Yards For Creation Blooms!

Pastor Greg Carlson with volunteer | PC: Beth Sheppard

Yards For Creation, a new congregation-focused initiative introduced by the Lower Shore Land Trust (LSLT), had a successful launch on December 8th at the Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church. To mark the occasion, LSLT staff members Brooke Orr and Beth Sheppard, along with Jarrett Hoskins from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Ebony Jenkins from the Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC), joined Pastor Greg Carlson in guiding the Pathfinder Club (a youth group), the Adventure Club (an elementary group), and Craig East with the Park Garden Club to plant 12 trees as part of the Trees For Sacred Places Program, led by IPC. The Lower Shore Land Trust team played a key role in designing the layout for the trees and preparing the site where the first Yards For Creation meadow will be installed, right next to the newly planted trees.

Yards For Creation is a transformative initiative that assists congregations to convert portions of their lawns into thriving meadow spaces. Each meadow planted is a vital addition to a growing patchwork of pollinator habitats across the Lower Shore, providing essential spaces for these crucial species to flourish. Not only does this benefit the environment, but it also offers practical advantages for congregations. Meadows require far less maintenance than traditional grass lawns, needing only occasional weeding and a yearly mow. This reduces time and costs, allowing congregations to redirect resources toward their mission rather than maintaining an ecologically unavailing lawn.

Photo of all entities who helped plant including, Craig East, Jarrett Hoskins, Ebony Jenkins, Brooke Orr, Ryan Orr, and Beth Sheppard | PC: Ebony Jenkins

Beth Sheppard, Brooke Orr, and Ryan Orr guide members of the Adventure Club on how to properly plant trees | PC: Ebony Jenkins

At its core, Yards For Creation seeks to foster a deeper connection between congregational members and the natural world. Lower Shore Land Trust collaborates closely with each congregation to design a meadow space that aligns with the church’s needs, creating a peaceful environment for reflection, fellowship, and communion with nature.

As the program continues to grow, LSLT is excited to expand its reach, working with congregations like St. Paul’s Episcopal Center, Delmarva Muslim Community, and more! If your congregation is interested in participating in Yards For Creation, we encourage you to notify your congregational leaders of the program, reach out to Brooke Orr at Borr@lslt.org for more information, or CLICK HERE. We look forward to partnering with you!

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