Olivet Christian Church Disciples of Christ Sustainable Living Committee: May Sustainability Article

Sunday, April 17, 2016

May Sustainability Article

Landscaping with Native Plants

Summer is in the air and many of us are inspired to start on outdoor projects. Did you know that using a lawn mower for an hour creates as much pollution as driving a car 20 miles? Also, when you learn that 30-60% of urban fresh water is used for watering lawns and landscapes, can you then picture others around the world without access to basic clean water while here we are soaking our lawns!

This month we are focusing on native plants, as Olivet’s Sustainable Living Steering Committee is planning a field trip on Saturday morning, June 25^th to visit a wonderful example of native plant landscaping at a local Columbia home. Before we get too far along though, I would like to explain that a native plant is one that is indigenous to a given area in geologic time. For example, in Missouri that means a plant that has been in evidence here since the last ice age 10,000 years ago. These are plants that have developed naturally over time – evolving with Missouri’s geology, climate, and wildlife.

Why should you plant native?

· Wildlife prefer native plants from the small bumblebees to large elk

· Can help resist invasive non-natives that threaten wildlife habitat and crops

· Preserve our natural diversity and increase biodiversity

· Can save you money--reduce fuel for mowers, reduce pesticide/fertilizer application, etc.

· Can save water over the long term – once established native plants need less water than flowers we usually plant around our homes

Steps to Get Started:

1) Know your sun and soil conditions

2) Consider your purpose and property

3) Develop a plan

4) Choose materials and methods

Follow this link http://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/resources/2010/05/nativeplantsrevision_2012_07web.pdf to Native Plants for Your Landscape, an attractive full-color 12-page publication by the Missouri Department of Conservation that includes practical suggestions and garden plans for many applications – whether you have a balcony garden, a city lot or a larger space.

As always, if you have any questions please let me know!

Kaitlyn Bradley – kaitlynwintersbradley@gmail.com

~All the flowers of tomorrow are the seeds of today~

No comments:

Post a Comment

Olivet and the Disciples Green Chalice Ministry

Olivet has been actively engaged in caring for creation as a part of our ministry for the last several years. Many environmental and energy saving features were incorporated both in our current church building, constructed in the 1990’s, and in the more recent Music & Education addition.

The Green Chalice ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is designed to support and recognize Disciples congregations, like Olivet, who are working to become better stewards of creation. Green Chalice encourages us to review and expand our current environmental stewardship efforts in regard to our building and grounds, environmental practices, education and justice.

Becoming a Green Chalice congregation is a journey – it begins with commitment and education and continues as we work toward certification and achievement. In April 2015, the Olivet Board approved a proposal from the Sustainable Living Steering Committee, with concurrence of the Property Committee, that Olivet officially participate in the Green Chalice ministry, with the goal of becoming a Certified Green Chalice Congregation.

Commitment to the Green Chalice ministry begins with the formation of a congregational Creation Care Team, affirmation of the congregation’s intent to care for creation, and the making of three changes that help a congregation walk more gently on the earth.

~Olivet’s Sustainable Living Steering Committee serves as our Creation Care Team and offers several kinds of educational opportunities—outside speakers, tours, field trips and hands-on project—and encourages members and friends to participate in a wide variety of community environmental programs.

~On April 17, 2016, Earth Stewardship Sunday, the congregation will be invited to affirm our commitment to creation care here at home and also through participation in the Green Chalice Ministry, using The Alverna Covenant authored by the Disciples Task Force on Ecology at the Alverna Center, 1981.

~Olivet works toward walking more gently on the earth in a variety of ways. Programmable thermostats are installed throughout the building to reduce energy consumption. Mulching is used to help control weeds, reduce herbicide use and reduce water consumption. Recycling is encouraged and use of disposables has been reduced. For example, use of lovely cloth napkins made by members is just one way we reduce disposables and brighten our fellowship events. With help from the Property Committee, an energy assessment was conducted at the church building in May 2015 to help us recognize what positive steps had already been taken and where we could continue to make improvements.

As a Green Chalice congregation we are both encouraged and challenged to continue the journey of making positive changes that reduce adverse environmental impact and increase our ability to be good stewards of God’s creation.

Olivet Christian Church Disciples of Christ Sustainable Living Committee

Links

Pages

Sunday, April 17, 2016

May Sustainability Article

No comments:

Post a Comment