Office of Ecological Sustainability
Recognizing the interrelatedness of all creation, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth’s mission includes a commitment “to care for Earth.” This has been a central value of the SCNs throughout our history, reflected in the many ways the SCNs care for God’s creation. We reaffirmed this commitment at our 2018 General Assembly, when we directed ourselves to “intensify our efforts across the Congregation to address the destruction of natural resources and the ecological and environmental crisis.” We invite you to join us in this commitment.
Below are some of our sustainability efforts and stories of action.
Value Statements
Our Office of Ecological Sustainability is guided by our mission and our congregational values. We have developed guidelines and value statements on caring for our land and the environment more broadly throughout the years. Below are a few documents that reflect our commitment to ecological sustainability.
In seeking to “be a model of sustainable and regenerative living”, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have taken the following steps:
Greenhouse Gas Emission Goal
The SCNs believe that climate change is real and one of the greatest threats to the health and safety of all life on Earth, especially those who are poor and marginalized. In order to do our part to address this threat and to limit planetary warming to 1.5°C by 2100, we pledge to eliminate our greenhouse gas emissions by 2037 in the United States and Belize and by 2047 in India, Nepal, and Botswana. Below are some of the ways we are working towards this goal.
We pledge to drive fewer cars per population and increase the percentage of electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids.
We pledge to install or invest in additional solar panels to provide renewable energy.
We pledge to eat a more locally-grown, plant-based diet and grow more kitchen gardens. [link to Nazareth community garden section] [link recipe book here]
We pledge to pursue energy conservation efforts throughout our congregation.
We will examine our air travel emissions and commit funds for carbon offsets.
Stories about Greenhouse Gas Emission Goals
Environmental Impact of One’s Diet
Join the Office of Ecological Sustainability in learning about the environmental impact of our diets as Nazareth’s Julia Gerwe “journeys” around the Congregation to calculate the emissions behind a plate of food in India, Belize, Botswana, and the United States.
Gardening around the Congregation
For Sisters Anne Marie O’Shea and Ann Whittaker in Brockton, Massachusetts, the practice of gardening has provided a powerful avenue for community and peacebuilding. In line with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth’s goal to grow a more locally-grown plant-based diet and to grow more kitchen gardens, Sister Anne Marie and Sister Ann share how their community motivated them to garden and how their garden allows them to live more sustainably.
Advice on container gardens
Join the SCN Office of Ecological Sustainability in learning how to garden wherever you may be, as we learn from Sisters who are “starting small” by gardening in pots, containers, and on their balconies.
Eliminating single-use plastics
Plastic waste is threatening waterways, aquatic habitats, and the ecological balance of our global communities. The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are doing our part to eliminate our consumption of single-use plastics through refusal to purchase plastics, reuse of materials, and the production and use of more sustainable materials.
We are eliminating plastic waste from our congregations in India.
We are eliminating single-use plastic materials on our campus at Nazareth, KY.
We are intentionally eliminating plastic waste and use from our communities in Louisville, KY.
We hope to alleviate global plastic waste by empowering communities in which we serve to reduce plastic consumption.
Stories of Eliminating Single-Use Plastics
Hospitality room eliminates single-use plastics
Thanks to some strategic changes, those gathering there will no longer have to use disposable plates, utensils, glasses, or napkins.
Composting Christmas cleanup
Nazareth employees celebrated the Christmas season in the Motherhouse Dining Room using compostable plates, utensils, and cups.
Reducing our global water usage
Our world has a finite supply of freshwater, and climate change is exasperating the disparities in access to freshwater held by communities around the world. As a congregation, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth see water as a sacred resource and are working hard to use it responsibly.
We will do this by sustainably harvesting water in many of our local communities and ministry places.
We will do this by conserving water.
We will do this by treating rain as a resource.
Stories about reducing our global water usage
Bioswale at Nazareth
The Office of Ecological Sustainability and the Grounds Department of Nazareth Campus Service designed and installed a bioswale behind Villages II and above Froman Creek at Nazareth. To learn more about what a bioswale is and how it will help to mitigate stormwater runoff and erosion while increasing wildlife habitat, watch the following video.
Nepal water project
It’s been almost three years since this dream project started. Soon it will be complete so people in this Nepali village may enjoy their right to safe drinking water.
Water with Blessings
Sister Barbara Flores, SCN, and her willing assistant and partner in ministry, Celia Usher, piled 20 white buckets and 2 large bags of Sawyer Water Filters into their vehicle and set out toward the rural St. Margaret Village to what turned out to be a very blessed...
Managing our land to promote maximum wildlife habitat and carbon sequestration
Biodiversity loss is occurring at an unprecedented rate around the world, and the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth understand nature as God’s handiwork bestowed upon us as stewards. We are taking an active role in supporting native habitats across our lands and supporting the biodiversity of nature.
We are transitioning agricultural fields from conventional corn and soybeans to native prairie.
We are increasing the number of native plant species in our landscaping.
We are managing our land as a habitat for native species, including federally threatened and at-risk populations.
Stories about wildlife habitat and carbon sequestration
Invasive species removal workday at Nazareth
The SCN Office of Ecological Sustainability hosted an invasive species removal workday at Nazareth on Jan 24, 2022 in conjunction with the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Master Naturalist Program.
Nazareth Tree Walk
The Office of Ecological Sustainability announces the release of the Nazareth Tree Walk. Designed to help interpret some of Nazareth’s trees to guests and retreatants as they walk the campus, it also promotes native tree species and the important role they play in a healthy ecosystem.
Cicada spotting at Nazareth
Millions of Brood X cicadas are emerging across the United States. The first cicada sighting at Nazareth has occurred. Sister Kelly O’Mahony shares this shot taken on May 29, 2021. Have you spotted your first cicada yet?
Stories of Action
‘Rivers of Hope’ event highlights climate change
AmeriCorps Volunteer Julia Gerwe represents the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in the ‘Ríos de Esperanza / Rivers of Hope’ Pilgrimage, highlighting the SCNs’ work to address climate change and respond to natural disasters.
Nazareth Representatives Address Rotary Club
Today Office of Ecological Sustainability Director Carolyn Cromer and AmeriCorps Volunteer Julia Gerwe spoke in front of the Bardstown Rotary Club in Bardstown, Kentucky. T
Season of Creation Video
The Season of Creation is the annual Christian celebration of prayer and action for Earth.
Take Action
Join the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in taking action to protect God’s creation.
Resources and Community Partners
The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are grateful for the following community partners and resources that enhance our mission to care for Earth and our commitment to sustainability.