Berkley Creation Care

02/21/2024

Thanks to everyone who participated in our Christmas light recycling program this year! We were able to recycle over 42.5 pounds of lights!

02/19/2024

A perspective as you look ahead to the coming weeks--

March in many places is a teaser—
warm one day, inviting us to
jump into springtime action,
but cold the next, slamming us back
with a warning not to rush.

Let us rest in the sure knowledge
that God is faithful, and spring will come.
In the meantime, we can plan—dream, explore,
investigate, discern, prepare, be ready.
That’s our faithful response.

-Shared from the United Methodist Creation Justice movement

11/02/2023

10/30/2023

Our Christmas string light recycling collection is BACK! Beginning Sunday, November 5 (*until January 31, 2024), you can drop off your old & burned-out Christmas string lights at the labeled bin outside the Children's Ministry doors! String lights cannot be placed in your curbside recycling bins, but recycling them prevents them from being needlessly dumped in the landfill. Last year we collected over 90 pounds of lights to recycle - let's see if we can beat that record this year!

10/09/2023

Wild rice, or "Manoomin", was once an important source of food and and socio-cultural symbol for the Anishnaabe peoples who once inhabited the wilderness in Michigan and other areas surrounding the Great Lakes. Although wild rice was once plentiful, its populations are now greatly diminished, but many native American tribes within the Great Lakes states are fighting to reestablish the connection with this important plant in our region's history. Learn more about wild rice and the efforts to bring it back here http://www.michiganwildriceinitiative.com/.

Image Credit: Michigan Sea Grant

10/07/2023

As the trees tell of the shift from one season to another, remember that even though the physical things of this world, life circumstances, and human relationships are constantly in flux, our God never changes!
"In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." Psalms 102:25-27



Image Credit: WoodTV8

10/04/2023

Did you know that Rockford is one of Kent County's leaders in sustainability? The Rockford Sustainability Committee provides educational programs and offers opportunities for individuals and businesses to participate in 'green' practices like recycling, composting, water quality monitoring, and invasive species management. They also have a GREAT lineup of programs coming up this fall and winter! To learn more, visit https://www.rockfordsuscom.us/.

10/02/2023

We post a lot about water, but that's only because it's the most valuable substance on Earth!! All living things need freshwater to survive, but not all our freshwater is clean enough to drink. In order to maintain safety standards, waterways must be monitored, and one of the best ways to do that is by collecting benthic macroinvertebrates. That's right - we're talking bugs! These macroinvertebrates tell us a lot about the health of a waterway, and this Saturday (10/7) there is an opportunity for you to be involved! Join organizations like the Rogue River Watershed Partners, the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW), Schrems Trout Unlimited, and the Rockford Sustainability Committee to learn how this process works! This event will be from 10a - 2p (or however long you can join!). Meet at the Richardson-Sowerby park pavilion. Materials will be provided.
Image Credit: Friends of the Chicago River

09/28/2023

Looking for a way to enjoy the great outdoors this weekend? How about planting some trees?? Join the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks on Friday (9/29) and Saturday (9/30) to help them plant 350 trees in urban areas nearby! This fits in with the overall goal of the Friends and the Grand Rapids Forestry Department to plant over 10,000 new trees and reach 40% tree canopy cover within the Grand Rapids City limits. You can learn more or sign up to volunteer here: https://friendsofgrparks.org/fgrp-events/neighborwoods/?mc_cid=1fc6c2f132&mc_eid=922072bc34

09/27/2023

Eating out? Be mindful about it!
- Opt-out of condiments or utensils you won't use
- Recycle your to-go containers, when you can (make sure it's free of food and follows local recycling guidelines)
- Don’t try to recycle styrofoam or plastic bags (you can find free plastic bag recycling drop-off centers nearby, like those at Meijer)

09/25/2023

Does recycling make a difference? Yes! Aluminum is a great example of this. About 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today, and the material is basically "infinitely recyclable." Every bit counts!