Grounds

Landscaping

Tree Maintenance Programs

Develop a maintenance plan for trees on church property. For guidance, check out the NJ Urban & Community Forestry Program.

Tree Planting Programs

Plant trees on church property or participate in a community tree-planting program (or 3rd grade tree planting - see actions under Christian Education) using Arbor Day Foundation seedlings.

Efficient Landscape Design

Develop a landscape plan that increases your overall energy efficiency, based on your climate and conditions.

Grass - Cut It and Leave It Program

Develop a turf management plan: "Grass clippings are a major part of New Jersey’s municipal solid waste stream. As a New Jersey resident, you are already helping to avoid air pollution and wasted resources by recycling. You can do more by reducing waste at the source. Leave the grass clippings on your lawn when you mow, and let nature do the recycling."

Green / Organic / Nontoxic Landscaping Products

"Organic Land Care is a holistic approach to landscaping that improves the natural resources of a site by fostering cycling of resources, promoting ecological balance, and conserving biodiversity." — Rutgers NJAES and Colorado State resources.

Green Maintenance/Motorized Equipment

Learn about greener equipment through organizations like ELA. "Ecological Landscape Alliance educates, inspires, and empowers people to value biodiverse landscapes and employ ecological practices."

Make a Portion of Grounds a Reserve

"Private reserves serve as valuable tools to maintain biodiversity, enabling communities to conserve local natural spaces and serving as connective habitat between larger national reserves." - American Bird Conservancy

Raingarden / Rain Barrels

"Rain barrels capture water from a roof and hold it for later use such as on lawns, gardens or indoor plants. Collecting roof runoff in rain barrels reduces the amount of water that flows from your property. It's a great way to conserve water and it's free water for use in your landscape." - EPA

Plant a Pollinator Garden

Plant a pollinator-friendly garden on church property.

Plant and Sustain Native Plantings

Use native plantings in church garden beds.

Support Sustainable Eagle Scout projects

Examples include: building a compost bin and rain garden.