In an important step forward the General Synod of the Church of England unanimously passed a ‘Land and Nature’ motion which recognises the importance of the biodiversity crisis alongside climate change. 

This article looks at the agreed actions from this vote and what we as a church are doing about it. At the bottom are links to further information on this historic vote from the church of England website, our mission partner Arocha and the BBC.

Some of the key elements of the motion are:

• Recognise the need to respond urgently to the ecological crisis.
• Dioceses to create an action plan to achieve eco Church silver for the ‘land section’.
• Parishes are to:
• create a simple land management plan (referencing Caring for God’s Acre)
• work towards increasing levels of eco church especially for land
• record the biodiversity of their green spaces, (Churches Count On Nature)
• Request the Church Commissioners to report back within 3 years on progress.

Using our churchyard for nature is part of being an Eco Church and it links perfectly with the work of our mission partner ARocha UK.

At Christchurch the maintenance of the churchyard is a joint responsibility between the Eco team and Buildings team, with great assistance from a group of great volunteers. 

In the last 18 months we have kept a record of the species found in the churchyard and have planted hedges and wildflowers. We have also made new homes for wildlife and are clearing invasive plant species. You may be aware we write a regular monthly article in the Virginia Water magazine called Nature in the Churchyard.

We will take part in The Churches Count on Nature in June 2024. Please come along and see the work that continues to look after our churchyard for nature.

Links 

Arocha - arocha.org.uk/the-motion-passes-what-happened-at-the-church-of-englands-general-synod/

Church of England - churchofengland.org/media/press-releases/general-synod-backs-action-tackle-biodiversity-crisis

BBC - bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-68462679