Faces D
By Jeff Favre
Environmental vocation sprang from camp
an Huff first went to camp when he was 5 years old, and in some ways he never left. He became captivated with the camp’s nature hut, which led to a lifelong fas-
cination with how humans need to be effective protectors of the planet. As he got older, Huff was led by a quote from theologian
Frederick Buechner: “Your vocation in life is where your greatest joy meets the world’s greatest need.” Today as the director of environmental health for Minne-
apolis, Huff helps develop strategies to protect the air, water and land—as well as its people. “I’ve always believed strongly that we are called to be
‘Think about the people around you. You can pray globally and act locally.’
good stewards of God’s creation,” said Huff, a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. “In Genesis, God gave us dominion as stewards, not as consumers. But it’s a complex thing because there are always competing demands. We want to have jobs and not
to have people in poverty at the same time.” Huff first learned about government practices while
volunteering in Washington, D.C., for a year after college. Later he became a high school science teacher. He also spent a year operating the water treatment plant at Holden Village, a retreat center near Chelan, Wash. Eventually he put his growing knowledge to use working for the city of Minneapolis. While politics and bureaucracy can be a challenge, Huff
said environmental strategies can be a win-win for people, for businesses and for the planet. “Transportation is a great example,” he said. “If your city is bike-able, train-able, bus-able and walk-able, then that
100 + birthdays
Dan Huff, director of environmental health for Minneapolis says environ- mental strategies can be a win-win for people, businesses and the planet.
not only helps the environment but it helps the community. Also, if we work to stay within the guidelines of the Clean Air Act, it’s not only good for everyone’s health but it means we don’t have the burden of too much regulation.” One of the most important things Huff wants people to
know is that pollution disproportionately hurts poor peo- ple, people of color, the elderly and children. While trying to care for the environment may seem over-
whelming, Huff wants people to not feel that way. “You don’t have to go off the grid and only eat alfalfa sprouts,” he said. Huff recommends taking it one step at a time. For exam-
ple, see if your congregation’s facilities are energy efficient, and find simple ways to improve that. “Jesus’ impact was with individuals,” he said. “He didn’t
work in the Roman government to change legislation. He said to tend to the people around you. So don’t get overwhelmed. Think about the people around you. You can pray glob- ally and act locally.”
Author bio: Favre is an assistant professor at Pierce College in Los Ange- les and a freelance theater critic.
104: Mary Kierspe, St. John, Fort Wayne, Ind. 103: Lila Strand, Kviteseid, Milan, Minn. 102: Otelia Evenson, Zion, Garretson, S.D.; Lester Huber, Peace, Gahanna, Ohio; Luz Santiago, San Esteban Mártir (St. Stephen Martyr), Bayamon, P.R. 100: Ada Arps, St. Mark, Defiance, Ohio; Carroll Borke & Pearl Swenson, Our Savior, Hillsboro, N.D.; John Chalupa, Holy Trinity, Trumbull, Conn.; Ruth Fahlund, First, Galesburg, Ill.; Beatrice Flat-
ness, Trinity, Tacoma, Wash.; Hazel Larsgaard, Bethany, Fairview, S.D.; Bob Martin, St. Luke, Devon, Pa.; Rebie Reeves, Summer Memorial, Newberry, S.C.; Donna Lang Vander Vorst, Faith, Bismarck, N.D.; Doloris Wedul, Central, Winona, Minn.; Phyllis Ziemer, Zion, Davenport, Wash.
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September 2015 43
DAVID HUFF
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