CREDIT: DARA MULLEN
Across a beautiful mosaic of diverse beliefs, denominations, and geographies, many places of worship share a deep spiritual commitment to steward the Earth in responsible and life-sustaining ways.
These groups are leading the way to create wildlife habitat and educate others in environmental practices. As respected community leaders, and often large property owners, they are uniquely positioned to inspire their congregation members, neighboring congregations, and the greater interfaith community to advance stewardship practices.
Since 1973, over 1000 places of worship have taken the first step in creating rain gardens, pollinator gardens, meditation spaces, healing gardens, and outdoor education spaces as Certified Wildlife Habitat® spaces. Many more congregations have committed to additional steps through the Sacred Grounds program. These direct habitat efforts have replaced acres of turf grass and paved area with native plants, implemented storm water runoff strategies, and planted trees to increase carbon sequestration and improve air quality.
Individual Congregations
Any place of worship that installs native plants and meets the Certified Wildlife Habitat® criteria found in this checklist assessment can certify online. Many congregations have certified Peace Gardens, Healing and Meditation Gardens that also serve as rain gardens, and butterfly gardens that provide the habitat essentials of food, water, cover, and places to raise young and implement sustainable practices.
CREDIT: SANJA JENNINGS
Sacred Grounds™
Launched in 2013, this National Wildlife Federation program recognizes congregations, houses of worship, and faith communities who both create wildlife habitat and actively link faith practices in caring for the environment. Sacred Grounds regional programs promote the installation of a native plant gardens that connect people to nature and provide access to nature for all. In many urban communities, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) have less access to nature and safe green spaces than white persons in the same cities. Native plants are not only a foundation for healthy ecosystems and wildlife, but also play an important role in mental, physical, and social health by providing opportunities for people to connect to nature in their neighborhoods and communities.
