Sustainability-focused student organizations gathered at Elon University’s Community Garden to paint pots and plant succulents at Planting for the Planet on Sept. 5.
Organizations, including the Garden Club, Student Sierra Coalition, an organization that focuses on environmental conservation, and Elon’s environmental fraternity, Kappa Alpha Omicron, worked with the Office of Sustainability on this event.
For the beginning of the academic year, this event provided attendees with a way to meet new people, connect with nature and learn about climate change.
Associate Director of Sustainability for Education and Outreach, Kelly Harer, said that events like this are important to educate others about the current environmental state of the planet.
“The planet is getting warmer,” Harer said. ”What we do in the Office of Sustainability is bring people together because it can be really scary.”
In addition to educating students about climate change, the organizations used this event as an opportunity to recruit new members after Elon’s Student Organization Fair was canceled due to inclement weather.
Outreach Intern for Sustainability, Lauren Nesbitt, said that most of the Office of Sustainability's student participation for Planting for the Planet comes from the Student Organization Fair. However, she still believes the turnout for the event was successful.
“There are still a lot more people here than we expected there to be,” Nesbitt said.
There were more than 40 students in attendance, and while some students may not have been able to experience the Planting for the Planet event, the Office of Sustainability and organizations present will be hosting other events throughout the year.
For more information about sustainability events on campus the Office of Sustainability’s website.