EarthCare Online Update - September/October

EarthCare Online Update SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2005

"Caring for God's Creation" www.earthcareonline.org

"The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof..." (Psalm 24:1, KJV)

AT CHURCH
Put your energy into meeting with the Chattanooga chapter of Tennessee Interfaith Power & Light

For EarthCare Online Update subscription information, please click here.

We lift up in prayer all those whose lives have been touched
by Hurricane Katrina.

In times of trouble, may the LORD respond to your cry.
May the God of Israelkeep you safe from all harm.
May he send you help from his sanctuary
and strengthen you...
(Psalm 20:1-2, NLT)

EarthCare's 9th annual fall retreat will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2005 from 9:30am-2pm at the Pot Point House (Tennessee River Gorge Field Station) located at the Tennessee River Gorge Trust. Please mark the date on your calendar.

Our guest speaker this year will be Dr. Robert R. Gottfried from The University of the South at Sewanee, TN. Dr. Gottfried (Robin) will be speaking and leading discussion on the relationship between Christian theology and economics. We will contact you later with more specifics about the program.

There is no charge for the retreat, but reservations are required due to limited space. To register, contact Jerry Faulkner (423) 697-2560 or .

September through december 2005
Fall Events sponsored by the Tennessee Aquarium
See tnaqua.org.

September 23 friday through november 30
Fall into Nature - A Photographic Celebration - Chattanooga
Friday, September 23, 6:00pm through November 30, 2005.
Chattanooga Nature Center, 400 Garden Road, Chattanooga.
Enjoy a fall evening by attending the opening reception for the Photographic Society of Chattanooga’s nature photography exhibit. A selection of pictures will be for sale with the proceeds benefiting the Nature Center’s expanding children’s interactive area.
Cost: Free
More information: (423) 821-1160 chattanature.org.

SEPTEMBER 24 SATURDAY
National Public Lands Day
For land care activities in your area, see npld.com.

SEPTEMBER 24 SATURDAY
Lula Lake Land Trust Open Gate Day - Lookout Mountain
Saturday, September 24, 2005. 9:00am - 5pm
Lookout Mountain, TN
Lula Lake Land Trust will be open for hiking, biking, and picnicking. Pets are welcome on a leash.
More information: Call (423) 821-2424; directions; website: lulalake.org.

SEPTEMBER 24 AND OCTOBER 8 SATURDAY
Sequatchie Valley Institute - Open House
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Tours: 11am, 1pm, and 3pm Central Time
Potluck: 5pm
Sequatchie Valley Institute, Whitwell, TN
Please bring an organic vegetarian dish to share and
come prepared to have fun and enjoy the natural surroundings.
More information: svionline.org

SEPTEMBER 29 THURSDAY
Chattanooga Chapter of Tennessee Interfaith Power & Light
Thursday, September 29, 2005, 7pm
More information: See article below.

october 1 saturday
Tennessee River Rescue - Chattanooga
Saturday, October 1, 2005. 9am-1pm
Join other volunteers to help clean up the river by removing trash from the banks before it washes into the river and becomes a threat to wildlife, drinking water, and navigation.
What to wear: Old clothes and tennis shoes
What to bring: A towel and/or baby wipes to clean-up afterwards. Your zone coordinator will provide you with gloves and trash bags. Since the "level of difficulty" varies from zone to zone, talk to your zone coordinator prior to the cleanup to find out if you should bring any special items.
More information: clean-up zones; tennesseeriverrescue.com

OCTOBER 1 Saturday
Organic Gardening 102 Workshop - Chattanooga
Saturday, October 1, 2005. 10am-noon.
Crabtree Farms. 1000 E. 30th St., Chattanooga.
This course is a follow-up to Organic Gardening 101. Learn how to prepare your bed for fall including cover crops and over-wintering annual crops. Other topics to be covered include an in-depth discussion of pest and disease management and techniques.
Cost: $20 a person.
Registration: Pre-registration is required. Register by phone 493.9155 x10 or email to sign-up.
More information: crabtreefarms.org.

october 1 saturday
National Solar Tours - U.S., including southeast Tennessee
On October 1, 2005, Solar building tours are being offered across the nation. For tours in your area, visit www.ases.org.

