The Sisters of St. Dominic turned Crown Point, located in Bath, OH, into an official ecology center in 1989. Since then they have been a leader in organic and local food production, as well as the reduction of waste through recycling, composting, and energy conservation.

Mission

Sustainability is an important guiding principle at Crown Point Ecology Center.

Religious Leaders

Educational Groups

• Crown Point offers many different kinds of educational opportunities for people of all ages.
• They teach children and youth to learn from the land and how to preserve it for future generations.
• They do not expect anyone to make dramatic life changes, only to live to honor the planet and use it in a constructive way.
• They believe that how the land is used is a justice issue
• They have educated the public about straw bale buildings to demonstrate a way to use materials that do not impact on the forests.
• Their summer intern program offers the opportunity to learn about organic farming and sustainable living through first-hand experience.
• Men and women learn about planting, care of the soil, and what can be used in the soil.
• It provides a hands-on experience for those of all ages to learn about organic farming and living a sustainable life by working with a farmer.
• In summer 2009 they are looking to employ four interns and add one acre to the existing ten acres used for organic farming.

Events

• The Crown Point Ecology Center provides a base for many sustainability minded conferences and events in Ohio, while demonstrating sustainable efforts at events hosted by the Center.
• The 2008 Ohio Solar Tour was launched from Crown Point Ecology Center. Northeast Ohio Food Conference focused on sustainability and healthy food. It was a united effort to raise awareness of care for the planet.
• Their fundraiser in August fed 350 people while staying as environmentally friendly as possible.
• No bottled water was provided and coffee was served in regular mugs.
• There were no disposables used at all, providing an example for others hosting large events to cut back on waste and disposable products.

Green Building

• Recycling and efficiency are essential to their building projects.
• The second barn used for storage of tractors and an office is heated entirely by a passive solar.
• The two cabins available for interns were built entirely from recycled materials.
• Noah’s Arc, a chicken coop, is made of scraps leftover from the construction of the barn.
• Only CFLs are used on the grounds.
• There are no petroleum products used as it is an organic farm.

Transportation

Waste Reduction

• Crown Point Ecology recycles everything that can be recycled.
• There is a continuous year-round composting effort. The compost turner from Europe cooks off the nasty stuff in the winter and is available for use in the spring for soil.
• When trees fall they are used for campfires.
• Trash that cannot be recycled or composted is picked up every other week, though they are trying to lessen this.

Grounds

• Crown Point Ecology Center is a certified organic farm situated on 130 acres of historical setting.
• In 1996 they officially began growing food organically for a CSA that serves 120 families.
• A large portion of food grown is also donated to the Akron-Canton Food Bank.
• They invite people to walk the land and enjoy themselves in nature.
• There is no smoking anywhere on the property.
• Donated 8-10 acres to a local high school to use as sustainable sports center.
• There are no harmful chemicals, the track is made from recycled tires, and composting toilets are used on the grounds.
• The use of drip irrigation on crops reduces the amount of water wasted in irrigation processes, placing the desired amount of water directly onto the plant.

Purchasing

• They purchase meat that’s sustainably grown. They promote growing and purchasing locally grown food first, and then organic.
• They give preference to those who produce paper and Styro to use recycled materials and materials not harmful to landfills.

Green Committees

Larger Initiatives

Contact: Sr. Mariellen Phelps, Outreach Coordinator