Connecting to Christ and His Creation
The Catholic Ecology Center is a ministry of Laudato Si' Project, a tax-deductible, 501(c)3 non-profit.
Laudato Si' Project began in 2016, responding to Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home. The mission of the Catholic Ecology Center is to deepen faith and foster a stewardship ethic through hands-on encounters with the natural world. This is done through educational programming, stewardship projects, retreats, recreational outings and partnerships with schools and parishes.
Theresa grew up in the driftless region of Wisconsin on a small hobby farm. She graduated from Wyoming Catholic College in Lander Wyoming with a bachelor's degree in the Liberal Arts. Before joining the Catholic Ecology Center, Theresa worked on an organic produce farm and as a CNA for five years. During her time in Wyoming she spent over 70 days in the back country and enjoyed many outdoor activities including rock climbing, white water kayaking, cross country skiing, canyoneering, caving, and backpacking.
Theresa has always found beauty to be the transcendental which brings her closest to Christ. She hopes to share God’s first book with others through her work at the Catholic Ecology Center.
Kim began her time at the CEC as a tireless volunteer, and together with her husband, spend countless hours ensuring the CEC property and mission is well taken care of.
Kim has a deep passion for God's creation and enjoys sharing this knowledge and drawing people deeper into a love for God.
She is an avid outdoor photographer, birder and lover of animals and ecology. We are thrilled she can share her gifts with the visitors and programming at the Catholic Ecology Center.
Barbara comes to us from the east coast where she taught catechism in the South Bronx and most recently as a resident director at Thomas Aquinas College. She grew up in the driftless area of WI where she also worked on an organic farm. Barbara graduated from Thomas Aquinas College on the west coast with a degree in Liberal Arts. In addition to being an educator at the CEC, Barbara has also worked at Clare Gardens, the organic farm on-site. She is excited to share her robust faith and love for God's creation.
Joe Meyer has always had a passion for his Catholic faith and a love for ecology. As a result of these passions and his desire to teach, he graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a Bachelor's degree in biology/environmental science education and later a Masters in Education from UW-La Crosse. He taught in National Parks and environmental education centers across the country and strives to connect people with Christ and His Creation.
As a result of his deep Catholic faith, he founded the non-profit Laudato Si' Project is 2016 and most recently the Catholic Ecology Center. He is also a science teacher at Marquette University High School in Milwaukee.
Read more on our Testimonials Page
We are so very blessed to have Father John LoCoco serving as our Chaplain. He brings his deep faith, holiness and gregarious personality to our programs and events. Father LoCoco currently serves as the Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Catholic Ecology Center Chaplain, Fr. John LoCoco, with kids at our St. Francis Feast Day Event.