Which organization do you think is urging fellow believers to sign the pledge below?

Greenpeace? Sierra Club? Audubon? Actually, it is the Evangelical Environmental Network. This organization is a partnership of World Vision, World Relief, Intervarsity, the International Bible Society, and other organizations, churches and individuals committed to an evangelical ministry on the environment. The pledge above is part of their WWJDrive - What Would Jesus Drive - campaign. Evangelicals are not the only Christians weighing in on environmental problems. Baptists, Catholics, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and a host of other Christian denominations have issued a call to their faithful to "care for creation". Since 75% of Americans claim to be Christians, making the connection between the environment and a Christian world view could have a powerful impact on American society.

However, not only are most environmentalists not aware of these efforts, many may believe Christianity is actually responsible for our current environmental problems. This point of view goes back to a 1967 essay by historian Lynn White in Science Magazine. White's thesis was that the Judeo-Christian theology that gave man dominion over nature was unique in the ancient and medieval world, and it paved the way for the scientific and technological revolutions that ultimately led to the environmental crises of the 20th (and now 21st century).

This perception has been reinforced by recent news stories focusing on connections between the Christian right and conservative Republicans in congress. An article in Grist by Glen Scherer hi-lights the tight correlation between votes supporting the conservative Christian agenda on abortion, gay marriage and stem cell research, and votes against environmental protection. Scherer argues that this makes sense if you consider how many Christians say they believe the prophecies in Revelation about the end times. If you accept a theology where the earth is going to be destroyed - and pretty soon at that, why would you care what happens to it now?

Evangelical apologist Francis Schaeffer responded to White's claims in the 1970's with his book - "Pollution and the Death of Man" pointing out that neither secularism (which held nothing sacred) or Pantheism (which led to nature being treated no better than man) offered real protection to nature. These days influential Christian leaders from Pope John Paul II to James Dobson of Focus on the Family and Reverend Billy Graham have argued forcefully that humans have a God given responsibility to the earth: Jesus' commandment to love one's neighbor as oneself is a call to environmental justice, and his commandment to love God (and therefore God's creation - the earth) with all one's heart is a call to environmental stewardship; yes, we have dominion over the earth, but our dominion over the earth should resemble God's dominion over us - we should love and care for creation, as God loves and cares for us; and, because God created nature, it has value in and of itself, not just because of its usefulness to man. Just this past October, an "Evangelical Call to Civic Responsibility" had over 1000 religious leaders signing on urging the faithful to take care of creation.

This would be a good time for all environmentalists to seek out common ground and work together, whether the goal is the secular one of protecting resources, the Pantheistic one of healing mother earth, or the Christian one of caring for creation.

-Evangelical Environmental Network - http://www.creationcare.org/
-Catholic Church - http://conservation.catholic.org
-Presbyterian Church (USA) - http://www.prcweb.org
-United Methodist Church - http://www.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1701
-White Essay - http://www.tulane.edu/~bfleury/envirobio/readings/white/white.htm
-Schaerffer and "Pollution and the Death of Man" - http://www.rationalpi.com/theshelter/ecology.html
-Christianity Today article - http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/126/32.0.html
-Scherer article - http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2004/10/27/scherer-christian/

BioRegional Quiz Question: What spring flowers can you find blooming in the woods over the next month?

Job of the Month: Outdoor Skills Specialists - Missouri Department of Conservation. Responsibilities:Administers outdoor skills programs in the Northeast or Northwest Region: canoeing, fishing, outdoor photography, archery, hiking, backpacking, map and compass, primitive skills, campfire cooking, camping, trapping and boating; works with schools, youth groups, and scouts to foster outdoor skills programs; administers the Hunter Education program, and the Bow Hunter Education program; conducts and assists with special hunts and clinics for special seasons such as the youth duck hunting clinic, youth dove hunts, trapping clinics, youth deer and turkey hunts, youth upland game hunts and clinics. Qualifications: BA/BS and course work in one or a combination of the following areas: Conservation Education, Physical Education, Biological Sciences, Agricultural Science, Curriculum Development with science background or closely related subjects and three (3) years of professional teaching experience in one or more of the above-mentioned education areas; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Salary: Annually $33,024 - $58,764 Application Procedure: See: http://www.ecoemploy.com/jobs/modcb.html for original listing. For an application and a complete job description, please contact: Missouri Department of Conservation, Human Resources Division, 2901 W Truman Blvd, Jefferson City MO 65102, Telephone: 573-751-4115, Internet site: www.mdc.mo.gov/about/jobs/ Closing Date: March 14, 2005

