New Location is Well Underway

An exciting evolutionary aspect of the Sisters of Saint Joseph Earth Center is the opportunity to demonstrate one of the most sustainable forms of energy production. The geothermal well drilled for the new site will provide the heating and cooling systems, thus reducing the carbon footprint of the building tremendously. In addition, rainwater collected on the roof will go down pipes in the columns and be collected in a cistern underground. This water will then be used to care for the landscape gardens. The original wooden floor has been restored to its natural pine, and the floor of the loft made with oak from ethically harvested trees. The paint used contains no toxic materials.

The new site is well situated on the grounds of Chestnut Hill College. Sister Mary Elizabeth Clark will work with the administration, faculty, staff and students of the College to integrate practices of and courses in sustainability and its connection to spirituality. The SSJ Earth Center provides a place to collect "best practices" in sustainability and to network in the Northwest Philadelphia Community with groups interested in delving more deeply into issues of sustainability and spirituality in the Wissahickon watershed bioregion.