BFC page 1

QEW Mini-grants boost Meetings' eco-projects,

by Louis Cox

When we rediscover the lost pleasures of simpler living, we often receive a bonus of reduced costs of living as our material consumption goes down. But sometimes the shift to Earth-friendlier living needs a jump-start through thoughtful monetary investment in such things as energy efficiency, consciousness-raising activities, and lobbying for green legislation.

To serve as a catalyst for Friends who want to reduce their Meetings' ecological footprints and spread Earth-awareness, QEW recently awarded five $200 matching "mini-grants" to various groups needing such a spark to launch low-cost eco-projects.

The enthusiastic response to this year's invitation has been so encouraging, said Mini-grant Committee clerk Ruth Hamilton, that QEW plans to include funds in next year's budget to support at least ten more mini-grants. Special contributions also may be made to this fund. Chestnut Hill (Pa.) Monthly Meeting recently donated $1,000 it had raised through a Meeting tag sale.

This year's five mini-grant projects include:

EarthQuaker Bike Trip

Featured in the March-April 2008 BeFriending Creation, the EarthQuaker Bike Trip is part of a new project of Friends General Conference to encourage more ecologically responsible travel for Friends attending the summer FGC Gathering. This year a group of bicyclists pedaled some 250 miles over hill and dale from Philadelphia, Pa., to Johnstown, Pa., the site of the 2008 Gathering. (Bikers had the option of going home by bus or train after the Gathering.) The $200 QEW mini-grant supplemented funds raised from individuals and Meetings alone the route to cover the cost of a support vehicle and other basic expenses.

By itself, this event may not persuade large numbers of Gathering attenders to start getting there on muscle power, but it may prompt more Friends to see the advantages of alternative modes of travel, including carpooling and public transportation, which can be more relaxing and offer more opportunities for fellowship.

Cibola Canyon habitat restoration

Albuquerque (N.M.) Monthly Meeting requested a $200 grant to supplement a larger contribution it made to the Albuquerque Wildlife Federation. This highly effective environmental group was founded in 1914 with the help of Aldo Leopold, an early leader in the modern conservationist movement. The Federation is one of a number of non-profit partners of the Cibola National Forest division of the U.S. Forest Service, which has been working, through various management and restoration projects and public education, to restore desert ecosystem wildlife habitat in the Milpas Wilderness Area that had been compromised by misuse.

Environmental education outreach

York (Pa.) Monthly Meeting received $200 to support its ongoing program of providing volunteer environmental education within the local urban school system. The Meeting's own "science ladies" make regular appearances in fourth-grade classrooms, teaching students about different ecosystems, soil types, etc., plus doing hands-on projects with the kids. The QEW mini-grant will match funds donated by other Meeting members to pay for teaching materials and cover other costs.

York Meeting's involvement with 4th graders began in 2006 as a extension of a native plant project at their Meeting House. The first year they gave lessons on native plant/animal interactions, problems with invasive species, the importance of insects in the ecosystem, and planting and caring for seeds to emphasize what plants need to grwo. Last year they brought Zoo America's live animal program on Pennsylvania natives to the school and provided buses to take all the 4th graders on a day-long field trip to a York County park for a nature hike, reptile program, and nature-related scavenger hunt.

(Continued on page 2>>)


