Welcome to the Faith Ecology Network - an interfaith network of people connecting faith with ecological awareness and care.

The Faith Ecology Network (FEN) is an Australian hub for strengthening an interfaith dialogue between science and religion in the interests of advancing ecological consciousness and care for the Earth. We encourage action between different faith communities regarding ecological insights through holding events, producing publications and sharing information through our networks and on social media. Recordings of most of our past events are available here, including our Deep Listening series. 

Our network of people currently includes people embracing Aboriginal Spirituality, and Anglican, Bahá’í, Brahma Kumaris, Buddhist, Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Islamic, Orthodox Christian, Quaker, Salvation Army, Sikh, and Uniting Church faith traditions (see more about each faith and what they say about Earth).

We need public financial support to help us grow this vital network of networks.

Our new visual 10Ways to Care posters have been launched.

We need a part-time Co-ordinator. 

Please consider giving directly online via this link or via our bank account details

 

Ten Ways to Care for Biodiversity

Ten Ways to Care

Posters of creative images designed by Brenna Quinlan Copryright Symbol

Order posters of The Ten Ways or individual posters of the Ten Ways. Please state on your payment that it is for FEN 10Ways.

See Price List

Watch the FEN webinar Ten Ways Faith Groups Care for Biodiversity at the Australian Earth Laws Alliance, Earth Laws Month 2022

Read our latest newsletter

The March 2023 E Newsletter is out now

 

Our aims

  • To share mutual appreciation of religious traditions regarding ecological insights
  • To discern and foster religious reasons for environmental advocacy
  • To strengthen the dialogue of science and religion between different faith groups, professionals and the community


What we do

Through the network we share the experience of religious and cultural diversity which enhances the depths of one’s own religious tradition. We learn from the sciences and grow in understanding of the connections between faith and ecology. We build up networks within and between faith traditions and environmentalists.

We share mutual appreciation regarding faith and ecology through...       

  • Producing publications about faith and ecology, resources and news
  • Holding public forums based on common faith and ecology themes
  • Dialogue with environmental professionals
  • Development of common statements on issues
  • FEN members passing on information and resources to their faith communities
  • Support of members with an annual enrichment day


We foster religious reasons for advocacy through...

  • Encouragement of action at local faith community level
  • FEN presence at rallies and public events
  • Promotion of FEN statements
  • Communication about opportunities for submissions on issues

The Faith Ecology Network (FEN) is currently co-ordinated by a core group of volunteers and a planning team of representatives from the faith groups who are part of the network. For inquiries or if you would like to assist FEN in any way, please contact us at: [email protected] 

History

FEN began in 2003. The Columban Centre for Peace Ecology and Justice, part of the Columban Mission Institute, initiated a meeting to promote the ability of people “to wonder” at earth’s complexities and their “will to care” about it. People from the Aboriginal, Anglican, Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu, Jewish, Islamic and Uniting Church traditions planned a seminar. From that FEN was formed.

 

The word ‘ecology’ was integral to the FEN name since members wanted to respect and learn from the world of science and environmental movements. We affirmed that ‘interconnection’ is fundamental to ecological thinking. As people of faith we equally wanted to affirm the presence of a higher power or deity hidden-revealing within the earth itself. In 2004 we established an e-group.

 

FEN began to host regular public forums on a common area of interest. They invited ecological scientists to introduce each topic to set a level of professionalism. The forums have provided different faith insights and responses, sharing of rituals, opportunities for discussion, learning about resources, as well as socializing.

 

FEN believes in the importance of people of faith speaking publicly toinfluence public environmental opinion, so we produced statements on a particular forum topic.

 

FEN also decided to contribute within larger events such as the Pre-Parliament event for the 2009 World Parliament of Religions.

 

FEN began to hold Enrichment Days for its members. The first was held in 2010 at the North Head Sanctuary, Manly. In 2011, the Year of Forests, a day on forest ecology was held at Santi Forest Monastery, Bundanoon.

 

FEN has contributed to broader public awareness through its participation in Environmental Education seminars, radio interviews and contributions to publications.

