Article by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2023 December)
Church congregations often give thanks for the beauty of the natural world, but how often does that appreciation translate into conservation efforts? Antioch Baptist Church in Fairfax Station has made it their mission to eradicate the invasive vines growing on their church campus, protect the native trees, and create an environment where native plants and animals can thrive. This worthy initiative is being championed by church members who believe that the earth is a gift, and it is our duty to care for it.
Antioch Baptist Church’s conservation project began with one observant church member. Following Sunday service in late July, Anna Dixon, a certified Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) and volunteer with the Audubon at Home Ambassador program, noticed that invasive vines were choking dozens of trees near the church sanctuary. She asked Executive Pastor Melvin Jones for a map of the campus so she and her friend Margaret Fisher could conduct an Audubon at Home site visit. A certified VMN, Fisher is also the Outreach Coordinator for the Plant NOVA Trees campaign, which has partnered with Audubon at Home to develop a demonstration program that encourages communities to rescue trees from invasive vines. Paster Jones recruited Ron Beasley, Chair of the Trustees, to assist Dixon and Fisher on behalf of the church.
A few days later, Dixon, Fisher and Beasley met at the church campus to conduct their assessment. The trio discovered that the invasives were not only widespread but posed a real danger. Trees covered with invasive vines, struggling to stay erect, were tilting toward the sanctuary. Dixon and Fisher submitted an Audubon at Home site visit report identifying several hundred trees that were at risk.
Following the assessment, several other church trustees and members walked the campus to see the problem for themselves. By mid-August, Trustee Beasley was authorized by church leadership to apply for an Audubon at Home faith community grant to jump start the invasive removal process. As more church members became aware of the project, they learned about the dangers posed by invasives on native trees and plants, both at the church campus and in their own yards.
Despite the soaring temperatures, in late August Dixon and Fisher met up with Church Trustees Derrick Savage and Beverly Wilson to begin rescuing some of the trees on campus that were being strangled by massive Asian Wisteria vines. Although difficult, the foursome found the work gratifying and an important first step towards saving the native trees.
Since then, the church has invited state and county conservation experts to tour the campus and make recommendations. Having received briefings and recommendations, Antioch’s Board of Trustees is working to create near and long-term plans for remediation and maintenance that will be done in an eco-friendly manner. The plans will address removing invasives, protecting native trees, and curtailing stormwater runoff on the campus. They are also considering recommendations for the church’s prayer garden and other areas of campus. In addition to church leadership supporting conservation efforts, members of the congregation are also excited about the project, and many are interested in joining a green ministry group.
If you are interested in implementing a similar project at your own church or house of worship, Anna Dixon recommends first educating yourself and other members about conservation, including the removal of invasive plants and cultivation of native plants and trees. She also recommends walking the property and completing a site assessment. If your congregation has a trained naturalist, ask if they would be willing to lead the initiative. If not, Dixon suggests contacting Audubon at Home at audubonva.org/audubon-at-home for information on how to get started.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).