bullet   Our Environmental Mission ...

Mist over the pond
"In keeping with our congregational commitment to environmental justice and education, we invite all our guests to reflect on their need to reverence and preserve the earth and their responsibility to work toward a just and sustainable future for all creation."

To meet our commitment to a sustainable future and to preserve the earth for future generations, we follow several Living roofearth-friendly practices including

  • Promoting green construction building practices
  • Organic gardening to grow seasonable produce for our dining room
  • Recycling programs for paper, glass, metals and plastics
  • Composting kitchen waste
  • Using electric vehicles for on-property transportation and local travel
  • Minimum-impact printers with nearly zero after-print waste
  • Responsible e-recycling of outdated electronics and technology by-products such as toner cartridges

In 2006 we cut the ribbon on a LEED Gold Certified Welcoming Center. Construction of the building followed green construction methods and materials use throughout in order to reduce our carbon footprint. As well, the building serves as an educational center for our guests with a green display about the building in our lobby and "green tours" to all interested parties.

Read about our Environmental Mission in Action by selecting a topic from the list to the right. Then, join by taking action in your own life and home. Even small changes add up to large impacts.

 

 

Environmental Mission in Action

bullet LEED Gold Certified Welcoming Center
bullet Organic Garden
bullet Alternative Transportation
bullet Take Action

2007 Summer Intern

Last summer we had a summer intern, Bennet Meyers, on staff for 2 months working as a research assistant. Bennet researched and documented our efforts to support our environmental mission. He compiled the information for these web pages, and wrote a white paper about the green construction methods and materials used in our Welcoming Center as well as other conservation and ecology-minded efforts we undertake.

Bennet also researched our relationship with Mid-Peninsula Open Space District and negotiated additional hiking passes for our guests. He walked and mapped our hiking trails as well as identified historical information about our some of our buildings.

Bennet is a Senior at Dartmouth College, studying Physics and Environmental Studies.