Called to Protect Our Earth

By S. Georgia Kitt

We

Since the 1990s the Sisters of Charity have been asking how best to preserve our Bender mountain acres of property to be in right relationship with earth. In a recent discussion with some of the early proponents for assuring the preservation of our land, S. Jean miller shared, “It is wonderful that we have now come to this point. All along I felt assured that God is in the land.”

In our earth Belief Statement from the early 2000s, the Sisters of Charity stated, “We believe earth is our teacher and we believe in safeguarding earth’s regenerative capacities.” In 2008, as more Sisters and Associates became involved, our earth Charter clearly clarified our call to interdependence. Now, after 15 years of study, dialogue, prayers, reflections, discussions and ongoing education, we find that the gifting of 77.1 acres of property – Bender mountain Preserve – is in line with our learnings and our firm beliefs. We desire to put our land ethic into action! Together we give breath to gifting Bender mountain Preserve to be preserved in perpetuity.

What is it we are learning about this land? From the studies undertaken we find that it is an important corridor for wildlife. It is one of the oldest and most biodiverse preserves, being home to more than 390 plant species and providing valuable habitat for birds and other native wildlife. In these woods we find the old growth forest, as well as a creek, fossils, mammals, flowers, trees, insects, butterflies, mushrooms and wildflowers. university of Cincinnati botany professor Dr. Denis Conover describes this heavily wooded, restored nature preserve as, “… the best place in all of Hamilton County to observe wildflowers.” most recently, in 2021, groups from earthConnection and the Western Wildlife Corridor offered Zoom presentations about the land, sharing the beauty and wonder of its vastness, specifically the land south of Bender Road. Presentations stressed that it should be cared for, protected and available for public use. The Sisters of Charity Grounds and environmental Committee recently shared its completed study results. The assessments support the recommendation that the best use of the Bender mountain Preserve is as park land and recreational purposes (walking and hiking) due to both the limited access and severe terrain, specifically the steep slopes and narrow valleys.

To whom are we gifting Bender mountain Preserve? We have been walking with Western Wildlife Corridor (WWC) since the 1990s. WWC is a familiar nonprofit nature conservancy land trust with a talented and generous base of volunteers and patrons. The organization’s current property is adjacent to the Bender mountain Preserve. WWC is focused on the west side of Cincinnati and has been managing nearly 300 acres of nature preserves, mainly forested hillsides of the ohio River valley. leaders of the Western Wildlife Corridor realize that protecting land legally so that it is not developed is not enough. The land’s vitality as a haven for plants and wildlife and as a source of enjoyment for people also depends on the health and diversity of the species there. Diversity is threatened by the invasion of alien plants. In recent years Sisters and Associates have joined with WWC volunteers to help weed out these invasive plants, such as garlic mustard, honeysuckle and winter creeper. Restoration efforts have provided excellent results.

We move forward with earth’s blessing. S. Joyce Richter, an early proponent of preservation, wholeheartedly supports the decision to gift the land to Western Wildlife Corridor. She shares, “I see them fully committed to preservation. They sought accreditation as an organization and their efforts have been rewarded. They have prepared excellent materials for visitors, providing trail maps and guidelines for hiking, posting helpful signage at the entrances to the preserve. Jeff Ginter’s (Board of Trustees president) heart is in this effort to preserve the land for years to come.”

S. Winnie Brubach, facilities coordinator for earthConnection, adds, “Western Wildlife Corridor leaders are doers and share their enthusiasm with visitors and volunteers. They definitely get my vote.”

S. Joanne Burrows, leadership Council liaison, reflected on the fact that 25 years from now more of the natural wonders of the Bender mountain Preserve will have been discovered, “We can look back on this decision as a way of contributing to people’s love and care for earth. Who knows what treasures of earth lie there! ”

All that remains for the gifting to be complete is the final legal document which Sisters of Charity leaders hope to have in hand this spring.

SC Earth Belief Statement

We are called:

In humility to reverence the beauty and gifts of earth, In simplicity to recognize our kinship with earth, In charity to sustainably protect and restore the integrity of earth’s ecological systems.