Photos: ISRC highlights Hoosier contributions to Indiana’s sustainability

On Feb. 28, more than 450 people attended the Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference (ISRC) at the Monroe Convention Center in Bloomington. The event brought together students, academics, industry leaders, local government staff, community groups, and others for a day of knowledge-sharing and networking.

Hosted by Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute, the conference highlighted actions being taken to make Indiana more sustainable and opportunities to help the state address climate change and other environmental challenges. Stephanie Goodrid Lawson, executive director of the McKinney Family Foundation, led a plenary discussion on in-state efforts to create an environmentally sustainable future for every Hoosiers. The discussion also featured Alex Crowley, executive director of the Indiana Energy Independence Fund, and Zach Schalk, Indiana program director for Solar United Neighbors.

Supporters of the event included the Indianapolis Airport Authority, the McKinney Family Foundation, and Cummins, Inc.

Scroll through the photos below to view highlights.

ERI Executive Director Gabriel Filippelli addresses the audience during the 2025 Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference. In the morning, Filippelli spoke about recent climate reports and climate-fueled natural disasters. “We’re going to be dealing with the impacts of climate change for some time,” he said, “but we know what needs to be done to address the problem today.” Photo by James Brosher
Solar United Neighbors Indiana Program Director Zach Schalk (center) speaks during the ISRC plenary roundtable. Schalk emphasized the importance of advocating for policy that supports climate and resilience work. “Building power with your neighbors and mobilizing as part of a bigger group is just as important as doing a project on your home, business, or congregation,” he said. Photo by James Brosher
Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to connect with ISRC supporters and learn more about their contributions to sustainability and resilience. Photo by James Brosher
Paulina Cardenas, a research assistant in the HIRT Lab of Social Psychology, presents a poster on how different types of hope differently predict climate intentions. Cardenas presented alongside poster co-author Sanya Vadhavkar during the inaugural ISRC poster session. Photo by James Brosher

In the Monroe Convention Center’s Great Room, attendees share stories of resilience, network over lunch, and tune in to the plenary discussion. (Top left) Danni Schaust applies a label sharing her resilience story. (Bottom left) ISRC attendees chat after the plenary discussion. (Right) Alex Crowley, executive director of the Indiana Energy Independence Fund, speaks during the plenary roundtable. Crowley highlighted the significance of small gatherings in gaining support for green projects. “It’s important to have the big gatherings at the statehouse. It’s also important to have the small ones. There’s a lot of power at the local and microlevel,” he said. Photos by James Brosher