OCTOBER 8 Saturday
Household Hazardous Waste Collection - Chattanooga
2nd Saturday of each month. 8am-noon.
Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 3925 North Hawthorne St., Chattanooga.
Information: Chattanooga Public Works (423) 698-9531.

EarthCare Monthly Planning Meeting
2nd Tuesday of each month. 6:30pm.
Chattanooga State (follow the signs or contact us for info.).
Information: .

OCTOBER 15-16 saturday-sunday
Cleveland Apple Festival - Cleveland, TN
Saturday, October 15, 10am-6pm
Sunday, October 16, 1pm-6pm
Cleveland Courthouse Square, Downtown, Cleveland, TN.
Cost: $4 adults, $3 seniors and children 12 and under.
More information: clevelandapplefestival.com

OCTOBER 15 Saturday
Household Hazardous Waste Collection - Dalton, GA
3rd Saturday of each month. 7am-2pm.
Household Hazardous Waste Facility, Old Dixie Landfill, Dalton
Information: Dalton City Landfill (706) 277-3389

OCTOBER 22 Saturday / RAIN DATE - OCTOBER 29
EarthCare Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup
9am. Meet at Central High School.
Contact: Patrick Spiesser to sign up to assist with cleanup (423) 855-7488

november 5 Saturday
EARTHCARE Annual Fall Retreat
Saturday, November 5, 2005. 9:30am-2pm
Pot Point House at the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, TN
Directions: trgt.org
Reservations and more information: See article above.

NO EarthCare Monthly Planning Meeting
The November planning meeting has been cancelled.
Our next meeting will be December 13, 2005.
Location information: .

NOVEMBER 12 Saturday
Household Hazardous Waste Collection - Chattanooga
2nd Saturday of each month. 8am-noon.
Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 3925 North Hawthorne St., Chattanooga.
Information: Chattanooga Public Works (423) 698-9531.

november 12 Saturday / RAIN DATE - november 19
EarthCare Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup
9am. Meet at Central High School.
Contact: Patrick Spiesser to sign up to assist with cleanup (423) 855-7488

NOVEMBER 15 TUESDAY
America Recycles Day
More information: americarecyclesday.org.

NOVEMBER 19 Saturday
Household Hazardous Waste Collection - Dalton, GA
3rd Saturday of each month. 7am-2pm.
Household Hazardous Waste Facility, Old Dixie Landfill, Dalton
Information: Dalton City Landfill (706) 277-3389

2006
New Community Project Learning Tours - based out of Elgin, IL
For information, visit newcommunityproject.org.

How many are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures. (Psalm 104:24, NIV)

These are exciting times for those interested in birds. With the rediscovery of the “thought to be extinct” Ivory-Billed Woodpecker in Arkansas (and who said Arkansas was not the land of opportunity!) and finding out that this past year is reported the best ever for the Kirtland’s Warbler population in Michigan, this may be the spark for us to redouble our own efforts of earthkeeping closer to home. We certainly cannot expect certain birds like the Red Cockaded Woodpecker or the Henslow’s Sparrow to nest in our backyards, but we can encourage other species of birds to feel more at home. Habitat restoration is so important in caring for creation. A small section of the Central Valley in the San Joaquin River national Wildlife Refuge in California has been the site for intense restoration for the past three years. Just this year a pair of Least Bell’s Vireo showed up after an absence of 60 years in the Central Valley area! Talk about exciting times. These stories as well as the slow comeback of the California Condor, new breeding pairs of Whooping Cranes in Florida, and the increase of Peregrine Falcons among tall buildings in large cities of America. Our efforts do count and results are happening.

