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Spring clean up of the Gateway Center's green roof is among ESF's Earth Week events.
ESF Students Plan Slate of Earth Week Events
Syracuse, NY – April 18, 2024 – The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) kicks off its annual Earth Week on Monday, April 22 with a full slate of exciting events to celebrate our planet and call attention to environmental and social justice issues — all planned by the students.
No other college celebrates the Earth with as much passion as ESF. In fact, the city of Syracuse and Onondaga County declared Earth Day to also be ESF Day (Monday, 4/22) with a proclamation in 2020.
This year’s Earth Week theme is Diversity and Biodiversity: A Sustainable Future for People and the Planet. The focus is on creating spaces for discussion around queer climate justice and the intersectionality of identity and climate. The week features events where students can show identity solidarity and is a testament to students’ commitment to improving our world and finding solutions to environmental and social justice issues.
“Earth Week is a multitude of events,” said Chris Card, coordinator of Campus Programming and Community Service. Card works with the student-led Earth Week committee to brainstorm and organize the activities during Earth Week. “We have speakers, community service opportunities, and fun activities where students can let loose and enjoy our planet.”
Student Crystal Hawker enjoyed leading the Earth Week Committee as a coordinator because of its laidback, all-inclusive vibe. All ESF students were invited to join the committee to share their ideas and help with planning.
“I wanted to get involved with Earth Week to give students a memorable experience,” Hawker wrote in an email. “What I bring to Earth Week is a fun-filled week of activities from educational, arts and crafts, and games.”
The student body was invited to participate in an Earth Week design competition. Entries were reviewed by the Earth Week committee and the winning designs will be featured on stickers, hats, and other merch throughout the week. Tie dying is a time-treasured tradition at ESF, and tie-dying stations will be set up for Earth Week T-shirts.
“The tie-dye coordinator organizes three days of tie-dying on the Quad, all supplies included,” said Card, “and they earn volunteering hours by helping with tie-dying activities.”
Earth Week culminates with Quadstock, a celebration of all things environmental and ESF, set for April 26.
“Quadstock is like a miniature Woodstock on the Quad featuring live music, food, drinks, and plenty of immaculate vibes,” said Card. “It is a great option for de-stressing before finals and transitioning into a summer state of mind.”
It’s also the perfect opportunity for clubs, organizations, and individuals to showcase their talents or their clubs’ activities. “For example,” said Card, “the ESF Music Society is integral in coordinating band performances during Quadstock.”
To check out the full slate of events, visit the Earth Week webpage.
About SUNY ESF
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.