Morgan Bronson, a 2025 Hoosier Resilience Hero, raises her hand to be recognized at the 2026 Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference. Bronson was among a dozen individuals recognized at the event for contriubtions to address environmental challenges in the state. Photo by Ben Mraz

Gina McCarthy, the first White House National Climate Advisor and a former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, delivers the ISRC keynote address as attendees listen. McCarthy's address focused on the role states and communities can play in creating a sustainable future. “Today our power lies in our cities, local communities, and in our states,” she said. “It is up to us to build better futures for ourselves and for our children.” Photos by Ben Mraz

Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to connect with conference supporters, such as the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (pictured), on their contributions to sustainability in Indiana and beyond. Photo by Annabel Prokopy
During the conference plenary discussion, (from left) ERI Executive Director Gabriel Filippelli, Gina McCarthy, ERI Senior Policy Advisor Janet McCabe and and City of Lafayette Climate and Resilience Manager Halee Griffey share a laugh. The discussion spanned strategies and actions to support environmental resilience. Photo by Ben Mraz

Attendees engage students and faculty conducting research relevant to sustainability and resilience during the afternoon poster session. Pictured: (top left) IU Bloomington undergraduate researcher Ashton Harper, (bottom left) DePauw University student researcher Toan Bui, and (right) IU Bloomington Provost Professor of Geography Guangqing Chi. Photos by Ben Mraz

IU Professor of Medicine Titus Schleyer asks a question during the plenary discussion. Topic addressed during the discussion included community action, local development, navigating the political environment, and strategies to start new projects. Photo by Ben Mraz
Juwon Chung, a PhD candidate at the IU O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, presents on the effect of collaborative mechanisms on sustainable development in small towns during a morning breakout session. This year's conference featured 19 breakout sessions covering topics such as clean energy, corporate sustainability, green infrastructure, community engagement, and more. Photo by Annabel Prokopy

(Top) Attendees, speakers, and supporters working across the sustainability and resilience space connect throughout the day at ISRC. (Bottom) ERI Managing Director Sarah Mincey speaks to ISRC attendees at the Bloomington Convention Center. "Climate action has never been an easy choice, but it has always been the right choice," Mincey said during the conference's opening remarks.   Photos by Ben Mraz