What about our own homes? What can we do to make our often, small pieces of land more bird-friendly? The first thing is to keep your cats indoors and not let them roam free. Probably, more birds are killed by cats than by any other predatory animal in our urban areas. Natural predators in our home places should be tolerated, even though they may take some of our “beloved” birds. I have a Cooper’s Hawk, which inhabits our small forest area, and probably captures some of my many Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Titmice. I have seen a blue racer climb our house and go for a Carolina Wren (fortunately it missed). These are normal and expected interactions. At times, however, we must step in and help, especially when we bring in predators through importation or by drastically changing the landscape. One of the reasons for the success of the Kirtland’s Warbler is not just habitat restoration, but the reduction of the Cowbird population, which was encouraged by altering the landscape from forest to farm grassland in Michigan.

Another positive step you can take to help bird populations is whenever you plant new trees or shrubs, try to use those plants that are native to your area, not exotic species. Familiar nesting sites and native foods will encourage native birds and even attract native insects for them to eat! Unfortunately without native plants, many housing developments are barren wastelands.

Of course, I have seen Killdeer nesting on open areas. Open areas with tall native grasses may attract native sparrows and other open grassland birds. These areas may be old farm pastures which can be mowed in the early spring to cut down pioneer stage bushes and trees. But even better are places like corridors between lots that contain flood control waterways, which can be found in some housing developments. In most urban areas, scattered trees and bushes often mimic forest edge, which attracts the majority of birds most familiar to the general public like the Cardinal and the Robin. If you are fortunate to live in a large forest tract with very few neighbors, you may be able to maintain the deep forest and attract vireos, warblers and even thrushes.

What counts, is our efforts of being faithful to God’s call of stewardship of His creation, not just across the land and ocean, but right here in our own homes. So, roll up your sleeves and get to work. Make Adam and Eve proud!

Put your energy into meeting with the Chattanooga chapter of Tennessee Interfaith Power & Light
Thursday, September 29, 7pm

The Chattanooga Chapter of Tennessee Interfaith Power & Light invites you to join them on September 29 to consider how people of faith can work together toward stewardship of creation and also bring justice and compassion to those least able to help themselves. We are reminded of the value of the work of caring for creation as we witness the watery aftermath of hurricane Katrina and its effect, especially on the poor.

Your input is needed as we deliberate over ways we can move forward. There is a possibility of some grant money too! What would we do with it if we had it? Bring your ideas. This meeting is open to representatives from all faith paths. If you are aware of interested representatives from other churches, please invite them whether they be minister or layperson.

This month the meeting is being hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Church located at 3224 Navajo Drive. Directions: Exit off I-75 at Germantown Road turning toward Brainerd Road and turn left on Navajo Drive. See the church sign on the left, and drive up to the top of the hill.

Are you looking for creation care curriculum to use with children, youth, or adults? Eco-Justice Ministries has compiled reviews of eco-curriculum published by various Christian and ecumenical publishers. From Eco-Justice Ministries' website, you may search for curriculum by age level and by single or multiple-sessions -- or view all of the curriculum listings.

Many curriculum reviews offer the following information: publication and order information, age level, target audience, optimum class size, number and length of sessions, usage recommendations, materials included with the curriculum, other materials needed, and whether or not there are homework requirements. The typical review also includes the reviewer's opinions regarding teacher preparation time and expertise required, scope of ethical discussions, use of biblical material, and quality of the lessons.

To search for eco-justice curriculum appropriate for your organization's needs, visit Eco-Curriculum Reviews.

Then the King will say to those on the right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."

Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?"

The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

National Relief Organizations
To donate money to national relief charities, check with the local affiliate in your area or logon to FEMA's site for their list of approved charities. While you are there, you might also visit FEMA's Response and Recovery page for their recommendations about how best to help in disasters.

