The Green Sanctuary committee is currently working on an application for Green Sanctuary accreditation through the UU Ministry for Earth. The application involves an environmental audit and action plan of twelve activities and projects, as well as a communications plan. We hope to complete the accreditation process and become a certified Green Sanctuary by 2009. Here's what we're working on now. And you can help! Get in touch with contact people directly, or fill out our interest form.

Pesticide-free zones - Declare your support for pesticide-free yards and help create awareness for using safer gardening alternatives. In partnership with Washington Toxics Coalition. Contact: Elaine Willey.

Sustainable, healthy food - Community-supported agriculture fosters a sustainable, healthy food system by connecting us directly with local farmers. Contact: Liz Strausz.

Native plants for church landscaping - Join in the development and maintenance of native, sustainable landscaping at UUC. Contact: Nancy Bowen-Pope.

"Getting Around Green" - Do you bike to church? Ever wished you could carpool on Sunday? Green Sanctuary is working to help congregants reduce car trips, and is planning a Sunday service event to highlight alternatives to driving. Contact: Laura Kennedy Gould.

Support of fair trade - The economic justice committee is fundraising for a microlending project through the sale of fair-trade goods.

Green church policies - We have been working on systems to encourage recycling, composting of food waste, decreased use of single-use products, etc., at UUC events, meetings, and services. (Contact Deejah Sherman-Peterson 206-363-4604). Other areas to explore include the purchase of environmentally friendly products, reduction of toxics in school supplies, and evaluation of life-cycle energy costs for the church building.

Education - Green educational opportunities abound! Green Sanctuary offers adult religious education classes that bring together environmentalism and faith. Impact Forum invites you to suggest speakers and topics related to the UU seventh principle. For children, UUC member Claudia McNeill has developed an environmentally themed curriculum, "Cosmic Explorers," and is working to package it for broader use. And for all ages, we hope to organize environmental field trips to sites such as wind farms or "living machine" waste treatment plants.

Worship service - Plans are afoot for a church service celebrating the UU seventh principle and highlighting the congregation's involvement in the Green Sanctuary program.

Resources for sustainable living - We hope to create family "toolkits" to encourage sustainable living, a list of web site links and recommended readings, and a library of resources to borrow or buy.

Advocacy - Through Washington UU Voices for Justice and Earth Ministry (an ecumenical environmental organization), we can tell our elected officials in Olympia that we want environmentally sound, sustainable policies.