 

FEN was administered for 13 years by the Centre for Peace Ecology and Justice.Since late 2017, FEN is run by volunteers and auspiced by the Sisters of Good Samaritan.

Volunteers from the different faith groups join together to plan events. FEN continues to grow as a network, operating mostly with the generous in-kind support of members, and donations from events held.

 

 

You can support our work direcly online via this link or via our bank account details

 

  • From the blog

    God's attentive presence found in the diversity of wildlife

    Major Melanie-Anne Holland, a pastor with the Salvation Army, reflects for World Wildlife Day on God's presence in the diversity of wildlife.

    I’m a birdwatcher, from a family of avid birdwatchers. For as long as I can remember, my family has travelled with a copy of The Readers Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds. Our eyes have been trained to observe the distant flutters of birds, noting their colour and form, in the perpetual hunt for new species. Parents, siblings, children, cousins, aunts and uncles have all been co-opted into our enthusiastic (perhaps competitive) quest. I love birds, and their diversity is a source of joy for me.

    The World Wildlife Fund describes biodiversity as “all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area – the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even micro-organisms like bacteria, that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms works together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life.”

    Intentional diversity

    The diversity of life all around us is spectacular and awe-inspiring, not just in terms of the variety of plants and animals but also the variety within each species. And from a faith perspective, this biodiversity is intentional and purposeful. Not only is God the source, or Creator, of all the diversity we observe, he is constantly engaged with the world around us.

    Psalm 104 in the Bible is a song about God’s ongoing relationship with the world. It tells of God as the one who forms ecosystems and provides the different species of animals with all they need. God lovingly and attentively gives rhythms of life, rest, boundaries, homes, water, food and breath to the creatures around us. Each animal, with its unique needs and contribution, is valuable to God.
    The black-throated finch is an endangered species that needs our protection.

    Can we do without a species? Is any species ‘disposable’ or less valuable? Can we live in a world without wild koalas or platypuses or black-throated finches? How about the species we find less endearing, like mice or mosquitoes? Apart from the profound loss of species, each extinction is like pulling at a thread in a jumper and waiting for the whole garment to unravel. Each loss can cascade into another.

    In our Australian context, we are challenged by how much of our unique wildlife is under threat of extinction from habitat destruction, introduced species, pollution and climate change. Two hundred and seventy-seven species of birds, mammals, fish, frogs, reptiles and other animals have been identified as endangered or critically endangered. Any species lost would be a tragedy.

    Yesterday was in fact 2023 World Wildlife Day, and this year’s theme is ‘Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation’. We are encouraged to work together in a concerted effort to create and sustain healthy ecosystems, wildlife populations and biodiversity. We each have a part to play.

    Wherever you are as you read this reflection today, take a moment to see what animals you share the space with. From the tropics to the snowfields, from the mangroves and beaches to vast arid places, the diversity of wildlife around you is a precious testament to the caring, attentive presence of God. And the God who delights in them also cares for you.

    What you can do • Buy only sustainably sourced products (seafood, timber products and the like). • Stop using pesticides in the garden. • Plant locally endemic plants that belong in the area, to increase habitat for birds, insects, frogs, reptiles and small mammals in your neighbourhood. • Join a bush regeneration group or host a tree-planting event in your community. • Keep plastic waste and other rubbish out of waterways and the ocean through local clean-up events.

     

    Read more

    WOMEN IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA LEAD THE WAY IN SAVING MANGROVES


    A mangrove planted by volunteers on World Environment Day. Photo: Lilian Kenequa

    WOMEN IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA LEAD THE WAY IN SAVING MANGROVES

    Reprinted from The Grail "GJOP Pacific Outlook Bulletin December 2022". 

    The women of the remote community of Poukama village in Hallsound Bay of the Kairuku Hiri District in Central Province are restoring the country’s most diverse mangrove forest.

    The community used to cut down mangroves, not realising they were not sustaining a valuable resource. But in 2014 a group of 25 local women met and agreed to start the local mangrove replanting program. For half a day once a fortnight they do a general clean up and plant mangrove seedlings from their nursery, and by 2020 they had planted over 3,000 mangroves.

    Read more
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