Earth Literacy Center 1999
The following directional statement approved in June, l994 by the Sisters of St. Francis, Tiffin Ohio, became the foundation for the establishment of the Earth Literacy Center.
“Recognizing our oneness with all creation and grieving the desecration of the earth, we commit ourselves to challenge each other and society to reverence creation and be in harmony with it. We commit ourselves to on-going conversion in our use of natural resources.”
This philosophy led to a resource audit, and the development of a plan to make their congregational property a center/model that reflects the new cosmology in care for the earth.
The goals and objectives of the ten year plan are:
1. To convert their congregational property to a sustainable environment.
2. To promote a sense of oneness with the earth.
3. To serve as a model of ecologically sound practices.
4. To be a resource center for education in earth literacy.
Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Sister Rita Wienken, encouraged by the Core Committee of the ten year plan and by her congregation was the driving force that led to the construction, fundraising, and incorporation by the state of Ohio as the Franciscan Earth Literacy Center.
The center officially opened on May 2, 1999. The trustees are Henry Rennie, Tom Bartlett, Nancy Christensen, Jeremy Cripps, John Millar, Ellen McComis, Jack McComis, and Christopher Widman. Sister Joann Brodman serves as the liaison to the corporate board of the Sisters of St. Francis.
The staff are Sr. Rita as Director, Stacy Wheeler in Development and Public Relations, Sr. Carolette Grote as Fine Arts Director and in charge of the gift shop at the Center, Scott Grenerth as Environmental Education Coordinator, and Linda Haas as the Administrator and Education Minister who organizes day to day operation of the Center and assures the quality of the education program.
Celebrations at the Center include the Solstice and Equinox, Creation, Earth Day, and the soon to be held Christmas Celebration. Last summer was filled with workshops, a theater production of Mike and the Earth Monster, Touch the Earth (K through 4th grade), Circle of Life (5th - 8th grade). Other events were a frog and toad survey, maple syrup program, bird banding, bird housing projects, and wildflower walks along their nature trail.
Other programs and partnerships include the Halloween Hike with the YMCA. Expanded Horizons in Learning for winter and summer, construction of a recycled plastic boardwalk to a wetland through the help of Roland and Bryan Zimmerman, and Sentinel students, Seneca County Litter Prevention and Recycling, children’s garden projects with Tiffin Garden Club and Tiffin City School 6th graders, in service and consultation on Land Lab use with the Old Fort School, Eagle Scout projects, after school projects with local community schools, and in service projects with Toledo Diocesan science teachers. The center is a meeting place for outside programs such as the Tiffin Historic Trust Program on Barn Preservation.
Programs away from the center were to Sylvania for teaching of science in the Diocese Schools, to senior groups in Fremont and to garden clubs. Over 2,600 people have been touched and rewarded by programs and personnel from the Earth Literacy Center.
The Center offers several programs that are appropriate for winter time. Watersheds, Wormboxes, The Science and History of Maple Syrup, Tracking, Wild Weather, and Recycling are a few of the possibilities that can be explored. They are glad to create custom programs. Some may help to meet the state science proficiency test standards. Scott Grenerth and Linda Haas can be contacted at 448-7485.
The Franciscan Earth Literacy Center, a separately incorporated, non-profit organization, invites all of us to participate as volunteers and/or to become a Donor Friend of the Center as they continue to grow and expand their programs. Tax deductible donations may be sent to the Center at 194 St. Francis Ave., Tiffin, OH, 44883.
As a fundraiser for 1999, the Center has already ordered poinsettias for this year’s Christmas season. All are already promised. Sr. Carolette has many nice items for sale at the Center Gift Shoppe. The Center will also participate in the Victorian Christmas Weekend and Christkindl Market.
Sr. Carolette, Sr. Rita, Stacy, Scott, and Linda wish all of you a most wondrous and happy Christmas. The Earth Literacy Center and its staff are a bright new star in our community.
- Percy