Green Living News & Tips Archive
Living the 7th Principle
AFTER THE WOOLSEY FIRE
By Wendi Gladstone
In last June’s UUSM Newsletter I shared with you the adventures of the Sky Valley Volunteers (SVV) and living the UU 7th Principle. My business partner John and I revived a dormant environmental nonprofit for purposes of habitat restoration and living the 7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence.
Our operation was quite successful in its first year. We got permission from the Boeing Company at the Santa Susana Field Lab (SSFL) site and from MRCA at Sage Ranch Park and Dayton Canyon to plant a total of about 150 Coast Live Oak Trees in February 2018. Today we have about 350 trees in the ground.
Woolsey fireThen the Woolsey Fire happened in November 2018. The Sage Ranch forest escaped the flames, as it was just north of the fire’s onset, but the Boeing property was not as fortunate. John and I stood on a mountain top not far from our planting area and watched our nine-month-old forest burn. It was heartbreaking to say the least.
We weren’t given access to the site at SSFL until mid December. I knew everything had burned, but seeing it for the first time was devastating. I just fell to my knees and wept next to our “first baby” which had grown to be 18 inches tall. The area had been completely toasted.
Our next visit to SSFL was granted in early March. It is amazing to witness the ability these trees have to survive. Below, though the tree in the foreground is obviously gone and you can see its “ghost” on the ground in the December 2018 photo, the trees in the background have sprouted new growth by March 2019.
Not only had many of the mature trees re-sprouted, so had most of our newly-planted forest. By March 90% of our babies were coming back.
Next to my thumb below is the re-sprout of our “first baby.” She’s three inches tall here, and by May she’d grown significantly, as you can see.
We are determined, in spite of fire, to carry on the environmental aspect of the UU 7th Principle. Not only are we respecting the interdependence of all on this planet, but we are actively participating. See our video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cZK0S2smAK0.
We added trees to our first forest and we planted a new forest at Santa Susana Field Lab on the Boeing property on April 5th. This is my Mom’s forest, The Barbara Gladstone Memorial Forest. All of the more than 80 trees have names, one for each person/group who cared, attended her memorial service, or who were her friends. UU of Santa Monica has a tree planted in that forest. Thank you all for caring!
Long live the interdependent web of all existence.
Photos by John Luker.
APRIL IS CLIMATE JUSTICE MONTH
Get Involved with UUSM’s Green Living Committee
The Green Living Committee will host a special Earth Day Service on April 29 on the theme of “Committing to Respond in a Changing Climate: Acting Amid Despair,” led by Green Living Committee Chair Alison Kendall in
partnership with Worship Associate James Witker. The service will explore meaningful actions we can take, from the personal to the political levels to address climate change, featuring ideas, recent environmental actions, and projects by UUSM members in the Green Living and Peace and Social Justice groups. The service is the culmination of Climate Justice Month, and will examine the high cost to future generations of inadequate action to address climate change.
Ideas and opportunities to act will be featured in the Green Living and Climate Action Fair, to be held from 10 am to 1 pm in the courtyard off Forbes Hall. Green Living Committee members and local environmental groups will provide information on a wide range of Green Living and Climate Action topics. Come stroll among the displays and learn about sustainable food, edible organic gardening, drought tolerant landscaping, home energy conservation, green remodeling, electric cars, bicycling. There’ll be information on sustainable mobility. carbon fee and dividend policies, and Santa Monica’s local climate action and adaptation plans. Hands-on activities for youth and others will be included.
We invite you to celebrate Climate Justice Month by completing one of the Carbon Footprint Calculators below at the start and end of the month. Be sure to answer honestly and commit to respond to climate change by taking at least three actions during the month, so future generations will be able to enjoy the gifts of living in harmony with nature and our beautiful Mother Earth.
Cool California Calculator for Households or Businesses
Carbon Calculator for Kids or Adults:
Let’s compare your scores on April 1 and April 29. We will have Green Living Committee members ready to help you record the results of your green living and climate actions on April 29.
In gratitude for the wonder and interdependence of all living beings and our beautiful Mother Earth,
– Alison Kendall, Green Committee Chair
The Green LIving Committee participated in CSU's Veggie Bus Workday, 10/20/17
Another Sustainable Quality Award for UUSM
The Green Living Committee is proud to announce that our UUSM community has won a third commendation from the Sustainable Quality Awards: for Excellence in Stewardship of the Natural Environment. The judges recognized
UUSM’s:
• Innovation. Our Green Building Education Program is available to visitors, staff and the public (published on our website). Our sustainable building practices included a retrofit of all lighting in the sanctuary and offices to LED Lighting.
• Commitment. Our Good Neighbor Policy details how we promote alternative transportation methods: bus, walk or bike. Our Sustainable Procurement Policy, FIA film screenings, and work with our partners at CSU Community Services Unlimited in developing the Veggie bus – these all show our commitment to our Seventh Principle.
• Documented results. We reported measurable results in the reduction of energy use – both at the church and in the homes of members who have made changes because of our green building education practices.
