United States

1 hectares

The organization has a parcel of land that the organization currently have an urban garden on. The organization plans to plant fruit trees on the land. The organization utilizes the land to engage community members to enjoy and appreciate the possibilities of land develop. Key challenges include key challenges include funding is their greatest challenge.

5 hectares

Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Chicago, St. Edmunds Parish in Oak Park, IL is interested in starting a land restoration ministry through the Archdiocese of Chicago. Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Chicago, St. Edmunds Parish in Oak Park, IL has always dreamed of creating urban greenspaces in the Chicagoland area to reduce carbon emissions in some of the areas with the highest emissions. The organization workeds in environmental engineering in the Chicago area doing land remediation for over 3 years, and have now been working in sustainability consulting for 2 years. The organization thinks financing land restoration will be challenging. Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Chicago, St. Edmunds Parish in Oak Park, IL has 2 years of grant writing experience and would like to help the Archdiocese of Chicago to get funding to start these efforts. In Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Chicago, St. Edmunds Parish in Oak Park, IL's experience in land remediation, considerations must be made acros physical, economic, social, and environmental factors. Creating greenspaces may have a positive impact for the environment and a negative impact for mobility, local rent prices, or other socio-economic factors. Seeking a balance to create a sustainable project is highly important.

GoodLands is engaged in global-scale land restoration, leveraging a decade of leadership at the intersection of faith and land. Their efforts focus on identifying and activating restoration opportunities acros institutional properties, from individual parcels to entire provinces, within the Catholic Churchs vast and influential landholdings. In this proces the organization pioneered a new approach for large landholders that has been replicated and is relevant well beyond the purview of the Catholic Church. While the organization has previously provided site-specific consulting and restoration solutions in regions including North America, East Africa, and parts of Europe, the organization is now shifting from a consulting-based model to one that distills these applied efforts and a decade of affiliated research and development into educational and capacity-building modules planning, and implementing land-based climate solutions grounded in ecological science, Catholic social teaching, and geospatial intelligence. This positions GoodLands to support systemic, scalable restoration by empowering local and regional Church leaders while fostering a shared global vision of regenerative stewardship and the appropriate Canon Law and guidelines to do so respectably and responsibly. The organization has prioritized digitizing land records and building the infrastructure necessary for the digital transformation of real asset management, work that underpins any future ecological restoration. Through advocacy reaching over 1.7 billion people, weve elevated the importance of land stewardship in faith-based and global contexts. Additionally, weve developed streamlined workflows that have reduced project costs tenfold since. By increasing transparency and promoting the use of geospatial tools and ecological science, the organization is laying the groundwork for large-scale, mission-aligned ecological transformation acros faith-based actors landholdings.

200 acres hectares

The Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes a newly merged diocese (effective Jan. Which stewards approximately 100 properties that range from 1/4 acre to 100 acres. Among the current restoration initiatives the organization has in place is a proces toward a conservation easement for dwarf iris at Camp Chickagami, a regenerative community farm (Plainsong Farm, which The organization foundeds), multiple churches who tend native plant gardens and food gardens and the launch of Holy Ground for Whole Communities, which is the new program The organization wrotes a grant to fund. It will welcome its first congregations as part of a pilot project next year, and is designed to be developed over the next three years and then grow to include more dioceses and/or other churches and denominations. This work is focused on Michigan's lower peninsula at present, but the Holy Ground program was structured to expand nationally on a state-by-state basis after the pilot phase has ended. After working on this for many years including with church members who have the desire to manage land sustainably, The Episcopal Church / Diocese of the Great Lakes has come to the conclusion that there is a gap between theory, practice, and community-making. Theologically, members of religious organizations understand that they need to care for the earth. Often, however, they do not have the scientific background needed to do so wisely. Finally, the work is too often done alone. When people of multiple generations can build community by tending land together along with singing, praying, and eating together, there is a sustainable land restoration project. This wthen stepped away from when a second generation of leaders had emerged and when The Episcopal Church / Diocese of the Great Lakes had the opportunity to scale this concept at the diocesan/regional level. The Episcopal Church / Diocese of the Great Lakes is hoping that the Holy Ground program can take the learnings from Plainsong and apply them at scale. The organization has more land than the organization has people right now at the diocesan level in many ways, and the organization lack the knowledge about how to make community to care for land together with people who are not members in their churches. Often, people who are not members in churches definitely still care for land and have environmental commitments -. They just don't realize that church land could be theirs to care for too.

