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The Prairie

Like St. Francis, we reverence all of creation and we respect the goods we use as gifts from God.  We also live simply, both individually and as community.

-          Sisters of St. Francis Constitutions, # 17

Earth Stewardship Mission Statement:

The Sisters of St. Francis accept creation as a gift from God. We commit ourselves to respect and care for the earth, especially the land entrusted to us in Clinton, Iowa. We will preserve and restore the plant system which is native to Iowa wherever possible. We will study the underlying causes of environmental damage and recommend practical ways to bring about solutions. As part of caring for the earth, we will live a simple communal life, conserve natural resources, share our convictions with others, and thus hopefully improve the quality of life for all.

We share our homestead with species of plants and animals who inhabited the prairie long before our congregation arrived in Clinton in 1891.

Respecting these gifts of creation and reconnecting human beings with the earth by studying the underlying causes of environmental damage and implementing practical solutions is a priority of the Clinton Franciscans.

At least two heritage oak trees and several varieties of grasses that pre-date European settlement, and a 90-foot tall white pine topped with a double Witch's Broom adorn the land.

A new species of dwarf conifer - St. Clare's Broom - is being cultivated from cuttings from the Witch'' Broom.

The forty acres surrounding the Canticle, have been restored to the natural prairie ecosystem of the region.

The prairie restoration, enhancement of the edible landscape - apple orchard, grape arbor, berry bushes, natural herbs and a large organic garden - and creation of a wildscape and beds of native flowers are not only beautiful to behold, they are restoring water sustainability to the land

The true carbon fixing of the grasslands and filtering capacities of the native vegetation result in cleaner air and water as well as decreased runoff. The deep-rooted plants absorb water, hold the soil and control erosion.

Restoring the natural ecosystem provides biological diversity and fosters the interconnectedness of ecosystems. This connectedness with creation is integral to our Franciscan lifestyle.

Learn about earth stewardship efforts in the rest of the world in our Advocacy/Earth section.