"What are Eco-Region Networks?" and other FAQ's

What are Eco-Region Networks?

Eco-Region Networks are 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 that address local and regional needs are implemented. 

What exactly do Eco-Regions do?

Eco-Region Networks are “nature-food-faith” associations that seek to preserve and restore native plant communities, 
model transformative agriculture and food systems, preserve water and soil quality, connect people for prayer, share expertise and resources, empower communities to cultivate creation care practices and stand against environmental injustices, and support one another with disaster relief and recovery when needed. 

Why Eco-Regions? 

If we are to keep Earth’s warming to within +1.5ºC and feed 10 billion people by 2050, while protecting and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity, we must transform the way we inhabit our land and waterways, and the ways we feed ourselves. It is a daunting but not impossible task.  As part of Jesus’ Way of Love, we must help to lead this movement; for us, our Creator God is the real source of transformation, and we offer ourselves to be co-creators of change. 

The land and waters we inhabit are very diverse, and having one top-down, one-size-fits-all plan will not meet the incredibly diverse needs and challenges faced by our Eco-Regions. This decentralized model affords each Eco-Region the necessary autonomy and agency to address its most pressing environmental concerns.

Is any Money given to Eco-Regions?

Yes! There are multiple sources for funding! 
GC Resolution B002 has allocated $10,000 annually to the first three Eco-Regions to be formed in this Triennium, and the Presiding Bishop's office has extended this to the first seven Eco-Regions to be formed. In addition, the Presiding Bishop’s office is also discerning how creation care grants might be utilized for these Eco-Regions. 

Will eco-Regions replace the work my church/diocese/province is already doing?

Absolutely not! These Eco-Regions are not coming to steamroll or take over any efforts that your church, diocese, or province is already engaged in. The heart of the Eco-Region initiative is uplifting the work that is already being done across The Episcopal Church and connecting individuals, churches, or groups to share their experiences, knowledge, and any resources they might have to help further the call to care for creation.

How do eco-regions get formed? 

Here is a brief overview of the process: 
1. Discern if this is something you feel your diocese is called to. 
2. Reach out to other dioceses around you and see if they, too, feel called to this work! (You need at least three dioceses to form an Eco-Region) 
3. Get in contact with Hampton Randall, Eco-Region Network Facilitator. He will give you more information on the process! Email the CRE (cre@sewanee.edu) to start this conversation.
4. Submit a letter to the Presiding Bishop's office stating your desire to start an Eco-Region. Hampton will help you walk through this and outline the expected information this letter should contain.
5. Congrats, you have an Eco-Region!