The annual Earth Day celebration returned to the Shippensburg University campus April 22 to spread some eco-friendly activities and ideas among students.

The Earth Day celebration that was co-organized by SU’s Green League club and the Center for Land Use and Sustainability (CLUS).

Clubs and organizations held festivities in Academic Quad. The event drew many on-and off-campus environmental organizations that brought exhibits and games to teach and spread awareness about planting, soil and water testing, as well as climate issues.

The Earth Day celebration held informational sessions with speakers including SU students Ian Thompson, a Student Government Association (SGA) senator and Madeleine Davis, the SU Green League president. SU geography and earth science professor and current co-chair for the Environmental Steering Committee Russell Hedberg also spoke to educate students on current climate issues.

Hedberg helped develop SU’s Climate Commitment Plan. SU President Laurie Carter signed this plan into effect during last year’s Earth Day celebration. The plan includes taking action by 2023 to integrate carbon neutrality and create opportunities to reduce greenhouse gases and identify current areas of vulnerability in the community.  

The Earth Day celebration welcomed many local elementary school students to participate in activities. The students created artwork to be placed into a stream exhibit along with trash to help explain the harms of pollution and the visual and ecological damage that comes with it.

Davis said the annual Earth Day celebration is important because it helps connect the community regarding climate and ecological issues. It also raises awareness of the efforts of  the clubs and organizations toward helping the environment and possibly inspiring others, she said.

During the week of Earth Day, the Green League also participated in street and litter clean up in the community and held discussions on new plans to help the environment.

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