Rosita has kept up with scientific studies on environmental issues over the years. She belongs to several networks which issue political alerts including: Oceania, the Sierra Club, 1 Sky, the National Wilderness Federation, Alaska Wilderness, Care 2, Environmental Defense, Union of Concerned Scientists, Repower America, and the National Parks Conservation Service.

For several years she has worked on the Kenya Water Project. During her trips to Africa, she keeps a journal regarding the conditions, problems and solutions, as well as the people she meets. Rosita is a valued member of the Earth Partners Working Group and urges us to work in larger arenas.

As an environmental activist, KarenOlson has spoken to many church and business groups on the topic of water, bottled water and plastics. She has authored several articles on the subject, and most recently spoke to several hundred students at Cretin-Derham Hall during their Justice Week. With continuing focus on water, her life work in science education brings her into the classroom to explore the topic of how our human choices are affecting the world’s ocean animals, through lessons on squid, sea stars, and sharks, to name a few.

Olson has worked since the group’s inception with the Global Warming Action Teams (now called Environmental Stewardship Teams) of the Office of Social Justice of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. She has worked with Fresh Energy and 1Sky to bring their important work into public awareness. Olson was also a planning member and participant in the first interfaith Earth Day celebration held at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Minneapolis.

Jennifer Tacheny, M.A. Pastoral Ministry from St. Johns’ University/School of Theology, has 10 years of experience in Religious Studies, Social Justice and Spirituality education. Currently, Tacheny is co-director of Celeste’s Dream Spirituality Center for Young adults where she facilitates experiences in spirituality, gardening and sustainability, community, activism and arts.

As graduates of the Land Stewardship Project’s Farm Beginnings program in sustainable agriculture, she and her husband Steven run a small organic vegetable business on their family farm in Mankato during the summer months. Tacheny brings her education and experience in sustainable agriculture to Celeste’s Dream as coordinator of the community garden. She also coordinates the zero-waste and sustainable foods components of POWER Summit, and she presents on local food systems, spirituality and justice for Hedgerow courses.

Tacheny also participates in Earth Partners Working Group. Jennifer and Steven play music together as Daisy Chain when they can sneak it in amidst work, farming and raising two young sons.