Protecting God's Lands: Action Ideas for Congregations and Individuals
Service on Public Lands
National Public Lands Day (Saturday, September 30th 2006) is a celebration of the more than 600 million acres of public lands in America. From coast to coast, volunteers will pitch in for a day of caring for public lands by performing trail maintenance, improving wildlife habitat, planting trees, and protecting cultural resources. For people of faith, this can be a chance to witness the glory of God's lands first-hand and answer the call to care for and restore creation. It's also a great opportunity to share in fellowship with your congregation, study class, or youth group. Join one of hundreds of already-planned events near you! Or work with a community-based environmental group to plan an outdoor activity and celebrate God's lands any date that works for your group.
For more information, visit the National Public Lands Day Page.
Reduce Unsustainable Energy Use
A major threat to the health of God's lands is energy development - from oil and gas drilling in the western U.S. to mountain top removal coal mining in Appalachia. Help create a market for clean, renewable energy and reward companies that are switching to solar, wind, and other clean power by purchasing it for your home or congregation. Many utility companies offer programs that allow you to purchase part or all of your power from renewable sources. Check with your local power company. If they offer a program, join it! If they don't, encourage them to start one.
You can also reduce energy development pressure on God's lands by ensuring that your home and worship space are energy efficient. Interfaith Power and Light (IPL) has programs across the country dedicated to clean energy and conservation. Find an IPL program in your state or region!
Incorporate Land Stewardship Into Your Next Worship Service
There are lots of ways to celebrate and raise up God's gift of lands during worship. Start kindling a stewardship ethic in your congregation by saying a prayer of thanks for the blessings of the land, incorporating land stewardship into a sermon, or holding your next service outside. For ideas, check out:
- Click here to download Out of the Wilderness: Building Christian Faith and Keeping God's Creation (log-in or sign up for the Network to gain access to resources)
- Click here to download a land stewardship worship resource: Rooted in God's Word and Lands: A Celebration of the Earth That Nourishes Us (log-in or sign up for the Network to gain access to resources)
Shop at a Local Farmers Market
Shop at a local farmers market for in-season, locally grown produce or join with members of your congregation to participate in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. If possible buy organic products to reduce the amount of fertilizer and pesticide contaminating our soil and water. Buying your food this way helps support local farms and reduces the impacts of "factory farming." To find a farmer's market or CSA program near you, visit Local Harvest.
Enjoy Responsible Recreation
Outdoor enthusiasts who love spending time exploring God's lands
can end up "loving the land to death." When recreating
- whether camping, fishing, hunting, hiking or, especially, using
off-road vehicles - remember to minimize your impacts on the land
as much as possible.
*Stay on the trail! And be sure to camp in designated areas.
*Pack out anything you pack in.
*Don't feed or harass wildlife.
*Don't remove any natural or cultural artifacts.
Take only memories, and leave only footprints. For more details on how to leave God's lands as healthy as you found them, check out the Leave No Trace program.