The University celebrated Earth Day on the Quad with an event hosted by the Student Action for Sustainability, joined by over 35 clubs and organizations from across campus and the state, on Monday.
This event offered many free plants and seeds for students. Tomato plants, biodegradable pots students could plant flower and vegetable seeds in, and plants growing in water that students could win by correctly answering questions about recycling were all available.
They also hosted the horticultural clubs plant sale, with a variety of houseplants, succulents and cacti for sale. Many other clubs used this as an opportunity to fundraise in an eco-friendly way.
The Powerful Independent Notoriously Knowledgeable Women held a Nifty Thrifty sale, in which they donated their profits to the Women’s Resource Center.
A group of students sold original art such as earrings, prints, photographs and pins to raise money for the Snake Community Action Network, a charity that raises money for anti-venom in Kenya. The Animal Veterinary Science Club and the Cocoa Committee brought some of their goats for students to pet.
Many University organizations had booths as well. Representatives from the Master Gardener Program were handing out seed packets and information about when to plant specific vegetables for the best results. Students could get a free tomato plant from the University Violence Prevention and Advocacy Services table or from the URI Free Farming Market table.
State organizations such as the South County Prevention Coalition, Climate Action Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Land Trust Council came to have students learn more about their goals. Students could try on “marijuana goggles” and attempt to catch a ball to learn more about the dangers of driving under the influence with the South County Prevention Coalition.
Climate Action taught about policies surrounding climate change. The Rhode Island Land Trust Council handed out temporary tattoos and stickers to raise awareness about land conservation.
Two undergraduate classes, a conservation biology and a geology class, had their students set up 60 booths to bring awareness to important environmental issues. These booths discussed issues such as local bees and their populations, the way that pickling can reduce food waste, war and the environment and artistic renderings of trash found on local beaches.
It was important as it is a good opportunity for the entire University community to have fun regardless of their background, and de-stress during one of the more stressful times of year, Dylan Murdock, president of the Student Action for Sustainability said.
It is important for Generation Z to learn about the politics affecting climate change and how this generation can have control over them, said Diane Hill, a volunteer with Climate Action Rhode Island.
Since students walk through the quad on their way to classes this is an opportunity to learn more about climate change and the ocean, said El Fernekees, the president of the Sexuality and Gender Association.
This is the second Earth day on the quad event since COVID-19, and this year’s event was larger than its predecessor, Murdock said. The last president of SAS, Tori DeJulia, organized the event last year.
His goal would be to see the entire quad filled with booths from clubs, organizations and classes for an Earth day event in the future, Murdock said.
“I wanted to continue the tradition from last year and the years before, so I’m really keeping something alive that was, already has been here, just resparking it,” Murdock said.