UU’s have a deep awareness of our climate crisis and the environmental injustices of our time. The Unitarian Universalist Association, together with the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth, provides the Green Sanctuary Program to help UU communities better understand and act upon climate justice issues. Learn more here.
Congregations can engage in the Green Sanctuary 2030 process with the goal of accreditation or simply to advance climate justice in the ways that make the most sense with their capacity. While we are not working toward accreditation at this time, we strive to live by the program’s principles.
We invite all who share these values to join us on this journey of connection, sustainability, and hope.
Some examples of our initiatives:
Buildings and Grounds
Our five open acres require minimal maintenance, with drip irrigation where needed and no chemicals required. We have created a memorial garden in honor of a beloved congregant and a pollinator garden that has been designated a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat.
Going Solar
In 2020 we sponsored a short-term Solar co-op created by Solar United Neighbors of Florida to help area residents learn about going solar and provide buying power to reduce installation cost. Working through pandemic challenges, the co-op enabled many members and area residents to “go solar”, and as of December 31, 2021, we are solar too!
View more images of our celebration event here.
Community Action
While we engage in various projects and activities within the congregation and community, we partner primarily with:
We are currently participating in their soft plastic recycling campaign to earn another bench for the Center. They have to date received one bench by recycling 1,000 pounds of soft plastic through the NexTrex program. According to NexTrex, this is equivalent to recycling 94,000 plastic bags.
We also gather there annually for a special Sunday service.
Lake County Conservation Council
Sharing educational opportunities, including hosting the Voices of Change Symposium in 2024.
Partnering with LCCC and other environmental organizations in the area to host the Lake County annual EcoExpo which can typically include displays by conservationorganizations, government agencies, and “green” businesses, speakers on conservation topics, a native plant sale, displays of contest entries, and a gallery of maps of geographical information for Lake County.
