Contact:
Dave Lloyd |
The Unitarian Universalist Association's Green Sanctuary Program provides a path for congregational study, reflection, and action for today’s environmental challenges—including climate change and environmental justice. As a Green Sanctuary, UCH guides the members of the congregation in environmentally healthy practices in their own lives as well as in church facilities.
We have gathered resources around several topics we think you should know more about, because they can help reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change; keep hazardous materials out of landfills and international communities, where they are often dumped; and provide support for native pollinators and wildlife in our local communities.
|
Some of the Other Things We Support & Do
HOMEGROWN NATIONAL PARK
The UCH Green Sanctuary Committee encourages all to embrace the vision of Homegrown National Park, a grassroots call-to-action to regenerate biodiversity and ecosystem function by planting native plants and creating new ecological networks. Homegrown National Park was founded by noted author and entomologist Doug Tallamy, TA Baker Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Delaware. Tallamy has written numerous books on the need for and urgency of restoring native plant species to support declining wildlife populations, something anyone with a bit of available soil can do. Watch Doug Tallamy's video, "What's the Rush" to learn more about this important initiative.
STYROFOAM RECYCLING
Single-use styrofoam is everywhere, and it lives forever. Fortunately, styrofoam manufacturer Dart Industries recycles clean styrofoam into new styrofoam materials. We urge members to bring their clean styrofoam to the monthly recycling collection in Western Springs, which occurs on the first Saturday morning (9am-12pm) of most months in the parking lot across from the Theatre of Western Springs at 1500 Walker Street off Hampton Avenue. Styrofoam must be clean, with no food waste or dirt and food containers must be separated from packing styrofoam. They do not accept soft foam or packing peanuts. Note that the organizers are always looking for volunteers to help with the collections! Learn more (link downloads a Word file to your computer's downloads folder).
GARDEN COMMITTEE
This committee’s purpose is to help shape the ever-evolving vision of the church’s out-of-doors. It vets new ideas and introductions, helping to ensure that the landscape garden and garden architecture interests of the church are met. It invites the thoughts, concerns, opinions, ideas, etc. of all UCH members and friends. Contact: Charlie Fischer
LANDSCAPE & GARDEN VOLUNTEERS
Do you love to dig in dirt? Love the satisfaction of seeing a weedless garden and enjoy being outside? Join this team of volunteers that helps to keep our gardens beautiful. Contact: Charlie Fischer
LINKS TO DOWNLOADABLE GREEN SANCTUARY RESOURCES
The UCH Green Sanctuary Committee encourages all to embrace the vision of Homegrown National Park, a grassroots call-to-action to regenerate biodiversity and ecosystem function by planting native plants and creating new ecological networks. Homegrown National Park was founded by noted author and entomologist Doug Tallamy, TA Baker Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Delaware. Tallamy has written numerous books on the need for and urgency of restoring native plant species to support declining wildlife populations, something anyone with a bit of available soil can do. Watch Doug Tallamy's video, "What's the Rush" to learn more about this important initiative.
STYROFOAM RECYCLING
Single-use styrofoam is everywhere, and it lives forever. Fortunately, styrofoam manufacturer Dart Industries recycles clean styrofoam into new styrofoam materials. We urge members to bring their clean styrofoam to the monthly recycling collection in Western Springs, which occurs on the first Saturday morning (9am-12pm) of most months in the parking lot across from the Theatre of Western Springs at 1500 Walker Street off Hampton Avenue. Styrofoam must be clean, with no food waste or dirt and food containers must be separated from packing styrofoam. They do not accept soft foam or packing peanuts. Note that the organizers are always looking for volunteers to help with the collections! Learn more (link downloads a Word file to your computer's downloads folder).
GARDEN COMMITTEE
This committee’s purpose is to help shape the ever-evolving vision of the church’s out-of-doors. It vets new ideas and introductions, helping to ensure that the landscape garden and garden architecture interests of the church are met. It invites the thoughts, concerns, opinions, ideas, etc. of all UCH members and friends. Contact: Charlie Fischer
LANDSCAPE & GARDEN VOLUNTEERS
Do you love to dig in dirt? Love the satisfaction of seeing a weedless garden and enjoy being outside? Join this team of volunteers that helps to keep our gardens beautiful. Contact: Charlie Fischer
LINKS TO DOWNLOADABLE GREEN SANCTUARY RESOURCES
- GoGreen LaGrange's local resources to recycle, reuse, rethink, and reduce
- Homegrown National Park website
- Create Your Own Homegrown National Park: List of plants that make pollinators and caterpillars happy
- Top Actions You Can Take to Address the Climate Crisis
- List of local food pantries that accept homegrown produce
- Climate Disaster Preparedness for UUs
