Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Sanctuary
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BAUUC as a Green Sanctuary Church |
BAUUC Growing & GreeningIn support of our Seventh Principle, members of BAUUC engage in a wide range of activities that show respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. The Green Sanctuary Committee would like to point out a few of the ways in which the BAUUC community is fulfilling our mission of “promoting environmentally sustainable” practices. |
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Natural Landscapes |
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As you approach the church from El Camino Real, the first thing you will notice on the right hand side is the Ted Keilpart Wildlife Sanctuary, a patch of vegetation in its natural state that provides a habitat for wildlife. In October 2003, BAUUC received recognition as a National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat. |
| Next you will notice our spiral Peace Garden. In 2003, our Junior High youth designed and installed a flagstone pathway. It can be used as a quiet place for reflection and for outdoor worship services. Behind the garden are several compost piles containing leaves, grass clippings, wood chips, and kitchen waste in various stages of decomposition. These piles provide mulch and nourishment for the many native plants that beautify our landscape. |
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Recycling |
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In the parking area is a bin for recycling paper products. As church & community members contribute to this bin, tons of papers are kept out of Texas’ landfills. |
| Inside the church near the restrooms is a container for collecting aluminum cans. We hope to expand our recycling efforts to include other types of recyclables, which will be taken to Ellington recycling center. |
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Energy ConservationRooms in our church are kept at a comfortable temperature with programmable thermostats that can be set at “no occupancy” to save electricity and money. Volunteers and staff keep the doors closed so that only rooms that are in use are heated or cooled. |
Sustainability Curriculum for ChildrenIn the summer of 2003, the Sustainability Group and Religious Education Department conducted an intergenerational service to present what the children had learned during the summer Religious Education program on sustainability and the environment. |
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Responsible Consumption |
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The coffee we drink is fair-trade and shade grown. It is purchased from cooperatives helping the farmers to build a better future for their families. |
| Our kitchen volunteers and cooks use washable dishes for most of our events and take recyclable kitchen waste to the compost pile. |  |
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Our office volunteers and staff frequently use both sides of paper before it is recycled and empty printer cartridges are exchanged for recycled paper. |
Community Involvement |
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| Many of our recycling/conservation efforts reach out to other communities. Our annual garage sale helps members to recycle gently used goods and benefits the surrounding community. Volunteers have also worked with Medical Bridges to load trucks with medical supplies to be sent to foreign countries. |
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Volunteers Welcome!These are only a few of the many activities in which BAUUC members participate. Church committees are always in need of volunteers to help and provide new ideas. We hope this description of our Green Sanctuary program will encourage you to join us in our efforts.For more information, please contact Pat McLeod. |