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Greening

Organizations Dedicated to Environmental Stewardship

Building in Good Faith

http://www.buildingingoodfaith.org
GreenFaith launched Building in Good Faith to provide in-depth information on the theological and practical reasons for engaging in green building projects.

Cool Congregations

Carbon Footprint Calculator
http://coolcongregations.com

Earth Ministry

http://earthministry.org
The mission of earthministry.org is "To inspire and mobilize the Christian community to play a leadership role in building a just and sustainable future." In order to do this they provide resources for sustainable practices and environmental advocacy.

The Episcopal Church Economic and Environmental Affairs

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/

Provides education, advocacy efforts, resources, support ecological and economic justice networks and connect the spirituality and theology of creation-care with practical expressions of that theology in everyday personal and parish life.

Mike Schut: Economic and Environmental Affairs Officer
The Episcopal Church Center (satellite office based in Seattle)
mschut@episcopalchurch.org
206-323-1126

Green Faith

http://www.greenfaith.org/
GreenFaith is an interfaith organization based in New Jersey that works to encourage people of "diverse spiritual backgrounds to rediscover their relationship with the sacred in nature and to restore the earth for future generations." Their site has a wealth of resources for individuals and congregations interested in environmental action.

The Episcopal Ecological Network

http://eenonline.org/
The EpEN's mission is to educate, encourage, and facilitate congregations, diocese, provinces, and the Episcopal Church, USA, toward local, regional, national, and international activities for the stewardship of God's Creation." Their site provides resources for education and action and offers an online newsletter with up-to-date information on Episcopal groups involved in environmentally related work.

Green Building Solutions

www.greenbuildingsolutions.org

Interfaith Power and Light

www.interfaithpowerandlight.org 

National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program

http://nccecojustice.org/
The Eco-Justice Program of the National Council of Churches provides information on ministries intended to heal and defend creation. The working group is comprised of both Protestant and Orthodox denominations, including the Episcopal Church USA.

The Regeneration Project/ Interfaith Power and Light

http://www.theregenerationproject.org/
The Regeneration Project's goal is to provide resources for religious communities so that they can respond to the issue of global warming. They have established Interfaith Power and Light groups throughout the country and are working toward having one in every state. Learn more about your state or region's chapter through its link on The Regeneration Project's "Your State" link.

U.S. Green Building Council

www.usgbc.org

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

www.epa.gov 

Web of Creation

http://www.webofcreation.org
Web of Creation provides resources for eco-justice-the movement towards more sustainable practices from a religious perspective. The site includes educational, worship and advocacy related information.

Find a Green Architect

• http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=expert_help.find_exp_help
• http://www.buildingingoodfaith.org/pdm_hiring.cfm
• http://architectfinder.aia.org/

 

Finance Your Project

National Council of Churches

A search engine for funding and incentives by state and denomination.

• http://nccecojustice.org/greenchurch/grbfunding.php

These resources provide explanations of up-front and operational expenses, as well as ideas on how to finance initial costs.

• http://www.buildingingoodfaith.org/pdm_lifecycle.cfm
• http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=congregations_guidebook
• http://earthministry.org/resources/
• http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?state=us
• http://www.buildingingoodfaith.org/fundraising05.cfm

National volunteer service programs may provide intern assistance for program oversight and administrative support.

• http://www.americorps.gov/for_organizations/faith/index.asp
• http://www.nationalservice.gov/for_organizations/faith/resources.asp

 

 

Construction Resources

Materials

• http://www.greenbuildingsolutions.org/s_greenbuilding/sec.asp?CID=2113&DID=8951
• http://www.greenbuildingsolutions.org/s_greenbuilding/sec.asp?CID=2115&DID=8953
• http://planetreuse.com/

Best Practices for Construction

• http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/imr/cdm/whatyoucan.htm
• http://www.constructiongreenbook.com/

 

Energy Conservation

• General Information:
  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=congregations_guidebook
  http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/pubs/gplocator.htm
  http://nccecojustice.org/energy/
• Programs:
  http://eetd.lbl.gov/EnergyCrossroads/2ueeprogram.html
• Renewable Energy:
  http://www.greenfaith.org/stewardship/renewable.html

Water Conservation

• General:
  http://nccecojustice.org/water/
• Materials:
  http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/water_efficiency/

On Your Grounds

• General:
  http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/greenscapes/index.htm
• Xeriscaping: landscaping method designed to conserve water.
  http://www.eartheasy.com/grow_xeriscape.htm
  http://www.landscape-design-advisor.com/xeriscape-landscape-design.html
• Composting:
  http://www.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/rrr/composting/index.htm
• Conservation Districts/Funding Opportunities:
  http://www.nacdnet.org/

Low (and No) Cost Construction Tips

• http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/index.cfm?a=178771&c=41617
• http://jetsongreen.typepad.com/jetson_green/2006/12/global_green_us.html

 

LEED (Leadership in Enegry and Environmental Design) Certification

• https://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19

 

Lighting Resources

Retrofitting and general updating of light fixtures is a great, easy way to lower your energy consumption.

• Energy Efficient Lighting:
  http://www.green-energy-efficient-homes.com/energy-efficient-lighting.html
• Lighting FAQ's:
  http://www.gelighting.com/na/business_lighting/faqs/cfl.htm#3

Non-Toxic Cleaning

• http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/products/cleaning.htm
• http://www.pca.state.mn.us/oea/epp/cleaners.cfm

Other

Want to use fair trade products, like eco-friendly coffee at your coffee hour? Want to learn about refurbished materials? Check out these resources for other small steps you can take to become a more eco-friendly congregation.

• http://www.er-d.org/BishopsBlend/