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Each month the Creation Care Team shares news and resources to inspire and support churches, diocesan institutions, individuals, and families in the life-giving work of caring for creation. Pass them on! | | |
"Every one of us, no matter who we are or where we live, can and must play a part in restoring nature." ~ David Attenborough
Photos by the Rev. Deacon Linda Brown: Native flowers in the Pike-San Isabel National Forest, Beaver Pond and Mule Deer at Cathedral Ridge
| | Collaborate: Lunchtime Conversation Notes | |
On January 20, 24 creation care advocates from 16 congregations gathered for a time of sharing and collaboration. The biggest takeaway: Congregations have done wonderful work in caring God's creation, and the good work continues! There is great energy for creation care ministry and people are looking for connection as they seek to reduce human impact on our environment, protect biodiversity, and find joy and hope in engaging in this ministry that honors God and all God's creation. Here are some more takeaways from our time together:
- People are seeking education/formation around care of creation.
- Creation care teams are trying to widen the circle of people engaged in this ministry, both within their congregations and in the wider community.
- Congregations are moving beyond recycling to composting, xeriscaping, and creating sacred outdoor spaces.
- An ongoing challenge is keeping creation care top of mind for people.
- Teams are finding success with outdoor offerings like Holy Hikes and a seated pilgrimage on church grounds.
- There is a high level interest in ongoing sharing and collaboration across the diocese.
Join us Thursday, March 19, 12:00-1:00 pm MT (new date), as the conversation continues! Registration coming soon.
Click image to view January 20 Slide Presentation.
| Celebrate: Creation Care Ministry around the Diocese | |
Composting at Holy Comforter, Broomfield
In November, Holy Comforter welcomed Compost Colorado to our campus and became a community compost drop off location. In return, Holy Comforter will be able to compost all food waste from all our buildings, and many of our parishioners have signed up to bring their food waste to Holy Comforter, instead of placing it in the trash. Compost Colorado diverts over 50,000 pounds from the landfill each week and has distributed over 500 cubic yards of compost across their service area since they were founded in 2018. For more information, contact Carol Tillman at caroltillman@msn.com.
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Reducing Carbon Footprint at St. Ambrose, Boulder
In 2025, St. Ambrose, Boulder, took steps to reduce their utility carbon footprint by 60%. Guided by an electrification study paid for by Boulder County PACE, the church first replaced its four oldest gas furnace/AC units with high-efficiency heat pumps, taking advantage of significant incentives and rebates from PACE and our utility company, Xcel Energy. Through the Growing Green campaign in June, the congregation raised sufficient funds to cover the net cost of this project and more. The church then pursued plans for solar panel generation on our extensive sunny roof, timed to make use of the heat pump Xcel rebate received in the fall and the remaining Growing Green funds. By November 2025, we contracted for solar panel installation that will generate about 33,300 kWh of electricity per year. These two projects combined will bring our carbon footprint down from 27 CO2e metric tons to an estimated 11 CO2e metric tons. The panels are expected to be operational in Spring 2026. The church will be applying for a federal investment tax credit through their elective pay program that will cover half of the costs of this project. For more information, please contact Kris Bertness at kbertness@gmail.com.
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Xeriscaping at St. Luke's,
Fort Collins
St. Luke's Xeriscape Project's goal is to convert our acre of turf into a welcoming natural area for community use. Additionally, the project will encourage adopting landscaping practices that benefit the environment. In addition to volunteer labor on the project, this year the project has received funding of $107K from several outside sources for the next phase of our installation. With the help of grants from Northern Water ($25K), Larimer County Small Grants for Community Partnering ($4K), and Nature in the City from Fort Collins ($60), as well as eligibility to apply for incentive money through the Xeriscape Incentive Program from Fort Collins Utilities ($18K), we will be able to install a community patio and a large portion of our native gardens this year. For more information, contact Susan Groeger at creationcare@stlukesfc.org.
| | Embrace Native Landscaping: Nature's Best Hope
by Douglas Tallamy | |
 | | Having just finished this book by Douglas Tallamy, I feel inspired that we can all be conservationists and do something -- no matter how small -- to preserve and protect wildlife populations that are in decline. His blueprint is focused on the yards surrounding our homes and common spaces in our communities (such as parks), and I would add the grounds around our churches. The key is to replace non-native plant species (flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees) with native ones that will provide habitat and food sources for our native insects (caterpillars, butterflies, bees, etc.) and birds. Our native wildlife cannot survive on non-native plants. It's no wonder that wildlife species diversity has plummeted over the past few decades. Although the book is focused on the eastern U.S., Tallamy's blueprint also applies to the Rocky Mountain West. There are many organizations, such as the CSU Extension Service, CO Native Plant Society, and Tallamy's own Homegrown National Park Website, that can recommend native plants for your location. This book would be great for your parish book study. So spring is coming. Let's get ready!
Book review by the Rev. Deacon Linda Brown
Click book cover for more information or to order.
| | Look Ahead: Creation Care Happenings | | |
Underlined items have links to more information.
Lunch & Share - March 19, 12:00-1:00 pm (Registration coming soon!)
Earth Day Morning Prayer - April 22, 7:30 am
National Faith + Climate Forum - April 25, 10:00 am -3:30 pm
Episcopal Grasslands Network Event, Amarillo, TX - May 1-2
Rocky Flats Pilgrimage, Superior, Colorado - Saturday, May 16
Care of Creation Retreat at Cathedral Ridge - August 14-16
Summer Book Study - Title tba
Season of Creation - September 1-October 4
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To learn more about these items and additional care of creation resources, contact any member of the Creation Care Team. We welcome your resource ideas and news about what your church or diocesan institution is doing to care for creation!
The Rev. Gary Brower, Rector, Good Shepherd, Centennial
Jesse Brown, Spiritual Director, Parishioner, St. Michael's, Colorado Springs
The Rev. Linda Brown, Deacon for Care of Creation, Cathedral Ridge
Susan Groeger, Parishioner, St. Luke's, Fort Collins
Dennie Hoffacker, Youth Minister, St. Timothy's, Centennial
Tracy Methe, Office of the Bishop Liaison to Creation Care Team
Carl Peterson, Parishioner, All Saints, Loveland
Trek Salzer, Parishioner, St. John's Cathedral
Carol Tillman, Parishioner, Holy Comforter, Broomfield
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