Going Green and Saving Our Planet
The United Church in Tallahassee has a task force dedicated to preventing climate change. We collaborate to make a difference in this area to save the planet. We strive to “Go Green” at UCT as we do our part to take care of the earth in which God has blessed us.
There are three areas that our church is engaged in: green living, policy advocacy, and education.
How Can I Help?
We welcome all to help us with some of the current hands-on projects our church is involved in as we strive to do our part for creation care: recycling, Going Green potluck dinners, collecting weaved onion holders to make into shrub tools for our Artisan Market, planning Wakulla “Save the Springs” tours, changing over to fluorescent lighting, using solar energy for various things, and much more. Help us as we put forth our efforts to be better caretakers of this beautiful planet in which God has blessed us.
Tallahassee Green Faith Alliance
UCT hosted the bi-monthly lunch meeting of the TGFA. This meeting showed us what our growing faith community is doing to care for Creation… and bring a vegan dish if you can.
Saving Wakulla Springs Tour
In October 2019, 11 members of UCT traveled to Wakulla Springs with springs expert Jim Stevenson. As we followed the flow of the water to the headwaters of the Wakulla—through lakes, ponds, and karst windows (sinkholes), we observed the effect we humans have on our environment and our drinking water. We saw algae coming from nitrates (fertilizer and human waste); a lake so toxic you can’t eat the fish from it; and our Wakulla Spring, once visible to a depth of 75 ft., now darkened. But measures in the past decade have not only slowed the decline of the health of the spring, but started to reduce polluting nitrate levels.
So here’s what we CAN do to protect and conserve our springs:
1. Consider a natural yard with native plants. Don’t fertilize, or use one low in nitrates. Centipede grass does not require fertilizer.
2. Clean and maintain septic tanks at least every five years. Upgrade to a nitrogen-reducing system or connect to a central sewer if available.
3. Use natural products. Most herbicides and pesticides harm our drinking water and cloud our springs.
4. Carry your own water bottle; don’t buy single-use plastic bottled water. Our water supply is not limitless. Water is the new gold. We can’t live without it.
Jim’s tour is offered in the spring and the fall if you couldn’t make the rescheduled date. Thanks to all who came. Jim said we’re a great group!