4.5 acres hectares

At present, International Institute of African Studies and Knowledge's faith-based organization does not have formal land restoration activities underway. However, the organization is deeply aware of the ecological decline affecting the land the organization steward, and the organization is urgently seeking to engage in restoration efforts. Their land, located in the southern United States, has shown signs of environmental stres, and the organization recognize the spiritual and ecological responsibility the organization hold to care for and restore this sacred space. This land is more than just propertyit serves interfaith ceremonies, and African Indigenous spiritual practices. As such, the organization sees land restoration not only resources, and partnerships needed to initiate a comprehensive land restoration plan. The organization is especially interested in practices that blend Indigenous ecological wisdom, regenerative agriculture, and faith-based stewardship models. Many individuals the organization has contracted in the past approached the work with little regard for sustainability, often operating without awarenes or respect for the sacrednes of the land. This disconnect between values and labor practices hinders their ability to implement holistic and ethical land management.

45 acres hectares

The Mountain View Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina (United States) has served the Newtown community for 117 years. It has acquired adjacent properties consistently since 1997 as part of a full redevelopment effort following disinvestment and abandonment in the area in addition to an illegal commercial dump site permitted by local land owners. The ministry developed the Parish House Community Development Corporation to manage development of the 100 acre site carefully master planned in cooperation with the local community and other stakeholders. Meetings with state officials and responsible parties resulted in a voluntary clean up contract (VCC) and an official record of decision issued in May 2025 to enforce the strategic cleanup of affected sites including parts of the Reedy River. The work is ongoing and is under pressure to conform to conventional profit-driven development trends despite the clearly stated mission focus of the faith based owner and will of the community. Attracting and retaining talent experienced in maintaining ecological integrity while returning the affected areas to public use following clean up. Developing appropriate advocacy consistent with faith based goals and objectives. Training for existing leaders to manage the development proces and maintain engagement with existing demographic populations.

500 acres hectares

The Sisters of the Holy Cros are actively engaged in land restoration efforts at both local and international levels. At their motherhouse in Saint Marys, Indiana (USA), the organization is stewarding over 100 acres of land through initiatives that promote biodiversity, ecological education, and restoration. These include the preservation of untouched nature trails, the management and removal of invasive species, the expansion of native species planting areas, and a shift from routine mowing to the development of native grassland and prairie habitats. The organization is also installing educational signage along trails and restoration zones to invite deeper ecological awarenes and spiritual reflection among campus visitors and residents. These include tree planting to combat deforestation, soil regeneration through composting and organic farming methods, and the revitalization of degraded lands through native species cultivation and reforestation. In areas where land has been harmed by extractive industries, such as illegal mining in Ghana and Peru, their sisters are leading advocacy and grassroots action to reclaim and restore ecosystems and protect water sources. In Brazil, their sisters are engaged in efforts to safeguard the Amazon rainforest through education, advocacy, and partnerships with Indigenous communities. These initiatives are often paired with ecological education programs to build long-term community ownership of restored lands and encourage sustainable land practices. The organization is eager to deepen and expand this workparticularly in Africa and Asiawhere the impacts of climate change and land degradation are deeply felt, and where their sisters are already rooted in communities ready to engage in meaningful, place-based restoration. Efforts such as invasive species removal, native planting, and prairie restoration require ongoing investment in both labor and materials. Additionally, coordinating land care acros international ministry sites demands strong collaboration and communication among sisters and partners who often work in vastly different ecological and cultural contexts. While there is shared commitment, aligning efforts acros regions with varying resources and capacities can be complex.

