As Earth Day approaches, clubs at Augustana College have several events planned across campus to celebrate our planet. Those celebrations are expanding this year, with student organizations hosting a full week of collaborative events that promote sustainability awareness across campus. The events will begin on Wednesday, April 22, and will continue until Tuesday, April 28. 

Organizations partnering on these events include Augie Acres, Augustana Sierra Club, Campus Closet, Office of Student Cultural Connection, Student Government Association (SGA), Film Club and Delta Chi Theta sorority. 

Senior Emerson Lehman, president of Sierra Club, said there will be a variety of activities throughout the week, like bonfires and planting opportunities. This year, the Sierra Club is partnering with Radicle Effects Brewerks to host an event on environmental awareness and sustainability on Friday, April 24, that is open to the public.

“This year it’s bigger and better,” Lehman said. “Being able to collaborate with people in the community and host an event off campus like this is something that I’m really proud of.”

Sierra Club and Augie Acres are partnering on many Earth Week activities. Senior Ian Empen, president of Augie Acres, said there has been a lot of preparation for all planned activities.

Empen is focused on educating students about environmental issues. The activities around campus will aim to engage students and raise awareness of sustainability. In addition to events organized with the Sierra Club, Augie Acres will also host several independent events throughout the week.

“It’s really about getting students thinking about environmental issues, especially if they’re not environmental studies majors or involved in environmental clubs, and getting them engaged in that side of things,” Empen said.

Campus leaders say collaboration between clubs has been key in expanding the reach of Earth Week events. By working together, they hope to draw in students who may not typically participate in campus activities.

Senior Sarah Marrs, president of the SGA, said this year there will be more opportunities for students to interact with events both on and off campus.

“It’s not just like learning about it, but you’re really getting some hands-on experiences and really connecting with nature, especially with springtime really kind of in full bloom,” Marrs said.

Celebrating Earth Day with a full week of events makes it easier for students to get involved in ways that fit their interests and schedules. Students can choose from many different activities, such as painting plant pots or participating in a secondhand thrift event. 

Benji Buhl, the chair of the environmental committee for SGA, organized the Earth Week nature walk event at Sylvan Island on Sunday, April 26.

“We’re [going to] be bussing people [to Sylvan Island],” Buhl said. “We did it last year, and it was pretty successful.”

As Earth Week continues to grow, student leaders hope the increased collaboration and participation will encourage students to practice sustainability on campus.

A list of on-campus Earth Week events can be found on Augustana’s website.