We are now a Green Sanctuary!

We were recognized by the UUA on March 12, 2010 and at General Assembly on June 27, 2010.

Want to know more?

Read our application to become a Green Sanctuary or an abbreviated version.

Also, check out our bookmark, which is a brief summary that the whole congregation was given, and includes "Our Green Lens", which the congregation voted to support a year before we became credentialed. The congregation's approval is one of the requirements for becoming a Green Sanctuary.
 

We Need YOU!  … 

Some ideas for committees are: Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Reduce our carbon footprint.

*Reduce the amount of paper that your committee uses; using recycled paper (or even better, using the backs of already-used paper)

*Reduce energy use. If a room you are meeting in is hot or cold, report it to the Facilities Committee. Turn out lights when leaving the room you meet in.

*Reduce packaging. Buy in bulk. Reuse packing materials that are generated by things that the church or your committee orders or take it to a UPS store.

Receptions:

*Reduce the amount of trash receptions generate by using china, instead of disposable paper products, and silverware instead of plastic utensils. Get members of your committee to wash dishes in the dishwasher. Conserve water when cleaning up.

*Recycle everything possible in the proper containers in the kitchen and other rooms. After a reception or meal, check to see that paper, cardboard, bottles, cans, and plastic are in the proper containers so the maximum amount is recycled. Learn what new things can now be recycled in Montgomery County since July 2008.

*Serve more nutritious food at receptions than the usual baked goods, sodas, and sweet punches. Include fruit and vegetables, hummus, salsa, and other plant based dips. Serve whole grain breads. Serve juice and tap water. Use organic food.

*Compost the vegetables and fruit in the silver compost bin. Take it down to the compost bin at the bottom of the kitchen stairs when full.

The ETF asks you to support the inkjet printer cartridge and cell phone collection and recycling project, coordinated by 9^th Grade RE Class. This project not only furthers our green sanctuary standards by reusing and recycling items that otherwise end up as waste, but it is also a fundraiser. Items can be dropped off during the social time after Sunday services.

The Environmental Task Force congratulates the entire Grounds Committee for becoming a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat!  In order to become certified, Cedar Lane’s landscape must include food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young. The grounds of CLUUC passed with generally high marks.  Areas to work on include our excess of invasive ground covers (like vinca), and general lack of diversity in small plants.  This is according to Marney Bruce, who has worked with the Audubon Naturalist Society on this issue.  She recommended that we try to substitute mulch and native groundcovers like partridge berry, native ginger, and ferns.  She was impressed with our lovely mature canopy of native trees, and abundant small trees ready to take off and grow, should a hole in the canopy open up.  The family of deer that has moved into our backyard has frequently greeted church members in broad daylight this summer, also bears testament to our now “official” status as a Wildlife Habitat!  Congratulations to Carrie Meyer and the entire Grounds Committee for their hard work and continued efforts!

To see the certificate, click here.

UU Resources:

Want More Info … Join the UU Climate Change Listserve.  To join the UU Climate Change Listserve, visit http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/globalwarming. The purpose of this listserve is to help UUs share technical information about the causes and implications of global warming so we can develop appropriate strategies for individuals and congregations to combat its dangers.