Wilderness Model Programs Boise Vineyard Pastor Tri Robinson’s church has received national attention for its growing “tending the garden” ministry. Church members work on trail maintenance projects in nearby National Forests, and lead wilderness trips and retreats for families and youth. Some church members are selling their extraneous possessions in garage sales, and downsizing their homes—reducing their ecological footprint and un-cluttering their lives to better engage in service. Pastor Robinson published a book titled: Saving God’s Green Earth, and the church has developed a documentary DVD of their environmental stewardship work. The church’s art gallery currently houses congregants’ artwork reflecting their interpretations of how quiet contemplative space and the beauty of creation bring us closer to God. The church also now serves as a recycling center, and Boise Vineyard’s building managers are pursuing plans to install photovoltaic cells that would make the church a power generating station. The church’s website details these and other ministries. Camp Fowler is a Reformed Church in America (RCA) denominational camp located in Speculator, New York, in the Adirondack Park.  Director Kent Busman has been working since 1987 to integrate creation care into the camp’s operation.  One of the primary programs at Fowler are wilderness Outcamps. These teen wilderness trips are designed to foster reflection and learning about God and God’s creation, and our role as its stewards.  Camp Fowler pursues an ethos of simplicity following upon these ideals.  The camp employs solar panels, organic gardens, green purchasing, and composting to meet its material needs. Fowler’s website provides more information about these programs, and includes a description of the camp’s “Master Plan” for the future. Restoring Eden When Peter Illyn founded Restoring Eden in 2001, he hoped to foster environmental stewardship in churches. Restoring Eden encourages nature appreciation, creation care, and advocacy as service to God by partnering with churches, non-profit groups, and ecumenical bodies to build a community of Christian creation stewardship. Restoring Eden hosts an email newsletter, and is engaged in campaigns addressing endangered species, global climate change, empowerment of subsistence tribal cultures, and oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Wilderness Ministires Under the leadership of pastor Steve Harrington (whose doctoral thesis focused on the theological basis of Christian wilderness adventure ministries), Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church, near San Jose, CA, offers wilderness retreats and expeditions that are open to participants from outside the congregation. The Opening the Book of Nature (OBN) program engages participants in the early Christian tradition of learning spiritual lessons from nature. The program uses periods of private prayer, reflection, and traditional Christian spiritual disciplines alternating with discussion to produce a blend of low key instruction, personal experiences, and group sharing. Programs range from one-day and weekend events to one week and longer wilderness explorations and International Study Trips.