Future site of our pocket prairie

As a member of the Ministry for Earth (MFE) group of Emerson, I often think of these words, which Margaret Kaye (a church founder) loved to quote from Edward Everett Hale:  “I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

This is the attitude of members of MFE as we work to implement the 7th UU principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. This principle is what motivated us to build Delaney Hall as a LEED  (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building. We continue that LEED certification by recycling church waste, landscaping with environmentally appropriate plants, promoting ethical eating and renewable energy use as well as other sustainable practices. Individually, each of us cannot “save the earth”, but still we can do something.

Our newest project is establishing a Pocket Prairie as part of Emerson’s landscape. A few of the advantages a prairie can provide are:

  1. Sequestration of carbon
  2. Soil nourishment
  3. Water conservation
  4. Food for many kinds of wildlife including pollinators.
  5. Preservation of endangered prairie plants
  6. A demonstration that prairie plants are attractive and beneficial replacements for traditional urban landscapes
  7. Restoration of an area of Houston to its historic prairie habitat
  8. Enjoyment of the beauty of a prairie on our church campus.

To learn more check out these sites:

www.texastribune.org/2012/08/20/pocket-prairies-preserve-houstons-native-plants/

www.texasprairie.org/index.php/learn/about_prairies_entry/why_protect_and_restore_prairie/

But why a “pocket “prairie? It would be preferable to restore the whole neighborhood to a true prairie habitat, which requires many acres. However, because of human development, that is not possible. Still, because we cannot do the best thing, we should not refuse to do the something that we can do. Thank you Margaret Kaye, for reminding us of that.

You and your family can help by joining us for a grounds workday on September 24th from 9 to 1:00. We will be weeding, pruning and improving many areas on the church grounds as well as planting grasses and wildflower seeds in the new Pocket Prairie.

Carole Huelbig and Ann May

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