Christopher Sawyer
Chris Sawyer on Faith, Land, and the Living Village | Reflections on Religion & Ecology
Christopher Sawyer, Mary Evelyn Tucker
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
2025
Faith is not only about belief — it’s about stewardship, vision, and the courage to restore what’s been entrusted to us.
In this episode of Reflections on Religion and Ecology: Yale Alumni Speak from the Field, Chris Sawyer (M.Div ’75) — conservation leader, philanthropist, and Chair Emeritus of the Yale Divinity School Dean’s Advisory Council — joins host Mary Evelyn Tucker to reflect on a lifetime of faith-driven leadership in land preservation and community renewal.
Chris shares how his theological training shaped his lifelong commitment to protecting sacred places — from urban parks and school playgrounds to historic sites and ecological sanctuaries. As Chair of the Dean’s Council for over 14 years, he helped guide the restoration of the YDS campus and inspired the vision for the Living Village, the world’s first living-building divinity residence.
In this episode, we explore:
– How spiritual conviction can drive environmental action
– The role of community in land conservation and justice
– What it means to “build holy ground” in urban and institutional spaces
– The faith and perseverance behind the YDS Living Village
Chris’s story is one of enduring faith, stewardship, and transformation — revealing how the call to serve extends far beyond the pulpit to the very ground beneath our feet.
Chris Sawyer on Why Yale Divinity School
Christopher Sawyer, Mary Evelyn Tucker
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
2025
In conversation with host Mary Evelyn Tucker, Chris Sawyer reflects on why Yale Divinity School became such a formative space for his faith and environmental leadership. He shares how this community nurtured his sense of stewardship and helped him connect theological imagination with practical ecological action.
Chris Sawyer on coming into Law and Land Conservation
Christopher Sawyer, Mary Evelyn Tucker
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
2025
Chris Sawyer speaks with Mary Evelyn Tucker about his journey from faith to law to land conservation. As former Chair of the Trust for Public Land, both nationally and in Atlanta, he describes how legal advocacy and community engagement helped preserve historic sites and create parks that reconnect people with nature.
Chris Sawyer on Urban Parks and School Playgrounds
Christopher Sawyer, Mary Evelyn Tucker
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
2025
In this clip from Reflections on Religion & Ecology, Chris Sawyer shares how creating parks and playgrounds became a moral act of inclusion and renewal. Speaking with Mary Evelyn Tucker, he reflects on the power of accessible green spaces to foster belonging, joy, and community health—especially in cities where nature often feels far away.
Chris Sawyer on the Yale Divinity School Dean’s Council
Christopher Sawyer, Mary Evelyn Tucker
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
2025
Chris Sawyer joins Mary Evelyn Tucker to recount his 14 years chairing the Yale Divinity School Dean’s Council—a period that saw the historic campus restored and renewed. His story reveals how stewardship extends beyond land to community, legacy, and learning itself.
Chris Sawyer on the Joint Meeting of YDS and YSE Leadership Councils
Christopher Sawyer, Mary Evelyn Tucker
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
2025
In this conversation with Mary Evelyn Tucker, Chris Sawyer reflects on the historic 2006 joint meeting between the Yale Divinity School and Yale School of the Environment councils. The gathering laid groundwork for deeper collaboration between faith and ecology—bridging spiritual and scientific approaches to the planet’s wellbeing.
Chris Sawyer on the Need for the Living Village and Living Program
Christopher Sawyer, Mary Evelyn Tucker
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
2025
In a visionary discussion with Mary Evelyn Tucker, Chris Sawyer explains how the Yale Divinity School Living Village embodies eco-theology in practice—combining sustainable design, ethical education, and spiritual renewal. His insights remind us that architecture and curriculum alike can shape a culture of care for the Earth.