St. Joseph’s College is celebrating Earth Week through a series of interactive and informative virtual events and initiatives, April 16–23.
Students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to take part and learn about environmental cleanup opportunities, international sustainability efforts and environmental justice, local marine rehabilitation efforts, and how our food choices impact the environment.
“One of the greatest ways to protect our planet is by spreading awareness,” said junior Brooke Shellman, an SJC Long Island biology major and president of the student-run club Green Team. “By learning about how humans are impacting our environment, we can understand what we as individuals can do to make a difference. Participating in Earth Week is the perfect way to become more involved with the world around us.”
The events are sponsored by the College’s Sustainability Committee, Green Team, Global Studies, the Department of Biology and guests.
“The Sustainability Committee is proud to continue the tradition of hosting dynamic Earth Week events at SJCNY,” said Konstantine Rountos, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology and coordinator of the environmental studies minor. “Our slate of virtual events is open to both campuses and will bring a mix of international, local, and college-wide perspectives and discourse on pressing environmental issues. We look forward to seeing you!”
Check out the full list of events below, and click here to register for any or all events.
Instagram Litter Cleanup Campaign
Friday, April 16 – Friday, April 23
Join SJC Long Island’s Green Team in protecting our planet by cleaning up litter around your neighborhood or favorite park. Participants are encourage to follow these steps:
- Visit a location they’d like to see free of litter.
- Bring a bag and remember to wear a gloves and a mask.
- Bring hand sanitizer and remain socially distanced in public areas.
- Collect litter, snap a picture of it and weigh it (if you can’t weigh it, estimate).
- Separate the recyclables and dispose of the trash.
- Post a story to Instagram and tag @sjcny_greenteam for a chance to win a prize. Include a picture of the litter, its weight, and the location where you collected it.
Fifth Annual Earth Week Seminar
Monday, April 19, at 12:40 p.m.
Attendees will hear from international guest speaker Martin Muriuki, who will present about environmental justice and Kenya’s single-use plastics ban in Kenya, which he helped advocate for. Prior to the event, this year’s Francis W. Antonawich Memorial Award for Environmental Stewardship will be awarded to a deserving biology major.
NY Marine Rescue Center Seminar
Tuesday, April 20, at 12:40 p.m.
The New York Marine Rescue Center — a rescue and rehabilitation organization in Riverhead that promotes marine conservation — will discuss conservation efforts, focusing on rescue, rehabilitation, education and research for sick or injured seals, sea turtles, dolphins, porpoises and small toothed whales.
Modern Agriculture and the Environment: Video and Panel Discussion
Thursday, April 22, at 12:40 p.m.
Guests will learn how the food they eat affects the environment, during a video presentation by the Educated Choices Program, a nonprofit organization that educates about the impact of food choices on human health, the environment and animals. Following the video, an expert discussion will be led by Dr. Rountos; Kirk Lawrence, Ph.D., associate chairperson and associate professor of sociology; and Wendy Turgeon, Ph.D., professor and chair of philosophy.
