Iowa State celebrated the 55th Earth Day on the South Parks Library Lawn, gathering community and campus organizations.
Merry Rankin, the director of sustainability, said it’s important to represent the things that are happening on campus to support our planet.
“We just want to celebrate that [and] invite folks to to come and enjoy this Earth Day celebration… to also earn some unique sustainably minded prizes, to make some different items from upcycled materials, and just really remind ourselves of how fortunate we are that the planet gives to us every day, and to challenge ourselves and reflect on how we can also get back to the planet,” Rankin said.
Rankin said around 30 organizations represented social, economic or environmental sustainability from campus and the community at the event.
“It’s an opportunity to learn more about that particular organization, what they do, how to get involved with them, how to stay connected to them,” Rankin said. “A lot of them have volunteer opportunities. They might have internship opportunities and those sorts of things. So we’re just allowing all of our attendees to find that connection to sustainability that really resonates with them.”
Anna Hamlett, a senior in environmental science and president of Habitat for Humanity, represented the club at this event.
“We pretty much go and help build houses for people that can’t afford it fully on their own,” Hamlett said. “So our volunteering makes it possible to make these buildings actually get constructed and everything. And the reason we are here is because we’re helping to make sustainable communities, and just help out communities and make it a better place to live.”
Rankin said there were tables for what they call “green it yourself.”
“We’re making pinwheels out of items that might otherwise be considered waste around your home,” Rankin said. “We’re trying to also incorporate how you have many treasures in your own home just by the items that you think are wasteful.”
Leah Cosley, a junior in aerospace engineering, said Earth Day is “such a fun thing to celebrate.”
“It’s such a nice day,” Cosley said. “It seems like good people [and] good things they are promoting.”
Cosley also mentioned that it was good to see local things to do and sign up for.
Rankin said, “Earth Day can be every day,” and encourages students to find the connection to sustainability that resonates with them.
“It might be related to conserving water,” Rankin said. “Maybe it’s related to biking, walking, or taking public transportation every now and again, or giving back to the community through volunteering. There’s so many different opportunities to give back to our planet to ensure a sustainable future.”
Hamlett said it’s important to know about the environment and take care of the Earth.
“We live here and we need to protect it because it’s our only place we can live,” Hamlett said.
Sustainability ideas, events and campus organizations can all be found at this website.
