Justice Ecology

The Eco Education Ministry is one expression of the Sisters of Saint Joseph's commitment to ecology in Queensland.

The prime task of the Eco Education ministry is to write, produce and market educational resources that link ecology and spirituality. 'Eco Connections’ is the name given to the resource series. TheEco Connectionsmaterial is a series of five modules in three levels (Adults, Youth & Children). The materialis reflective and based on sound theology. The material is presented in multi-media packs with simple audio visual presentations such as PowerPoint Presentations, original artwork, illustrated books for children.Three titles are presently available; ‘Our Connecting Story’, ‘Our Dwelling Place’ and ‘Our Universe Story’.‘Our Place in the Story’ is in production and will be available shortly.A fifth title, ‘Our Sacred Legacy’ will complete the series. Visit the ‘Eco Connections’ website, for additional details.

The Eco Education Ministry team provide reflection and in-service sessions/workshops forstaffs, groups and interested organisations.

The ministry is located at The Haven, Emu Park,in central Queensland.The Eco Education ministry isactively involved in supporting and developing the eco aspects of The Haven, aretreat/conference centre which was redeveloped in 2005-2007 using sustainable design principles which includes an emphasis on eco-friendly material selection [locally produced materials, low maintenance, recyclable materials], energy and water efficiency, solar hot water, passive heating and ventilation, rainwater harvesting to supply irrigation needs for site as well as some toilets.

Current projects of theEco Education Ministry include:

• The design and construction of a composting worm farm – a large 8 bay worm farm has been built to recycle as much organic waste from the 9 acre property as possible – including food scraps from the commercial kitchen and dining room, guest houses and garden areas.
• Landscaping with plants indigenous to the location. Many species have been propagated on site from seeds and cuttings collected from remnant vegetation.
• Establishment of a ‘Bush Tucker’ garden, in recognition of the Darumbal people (the traditional owners of the land on which The Haven stands. Indigenous students from local secondary colleges have been involved in this project – one school is designing and painting decorative screens to depict the aspects of the medicinal and useful plants; another school is designing and constructing a meeting area with a central fire pit. The bush tucker garden will be a place of education about the local ecology and of cultural understanding.
• Future stages will include an organic vegetable garden and tropical fruit and nut orchard. Produce from garden and orchard will supply the commercial kitchen.

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