Americorps Volunteer- Member of Ecological Sustainability Team

Member’s Name: Sisters of Charity of Nazareth

Service Position Title: Member of the Ecological Sustainability Team

Location: Nazareth, KY

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCN's) are an international congregation of women religious who work for justice in solidarity with oppressed peoples, especially the poor and women, and care for the earth. Nazareth, home to the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth since 1822, is a sacred piece of land consisting of approximately 300 acres. The grounds are home to 25 buildings, including an historic church, motherhouse, senior living space, retreat center, Montessori children’s center, lakes, walking trails, labyrinth, natural habitat, and more.

Immediate Supervisor/Title: Carolyn Cromer, Director of Ecological Sustainability; Jerry Hurst, Grounds Supervisor; Sister Luke Boiarski, Director of Lay Mission Volunteers

AmeriCorps Site Director: Ellen Sprigg, Associate Director of Lay Mission Volunteers

Service Position Summary: In 2000, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth developed an Earth statement, outlining their pledge to care for the environment in responsible ways. “We, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and Associates, grateful to God for all Creation and for our interconnectedness with all that is, embrace the responsibility for our part in developing a sustainable relationship with the Earth. We pledge ourselves to scrutinize carefully our own lifestyle and our environmental practices and policies in each culture in which we live, to deepen our understanding of the mysteries of the Universe and to be aware of Earth’s gifts, especially the Land entrusted to us. We will collaborate with others in this urgent task ...”

The AmeriCorps member will assist the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in living out this commitment by helping to restore native ecosystems, assisting the Office of Ecological Sustainability in researching and promoting sustainable ways of living and working, offering educational sessions to the congregation and broader public as appropriate, and occasionally serving as a member of the SCN Disaster Relief team in response to natural disasters.

Work under the direction of the Nazareth grounds supervisor and in collaboration with the grounds crew to:

remove invasive plant species on campus;

improve and restore ecosystem health to campus lakes and riparian corridors;

assist with the kitchen garden;

assist in growing the campus’s native landscaping and pollinator plantings;

facilitate 2-3 awareness meetings in the community;

contribute to sustainability planning processes.

 

Work under the direction of the Director of Ecological Sustainability to:

bring an awareness of sustainable practices to the congregation and broader community

collect and track the congregation’s greenhouse gas emissions;

research sustainable practices to support congregational activities;

assist in the facilitation of educational outreach to the congregation and community.

 

Occasionally serve as a member of the SCN Disaster Relief team, organized by Sister Luke Boiarski, to respond to occasional natural disasters generally within a 500 mile radius of Nazareth, KY.

 

A team player and good communicator with flexible attitude and eagerness to learn,

Physically active and able to lift at least 30 lbs with stooping and bending

Able to work in all weather conditions conducive of Kentucky

Education and/or experience in farming, horticulture, arboriculture, or ecological restoration a plus

An intrepid sense of curiosity and enthusiasm about researching items that support ecological sustainability

Willing to interact inter-generationally

Able to take direction and accept constructive criticism

Able to prioritize and handle multiple tasks

Attention to detail and organizational skills

Strong sense of responsibility and follow-through

 

Commitment Required: 

Benefits of being an AmeriCorps Member:      

*Negotiable housing opportunity on SCN campus