Creation Care Alliance of Western North CarolinaHelp us make this a better resource.
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Planting Seeds: Get to know your land and property by exploring its history and place within the community
Suggested Practices and Examples for Implementation:
- Map the vegetation: identify tree types, native and invasive species, plant and flower names, consumable growth, etc.
- You can make this fun through our Neighborhood Natives Scavenger Hunt (great for a small family activity or a congregational project happening on church land)
- Map the other features of your property, such as parking lots, playgrounds, sidewalks, green space, etc., and consider how each might touch the community or serve as an asset in different ways
- Read about the history of your property and have conversations about what it was, what it is, and what you hope it to be in the future
Nurturing Growth: Assess your landscaping practices and take steps towards earth-friendly solutions
Suggested Practices and Examples for Implementation:
- Remove invasive species of plants from property
- Implement more water-efficient landscaping practices and/or landscape with plants that require less water (perennial native plants, rain gardens, etc.)
- Avoid pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers
- Recycle rainwater or grey-water for use on grounds
- Grow native plants
- Put up bird feeders and a bird bath on your congregational property
- Put up bird houses on your congregational grounds
- Bats are pollinators! Install bat boxes on your property (or build them!)
General Information Related to this Strategy:
Available Resources in Western North Carolina:
- Invasive species resources from MountainTrue
- Toxic Free NC
Local Faith Communities Currently Utilizing this Strategy:
- High Country United Church of Christ, Vilas, NC (chemical free lawn care and pest control)
Contact Rev. Tamara Franks: pastor@highcountryucc.org
Deepening Roots: Establish an intentional garden on your land for all of Creation
Suggested Practices and Examples for Implementation:
- Start a community garden, calling upon members of your faith community to tend it
- Establish clear volunteer expectations, procedures, schedules, etc.
- Consider inviting others from the broader community to use the space as well
- Set up a bird and pollinator friendly garden on your property
- Implement a “Monarch Waystation” on your property
- Become a “Sacred Grounds” certified congregation through the National Wildlife Federation
- Establish a permaculture garden on your land
General Information Related to this Strategy:
- 10 steps to starting a community garden
- Gardening for pollinators
- How to create a pollinator garden
- 7 steps to create a permaculture garden
- Invite a permaculturist to your congregational land and receive tips from them for next steps
- Films:
Available resources in Western North Carolina:
- Invasive species resources from MountainTrue
- Toxic Free NC
Local Faith Communities Currently Utilizing this Strategy:
- New Hope Presbyterian Church, Asheville, NC
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- Contact Nan Riley: revjohnanfnp@aol.com
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- Holy Episcopal Church, Mars Hill, NC
- First Congregational United Church of Christ, Hendersonville, NC
- Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Asheville, NC
- Congregation Beth HaTephila, Asheville, NC
- Kenilworth Presbyterian Church, Asheville, NC
- Mills River Presbyterian Church, Mills River, NC (Garden Rolling on Wheels)
- Haywood Street Congregation, Asheville, NC
- Grace Church in the Mountains, Waynesville, NC
- Church of the Transfiguration, Saluda, NC