The awards, developed in partnership between the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, City of Santa Monica and Sustainable Works, recognize local businesses who demonstrate excellence in helping Santa Monica continue to move toward a more sustainable future. “Through this celebration, we hope to drive innovation and motivate others to also invest in sustainable practices, and ultimately the future of a sustainable Santa Monica,” said Laurel Rosen, president of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce. “The city of Santa Monica is proud to honor and applaud each and every one of these businesses’ dedication to maintaining the quality of life in our community.” The annual awards ceremony will take place April 26.
We had two winning submissions in 2010 for Excellence in Social Responsibility and Stewardship of the Natural Environment. Next year, we plan to apply for the Grand Prize Award. We will need to demonstrate excellence in all three domains: Sustainable Economic Development, Social Responsibility, and Stewardship of the Natural Environment.
Credit is due to all the Green Living Committee members who inspire sustainability here at church and practice it at home, and to all our members who carry our Seventh Principle out into the world.
– Beth Brownlie
Veggie Bus Getting Ready to Roll
Alison Kendall, helping prepare Community Services Unlimiteds’ (CSU) “Veggie Bus” to receive solar panels as part of it’s remodel into a permanent classroom, seed library and performance space. UUSM has been working with CSU on this project and several other volunteers joined Alison on Sept. 9 to help make this project happen. There is another workday coming up on Saturday, October 14. Watch the Thursday announcements for more information.
Film Screening with Director - Saturday, Oct. 7, 7 pm in the Sanctuary
UU Santa Monica’s Green Living Committee presents a special screening of the award-winning film, “Love Thy Nature,” with filmmakers and community partners — Saturday, October 7 at 7 pm on the big screen in the sanctuary.
Narrated by Liam Neeson, “Love Thy Nature” points to how deeply we’ve lost touch with nature, and takes viewers on a cinematic journey through the beauty and intimacy of our relationship with the natural world. The film shows that a renewed connection with nature ignites a sense of meaning and wonder so profound that it touches us at the very core of what it means to be human. The winner of 27 awards, it screened in 140 cities around the globe, advancing the filmmakers’ mission to grow the nature-connecting movement.
The film’s director, Sylvie Rokab, will be present for a Q&A. Please join us afterward in Forbes for refreshments and a chance to learn more about how the Green Committee and our community partners are working on environmental and climate justice in Santa Monica/LA and beyond. View the trailer at http://www.lovethynature.com/#trailer
Film Screening with Director Saturday, Oct. 7, 7 pm in Sanctuary
U U Santa Monica’s Green Living Committee presents a special screening of the award-winning film, “Love Thy Nature,” with filmmakers and community partners — Saturday, October 7 at 7 pm on the big screen in the sanctuary. Narrated by Liam Neeson, “Love Thy Nature” points to how deeply we’ve lost touch with nature, and takes viewers on a cinematic journey through the beauty and intimacy of our relationship with the natural world. The film shows that a renewed connection with nature ignites a sense of meaning and wonder so profound that it touches us at the very core of what it means to be human. The winner of 27 awards, it screened in 140 cities around the globe, advancing the filmmakers’ mission to grow the nature-connecting movement. The film’s director, Sylvie Rokab, will be present for a Q&A. Please join us afterward in Forbes for refreshments and a chance to learn more about how the Green Committee and our community partners are working on environmental and climate justice in Santa Monica/LA and beyond. View the trailer here: http://www.lovethynature.com/#trailer
The Green Living Committee Joins with CSU Again!
In the last 18 months, this congregation through the Green Living Committee has been taking steps to partner with Community Services Unlimited (CSU). CSU has been around since the ‘70s as a community group focused on empowering the residents of South Los Angeles by providing access to healthy food for those with few options and building youth leadership to support those efforts into the future. CSU has earned (with significant technical assistance from our committee members Alison Kendall and Beth Brownlie), a $10,000 project grant from the US Green Building Council to turn their beautiful Veggie Bus into a permanent classroom, plant nursery and seed library. This grant requires them to unveil a completed project by the end of September and there’s plenty to do. We got an amazing amount done at the last volunteer day and there is one more volunteer opportunity left for this grant project: Saturday, September 9, from 9 am to 1 pm.
There are many ways to volunteer: cleaning, painting, etc. as well as electrical and some construction for folks who have those skills. And there will be some of their “beyond organic” produce available for purchase to support their efforts. If you can make some time to join us to help extend our reach beyond Santa Monica and the Westside, please join us!
For those who want to car pool and reduce our carbon footprint, please contact Rick Teplitz to coordinate.
COMMUNITY SERVICES UNLIMITED
Our Green Living Committee social justice partner in South Los Angeles needs volunteers for upcoming work days on July 8 and August 12, 9 am to 1 pm. Contact Rick Teplitz for more information.
Great CSU News from the Green Living Committee
Community Services Unlimited, our climate justice partner in South Central Los Angeles, has received two grants towards their Veggie Bus project as they continue to remodel of their campus at the Paul Robeson Center at 6563 South Vermont.
They won a Legacy Project grant of $10,000 from the Los Angeles Chapter of the US Green Building Council. Another $5,000 came as a grant from Whole Foods! This will allow them to relocate the colorfully painted Veggie Bus on their new site at the Paul Robeson Center on Vermont, and to renovate it for use as a classroom and seed library.
