With Earth Day approaching on April 22, student organizations are coming together to increase awareness about environmental issues and celebrate our planet. Participating organizations include the Hamilton Sustainability Coordinators, Voices of Color Lecture Series, Hamilton Sunrise Movement, Shenandoah Kirkland Initiative, and La Vanguardia.
Asha Grossberndt ’21 said Green Week provides an incredible opportunity to expand the scope of sustainability on campus. As a Hamilton Sustainability Coordinators employee, she said that students, staff, and faculty do a ton of sustainability work behind the scenes all year long, and Green Week provides a way for the broader campus community to get involved in sustainability education and actions.
“As the climate crisis continues, it’s important for us to understand the intersectionality of these issues, and working with other student groups that offer different perspectives and expertise is a great way to do that,” Grossberndt said.
The week kicked off with William Prum ’21, Charlotte Gutterman ’22, Hannah Katz ’21, and Lecturer in Environmental Studies Jason Townsend christening the Kirkland College Community Orchard by planting 12 apple trees next to the community farm on campus. With help from the Kirkland Endowment, this orchard will serve as an educational, historical, and delicious opportunity for students to learn more about local food production.
This week is packed with events of all types of events. Here’s the line-up!
Tuesday April 20
Virtual Environmental Bingo
The Hamilton Sustainability Coordinators are hosting an environmentally themed virtual bingo, for students to have fun and learn about environmental issues and actions on and off campus. Prizes will include baskets of local food and goods sourced from student and community artisans and local food producers, including syrup from Hamilton’s maple sugaring operation. 6 p.m. Watch for a zoom link from HSC.
Wednesday April 21
Eco Paint and Sip
The Hamilton Sustainability Coordinators and Sadove are hosting an environmentally friendly paint and sip focused on upcycling used cardboard into painting led by James Gallagher ’21, at 3 p.m. Registration is required for this in-person event; to sign up for a 30-minute time slot email sadove@hamilton.edu. Attendees receive a nonalcoholic drink on the way out.
EARTH DAY!
Thursday April 22
Voices of Color Lecture Series Presents Xiutezcatl Martinez
Youth climate activist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez will lead a Zoom discussion about climate justice, indigenous practices and more at 6 p.m. Student organizations hosting pre and post discussions throughout the week include Shenandoah Kirkland Initiative, Hamilton Sunrise, La Vanguardia and Hamilton Sustainability Coordinators.
Friday April 23
Gasland Film Screening
Hamilton Sunrise and Hamilton Sustainability Coordinators are hosting a film screening of Gasland, a film about hydrofracking throughout the country. Screening at 7 p.m., discussion to follow. Bradford Aud., Kirner-Johnson
Air Plant Late Nite
The Hamilton Sustainability Coordinators and Sadove are partnering to host a Late Nite focused on supporting small local businesses and learning about caring for different plants. 8:30 p.m. Registration is required for this in-person event; look for an email from Sadove soon!
Saturday April 24
Campus Cleanup
The Hamilton Sustainability Coordinators and HAVOC are organizing a campus cleanup for students to get outside and pick up trash and recyclables from 1 to 3 p.m. Registration is required for this in-person event; look for an email from HSC soon!
Sunday April 25
Bottle and Can Drive
The Hamilton Sustainability Coordinators will be collecting bottles and cans in the Babbitt Pavilion parking lot and donating proceeds to a local charity. Students, faculty and staff can drop cans and bottles off all day on Sunday.
In addition to these student-led events and collaborations, the Sustainability Working Group has been revitalized and is focused on drafting a Sustainability Plan. The group held its first open meeting to gather input from community members.
