Whether looking to simply beautify an outdoor space or reverse damage caused by a summer of frequent rain and flooding, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF)’s Sacred Grounds program is helping local churches sow the seeds of stewardship through investing in native plants.
Defined by NWF as naturally occurring for years without human introduction, native plants mutually benefit humans and wildlife through community betterment and environmental restoration, further propelling what Naomi Edelson, senior director for wildlife partnerships, calls “an oasis for people and wildlife.”
“Right now every choice we make for the earth is about choosing life. What we plant in our yards is a matter of choosing life, and Sacred Grounds is really almost that simple,” said Edelson during a virtual July 17 information webinar.
In a three-step process that officially begins in October, Sacred Grounds Growing Joy strives to compel the municipalities of Washington, D.C., and Maryland’s Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, with the tools and knowledge to tackle pressing outdoor issues while championing an overall healthier planet.
Funded by Chesapeake Bay Trust, and all three municipality governments, the collaborative effort hosts a series of virtual information sessions, in-person demonstrations and tours, and community resources to ensure a successful and well-rounded experience for participants.
Edelson touts the program to the tune of climate resilience and creation care, while Interfaith Power and Light DMV Program Associate Ethan Lucas, a partnering organization of the project, also lauds it as a vital path for spiritual alignment, something he says all participants can take away from the year-long process.
“The Sacred Grounds program also comes with a bigger spiritual lesson I think we all can relate to, about our interdependence with each other and the ecosystems we share,” Lucas said during the virtual information session. “My mind has been completely opened to how crucial native plants are to our environment, our ecosystems and our communities…and I know that it will do the same for all of your congregations.”
Sowing the Seeds to Native Plant Education
The first of three steps toward growing joy in one’s own sacred ground is all about learning and exploring the benefits of native plants.
According to the July 17 presentation, and support from the National Wildlife Federation, native plants not only act as an essential host for about 90% of insects, but can also be used to combat flooding, stormwater runoff, and maintain a healthy soil structure – all challenges that persist in the DMV region amid an abnormal Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 to Nov. 30).
One of several faith institutions to benefit from creation care is Jones Memorial United Methodist Church (UMC) in Southeast D.C., whose flooded sanctuary was eventually restored through the use of a rain garden and native plant garden.
Beginning in October, Jones Memorial UMC, Dayspring Retreat Center in Germantown, Maryland, and Prince George’s Reid Temple A.M.E Church will each host four-hour in-person workshops to enlighten attendees with personal experiences, scientific data on the importance of native plants, and a brief introduction into the beginnings of starting a garden.
“Our theology is that God is creator of all. And so everything begins with God as creator. And God has called us to be stewards,” the Rev. Cary James Jr., senior pastor of Jones Memorial UMC, told Faith & Leadership in 2024. “What it means to be a steward is to be a caretaker of God’s creation in all forms, I tell people — the air, the land and the sea.”
Introducing Hands-On Support
A six-month trek based on inspiration and action, Edelson highlights this stage as vital to engaging members of the church.
From November 2025 to May 2026, institution leaders will partake in numerous initiatives to guide transformation, including river boat tours and a virtual how-to session that breaks down key factors to create a native plant garden.
Culminating this stretch of the journey is the Caring for Mother Earth Native Plant Giveaway, slated for May 9-10, 2026, where every congregation will be given free plants to distribute to members who’ve taken the Native Plant Pledge on the National Federation Website.
Since the program’s inception, Sacred Grounds has provided more than 9,000 native plants to 2,500 homes in the DMV. Some native plant selections include the Butterfly Milkweed, Black-eyed Susan, and Golden Ragwort, among others.
“It’s an opportunity to also teach people a little bit more about doing this,” Edelson said. “We’ve had a lot of fun, a lot of success. And people come, rain or shine.”
Celebrating the Final Home Stretch
After months of preparations, congregations can finally revitalize their base with a garden plan, which consists of a design and planting list, coupled with the opportunity to seek support from their regional government.
In a two-part in-person workshop, participants will learn how to apply for rebate programs, offering up to $20,000 per congregation and $7,000 per home.
Moreover, this stage serves as a proponent of Lucas’ major takeaway: connecting faith and environment.
Beyond enhancing self-sufficiency, Sacred Grounds aims to build communities in tandem with spiritual alignment, thus encouraging congregation leaders to engage members through a blessing of the garden, a sermon on caring for creation, or some sort of coordinated activity with the affiliated religious school.
As the transformative program prepares for its final virtual webinar on Sept. 4, Edelson shares hopes to inspire a lifelong change that can serve a broader impact for humanity at large.
“People really want to make sure we have these beautiful rivers, beautiful wildlife and beautiful families in our lives,” said Edelson, “and we can do this for now and for the future.”