Make your voice heard for conservation at the Statehouse. Join fellow Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) supervisors and staff from across Indiana for a day of advocacy and connection with state legislators. This is your chance to share the vital work your district is doing and discuss the resources needed to protect our natural resources.
Event Details
Start Location & Time, Security Considerations, and Dress Code:
- Meet at 9:30am for a brief orientation in the south atrium of the Statehouse, on floor 2 (the main floor), across from the Governor’s office. A map is attached.
- If you have meetings with legislators that conflict with this time, please prioritize your meetings.
- Pack light – statehouse security is almost as strict as airport security. Water bottles are ok. Firearms, knives, and other weapons/sharp tools are prohibited.
- Dress professionally – avoid jeans, tshirts, and ballcaps. Wear your SWCD branded apparel if you have it.
- There are coat hangers in the statehouse for winter coats.
Parking:
- Capitol Commons garage (the same one we use for conference) at 10 S Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204
- IASWCD will provide you with a pre-paid parking voucher, IF you registered by January 19. Those who attend or register after January 19 will need to procure their own parking.
- This garage is a short walk from the Statehouse.
- Do NOT go to Farm Bureau as originally planned!
Schedule for the Day:
- Attendees have either set up their own meetings with legislators, or Liz set up meetings for them at their request. Your meetings may be very short as legislators are in session, and you will likely have downtime.
- During downtime, you are encouraged to attend a committee session that your legislator is in, even if it isn’t related to conservation. Observing sessions is a great way to learn how the legislature operates, and how laws are made. You can find the session schedule at https://iga.in.gov/. The upcoming week’s schedule is posted the Friday before.
- Lunch is on your own. There are several options around the statehouse. There is a snack bar on the bottom level of the building, too.
- Because everyone is parking individually, you are welcome to depart after your final meeting or session. The day will officially end around 2:30pm.
Talking Points, Other Resources:
- Take time to gather your thoughts before Jan. 27. Use the attached template to get organized. (You can also find it on Drive here.)
- Do a bit of research about your legislator. Find what bills they are sponsoring this session, and learn what committees they are on. Tailor your message accordingly. For example, a legislator on the Public Health committee may be interested in the connection between soil health and human health. Ask Liz for help if you need!
- You may only have 5 or so minutes with a legislator – don’t waste it idly talking about the weather!
- Unified Voice: Every attendee should be prepared to discuss Clean Water Indiana and emphasize the need to maintain and grow this critical conservation fund. IASWCD will provide you with printed materials about CWI that you can give to legislators.
- Local Impact: Legislators want to hear from you, their constituency, about SWCD successes, challenges, and concerns in your district. Come prepared with a brief list of your own talking points.
Why Your Voice Matters
SWCD Day at the Statehouse is a key opportunity to directly influence the future of conservation in Indiana. By attending, you can:
We’re Here to Help
Feeling unsure about scheduling a meeting? Our team can provide support and guidance to help you set up conversations with your district’s legislators. Our goal is to make your advocacy experience as smooth and effective as possible.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the event, please feel free to reach out to us at hello@iaswcd.org or through our Contact Us page.