This page contains information about the work that you could do to implement actions in your setting to bring your church land back in harmony with God’s intentions and systems.
This work could be organized by your church Green Team or your Trustees or your Church Council or in whatever way works best for your local church.
GenerAl Conference Legislation
The 2024 General Conference passed some legislation about Church Land Use with some suggested tasks (resolution 1214.) There was also legislation on green teams, reducing emissions and use of plastics that could also be of relevance as you think about your land use.
Where to Start
Resolution 1214 lists some examples, of which the list below is a summary. These examples would be a good place to start, although you may also have additional ideas.
- Evaluate the vegetation on your land and identify which are native plants and which are non-native invasives.
- Plant at least three native trees in a cluster.
- Remove non-native invasive species.
- Replace at least 50% of the lawn, over time, with native plant species.
- Discontinue the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and other biocides.
- Plant some edible native species.
- Work with an agricultural extension agency to create a teaching garden or farm if the church has sufficient acreage.
- Plant a rain garden in areas where water runoff from hard surfaces flows into storm drains or nearby creeks and rivers.
- Convert to renewable energy sources some, or all, of the facility’s energy needs. See also our resource page on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Identify and support projects and organizations that will curtail the destruction of existing forests, wetlands, peatlands, and grasslands and those that restore wildfire-damaged and degraded forests, wetlands, peatlands, and grasslands,
- Commit to purchasing lumber, food, building materials, and paper products that are sustainably sourced and produced.
- Reduce the use of paper products, for example, by forgoing the use of disposable plates and cups for church events. This fits well with also reducing the use of plastics for which we also have a resource page.
Other ideas
Here are a few other possibilities. Some of these ideas come from A Roche UK’s Eco Church survey questions.
- Grow some fruit and vegetables. Consider opening it up to the community in some way. For example, see the work of Table Farm, a ministry of The Table UMC, Sacramento.
- Collect water in rain barrels
- Turn some of your hardscape back into areas that encourage native wildlife – plants, birds, animals, insects
- Put up bird houses, bat boxes, bug hotels
- Establish a composting system
- Offer recycling facilities inside and outside
- Install wildlife feeding stations – bird feeders, bird tables, water source
- Grow plants that benefit birds, bees, butterflies etc.
- Plant some native wildflowers
- Research and establish a mowing regime appropriate to the conservation of the grassland and wildlife that are present
- Use recycled toilet paper
- Use cleaning products that are environmentally friendly
- Reduce paper usage – double-sized copying, forgo a printed bulletin etc
- Use recycled paper in any church printers
A Resource
Check whether there is a Master Gardener’s program near you and whether they can supply you with some helpful resources and suggestions.