Marys UCC does not have land restoration activities planned, and at first glance the organization is unlikely candidates beyond some restored church garden beds. However, the organization is located in Carroll County, MD, one of the nations leaders in agricultural land preservation, and many of their members have land in agricultural land preservation. In Carroll County, the organization dont have to start the conversation about the value of land, only contribute to a growing understanding of what faithful land stewardship looks like. Their interest goes beyond land, however. The organization is located in one of the primary watersheds that feeds the Chesapeake Bay, and the Bay has influenced Maryland culture for generations. The Bay remains a critical piece of land and agricultural conversations throughout the state, and it plays a significant role in the social and economic life of Marylanders. The organization is eager to explore what author Ched Myers calls watershed discipleship, paying attention to water and therefore faith, and to think about their place or parish as better defined by the waters the organization inhabit more than the geopolitical lines that are drawn. In this way, the organization learn to think about land and water in much broader terms, so that their spiritual imaginations are open to understanding mission as going beyond what is right outside their doors, to thinking downstream of who is impacted by their choices. This opens up new possibilities of proclamation and ministry for this congregation, for their community, and surrounding rural churches who share mission with us. Their biggest concern having the conversation with land owners especially farmers as to why restoration is a meaningful option. The organization is located 45 minutes from Baltimore, and the organization is a quickly growing population, where land is in demand. The case for restoration must be holistic, with cultural, historical, social, and spiritual components. The organization hfor the organization understand the idea of preserving farm land, but restoration is another level of the conversation. Were eager to learn how to take this conversation farther. Further, the organization is new to the legal and financial aspects of land restoration. While these ideas are welcome by many, land is very often a familys single biggest asset, and many of them are leaning on it for retirement, or to be inherited to build the next generation. The organization need to become much more nimble in the nuts and bolts of restoration.

Islamic Center of Greater Austin / Austin Peace Academy's organization is the Islamic Center of Greater Austin (ICGA), a major institution in Austin, Texas that includes two mosques, a cemetery andthe gem of the communityAustin Peace Academy (APA). APA is a nationally accredited, full-time Islamic school dedicated to providing high-quality education within an Islamic environment for nearly 340 children in grades Pre-KG through. The school has been recognized for a fourth year learn and practice faith. It is a city and region located in Central Texas, a flat to hilly area with a vast network of rivers and a subtropical climate. More than that, it is home to a diverse array of cultures and physical landscapes, with a population that embraces outdoor recreation. The city is experiencing rapid growth, and will only continue to develop. Texan culture maintains a religious way of life, with faith often featured in political agendas, community activities, and sometimes social tensions. Environmentally speaking, Texas faces extreme heat waves, drought, flash floods, wildfires, rangeland management issues, and rapid urbanization. The institution that is Islamic Center of Greater Austin / Austin Peace Academy's focus lacks both an environmental strategic plan for its land practices, and tangible environmentally centred projects. Islamic Center of Greater Austin / Austin Peace Academy's goal overnight camping, kayaking, hunting, gardening, etc) -Student education and participation in future projects that support the strategic plan -Long-term, sustainable Permaculture garden to mitigate weather impacts, provide healthy year-round food, and learning/volunteer opportunities for the community Being residents of Austin, their Muslim community is impacted by the issues mentioned above. Exacerbating environmental issues is an American economy based on cheap consumer goods, wasteful consumption, and a psychological disconnect from nature in urban areas. Because their institution focuses on running the school, most funds go towards faculty and staff payroll, academics, sports, maintenance and construction. Recently the mosque and school were impacted by violent hailstorms and the estimated damage restoration has cost $750,000 USD. Thus, the organization functions the organization face chronic financial restrictions, and a focus on non-environmental priorities. Using approaches like a holistic environmental strategic plan, community programming, an on-site garden, and student participation and education will be essential.