	<< Back to Publications page BeFriending Creation
BeFriending Creation BeFriending Creation. Newsletter of Quaker Earthcare Witness. ISSN 1050-0332. Published bi-monthly. We publish BeFriending Creation to promote Quaker Earthcare Witness goals, stimulate discussion and action, share insights, practical ideas, and news of our actions, and encourage among Friends a sense of community and spiritual connection with all Creation. Opinions expressed are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect those of QEW, or of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). The editor is responsible for unsigned items. Submission deadlines are February 7, April 7, June 7, August 7, October 7, and December 7. Contents of BeFriending Creation copyright ©2007 QEW, except as noted. Permission to reprint BeFriending Creation material must be requested in advance from the editor. "Membership" in QEW is open to all who demonstrate commitment to support QEW's goals and who support QEW's work at the Monthly or Yearly Meeting levels, or through other Friends organizations. FCUN is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation; contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. QEW Vision and Witness WE ARE CALLED to live in right relationship with all Creation, recognizing that the entire world is interconnected and is a manifestation of God. WE WORK to integrated into the beliefs and practices of the Religious Society of Friends the Truth that God's creation is to be respected, protected, and held in reverence in its own right and the Truth that human aspirations for peace and justice depend upon restoring the earth's ecological integrity. WE PROMOTE these Truths by being patterns and examples, by communicating our message, and by providing spiritual and material support to those engaged in the compelling task of transforming our relationship with the earth. QEW Clerk: Barbara Williamson, 2710 E. Leigh St., Richmond, VA 23223. Phone: 804/643-0461; e-mail: barbaraawmson@juno.com. Address subscription and membership correspondence to: QEW General Secretary Ruah Swennerfelt, 173-B N. Prospect St., Burlington, VT 05401-1607. Phone: 802/658-0308; e-mail: ruah@QuakerEarthcare.org Address editorial correspondence to: BFC Editor: Louis Cox, 173-B N. Prospect St., Burlington, VT 05401-1607. Phone: 802/658-0308; e-mail: louis@QuakerEarthcare.org.	Volume 21, Number 4 • July-August 2008
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	In this issue QEW urges Friends to help stop mountaintop removal. Clerk's message: More Questions for You, QEW... Powell House to offer permaculture workshop in August. Books on "faithful stewards" are antidotes for environmental blues. Food sovereignty is essential to food security. QEW Annual Meeting: What do Friends have to offer to the Great Awakening? QEW becomes an "ally" of the new 1Sky climate initiative. A new edition of the Earthcare Checklist is now available from QEW. QEW Mini-grants boost Meetings' eco-projects, by Louis Cox When we rediscover the lost pleasures of simpler living, we often receive a bonus of reduced costs of living as our material consumption goes down. But sometimes the shift to Earth-friendlier living needs a jump-start through thoughtful monetary investment in such things as energy efficiency, consciousness-raising activities, and lobbying for green legislation. To serve as a catalyst for Friends who want to reduce their Meetings' ecological footprints and spread Earth-awareness, QEW recently awarded five $200 matching "mini-grants" to various groups needing such a spark to launch low-cost eco-projects. The enthusiastic response to this year's invitation has been so encouraging, said Mini-grant Committee clerk Ruth Hamilton, that QEW plans to include funds in next year's budget to support at least ten more mini-grants. Special contributions also may be made to this fund. Chestnut Hill (Pa.) Monthly Meeting recently donated $1,000 it had raised through a Meeting tag sale. This year's five mini-grant projects include: EarthQuaker Bike Trip Featured in the March-April 2008 BeFriending Creation, the EarthQuaker Bike Trip is part of a new project of Friends General Conference to encourage more ecologically responsible travel for Friends attending the summer FGC Gathering. This year a group of bicyclists pedaled some 250 miles over hill and dale from Philadelphia, Pa., to Johnstown, Pa., the site of the 2008 Gathering. (Bikers had the option of going home by bus or train after the Gathering.) The $200 QEW mini-grant supplemented funds raised from individuals and Meetings alone the route to cover the cost of a support vehicle and other basic expenses. By itself, this event may not persuade large numbers of Gathering attenders to start getting there on muscle power, but it may prompt more Friends to see the advantages of alternative modes of travel, including carpooling and public transportation, which can be more relaxing and offer more opportunities for fellowship. Cibola Canyon habitat restoration Albuquerque (N.M.) Monthly Meeting requested a $200 grant to supplement a larger contribution it made to the Albuquerque Wildlife Federation. This highly effective environmental group was founded in 1914 with the help of Aldo Leopold, an early leader in the modern conservationist movement. The Federation is one of a number of non-profit partners of the Cibola National Forest division of the U.S. Forest Service, which has been working, through various management and restoration projects and public education, to restore desert ecosystem wildlife habitat in the Milpas Wilderness Area that had been compromised by misuse. Environmental education outreach York (Pa.) Monthly Meeting received $200 to support its ongoing program of providing volunteer environmental education within the local urban school system. The Meeting's own "science ladies" make regular appearances in fourth-grade classrooms, teaching students about different ecosystems, soil types, etc., plus doing hands-on projects with the kids. The QEW mini-grant will match funds donated by other Meeting members to pay for teaching materials and cover other costs. York Meeting's involvement with 4th graders began in 2006 as a extension of a native plant project at their Meeting House. The first year they gave lessons on native plant/animal interactions, problems with invasive species, the importance of insects in the ecosystem, and planting and caring for seeds to emphasize what plants need to grwo. Last year they brought Zoo America's live animal program on Pennsylvania natives to the school and provided buses to take all the 4th graders on a day-long field trip to a York County park for a nature hike, reptile program, and nature-related scavenger hunt. (Continued on page 2>>)

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	BeFriending Creation • July-August 2008
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