St. Joseph’s University, New York is hosting a series of events in recognition of Earth Week, the world’s largest environmental movement.
“The Sustainability Committee and the Green Team have been working hard and are absolutely thrilled to offer a full slate of diverse Earth Week events for the St. Joseph’s community,” said Konstantine Rountos, Ph.D., associate professor of biology at SJNY. “I hope everyone can take some time to participate in these various activities. We all have the power to make a difference in our world.”
Beginning on Tuesday, April 18, the events include:
- Tuesday, April 18: Planting of perennial grasses in the Shea Garden; 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 19: Clare Rose Garden Planting; 4 – 5 p.m.
- Thursday, April 20: Tin Can Potting; N237 during Common Hour
- Friday, April 21: Sustaining the Earth: Here and Now; Zoom presentation during Common Hour. This is a panel event hosted by Dr. Wendy Turgeon. Registration is required.
- Sunday, April 23: Patchogue Eco Fair on Main Street in Patchogue; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Registration is required.
- Monday, April 24: 7th Annual Earth Day Seminar, “A Tale of Sharks and Sturgeons: Conservation of Federally Protected Fishes in the mid-Atlantic,” with Dr. Keith Dunton, associate professor of biology at Monmouth University. The event takes place live in the McGann, as well as through Zoom, during Common Hour. Prior to the seminar, the annual F.W. Antonawich Memorial Award for Environmental Stewardship will be presented to Joy Witzke, a sophomore at the Long Island Campus and executive member of the Green Team. The award was created in memory of St. Joseph’s student Francis W. Antonawich, son of Biology professor Dr. Frank Antonawich. Registration is required.
“Earth Week is an important part of our commitment to our five pillars,” said Kirk Lawrence, Ph.D., associate chairperson, human relations coordinator and associate professor of sociology. “This has grown from its origin as a single Earth Day-related event to a weeklong series of events with faculty, staff and students participating on campus, virtually and in the community. While not quite reaching the maxim that every day should be Earth Day, our Earth Week moves us in that direction.”
In addition, now through May 3, members of the community can safely dispose of e-waste items on the Long Island Campus. Sponsored by Upcycle USA, collection boxes have been placed in O’Connor Hall for electronic items, such as cell phones, computers and laptops, servers, vacuums, radios, speakers, batteries, iPods, televisions and hair dryers.
“As we face overwhelming environmental challenges, we have to see this as both a global and a personal challenge,” said Wendy Turgeon, Ph.D., professor and chair of philosophy. “We must act now, in small ways and large ways.”
This year’s Earth Week events are jointly hosted by the Sustainability Committee, Department of Biology, Green Team, Circle K, the Art Club, Dr. Konstantine Rountos, Dr. Wendy Turgeon and Dr. Kirk Lawrence. For more information, email sustainability@sjny.edu.
“We are excited to join forces with Protecting the Environment in Patchogue (PEP) for the 2023 Eco Fair,” said Dr. Rountos. “This is a great way to promote sustainability in our community.”
