Br. Joe Steen (center) with representatives from Narrow Ridge: director Mitzi Wood-Von Mizener and Bill Nickle, founder.
Glenmary Brother Joe Steen received last August the Earthkeeper Award from an environmental organization in Northeastern Tennessee.
The Narrow Ridge Center conferred the award to Brother Joe and six other people, “who have made notable contributions to the preservation, protection and care of the planet,” according to the organization’s website.
Narrow Ridge runs a sustainable community of people living on solar energy, using wood stoves and composting-toilets. It protects more than 500 acres of mountain land in Washburn, Tennessee.
“Joe led the construction of Narrow Ridge’s Cedar View ( the “Intern Cabin”) as well as the bathroom/storage building at the Narrow Ridge Natural Burial Preserve,” the organization added. “He has offered his talents to several other Narrow Ridge projects including the renovation of Strawbale Lodge, construction of the trail kiosk and repairs to Narrow Ridge barns.”
Brother Joe has volunteered on the organization’s board of directors and also as part of its maintenance committee.