Get the Green Leaf Seal
The Green Leaf Seal is a program of PC(USA) Environmental Ministries in cooperation with the sites of the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association (PCCCA). Environmental Ministries works to inspire and equip Presbyterians to work for eco-justice for all of God's earth. PCCCA equips leaders for ministries of discipleship, community building and the care of Creation.
The Green Leaf Seal is presented to camp and conference centers that care for God's earth by practicing sustainability and educating guests about environmental stewardship.
To receive a Green Leaf Seal, a camp or conference center must have completed a total of five projects or activities in the areas of facilities, education/program, operations, and outreach. The Green Leaf Seal is valid for the calendar year, and may be applied for at any point during the year. In order to maintain the Green Leaf Seal, sites must demonstrate forward progress on environmental stewardship through a total of five new or progressing projects each year.
Camp and conference centers with the Green Leaf Seal will be recognized with the following items:
- Use of the Green Leaf Seal logo for your publications and website
- Listing as a Green Leaf Seal site on the PC(USA) Environmental Ministries website
- Green Leaf Seal certificate to display at your site
- Book on environmental sustainability
Green Leaf Seal Application Form
Download pdf to print and mail in.
The following camp and conference centers have received the Green Leaf Seal:
- Buc Outdoor Center, Sapphire, North Carolina
- Calvin Center, Hampton, Georgia
- Camp Hanover, Mechanicsville, VA
- Camp Kintail, Goderich, Ontario
- Camp Westminster on Higgins Lake, Roscommon, Michigan
- Camp Wilmot, Wilmot, New Hampshire
- Cedarkirk Camp and Conference Center, Lithia, Florida
- Cherokee Retreat Center, White, Georgia
- Crestfield Camp and Conference Center, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
- Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center, Little Rock, Arkansas
- Gilmont Camp and Conference Center, Gilmer, Texas
- Heartland Presbyterian Center, Parkville, Missouri
- Highlands Presbyterian Camp and Retreat Center, Allenspark, Colorado
- Holmes Camp and Conference Center, Holmes, New York
- Hopewell Camp and Conference Center, Oxford, Mississippi
- John Knox Center, Ten Mile, Tennessee
- Menucha Retreat and Conference Center, Corbett, Oregon
- Montgomery Presbyterian Center, Starke, Florida
- Montreat Conference Center, Montreat, North Carolina
- Mound Ridge Camp and Retreat Center, Cook Station, Missouri
- Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly, Hunt, Texas
- Presbytery Point Camp, Republic, Michigan
- Pyoca Camp, Conference and Retreat Center, Brownstown, Indiana
- Stony Point Center, Stony Point, New York
- Tall Timber Ranch, Leavenworth, Washington
- Westminster Woods, Occidental, California
We commend these camp and conference centers for their commitment to caring for God’s earth.
Camps with the Green Leaf Seal have done a variety of projects to qualify, possibly including:
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Facilities
- Completed an energy audit
- Installed a rain barrel
- Installed energy efficient lighting
- Installed lighting with motion sensors
- Planted a rain garden
- Planted native, drought resistant plants
- Installed solar energy
- Use environmentally friendly weed control/fertilizers
- Created a forest sustainability plan/ecosystem plan for your site
- Manage riparian (stream) buffer zones
- Created a storm water management plan
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Education/Program
- Offered a program on climate change or an environmental issue
- Posted information about the origins of your food
- Created opportunities to discuss your practices in community, such as conversation starter table tents
- Include educational information on environmental issues in newsletter
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Operations (purchasing, recycling…)
- Purchase Fair Trade Coffee
- Purchase locally grown produce/organic food
- Have a recycling program
- Compost food waste
- Avoid packaging by buying coffee creamers, etc. in bulk
- Purchase all natural cleaning supplies
- Urge guests to reuse towels
- Using smaller vehicles/electric vehicles to drive on camp grounds
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Outreach
- Involve community in gardening
- Host symposium/lecture series on sustainable topics
- Partnership with Stewardship of Creation Enabler in your Presbytery/ Presbyterians for Earth Care
- Partnership with local church environment committees
- Offer “green” packages for church retreats
