Knox Presbyterian Church has been designated as an Earth Care Congregation by the Presbyterian Church USA since 2014. We participate in several projects year round.
- Monarch Way Station 2016
- Awarded environmental action grant of $2,500 by Suburban Fluor 495 Express Lanes
- Native Plant sale in spring. Think native – less watering, no fertilizer needed, support our pollinators
- Proposed for Fall 2016 a vegan restaurant meal (cut down on methane and use of resources)
- Proposed a vegetarian pot luck with recipes available (cut down on methane and use of resources)
Support organizations include:
- National Capital Presbytery Earth Care Network matching grants are availableFairfax Faith Alliance for Climate Change
- Monarch Watch monarchwatch.org
- Lands and Waters, Jeanette Stewart, at landsandwaters.org
- Complete Lawn Service at completelawn.com
Chasing Coral, 2017 Sundance Award Winning Documentary
Our guest was Dr. Mark Eakin, 25-year employee of NOAA, a Chief Scientific Advisor for the 2017 Sundance winning film Chasing Coral shown recently at Knox. Who knew that the ocean totally controls our weather. Who knew that coral is more complex than we are! Who knew that we can address weather changes at home and locally.
The photography in the movie is outstanding! The message sad, but hopeful. When asked what we can do to help the coral which is dying at accelerated rates due to heated water temperatures worldwide, he said that fossil fuel use was at the top of the list. When asked, he noted that his energy in Montgomery County comes from wind power. Agricultural sources contribute about 20% to climate change.
There are lots of ways to improve our carbon footprint, such as driving electric cars or using reel-type lawn mowers. For info on better lawn mowers http://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/faq-environment.htm.
Grounds Improvement
Knox members, the neighborhood, and scouts have worked together to move toward more environmentally friendly practices in respect to our facilities, premises, education and advocacy. Members are involved with local state and national organizations.
In 2014 Knox members started the project of replacing grass with native plants on the grassy slope beside the ramp.
Now it is full grown. Monarch butterfly caterpillars have been found on the milkweed (butterfly weed/ Asclepias tuberosa) for the past 3 years, and various other pollinators frequent the flowers there. Way to go Knox!