Unitarian Universalist Society, Manchester, CT
10% Challenge Submission
Attached is a photo that shows the new green addition at the Unitarian Universalist Socity: East in Manchester, CT. There are ten geothermal wells below the new parking lot, an organic vegetable and herb garden where their 10-10-10 Work Party took place, a new bike rack built from recycled rails and ski poles, and in the foreground, a recently planted Witch Hazel, one of scores of native shrubs and perennials newly planted throughout the grounds and in the Memorial Garden to the right and below the stone wall. See below for a complete list of improvements.
Unitarian Universalist Society (East) Green Addition
Here’s a breakdown of the various energy saving improvements completed as part of the Interfaith Power & Light 10% Challenge:
- Upgraded all lighting as part of a complete renovation of building and have been tweaking it for better efficiency.
- Replaced old oil burners with ten geothermal wells which now heat and cool the entire expanded and renovated building.
- Now pay for the 100% clean energy option offered by CT Light and Power.
- Ecological Landscaping team has worked hard with contractors and on their own to ensure that both required and chosen plantings are native shrubs and perennials.
- Carefully removed invasive plants such as Asiatic Bittersweet from the wooded grounds.
- Added a thriving organic vegetable garden planted in raised beds built from dying cedar trees from the property.
- Inspired members to go green in many ways including a monthly Green Sanctuary News article and “Green Tip”.
- Hold adult education classes each year on green issues. This year’s Menu For the Future from Northwest Earth Institute is being held for two groups of six sessions each.
- Placed a dual work party for 10- 10-10 on the 350.org site that started with a bike, walk or carpool to church day and a work party in our own garden.
- Joined a larger party on 10-10-10 at the community garden at Manchester Community College where vegetables are raised for the local food pantry.
This is one of two work parties the church had on 10-10-10 in its organic vegetable garden at the Unitarian Universalist Society: East in Manchester, CT. After harvesting root and other vegetables and herbs and cleaning out some of the beds, they learned how to plant garlic and winter-hardy greens. People were surprised to learn that most garlic in grocery stores is now grown in China.
Organic garden at Unitarian Universalist Church, Manchester, CT