Special Events/Classes/Programs/Talks
COLUMBIA COMMUNITY GARDEN'S Annual SPRING THAW: Sunday March 6, 1-4 pm, Shakespeare's Pizza (9th St.) "Spring Has Sprung" Celebration & Volunteer Recruiting Drive. Pizza and soda buffet - donation $5.
FRIENDS OF ROCK BRIDGE MSP ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON AND NATURE AUCTION; Sunday March 6, 1 pm, Columbia Country Club. $20 (includes $10 donation). Doug Eiken (DNR Parks) featured speaker. Silent Auction of Nature Related items. Call 815-9255 to make a reservation.
DR. JAY LEHR: Monday March 7, 4:30 pm Monsanto Auditorium, Life Sciences Center. " What does the Environment think of our freedom?" Dr. Lehr is author of the McGraw Hill Handbook on Environmental Science and Rational Readings on Environmental Concerns. Sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity
ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. : Wednesday March 9, 7:30 pm, Launer Auditorium, Columbia College, Kennedy serves as a senior attorney of the Natural Resources Defense Council, chief prosecuting attorney for the Hudson Riverkeepers and is co host of Ring of Fire on Air America Radio. http://www.ccis.edu/newsroom/index.asp?story=442
WATERSHED FRIENDLY YARD WORKSHOP; Saturday March 12, 10am Conservation Building at College and Stadium. A three-hour seminar featuring Ann Wakeman of Rock Post Nursery and Jeff Zimmerschied of the "Lawn Co". Attendees will receive a $5 gift certificate. Register by emailing scott.hamilton@mdc.gov, put "yard reservation" in the subject line.
ENVIRONMENTAL READING GROUP: Tuesday March 29, 7 pm Artisan Coffee Shop (9th and Cherry). Book - Ishmael
MO BOT GDN /EARTHWAYS FIELD TRIP: Saturday April 16, 9:30 - 7 pm, meet at Virginia Ave Parking lot on MU campus, Email kmgm94@mizzou.edu to reserve a seat in the van.
DAY WITH WILDLIFE: Sunday April 23, noon to 5 pm, American Legion Bldg., Route WW
EARTH DAY 2005: Sunday April 24, (raindate May 1) Noon to 7 pm Peace Park. Music, Speakers, Activities for Kids and Families, Earth-Friendly Home display, Street Fair with hundreds of vendors.
COLUMBIA FARMER'S MARKET OPENS: Mid March, 1701 W. Ash - http://farmersmarket.missouri.org/index.html for more info

MU Organization Meetings and Contact Information
ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS: http://www.missouri.edu/~jesse105/committees/pages/environmental.htm
RECYCLING COMMITTEE: 882-3091
SUSTAIN MIZZOU: 882-7116 Wednesday Feb. 9 and 16. at 7:30 pm, meet in 200 A&S
STUDENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONS ASSOCIATION: 882-7116 Tuesday Feb. 1 and 15, at 5:30 pm 114 Natural Resources Building

Organization Meetings and Contact Information
AUDUBON SOCIETY: 874-3904 / columbia-audubon.missouri.org Meet 3rd Wed 7:30 pm, USGS, 4200 New Haven
BOONE COUNTY SMART GROWTH COALITION: http://smartgrowth.missouri.org/, 1st Wednesdays 7:15 Boone Co Govt Ctr.
CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING: 875-0539 or http://peaceworks.missouri.org/
CHOUTEAU GROTTO: http://chouteau.missouri.org/, Meet 1st Wed, 7 pm, Community Room of the Boone Electric Coop
COLUMBIA FOOD CIRCLE: 882-7463 or email hendricksonm@missouri.edu for information.
COLUMBIA PUBLIC WORKS VOL. PROGRAMS: 874-6271 or http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Volunteer/Opportunities/#PW
COMMUNITY STORMWATER PROJECT: 884-8333 or http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/PublicWorks/StormWater/cswp.html
ENV EDUCATION WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES: http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/teacher/workshops/
FRIENDS OF ROCK BRIDGE M. S. P.: 815-9255 or http://rockbridge.missouri.org/ Outdoors Bldg, 200 Old 63 S.
GREENBELT COALITION: 442-4789 or http://greenbelt.missouri.org Meet 1st Tuesdays, 7 pm, Outdoors Bldg, 200 Old 63 S.
MISSOURI NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY: npshawth@hotmail.com 2nd Mondays in Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, Nov at 7:00 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 2615 Shepard Blvd, Columbia, MO.
MISSOURI RIVER COMMUNITIES NETWORK: 443-0292 or http://mrcn.missouri.org/
PEDNET COALITION: email: pednet@pednet.org or http://www.pednet.org
RIVER RELIEF: http://www.riverrelief.org/
ROCK BRIDGE MEMORIAL STATE PARK: 449-7402 or http://rockbridge.missouri.org
SHOW ME CLEAN STREAMS COALITION: (573) 751-4115 ext 3169 or www.mostreamteam.org
SIERRA CLUB: 443-4401 or http://sierra.osage.missouri.org Meet 3rd Tuesdays 7:30 pm Hillel Foundation, 1107 University Ave
WILD ONES: 499-3749 or email wildonesmo@yahoo.com, http://wildones.missouri.org Meetings 2nd Saturdays. Call for location

Answer to BioRegional Quiz: Spring Beauty, Bloodroot, Dog-tooth violet, Dutchman's Breeches, Bluebells, Toothwort, May Apple. For pictures go to: http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/plantpage/flora/wildflow/. To see them in nature, visit Capen/Grindstone Park, Rockhill Park, Cosmo Recreation Area (by the quarry), or Rock Bridge Memorial State Park.

Feedback - Got an opinion? If we have space, we will consider publishing it. Submit it by email (envstudy@missouri.edu), snail mail (Environmental Studies, 211 Lowry , MU, Columbia MO 65211), or call Jan Weaver to talk about it (882-7116). MU Environmental Network News is published by MU's Environmental Studies Initiative. All opinions expressed are the responsibility of the editor. Any part of this newsletter may be copied for distribution but please give us credit.

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