A Word About the Ecological Principles

You may be wondering where I came up with the four ecological principles and why I started calling them "habits".


In 1994 a workshop called, Habits of Creation, was developed under the authorship of the Ecological Working Group of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.  It's purpose was to "engage people in an active learning process about ecology, faith and justice in order to help them take effective action in their own lives and communities.  It was reviewed by Fr. Thomas Berry because much of the material included in it came from his writings.  It is my understanding that the main authors of the workshop were Anthony Flaccavento and Sr. Clare McBrian who worked in the Appalachian Office of Justice and Peace.


My first introduction to the workshop was in 2007 when I began work as the ecological educator for the Diocese of Richmond.  The workshop format was quite useful because it brought together the church teachings on caring for creation as well as an increased understanding of current issues and a call to take action. I have given the workshop many times over the past two years and adapted it to the location and age group who would be attending.


Following the thread of references given in the original document of the workshop took me to three books:  Dream of the Earth by Thomas Berry; The Universe Story by Brian Swimme & Berry; and What Are People For Essays by Wendell Berry.  The authors of these books have discussed three of the four principles that I now call "habits".


It occurred to me that learning to live by these principles would be a fine place to start a life long journey in living a sustainable life style.  This is why I write this blog; it's not just to tell people about what I do but to help me grow in my own understanding and sustain me as I attempt to develop healthy habits of my own.

Regenerating the Soil: One Worm at a Time

Everything living dies.  Everything that dies is regenerated.  Regeneration is the third ecological principle.  Through the death and decay of plants and animals and the erosion of minerals, all material is recycled in the natural system, regenerating fertility and life.  Many of these interactions involve decay or death.  In a healthy ecosystem, none of this death is wasted because it will lead to new life or regeneration.

I raise composting earthworms and every time that lid is removed from their home (a plastic storage bin) the principle of death, decay and regeneration is on display.  Into the bin go the day's food scraps (especially heavy during summer growing season).  My worms really love coffee grounds; it must be the caffeine that seems to make them hyper.  Another favorite are peach peelings.  They work hard at egg shells but don't seem to get very far unless I really crunch them up before adding.

Someone asked me to what animal I felt most connected and I'd have to admit, it is earthworms.  Can you see them in the picture?  Get up close and take a look.  You've never observed such busy creatures. they take care of all my kitchen scraps regenerating it into the BEST fertilizer you would ever want to add to your garden.  Even better are all the volunteer seedlings you get:  squash, tomatoes, and more.  Every tomato and butternut squash in the garden this year were volunteers from the worm castings.

There's nothing like getting up close and personal with nature.  Seeing how she operates.  If only we human were half that smart about the way we do things.