Earth Day is more than just a date on the calendar for Fairfield University students this year. From late-night information sessions with festive treats to hands-on cleanups that leave a visible impact both on and off campus, students are stepping outside of the classroom to support the environment. These events offer more than just participation or program credit – they create spaces for students to connect while simultaneously learning how their individual actions can contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet.
“As a freshman at Fairfield, I am really proud that I chose a university that is so dedicated to giving back to the environment,” says Jack LaPella, a first-year student at Fairfield University.
Today, Wednesday, April 22, students can take part in two separate Earth Day initiatives. From 3 to 4 p.m., sophomores are invited to join RA Anna for a campus-wide garbage pickup as part of the Sophomores Give Back community service program. All participants will meet in the lobby of Meditz Hall before heading outside to clean up the grounds of Stag Country.
The cleanup is expected to last only about 30 minutes, making it a quick yet effective way for students to give back to the environment. Trash bags and gloves will be provided, and to foster a little bit of friendly competition, a prize will be awarded to the participant who collects the most trash. All participants will also receive an SGB service credit.
This evening, junior students living in either the townhouses or Dolan Hall have the opportunity to take part in the Earth Day Door-to-Door initiative. The program will focus on sharing environmentally sustainable living tips, as well as distributing wildflower seeds, which students living in either of these two areas can plant to support pollinating insects.
The celebrations kicked off on Monday, April 20, with an Earth Day Extravaganza hosted by RA Ava Grosso from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Regis Ground Floor Lounge. The event offered students a chance to learn more about issues facing our environment in an interactive setting while enjoying delicious Earth Day-themed desserts.
The Earth-friendly week’s events will conclude with an off-campus service opportunity on Saturday, April 25, from 1 to 3 p.m at Cove Island Park in Stamford, Conn. In partnership with SoundWaters, a Connecticut-based nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the Long Island Sound, students will engage in a coastal cleanup. Volunteers will help to remove debris from the shoreline while reflecting on their responsibility to care for the planet as best as they can. All participants are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and clothes that they don’t mind getting dirty.
By the end of the week, the impact of these events will be visible not only in tidied campus spaces or newly planted wildflower seeds, but in the sense of shared purpose amongst students. As Earth Day festivities conclude and Stags begin returning to their everyday lives, the hope is that these efforts towards sustainability do not fade, but rather continue to shape how Fairfield U students care for not only the campus, but the external world around them.