Our Values

Our values are rooted in the faith and teaching of the Catholic Church, and are described as follows: 

We are committed to the dual commandments of love of God and love of neighbor. 

We are dedicated to the long-term conservation and stewardship of the natural and cultural resources in our care.

Our commitment to a flourishing ecology for all stems directly from our belief in God the Creator, from our recognition of the effects of original and personal sin on people and the environment, and from our faith in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.

We acknowledge that respect for the life and dignity of the human person extends also to the rest of creation, which is called to join humankind in praising God.

We believe that the work of creation culminates in the still greater work of redemption, which gives rise to a new creation in which everything will recover its true meaning and fulfillment.

We strive to present authentic and faithful Catholic teaching, and to refrain from putting forth as Catholic anything contrary to the Magisterium of the Church.

We believe that all people are co-workers with God in the cultivation and care of creation.

We are a religious conservation organization that is independent, nonpartisan, and apolitical. 

We recognize that the conservation of creation and respect for the diversity of life are integral to our Catholic faith and identity, and that we are more than simply activists for political or ideological movements. This is our religion, our way of life.

We hold that human dominion over creation is not a form of destructive domination; rather it is the responsible stewardship of God’s creation, of which we are a distinctive part.

We hold that there exists an interdependence and an order among creatures as willed by God. There is also a unity and solidarity among creatures since all have the same Creator, all are loved by Him, and all reflect and are ordered to His glory. Respecting the laws inscribed in creation and the relations which derive from the nature of things is a principle of wisdom and a foundation for morality.

Catholic social teaching is an essential and central element of our work. This includes respect for the human person, the link between human ecology and natural ecology, and the principles of solidarity, subsidiarity, and the common good.

We take a positive, creative approach to conservation that fosters faith, hope, love, truth, goodness, and beauty.

Our work benefits people of all faiths, and especially people who are poor, disadvantaged, vulnerable, or marginalized.

We favor a cooperative approach to conservation that achieves just, sustainable, and authentic solutions to environmental challenges. These challenges are not only technological or political; they are primarily religious and moral.

The technical aspects of our work are based on the best available science, as well as traditional ecological knowledge, and are consistent with Catholic ethical demands. By maintaining an objective view of science and tradition, and an open and respectful attitude toward all people, we hope to avoid harmful bias. 

We are committed to honesty, integrity, responsibility, and accountability within our organization and with others. This is reflected in our conservation work, our financial and organizational management, and our relationships with partners and supporters who make our work possible.

We believe that work is fundamental to the dignity of the human person. We strive to give our volunteers and employees the tools and support necessary for their personal and social well-being.

We humbly ask for the intercession of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, our patron saint.