Watersheds of the Gulf Coast Eco-Region

The Commission on the Integrity of Creation has been working in partnership with creation care commissions in the Dioceses of Louisiana and Mississippi to form the Watersheds of the Gulf Coast Eco-region. The priorities of our new eco-region include wetland and biodiversity loss, industrial incursion, sea level rise, warming waters, and pollution of waterways, drawing on local and historical knowledge and practices, and on great spiritual resilience. We will accomplish this effort to "Inform+Inspire+Invite" parishioners in our diocese to care for Gulf waters through partnership with local environmental agencies.

What are Eco-Region Networks?

Eco-Region Networks comprise the new, grassroots approach to creation care and environmental justice that the Episcopal Church is taking, and are partnerships of dioceses and communities based on shared ecosystems, watersheds, or environmental concerns. These partnerships aim to foster community and cultivate a collaborative environment where people, projects, and properties are shared, and nature-based climate solutions are implemented to address local and regional needs.

Watersheds of the Gulf Coast is one of twelve eco-regions in The Episcopal Church. Read more about the eco-regions here.

How You Can Help

Lella Lowe has been appointed to serve as the Eco-region Fellow for the Watersheds of the Gulf Coast. Please contact her at rollread@bellsouth.net if you are willing to help in any capacity or need more information. Ways to get involved:

• Help create a database of volunteer opportunities for different interests and abilities. Contact us if you are aware of any environmental agencies looking for volunteers.

• Does anyone in your congregation work in the environmental field? Please ask them if they would like to be involved in this program and ask them to reach out for more information.

• Help develop educational and inspirational materials for use in our congregations. If you are aware of existing curriculum or liturgies, or would like to develop such materials, please let us know.

• Help get the word out! Arrange for an eco-region team member to speak to your congregation about this exciting new program.

Follow this link to learn more about the Commission on the Integrity of Creation.