With their Old West Church Food Forest the organization at Union Combine Parish UMC are eager and have talked about building a food forest at two of their other properties in Boston, Brighton and Everett, all in Eastern Massachusetts. To do any of this, as earlier noted, funds are needed to support such a vision. Recently a funding opportunity has been made available to Boston organizations via a listening session invitation this week that The organization shareds with their church leaderships. The grant deadline is September 1 and the organization plan to apply. The organization hthe organization currently have 13 as June. Both entities welcome to extend beyond Boston area, sharing their skill and commitment to land restoration and care. The organization sees United Methodist Church/KAS Consulting's humble role as one who can steward and weave resources of people, skills and creativity. The City of Boston has been welcoming their collective vision of land restoration in their urban centers. The organization hrestoration and care. Massachusetts and New England organizations and networks deeply committed and dedicated to creating more spaces and places that honor and care for the land, its people and the planet, living fully in community of well-being and belonging.

Twelve Episcopal dioceses in the Grasslands of the U.S. Are working together to link both church-owned land and private land of Episcopalians in networks focusing on prairie restoration and regenerative farming and ranching. The Episcopal Church works very closely with this emerging network. The organization alsos serve Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe to aid in building similar networks in other Eco-regions. The first organized are in the northern hardwood and coastal forests of New England and in the Appalachian Mountain/rivers region. The organization will also be working with Episcopal bishops in Colombia and Ecuador. Weighing income from land (esp in agriculture) with commitment to restoration. Being shut out of market by monolithic grocery distributors. Green people of faith isolated in some regions. Complexities of public versus private land ownership. Current government gutting environmental funding.

India's population was about 1.21 billion, with Christians about 2.3% (roughly 28 million) of the population. The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church has around 1.06 million members. Indian government is currently deliberating on a 1927 British colonial law, the Indian Church Act, which enables mas land transfers to Christian churches. Given the upcoming reforms, the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church is keen on contributing towards Government of Indias UNCCD targets. Consultant (The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Kerala, India) is currently engaged in literature review to collate information on the Church's land based initiatives. This MasterClas will be constructive in suggesting recommendations conducive to the Church's 10 year plan on land restoration. Primarily related to domestic land restoration laws that restrict large scale uptake efforts from minority religious organizations in India.

There has been no current work on land restoration initiated by the Fresno Buddhist Temple. EcoSangha Initiative, Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple, Buddhist Churches of America is eager to begin this proces, both on the church property and on EcoSangha Initiative, Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple, Buddhist Churches of America's familys land, which was once used for farming. EcoSangha Initiative, Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple, Buddhist Churches of America's family retired from farming in 2000, and since then, the land has been stripped of its crops and lies barren. Through this masterclas, EcoSangha Initiative, Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple, Buddhist Churches of America's family has deep-rooted connections with the church and the Japanese American Buddhist community. Given that many Japanese Americans in the Central Valley, California have farming backgrounds and posses land in similar conditions, The organization aspires to implement land restoration initiatives and share the knowledge The organization gains with other Japanese American Buddhists in EcoSangha Initiative, Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple, Buddhist Churches of America's community. The organization aims to empower EcoSangha Initiative, Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple, Buddhist Churches of America's Buddhist faith community to restore land impacted by intensive farming practices, guided by their shared Buddhist values.

There has been no current work on land restoration initiated by the Fresno Buddhist Temple. Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America is eager to begin this proces, both on the church property and on Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America's family's land, which was once used for farming. Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America's family retired from farming in 2000, and since then, the land has been stripped of its crops and lies barren. Through this masterclas, Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America's family has deep-rooted connections with the church and the Japanese American Buddhist community. Given that many Japanese Americans in the Central Valley, California have farming backgrounds and posses land in similar conditions, The organization aspires to implement land restoration initiatives and share the knowledge The organization gains with other Japanese American Buddhists in Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America's community. The organization aims to empower Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America's Buddhist faith community to restore land impacted by intensive farming practices, guided by their shared Buddhist values. However, if the Fresno Buddhist Temple participates and provides a program to facilitate grants that support land trusts in protecting and restoring critical areas, Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America is confident that this masterclas will provide me with valuable insights into how The organization cans begin this important work.