From the Ground Up:

The interactive and educational “Our Deen is Green (ODIG)” program, now for Adults!

 
 
 
 

PARticipate in this unique program that brings you closer to the natural resources in our area and learn about our environment through applied learning experiences with experts!

Salaam Everyone,

We are happy to announce that applications are now being accepted for From the Ground Up: An Adult Outdoor Education Program (aka Our Deen is Green! for adults).

This special program, funded by a grant from the National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways Office, will begin after Ramadan, in late April 2024, and continue into spring of 2025. It is a unique opportunity to become immersed in the various facets of ecology, environmental science, sustainability and stewardship.

It will include monthly classes, mostly in-person and outdoors in parks and wildlife sanctuaries in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, focused on specific aspects of and issues pertaining to our local region, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Classes will be led by local subject matter experts and include a variety of topics, including local plants and animals, the interconnectedness of our watershed, the challenges it’s facing, and what we can do to help. Specific classes will include:

  • An introduction to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed · Local herps: reptiles and amphibians

  • Monitoring stream health with benthic macroinvertebrates

  • Stream restoration and invasive plant removal

  • The importance of native plants and pollinator gardens

  • Watershed education through an interfaith lens

  • Native trees

  • Soil health

  • Environmental justice

  • Local birds and “bugs”

  • Solar power and clean energy

  • Sustainable living

  • Water-quality monitoring

  • And more!

We are looking for 10-15 strongly committed local residents who are interested in learning about our local watershed, its needs, and what they can do to help it. Participants will be encouraged to create a long-term project or plan of action describing something they will do to support the watershed and/or encourage their families or communities to pay more attention to environmental issues.

Program participants must be able to commit to the majority of the monthly classes. All in-person classes will take place on weekends and last 2 to 4 hours. (We will do our best to help provide transportation if necessary.)

This entire program is being offered free of charge thanks to a National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways grant. The National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways Office (NPS Chesapeake Gateways) offers competitive grant opportunities to advance the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 within the full 41-million-acre Chesapeake Bay watershed. Chesapeake Gateways grants bring out familiar, untold, under-appreciated, or yet to be uncovered narratives and promote resilient communities & landscapes through tourism, sustainability, conservation & local economies throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

The program begins after Ramadan, with the introductory class set for April 21st! Applications are due by March 8th. Access the application form below.

Please reach out to us at contact@greenmuslims.org with any questions. With peace, The Green Muslims Team