Carla Valentine Pryne

Carla Valentine Pryne, Seattle, WA, "is an Episcopal priest and is co-founder of Earth Ministry (Earth Ministry is a non-profit based in Seattle whose mission is "To inspire and mobilize the Christian community to play a leadership role in building a just and sustainable future"), a 17 year old non-profit organization which is recognized as a leading voice in the Church in environmental stewardship and spirituality. She was also Earth Ministry's first Executive Director. She has served 6 parishes in the Seattle area, including St. Mark's Cathedral and Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Mercer Island. Carla earned her undergraduate degree from Bowdoin College and her Masters of Divinity from Yale Divinity School ('76 and '79); she recently received a Certificate of Pastoral Leadership from Seattle University. She has received numerous awards including from the Seattle Audobon, the Bloedel Reserve, the Washington Wildlife Federation, and the City of Mercer Island; in the spring of 2008, she was given an award by Yale University Divinity School recognizing her pioneering work in religion and the environment. Carla is currently Priest in Charge at Church of the Ascension in Seattle, and in 2009 will be leading pilgrimages to Israel and Ireland with a focus on spirituality and the environment. She lives with her husband, Eric Pryne in Seattle; her sons, Kai and Bjorn Berkedal are college students. She enjoys backpacking, yoga and puttering in the garden."


 * Director, Trust for Public Land