Olivet Christian Church Disciples of Christ Sustainable Living Committee: Field Trip: Runge Nature Center

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Field Trip: Runge Nature Center

On April 17^th Olivet had 14 participants on the Runge Nature Center field trip. For some folks this was their first visit to this wonderful area, while others were seasoned veterans. We started out the morning on one of the shorter trails on a guided walk learning a bit more about the local flora and fauna, and completed a child friendly scavenger hunt using our eyes only finding things from worms, turkeys, deer, and everything in between! We also used our senses to hear, touch, and smell many other things. Once the ‘guided’ walk was completed we each went our separate ways with many enjoying the beautiful and interactive exhibits inside where they had a special focus on hummingbirds; others took longer hikes enjoying the beautiful forests, marshes, glades, and fire tower. After our time with nature's beauty we took a quick detour to Central Dairy to enjoy some refreshing ice cream on our way home!

Touring the garden at Runge with their focus on native plants, herbs, and vegetables. (Photo Credit: Kaitlyn Bradley)

Newly emerged buckeye flowers in the forest understory. (Photo Credit: Kaitlyn Bradley)

A few of the many white tailed deer that consider Runge home. (Photo Credit: Kaitlyn Bradley)

Wild turkeys that are seen almost every visit to Runge, this time of year they know they are safe on the conservation area. (Photo Credit: Kaitlyn Bradley)

A butterfly drinking from a dandelion, in early spring butterflies and bees rely on the nectar from dandelions until more flowers come up, but more and more these flowers are seen as a weed and eradicated leaving insects little to drink early in the spring. (Photo Credit: Kaitlyn Bradley)

A flowering dogwood, the Missouri state tree. (Photo Credit: Kaitlyn Bradley)

Group photo in front of Runge Nature Center. (Photo Credit: Kaitlyn Bradley)

Enjoying some Central Dairy ice cream! (Photo Credit: Kaitlyn Bradley)

To find out more about Runge Nature Center, visit http://mdc.mo.gov/regions/central/runge-nature-center and also look for Habitat Happenings, their bi-monthly newsletter that lists an amazing number of on- and off-site activities.

You must not know too much or be too precise or scientific about birds and trees and flowers and watercraft; a certain free margin, and even vagueness- perhaps ignorance, credulity- helps your enjoyment of these things.

~Walt Whitman

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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

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Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Field Trip: Runge Nature Center

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