restroom faucets to conserve water; has converted office lighting to high-efficiency fluorescent lighting fixtures with electronic ballasts; utilize highest efficiency motors, compressors, air coils and coaxes; company does not approve the use of mercury in any thermostats because of its negative environmental impact; use recycled packaging materials and recycled batteries to protect the environment.
Mission of the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce’s Green Business Initiative is to promote the interest of businesses that are committed and engaged in environmentally responsible operations and practices.
With low life cycle costs and environmentally friendly production processes, Indiana Limestone Company takes a proud leadership role in sustainability and conservation.
Indiana State Legislature has policies to promote sustainability, energy efficiency and renewable energy. Goals include reducing energy waste, promoting clean, renewable and smart energy solutions, and educating the public.
