Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
The 7th Unitarian Universalist Principle
A Green History
WUU is proud of its long history supporting environmental causes and working together to develop more sustainable lives. We were certified by the UUA as a Green Sanctuary in 2012. Environmental activities on our campus over the years have included installing solar panels, composting, recycling plastics, rideshare program, creating garden beds, evening talks, hosting a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), Earth Day Events, art shows with nature themes and an Earth Fair on the WUU campus.
Arboretum Project
WUU has an amazing piece of property with its own natural woodlands. The Green Committee's most ambitious project to date has been the creation of our own Arboretum. We contracted with Plantsoon to create 38 labels of mostly native trees and bushes. These labels are beautifully etched on plaques that display common and species names. Using PlantSoon streamlines our progress toward achieving Level 1 Arboretum certification through the ArbNet accreditation process.
Pollinator Garden
There have been gardens in the playground for many years at WUU. Currently we are establishing a new pollinator garden in the playground filled with native plants including spotted bee balm, false blue indigo, sweet black eyed susan and eastern purple coneflower. Our favorite plant though is probably the milkweed the volunteered as the area was weeded and promptly was found by Monarch babies!
Earth Care Book Club
The Green Book Club meets monthly on the First Sunday to discuss a variety of books on nature, conservation, climate and gardening. Recent books explored include Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard, Cloud Cuckoo Land and Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal Survival.
WUU’s Solar Panels
Members worked together to fund and install solar panels on the sanctuary roof and other areas of our campus. We save money on electricity, give back to the grid and help support new green technologies.
Unitarian Universalists recognize and affirm several Sources of Our Living Tradition, including:
Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.