Celebrating Earth Month at Syracuse University
Get ready for a monthlong celebration of the Earth! While Earth Day is officially Saturday, April 22, the University is hosting events throughout the month to encourage sustainable practices and remind us why it’s important to care for our environment and the planet.
The first event will be a virtual learning and development session on April 6: Behind the Scenes of Waste and Recycling at SU. Recycling laws and regulations vary by county, state and country and there is often confusion over which items belong in the recycling bin. In this session, students, faculty and staff can sign up to learn what is recyclable and what happens to your recyclables on and off campus. Sustainability Management will decipher how commonly confused items should be disposed of and answer any questions.
Another virtual learning and development session hosted by Sustainability Management will be held April 10: Why a Pollinator Garden Is Important and How to Plant One. Native habitats are disappearing rapidly. Are you missing Monarch butterflies and other native butterflies? In this session, learn how to select and plant a native garden to help support pollinators to provide nectar and pollen, and support pollinator habitats. As a Bee Campus USA affiliate, Sustainability Management will share insights into starting a new pollinator garden and how to start your own.
On April 18, Sustainability Management will host a Sustain Our Campus event at Schine Student Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sustainability-related campus organizations, services and groups that serve Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) have been invited to attend, including:
- Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA)
- Syracuse University Student Association Sustainability Committee
- Syracuse University Dynamic Sustainability Lab
- Syracuse Haulers
- Syracuse University Food Services
- Syracuse University Graduate Student Organization Climate Action Committee
- SUNY ESF
Learn how these organizations and others play a part in sustainability on campus, how to get involved and come with any burning questions you might have.
Other events include a clothing swap on April 19 from 1 to 4 p.m., hosted by the Student Association Sustainability Committee. Students can bring a few items, browse the selection and try on their choices before swapping!
The Dynamic Sustainability Lab will also host a Sustainable Film Festival and screening of “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” with a special interview with director Chris Renaud on April 7. On April 11, 2020 presidential candidate, businessman and climate activist Tom Steyer will visit and speak from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Eggers Hall.
One of the goals of the most recent Climate Action Plan is to improve communication and engagement with the campus community. Events like these are an opportunity for Sustainability Management to engage with students, faculty and staff, answer questions and learn how we can improve as a department to limit the University’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
For more details on many of these events, check out the Community Calendar. For the virtual sessions, you can click on the registration link to attend. Follow Sustainability Management on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @SustainableSU or visit sustainability.syracuse.edu for more information. With questions or suggestions, email sustain@syr.edu.
