Creation Care Ministry
Welcome! I’m glad you found this page! I’ve been writing the Creation Care column for a while now, and as time went on I acquired a library of resources on the subject. I wanted to make them easily accessible to anyone who is interested, so they’ve been compiled here for your convenience. The internet is as fluid and changeable as a river, so if you notice that a link is no longer functional let me know. Otherwise, make use of what’s here and check back for additions as the ministry grows.
– Holly
Composting is a triple win for gardeners. You nourish your plants thDe natural way, keep table scraps and yard waste out of landfills, and save money by eliminating or reducing your need for store bought soil and fertilizer. The process is very simple once you get the hang of it. Use the link below for a quick refresher on starting your own compost pile.
Better Homes & Gardens Compost Basics
A new City of Houston + The Woodlands composting program is now available. There is a fee for participation and the service is available in limited areas. Still, I’m excited to see this step forward and would love for it to be such a smashing success that it spreads to other areas.
Woodlands Residential Composting Service
Not all textiles are worthy of donation for use in their current form. If you have clothing or linens that are not suitable for wear or use, it doesn’t have to be the end of the road. There is a local dealer that will turn the fibers back into a raw resource.
Recycling is more complicated than you think. Rules are different for apartment dwellers and single family homes. The Houston area has multiple service providers and their rules vary from time to time. Even for a single provider the rules can change. If possible, you should look up your provider online, but that’s tricky too. In general, the information below applies to MOST situations.
Houston can be a tricky place to garden. We’re blessed with lots of rain and sunshine, but outdoor plants can drown and bake…in the same month, or even the same week. Check out the charts on the site below for planting zone and calendar information to give your garden a fighting chance.
The Native Plant Society of Texas has a new database of trees, flowers and other plant life that can turn your yard into an oasis. Xeriscaping reduces water use, improves a plants odds of success and supports pollinators and other beneficial visitors. The site also has information on how to get involved and find out more about the work the society does.
My house backs up to the Spring Creek Greenway so I have a front row seat to the wildlife parade: tortoises, opossums, racoons, javelinas, armadillos, and occasionally even deer roam my block. These creatures are nervous neighbors and humans should take care to respect their boundaries. For more on how to manage the overlap between animal habitats and human dwelling places try the link here.
Don’t dirty the planet while you’re cleaning your house. Check out this resource for recipes and tips for keeping things shiny and fresh. As a bonus most of these are healthier for people (lack of harsh chemicals) and less expensive in addition to being planet-friendly.
As I’ve developed ideas for my columns and church activities, I’ve been checking in with a couple of church websites. There isn’t much practical advice for day to day living. However, if you’re interested in finding out why Holy Comforter was interested in supporting this ministry, or if you’re curious what the Big Picture looks like you can visit the Anglican Communion or Episcopal Creation Care pages.