Sacred Grounds Graduates Take Root, and a New Season of “Growing Joy” Begins!

This past spring, faith communities across Montgomery and Prince George's Counties embraced the beauty and importance of creation by transforming their outdoor spaces into flourishing native plant and pollinator gardens through the Sacred Grounds program. These efforts have brought vibrant life to places of worship, turning ordinary grounds into sanctuaries for wildlife and spaces that inspire connection and stewardship. Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC) is honored to partner with the National Wildlife Federation in this important work, helping congregations install native plant gardens that support pollinators, improve water quality, restore natural habitats, and strengthen the bonds within their communities. 

In past Sacred Grounds projects, congregation grounds have been transformed into buzzing pollinator havens with milkweed, coneflowers, and black-eyed Susans; mosque courtyards now host rain gardens alive with butterflies; and entrances greet visitors with the shade of newly planted native trees. These living landscapes are more than beautiful—they’re active expressions of faith and community care.

Recognizing the power of these gardens to nurture both land and spirit, IPC is excited to announce a new initiative in collaboration with the National Wildlife Federation: Growing Joy with Native Plants. This expanded program aims to deepen and broaden support for faith communities across Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties who wish to create native plant gardens on their grounds. Additionally, the initiative equips individual members by offering free native plants to cultivate at home, encouraging a ripple effect of ecological care and creation stewardship throughout neighborhoods.

Participants who qualify for the Growing Joy program will receive a comprehensive package of support designed to make garden creation accessible and impactful, including:

  • Educational programs rooted in the connection between faith and ecology, helping participants understand the spiritual and environmental significance of native plants

  • Assistance with the design and planning of on-site gardens, plus guidance on securing funding to bring those plans to life

  • Free native plants for congregants to grow at home, fostering personal engagement with local ecosystems and biodiversity

By joining this movement, your congregation can put faith into meaningful action, actively contribute to healing and restoring God’s creation, and help bring renewed beauty, biodiversity, and ecological health back into our shared neighborhoods and communities. Together, we can nurture the land, protect vital waterways, and cultivate a deeper sense of stewardship that benefits both people and wildlife for generations to come.

Interested in bringing this to your congregation?

Join us for a virtual Learning Lab on Tuesday, September 4 at 7PM to learn more and begin your journey!
👉 Register Here

Let’s grow joy—together!