The bus is now on site although not quite positioned where it will ultimately be. While continuing to work on that aspect of the project there is an opportunity to celebrate and volunteer to help at an event on June 10, “Honoring Our Seeds: Historical & Ecological,” including a seed saving and canning workshop, a panel on the origins of the Paul Robeson Center, and a performance/video shoot, “I’m a Champion” by Sheldon Bailey and the audience.
UUSM members who would like to attend and help out, please contact Rick Teplitz. and we’ll try to set up car pooling or alternative transport. Rick has room for three leaving from Westchester. Look for more information in the June newsletter.
— Rick Teplitz
UU Santa Monica Named a Green Sanctuary by the UUA
In February 2007, the Green Sanctuary Committee was voted into existence at an FIA Town Hall Meeting. Those at the meeting voted to take actions and apply to the UUA to become a Green Sanctuary Church.
On March 17, 2017, after ten years of hard work by many volunteers of this beloved community, we were officially awarded the Green Sanctuary designation by the UUA.
It’s a grand kickoff to our 2017 Climate Justice Month of April. In next month’s newsletter, we’ll have an in-depth look at what it takes to become a Green Sanctuary.
Meanwhile, here is a partial list of volunteers who helped this effort: Leslie Reuter, Alison Kendall, Sandra Trutt, Beth Brownlie, Jessica Clay, Greg Woods, Linda Van Ligten, Hildreth Simmons, James Witker, Diana Spears, Rick Teplitz, Kathryn Lee, Rick Rhoads, Haygo Salibian, Katie Malich, Cathie Gentile, Nalani Santiago-Kalmanson, Linda Marten, Karl Lisovsky, Brad Hutchinson, Bryan Oakes, Robin Lowney-Lankton, Laura Eklund, Administrator-Nurit Gordon, two spiritual leaders, the Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur and the Rev. Judith Meyer, Catherine Farmer Loya, DRE...and many more in our community. Thank you all, for helping our community get there!
— Beth Brownlie
March and April, 2017 - Climate Justice Month
Seeds of Change
Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.
-- Henry David Thoreau
Join Rev. Rebecca, Green Living committee leaders , and special guests for Seeds of Change, a five-week exploration of personal and social transformation through the lens of climate justice. The journey begins on March 19, with Reverend Michael Dowd, eco-thologian, preaching in honor of World Water Day on March 22. Our Climate Justice Month will conclude with our participation in the March for Science in Los Angeles on April 22 and then celebration with the Earth Sunday sermon on April 23.
GREAT NEWS FROM THE GREEN LIVING COMMITTEE!
Community Services Unlimited, our climate justice partner in South Central Los Angeles, has received two grants towards their Veggie Bus 2 project, a Legacy Project grant of $10,000 from the Los Angeles Chapter of the US Green Building Council and another $5000 from the Whole Cities Foundation.
This has allowed them to relocate the beautifully painted Veggie Bus to their new location at 6569 South Vermont Avenue, where it will be renovated for use as a classroom and seed library/nursery, to become part of the urban farm and wellness center that is being developed at this site (check out this video https://give.classy.org/PRCWC).
Please join us to celebrate and volunteer Saturday, June 10 - HONORING OUR ROOTS: PEOPLE, SEEDS AND PLACE
10 am to noon
Garden Gateway, Seed Saving: Learn how to save seeds harvested from the EXPO Farm, help create the first packets to become part of the Veggie Bus Library, and take seeds home for your garden!
Veggie Bus 2: Join us to start this exciting project; we will move the bus to its permanent location, do some clean up and have a dialogue about the features we want to include in this upcycle.
12 pm to 2 pm
Paul Robeson Panel and Video Shoot: The seeds of the Paul Robeson Center, how did it come to be, why was it named after and what is its connection to Paul Robeson? “I’m a Champion” performance by Sheldon Bailey and video shoot with audience.
UUSM members who would like to attend and help out, please contact Rick Teplitz,and we’ll try to set up carpooling or alternative transportation. Rick Teplitz has room for three people leaving from Westchester.
Seeds of Change
Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up
where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed.
Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am
prepared to expect wonders.
— Henry David Thoreau
Join Rev. Rebecca, Green Living Committee leaders, and special guests for Seeds of Change, a five-week
exploration of personal and social transformation through the lens of climate justice. The journey began on March 20, when we marked World Water Day with a beach clean up with Heal the Bay, and concludes with Earth Sunday on April 24.
Come join the UU Santa Monica Green Living Committee and FIA Commission for a special screening of this film April 24, 5:30 pm Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica 1260 18th Street, Santa Monica 90404, in the Sanctuary Discussion immediately following, with special guests.
Green Living Practice Groups:
Wednesdays, March 23 & 30, and April 6 & 13, 8:30 am-9:15 am (Location TBD). We will join in a spiritual practice of learning and sharing our ways to align our daily life more closely with the needs of Mother Earth and all living things, including our future generations. Focus to include Water, Energy, Air, and Resources. This is a series of four meetings. For more information or to RSVP, contact: green@uusm.org or Beth Brownlie,.