A Creation Care Community

On April 17, 2021, the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin approved a “Resolution in Support of Creation Care” that urges all members to exemplify personal and institutional care for creation.

The Bethel Church Council embraced this resolution and chartered the Bethel Creation Care Team in August of 2022.  The purpose of this team is to invite and engage the whole Bethel community in restoring and protecting God’s creation. 

God has given each of us the role of caretaker of His creation (Genesis 2:15).  When we love the earth, we love our God who created it, and we love our neighbors who suffer from the effects of harm to our planet. 

If you are interested in joining the Bethel Creation Care Team, please contact Pastor Ladd at: 

Bethel's Creation Care Team:

Back row: Pastor Ladd, Jerry Bauer, Rick Wilson, David Datt, Jon Berglund, Paula Bhagyam

Front row: Ricky Lien, Galina Bauer, Vicki Datt, Buck Malick, Missy Lien, Anne Wasmund

Current Project Updates: Bethel Highlands Prairie Restoration

June 2024: "Preparations for the native prairie planting have begun. Many volunteers worked together one evening in June to start clearing trees. There were two more work days scheduled but were canceled due to a change Bethel wanted to make. Due to that delay, it may be challenging to schedule more work days this summer which could delay planting of the prairie.

Many members of the Kinnickinnic Chapter of Pheasants Forever helped cut and move trees. They are a big partner on this project along with Cody Tromberg, Julie Peterson, and Becky Brathal. There were also members of the Bethel Creation Care team that helped as well. We thank them all for their time and effort on this project.

If they can get the trees removed in time, the next steps will be herbicide treatments to remove invasives , light tillage and broadcast seeding in late fall. Maintenance Mowing/spot spraying will take place next summer. Pheasants Forever is funding a contractor to complete this work once trees are removed. The US Fish & Wildlife Service will be funding the rest of the project including the seed.

We are thankful for our partners who are helping us create more grassland habitat and restore God’s creation!"

May 2024: "Starting this spring and summer you will see some changes at the Highland campus. Bethel is partnering with the US Fish & Wildlife Service and Pheasants Forever to restore a native prairie. To prepare for the prairie planting some of the cedar and boxelder trees on the east side of the campus will need to be removed.

Trees are great in the right location, but trees in and around prairies can negatively impact habitat quality for many grassland plant and animal species. Encroachment by trees has become a major threat to prairie conservation in many landscapes. Eastern red cedar and other woody invaders of prairies suck up precious water, reduce forage for wildlife and degrade habitat for fast-declining grassland birds. Habitat degradation has been particularly hard on grassland birds like the Dickcissel, Bobolink, and Western Meadowlark. Populations of these species have declined by more than 53 percent since 1970. Factor in invading trees and the outlook is grim for grassland birds.

By restoring the prairie at Highlands we will be improving habitat for those grassland birds as well as pollinators and many grassland species. It will take a few years before the prairie will become well established. The first few years following planting all the energy will go into the massive root system. Some as far as 20 feet down. Usually by about the 3rd year it should start looking good provided it has had proper maintenance to control weeds and favorable weather. Once it is established it will provide a great educational opportunity to learn more about native prairies. One more thing we can do to restore and protect God’s beautiful creation!"

Take Action

We invite every member of Bethel to take joyful action to care for the earth God has given us.  Below are some ideas and resources that will help you make a difference for creation. 

Ideas

• Use both sides of a piece of paper.
• Use cloth shopping bags.
• Have receipts sent to you electronically.
• Turn things off when not in use - computers, TV, coffee pot, etc.
• Shop locally.  
• Plant trees.
• Get a reusable water bottle, and use it.
• Turn off the tap while you are brushing your teeth.
• Install a water displacement device in the back of your toilet so less water is used.
• Wash clothes less frequently, to save energy, water and the life of the fabric.
• Wash clothes in cold water, in full loads, with eco-friendly detergents. 
• Air-dry laundry when possible. 
• Put up birdhouses.
• Try bar shampoo, conditioner, body soap and even dish soap. 
• Shop second hand. Finding treasures at garage sales and thrift shops is fun!
• Shop farmer’s markets or use your own garden produce. 
• Start composting food waste.  Food that ends up in landfills releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
• Make one trip with your car, instead of two - combine all your trips for the day, or week, into one.
• Donate your gently worn shoes.
• Carpool with a friend or family member.  Save gas, build a relationship.
• Choose products with minimal packaging.
• Bring your own "doggy bag" container to restaurants. 
• Pay bills online.
• Use cloth, instead of paper towels, paper napkins, paper tissues.
• Say "no thanks" to plastic straws.
• Make a butterfly garden.
• Avoid single-use K cups.
• Buy in bulk.
• Bring your own cup to gatherings.
• Buy quality clothing to last and prevent textile waste.
• Drink loose leaf tea.
• Replace inefficient light bulbs.
• Decrease food waste - buy only what you'll eat quickly, or can freeze.
• Re-purpose leftover food to another meal.
• Repair items and clothing, instead of buying new. 
• Bring your own eating utensils, to use at work or elsewhere.
• Join online buy-and-sell groups, to sell and give away unneeded items.
• Dispose of electronic waste responsibly.
• Use cloth diapers, instead of disposable.
• Use junk mail, including the envelopes, as scratch paper before you recycle it.
• Take steps to stop junk mail.
• Choose slower shipping.
• Big Ideas: Install solar panels, switch to an electronic or hybrid vehicle, install a high-efficiency furnace or appliances.

Resources:

Take Personal Action

Recycle

Stop Junk Mail

Engage Your Elected Officials