This document summarizes a conference on faith communities and urban forestry. It discusses recruiting different faith groups to participate in landscape audits of their properties. The landscape audits examine tree health, landscape features, grounds management practices, and how nature is incorporated into worship and community activities. The goal is to analyze the data, develop plans with the faith communities, and help provide usable tools and support to care for urban forests. The document highlights examples of faith leaders emphasizing the importance of caring for creation and their sacred spaces. It explores connecting faith practices with environmental stewardship and looking at forestry through the lens of different faith traditions.
4. Takeaway Points
5
Religions may be slow to change but here to stay.
Religion:
from
problem to
promise
Be bold and break down the language barrier – share your story with
others!
Join the
conversation
Provide latent urban foresters with usable tools that teach, and
provide support when needed.
Usable tools
and support
Partnerships with faith communities require listening to the unique
needs and visions of people of faith.
Mutually
beneficial
partnerships
5. Religious and Moral Leaders
Rev Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr
Thich Nhat Hanh
Dorothy Day
Mahatma Gandhi
Fr. Thomas Merton
Pema Chödrön
Pope
Francis
11. RECRUITMENT
Center for Interfaith Relations
(Interfaith Community)
River Road Mosque/
Louisville Islamic Center
Christ Cathedral
Episcopal Church
St. Xavier Catholic High School
Faith Community
Consultants
13. I. Tree
Assessment
Type: Field assessment of tree health/ inventory
Metrics: Species, location, size (DBH), crown size, USFS
crown health protocol, pest/diseases, tree mapping
Equipment: smart phone, Healthy Trees, Healthy Cities
app, DBH tape (optional)
14. II. Landscape
Mapping
Type: Outdoor observation/ online exercise
Metrics: Landscape features, focused on
pollinators/wildlife
Equipment: Computer/tablet, Habitat Network website
15. III. Grounds
Management
Type: Basic questionnaire
Metrics: Assessment of current management practices,
access to property, financial expenditures (optional)
Equipment: paper/pen, questionnaire, financial records
(optional)
16. IV. Worship/
Community
Type: Basic questionnaire
Metrics: Exploration of liturgical practices, perception of
nature and related concepts within community activities
Equipment: paper/pen, questionnaire, camera
20. Brother Sikhander
Chowhan
“As a Muslim, leaving places cleaner
than when you arrived is one of the
central themes the Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) taught. He was a
conservationist at heart… [makes] me
want to be on the front lines for the
Muslim people as far as promoting
sustainability and conservation.”
“The mosque for Muslims – this is the
most sacred place that we have in our
community. If you don’t care for your
place of worship, my personal belief is
that that’s in a way disrespectful to our
Creator.”
21. “Faith has to be relevant for people – in
their everyday lives. It’s especially
difficult to reach young people.
Opportunities like this appeal to people
we aren’t as successful reaching
through traditional faith community
activities like worship and bible study.
By doing this work together, we are
able to live out our faith commitment to
God and to each other in community.”
Very Reverend
Joan Pritcher