Marianist Environmental Education Center

Mount St. John, Dayton, OH

Volunteer involvement in research and ecological restoration projects, programs and presentations are designed to increase awareness and appreciation of the workings of the Earth, to develop skills and to promote the preservation, restoration and enhancement of our landscapes and their life sustaining systems. Hundreds of volunteers have contributed thousands of hours to help heal the land of Mount St. John. In 2003 alone, 474 volunteers donated more than 5,000 hours of service.

Since 1992, the staff and volunteers of MEEC have raised more than 20,000 wildflower and grass plants and more that 500 shrubs life in our native plant nurseries. The MSJ Nature Preserve was designated as an Ohio Natural Landmark by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), which recognized it as “an outstanding environmental education area possessing exceptional value in illustrating and interpreting the natural heritage of Ohio.” ODNR is not the only agency to recognize the value of the site; since 2001 the pond in the prairie has served as a reference target for the restoration of an old Department of Energy nuclear site now on the National Priority (Superfund).

MEEC provides educational experiences through a program model called Mutual Service. Participants learn first how the land cares for them, and then learn how to best care for the land in return so that it can continue to sustain the diversity of life, the human community, and future generations. MEEC targets two groups for environmental service learning outreach: inner-city youth with limited access to natural areas, and local religious education groups.

They work with the inner-city youth because they are more likely to bear a disproportionate burden of environmental problems and less likely to have positive hands-on experiences of nature, and through the programs MEEC seeks to empower them with knowledge from a young age.

MEEC works with the second group because religious groups steward significant land holdings and because faith traditions are well-equipped with moral and spiritual teachings on caring for creation. Cultivating awareness and integration of these teachings into the lives of faith is a powerful way to develop a dedicated, active constituency. The educational displays and access to nature provide occasions to contemplate the beauty and healing power of Earth as well as work toward its restoration.

Since 1998, MEEC has worked with 20 schools and universities, 16 Catholic parishes, eight Protestant churches, and nine additional religious organizations including vowed communities. MEEC also offers free workshops for the faith community throughout southwest Ohio. All participants receive free interfaith climate change resources for congregations, including a five-session bible study guide for congregations, the National Council of Churches’ video God’s Creation and Global Warming, the “Energy Stewardship Guide for Congregations”, the National Council of Church’s Environmental Justice Covenant Congregation Program, and the U.S. Catholic Bishop’s pastoral statement on climate change, as well as scientific resources from the Union of Concerned Scientists and an educational curriculum suitable for traditional and non-traditional educators.

Contact:

MEEC

Mount St. John

4435 E. Patterson Road

Dayton, OH 45430

937-429-3582