St. John’s Abbey – Collegeville, Minnesota

Contact
Dennis Beach, OSB, Saint John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN 56321-2015; 320-363-2871; dbeach@csbsju.edu

Sustainable land management of its 2500 acres has always been an emphasis at St. John’s Abbey. It includes the 1500-acre St. John’s Arboretum of deciduous woodlands (some tapped for maple syrup), nearly 300 acres of coniferous woodlands, oak savanna, restored tall grass prairie, wetlands, lakes, orchards, and 10 miles of trails. A 250-year sustainable rotation of thinning and harvesting is being practiced. The monks have managed the land since 1979 with a goal to restore biodiversity in both flora and fauna. The land is also home to the 80 acre campus of St. John’s University, Preparatory School, and School of Theology - Seminary.

The monks have a 150 year woodworking tradition based on Benedictine principles of spirituality, stability, and stewardship of the land with local monastic and lay artisans designing and crafting practical, durable, and beautiful furniture and architectural details for their institutions. Timber is sustainably harvested from their forests with logs sawn into lumber at local Amish saw mills. The lumber is first slowly air-dried at the Abbey, then moved to an Abbey kiln where controlled heat and humidity season the wood further. Any other wood used is purchased from reputable, ecologically minded dealers.

The construction of a new Guesthouse and Pavilion and renovation to the Chapterhouse in 2006 were all done with energy use efficiency in mind and special attention paid to daylight and views of surrounding creation of forest and lake. The new construction features red oak flooring and furnishings made at Saint John's from red oak harvested from the woodland surrounding the Abbey. The energy conscious design of the buildings was recognized by the Architecture Minnesota Magazine.

The monks buy local, seasonal foods when available.

The monks reduce transportation-related emissions by replacing retired fleet vehicles with fuel-efficient, hybrid fuel vehicles and encourage to carpool when possible.

A special group of monks advise the Abbot and community on human health, stewardship and related issues affecting the community and affected by the community.

The Abbey reaches out to the wider community about sustainability and Catholic thought. In 2009, with the St. John’s School of Theology – Seminary, the Abbey sponsored the Monastic Institute Household Economics: Simplicity and Sustainability in Community that explored topics regarding sustainability in a small contemplative community, stewardship and sustainable living, organic gardening and eating local, and sustainability and spirituality in the Rule of Benedict. The monks’ land management practices are a model for others throughout the area.