Reconnecting with Nature

Help us make this a better resource.
Click here.

Planting Seeds: Participate in a nature appreciation event

Suggested Practices and Examples for Implementation:

  • Go on a hike with a local group, and open your gift of vision as you walk
  • Join a group of birders and look for God’s amazingly diverse birds
  • Rent bikes and take a ride through a park or national forest
  • Ride on horseback through woods and meadows
  • Take a tour of a garden and admire the intricacy of flowers
  • Participate in a river or lake clean-up
  • Go on a paddle trip or walk along the river
  • Find a local outdoor retreat and participate as a group

General Information Related to this Strategy:

Available Resources in Western North Carolina:

Local Faith Communities Currently Utilizing this Strategy:

Nurturing Growth: Offer an outdoor nature appreciation / conservation event in your community

Suggested Practices and Examples for Implementation:

  • Recruit a hike leader to lead a hike for your faith community
  • Invite a bird or wildflower expert to lead a walk for your faith community
  • Organize or talk with staff about a congregational picnic on the grounds or at a local park
  • Schedule and promote a tour of a garden for your faith community
  • Hold a sacred ritual near a body of water (river, stream, lake, waterfall)
  • Host a potluck meal at a community garden after volunteering there
  • Organize a litter pick-up along a river, stream, or lake
  • Plan an outdoor retreat in a quiet natural setting
  • Go camping in a state park or national forest
  • Build an outdoor labyrinth of natural materials and invite others to walk it

General Information Related to this Strategy:

Available Resources in Western North Carolina:

Local Faith Communities Currently Utilizing this Strategy:

Deepening Roots: Host a nature event that invites people outside your faith tradition or community

Suggested Practices and Examples for Implementation:

  • Host an ecumenical prayer service during the Season of Creation, September 1 – October 4
  • Celebrate World Interfaith Harmony Week by planning a harmony breakfast, watching a film or documentary, doing community work together, etc.
  • Have an interfaith Earth Day vigil
  • Meet with faith leaders of different traditions to learn about the sacredness of water or land in each of your traditions; plan a community events in which you can share this learning or hold a sacred ritual together near a body of water or special land
  • Participate in an interfaith retreat
  • Partner with communities of another denomination or tradition to organize a hike, bird or flower walk, picnic, garden tour, river clean-up, etc.
  • Hold an interfaith potluck or community meal after a special event

General Information Related to this Strategy:

Local Faith Communities Currently Utilizing this Strategy:

Help us make this a better resource.
Click here.

%d bloggers like this: