1. We are voluntarily united Unitarian Universalist (UU) members and friends gravely concerned about the impact of Climate Change and the consequential environmental injustices to current and future generations of human and all other life forms. We recognize the social gospel of a prophetic imperative in our physical interdependence to the living world as beings living lives centered in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We seek to work with cause and effect with UUs and others of surrounding watersheds and regions as we span political boundaries with the fullest of intention. We voluntarily commit ourselves to act with mutual cooperation and respect under the unifying enabling guidance of our self-governing congregations.




2. We covenant ourselves to the interdependent web of live assigning to our collective voices those beings of current and future generations unable to speak to the fullest effect of their requirements and needs for living space unfettered by the adverse consequences and penalties of global warming. We incorporate the work of framing our language communications to positive effect.




3. We covenant as individuals and in our religious, social, and cultural systems to advocate for global environment relieved of the full consequences and damages that are artifacts attributed to human technologies and behaviors. We recognize ourselves as part of all the earth physical, living, and cultural systems see our existence as both part of the problem and as responsible parties committed to mitigating the resulting environmental problems.




4. Our covenant draws on the earth center core of all the worlds religions tempered to effect the fullest essential environmental good for all through our collective wisdom and inspiration in expressing and applying our Unitarian Universalist heritage, traditions, and active fellowship. We freely enter into the UU democratic process recognize our mutual responsibilities to each other to share in leading, following, supporting, and enabling to our fullest capabilities while accepting our human limitations. We agree to act with deliberate purpose and intent while keeping ourselves open to fully sharing the wonders of the world and the Unitarian Universalist prospective on the world our work with all seekers and fully accept responsibility to cogently explain to our views, as necessary and relevant, to all those with whom we ally or oppose.




5. We commit to applying the benefits of our individual and collective good fortune toward resolving the associated problems of global warming. This includes the use of our greatest treasure – our minds working together - to advocate for improvement and effect direct improvement to measurable effect and objectives.




6. We make covenant in vocation and commitment to our best abilities.

DRAFT VERSION 1.0 – 13 JUNE 2005

EXPLORE WITH NEST

Do you enjoy being outdoors? Do you wish you knew more about local streams, plants, and soil? Do you want to get more involved in your community? Then participate in the free Neighborhood Ecological Stewardship Training (NEST) program. Explore your NEST! Adults are invited to learn about natural resources through a series of free hands-on workshops and outings that will be held at various locations around Northern Virginia from March - June, 2006. These include: (1) classes about streams, soil, native and invasive plants; (2) land-based exploration including walks, hikes, and bike rides; (3) water-based exploration including kayaking, canoeing, and boating; and (4) outdoor arts including photography, music, drawing, and journaling. Participants that commit to the entire series will be given priority in class choice and will receive various incentives. As part of the NEST program, participants will be asked to complete two surveys about stewardship. The surveys are the basis for a dissertation project at George Mason University.

For more information and to register, visit http://mason.gmu.edu/~jcornell/NEST and contact Joanna Cornell at jcornell(at)gmu.edu or 703-324-1425. Register early as the program will fill quickly.

Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is coordinating the NEST program in partnership with Adventure Links, Arlington County, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Audubon at Home in Northern Virginia (sponsored by the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia), Audubon Naturalist Society, CentrevilleDogs, City of Alexandria, City of Fairfax, Clean Fairfax Council, Earth Sangha, Eco-Stewards Alliance, Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax Master Gardeners Program, George Mason University’s Hemlock Overlook Center for Outdoor Education, Lands and Waters, National Wildlife Federation, Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Potomac Conservancy, Potomac Paddlesports, REI, Reston Association, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Master Naturalist Program, Virginia Save Our Streams.

March 2006 Environmental Justice Report.

Activity since last board meeting.
- Sent out information e-mail including. announcement on MOA with GWIPL – gained 3 new offers to participate in taskforce
Per request of Cedar Lane, supported discussion session on Nuclear Power and the UUA Resolution on Global Warming.
- River Road requested speaker on Global Warming – Nancy Bryd (Fairfax) trying to accommodate in May.
- Climate Change session on March 4 attended by three people. Resulting in request cited above and another request to participate in taskforce.
- Chair attended Association of American Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting – attending various presentation concerning topics of UU interest: Afghan Land Mines, Climate Change, Hurricane effects, New Orleans, Using Academic Interns, Social Justice, and Belief Systems.
- Found no evidence of customer demand known to exist for Alternative Scouting effort. Have a couple sources to check a couple more sources, but expectations are not high.
- People are sharing a large volume of environmental articles in e-mail, trying to capture a more effective sharing means that would involve UUSJ website.
- Charter posted on UUSJ website

Planned activity for next 30 days.
- Contact DC Green Festival Organizers.
- Set up GWIPL working group.
- Set up Greening UUSJ working group.
- Contact CCAN to start working to MOA
- Send out info e-mail
- Test to see if there is interest in an Environmental Justice Capacity Event