Although the Eco-Stewards 2009 program was cancelled, much to our disappointment, the East and West programs serve as terrific models for future Eco-Steward training. Don't be surprised if you see some of these great ideas pop up again in years to come!

Eco-Stewards West
July 5-12, 2009

Training at Highlands Camp in Allenspark, CO and concluding at Greenwood Farm in Hardin, MT.

Highlands Camp in Allenspark, Colorado

Eco-Stewards 2009 was designed to take place in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains to explore the intersections of ecology, theology, and justice during an intensive hands-on seminar at Highlands Presbyterian Camp and Retreat Center. Participants planned to come together in intentional community to explore how various threads Christian thought have influenced modern American lifestyles. Furthermore, participants would work together as eco-stewards to design and build a solar project to benefit the ministry of Highlands, while being equipped with personal tools to live and share a more faithful personal lifestyle. Surrounded by the mighty majesty of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, we encouraged all interested to come and be transformed by the landscape and intriguing discussion as we learned to live together as a community of faith.

Venturing north from Highlands, the western team of PCC 2009 eco-stewards was to travel to Greenwood Farm in Montana. Located in a rural setting adjacent to the Crow Indian Reservation, Greenwood Farm is an experiment in simple living, sustainable building and intentional community. Building on the experience at Highlands, Eco-Stewards would learn and apply practical skills of sustainable building and organic gardening through participation in the daily life of the farm. And through talking circles with community members and tribal elders, participants would explore the unique and often turbulent confluence of ecology, theology, poverty and culture that exists in the area. We invited all to join us on this exciting journey of discovery and transformation!

Eco-Stewards Midwest
August 2-9, 2009

Training was set to start at Stronghold Retreat Center in Oregon, IL and conclude at Lake View Presbyterian Church in Chicago, IL.

The Chicago lakefront

Participants were invited to come explore the woodlands, meadows, and prairie of Illinois at Stronghold Retreat Center as we built a community of Eco-Stewards and examined eco-theology, environmental and social justice, systemic change, spirituality, lifestyle simplification, local watershed issues and consumption. Together we planned to complete a high ropes course, explore spirituality through the labyrinth, and tour a cooperative organic farm. Eco-Stewards would combine this team-building with classes, hands-on workshops, film discussions, and guided self-reflection as we focused on the foundations of environmental stewardship. Participants were invited to join us as we collaborated on a response to the environmental crisis as part of a local and global community.

We were then to travel to the Lake View neighborhood of Chicago, IL where we would design and implement an eco-project that responded to environmental justice issues facing an urban community. The group would collaborate with the Eco-Justice Task Force of Lake View Presbyterian Church and meet with local green community activists and leaders to learn about how urban neighborhoods are affected by environmental injustice and the ways that city churches can respond. Included in the experience was a tour the neighborhoods affected firsthand by urban pollution as well as the Chicago Center for Green Technology, the Lake View Action Coalition, and the Eco-Justice Collaborative. Eco-Stewards would conclude their experience with a community education workshop led by the Eco-Stewards promoting awareness and collective action.