Church Ministry Organizations
Church-based charity/relief organizations are also in need of donations. Check with your local church or go to your denomination's website for a description of their needs. Some church relief organization sites offer specific suggestions for projects churches can do to help in relief efforts.

Local Charities
You might also want to check with charities in your local area about the services that they are currently providing. Many cities located far from the areas that were hit directly by the hurricane are helping families who are trying to relocate and reestablish their lives. The needs often include donations of cash, food, clothing, hygiene products, furnishings, transportation, housing, medical care, and employment opportunities, as well as, a need for volunteers to help provide the extra services.

Animal Rescue
Besides the human toll of Katrina, now estimated to be in the thousands, there is an animal toll as well. Animals including beloved pets, horses, livestock, captive wildlife in zoos and aquariums, and native wildlife were all at the mercy of the storm. Read how the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Disaster Animal Response Teams (DARTs) are attempting to cope with the storm's affects on surviving animals. The scale of this disaster is so massive as to dwarf the response provided by HSUS for the Asian tsunami relief effort and the hurricanes that struck Florida last year.

The HSUS accepts donations toward their rescue efforts in hurricane Katrina disaster areas. The funds will be used for animal rescue and providing assistance to animals' caregivers. For more information, visit the Humane Society's Disaster Relief Fund site.

Blood Donation
During disasters, blood shortages are common, because so much more blood is needed to help those who are injured or ill. For information on donating in Tennessee, north Georgia, or north Alabama, visit Blood Assurance's website.

Fuel Conservation
During disasters, we can help ensure that there is fuel available for those who really need it by conserving fuel ourselves and using only what we need. Ways to conserve fuel include biking, walking, carpooling, and consolidating errands whenever possible, as well as keeping our vehicles properly maintained.

Ever wonder what your state bird or your state insect are? Well, check out the Ranger Rick site (for ages 7 & up), sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation. They have a lot of fun facts for kids, along with games, photos, and interesting nature news. By the way, the state bird for Tennessee is the mockingbird, and the insect is the ladybug. Georgia's state bird is the brown thrasher, and the state butterfly is the tiger swallowtail. For fun for children of all ages, check out NWF's KidZone -- "Where kids and families can all grow wild...together!"

The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26, NKJV)

EarthCare Online Update is a free email newsletter published by EarthCare, Inc. Published approximately six times a year, the newsletter focuses on Christians' call to care for the earth, news of EarthCare activities, and resources to assist with daily aspects of creation care.

Please note that the views expressed in resources listed in the Update are not necessarily those of EarthCare. In the Update we attempt to include a variety of books, websites, etc. in order to facilitate readers' education and exploration of ideas regarding the care of God's creation. It is our hope and prayer that before embracing new beliefs or practices, readers will examine them in context of the teachings of the Bible and God's personal call in their lives.

To subscribe or unsubscribe to EarthCare Online Update, or change your email address, please email us at . Occasionally, compelling news items may warrant an additional Bulletin between publication of issues of the Online Update. Subscribers typically receive no more than one Bulletin per month. Current and back issues of the Online Update and News Bulletins are available on EarthCare's website www.earthcareonline.org. The Online Update is sent only to those who have registered for our email list. We do not rent, loan, or sell our list to anyone.

EarthCare, Inc. is a non-profit Christian organization that exists to promote creation stewardship within the Christian community. For more information about EarthCare, caring for God's creation, and links to other creation care resources, please see our website www.earthcareonline.org.

"EarthCare Stewards" are what we call the generous individuals and churches who contribute to the ministries of EarthCare. We invite you to become an EarthCare Steward and join with us in supporting creation care in the Christian community. The ministries of EarthCare are funded entirely by gifts from folks like you who want to make a difference. Most gifts we receive are small, but because we're all volunteers any amount that you give will have a big impact! Your gift will go directly to support EarthCare ministries (projects, conferences, website, email list, mailing services, and other EarthCare activities). All gifts are tax deductible.

You may contribute by mailing a check or money order to the address below. Thank you!

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