Tapestry of Faith: World of Wonder: A Program on the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism for Grades K-1

Faith In Action: Creating Backyard Habitats

Part of World of Wonder

Activity time: 60 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Information on backyard habitats

Preparation for Activity

  • Designate a date and time for a family gathering.
  • Research how to create backyard habitats. Look for information, ideas, and instructions relevant to your geographic area. Two places to start are the websites of the National Wildlife Federation or a local Audubon Society chapter; print materials to share with families. You might also invite guest speakers who are knowledgeable about backyard habitats.
  • Optional: If the congregation participates in the UUA Green Sanctuary program, invite members of that committee to participate in Faith in Action activities as appropriate.

Description of Activity

Participants and families connect with each other in a way that fosters shared commitment in caring for the earth.

Hold an event to launch participants' families' creation of one or multiple backyard habitats at home, at the congregation, or at a local school or other public place.

Consult with the religious educator to choose a date and time for a family gathering. You may wish to invite the wider congregation to participate, too. Arrange for knowledgeable speakers to present information about habitats. If any families already have a certified backyard habitat at home or at a local school, invite them to talk about their project.

At the gathering, introduce the World of Wonder program. Share the story "Habitat at Home" and lead a brief discussion of the story. While the discussion is going on, you may wish to have materials available to create pinecone feeders (Activity 4). Have the speakers present the materials on backyard habitats, emphasizing how creating or improving a habitat contributes to the health of our interdependent web.

If it is feasible to create a certified habitat on congregational grounds, ask for a small group of volunteers to work with the director of religious education or appropriate congregational leaders to develop a plan for next steps. Families may also choose to create their own habitat at home, or work together with local schools to create a schoolyard habitat. Make sure the children are actively engaged in the chosen project.

Close the gathering by having the children lead the song "We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands". Make plans to communicate with families and the wider congregation about next steps and after the work has been done, to share their experiences.