Creation Care Network Report

Creation Care Network Report

(Rev. 8/13/2025)

The Creation Care Network continues meeting monthly on Zoom, alternating member networking with speakers. These Dioceses are regularly represented: San Diego; El Camino Real; California; Northern California; Nevada; Spokane; Olympia; Arizona; and Hawaii.

We gather on Zoom the fourth Tuesday of the month at 10 AM Pacific Time, and we welcome folks from other dioceses in the Province. Contact Emily Hopkins, emilyhopkins4@gmail.com for the agenda and links.

January 2025 we hosted “ENERGY EFFICIENCY ASSESSMENTS – ROADMAP TO ENERGY SAVINGS, CARBON REDUCTION AND FUNDING FOR MISSION” with Featured Speaker The Rev. COLBY MAY.

March 2025 we presented “DIOCESE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA—PATH TO CARBON NEUTRAL—HOW WE ARE DOING IT,” Featuring Bob Wohlsen, Carbon Neutral 2030 Project Manager for the Diocese of Northern California.

In May, we featured speaker Sarah Peterson of Gary Bess Associates, who provided comprehensive guidance on the grant writing process, including funder research, application approaches, and partnership considerations.

The June meeting focused on environmental stewardship efforts within churches and dioceses, with participants sharing their experiences and discussing strategies for engagement and advocacy. The group explored various initiatives, including legislative advocacy, energy assessments, community outreach, and grant funding opportunities for environmental projects. They also discussed plans for future events and retreats, emphasizing the importance of electing environmentally conscious delegates for the upcoming General Convention and addressing regional climate-related challenges.

At the July meeting, we were introduced to an online Episcopal Green Calendar, developed by Perry Gray-Reneberg. This coincides with the development of a new Province web site, now in beta, and Perry and a team from our network will liaise with Steve Welch, the new communication manager for the province.

Also, in July, in light of the gathering hosted recently in Province V, there was energy around planning a 2026 Creation Care Gathering/conference in Province VIII. A planning team formed to develop the concept and research possible speakers, dates and venues.

Respectfully submitted,

Emily Hopkins, Network Leader for Creation Care