The EcoNuts and ETSU Department of Sustainability threw Earth Fest for Earth Day on April 22 on the Pridewalk.
Several school organizations came to collaborate, including Outdoor Adventure, Overlooked in Appalachia and Buctainment. Students could make a free tie-dye t-shirt and get a free smoothie from ETSU Recreation.
“We’re recognizing the various methods of sustainability around campus, so we have the recycling center that’s in Buc Ridge, we have solar picnic tables that are spread around campus and then there’s the hydration station that are now in most buildings, but really I’m trying spreading awareness for our community garden which is in Buc Ridge,” said EcoNut Marisa Sardonia.
The Econuts wanted students to come out and learn more about the planet they live on, as well as learn about how to have a smaller carbon footprint.
“The main goal of our Earth Day festival is to bring awareness to what we do on campus to help the community and to help the school be more sustainable, so we hope people come out of this knowing that we do do things that help the planet on campus,” said EcoNut Madison Huber.
Earth Day has been celebrated on campus for the last few years, even though last year it was interrupted by COVID-19. In 2019, it was taken over by the Roan Scholars and increased in size after their intervention with inflatables and prizes for students.
“This year we just wanted to continue that and of course we have to make sure it’s COVID safe and things like that,” says Huber. “But we still tried to do tie dye and what not to get the students involved.”
Students relaxed and were able to forget about the upcoming exams for a bit with free shirts and other activities that were shown at this event. Food trucks were also on the Pridewalk, so along with celebrating the Earth, students could have lunch at one of the trucks.
“Just giving the students this opportunity to actually do something and make them feel like they’re helping out a little bit or helping out could really benefit them especially during these last few weeks of classes – just giving them a break to come celebrate Earth with us,” said Huber.
Buctainment also partnered with the EcoNuts to show the movie the Lorax outdoors at the new University Commons as part of their Earth Day celebrations.
The EcoNuts and Department of Sustainability are now accepting applications for the community garden. The sign up form can be found on the ETSU Sustainability Initiatives page and email gogreen@etsu.edu.
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