Connecting Faith with Biodiversity  We are called to be stewards of God’s good creation, to work and take care of the garden (Genesis 2:15).  After God destroyed the Earth in the great flood humans were brought back into covenant with God. However, it was not only humans who were brought back but “every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark" (Genesis 9:10, NRSV). The story of the flood is part of the larger biblical principle of fruitfulness. The blessing of fruitfulness is given to all of creation in Genesis. As the psalmist writes "In wisdom you made them all, the earth is full of your creatures" (Psalm 104:24, NRSV).  Humans are called to enjoy the fruit of the Earth, but also have the responsibility to take care of it as well.  The Creator blessed the Earth so that all creatures will prosper with great abundance and diversity. As God’s image bearer we differ in position and relationship to God as well as to creation, and we need to take it as such.  In the end, God looked at all that he had made and saw that it was “very good” (Genesis 1:31).  It wasn’t until all of God’s creation was complete that it became very good, the birds of the air and the fish of the see along with everything that walks the Earth were finally very good once our role as stewards was in place. NCC Biodiversity Home