Knox Earth Month 2017: Sustainability, Celebration, and Fun

by Elise Goitia '18

Knox celebrated Earth Month throughout April with a 5K Fun Run, an Earth Day Festival, an EquiKnox lecture, and other events focused on sustainability.

This year's EquiKnox speaker was Chad Pregracke, founder of Living Lands and Waters. The environmental organization has grown from one volunteer—Pedgracke—to more than 87,000 volunteers who have collected 8.4 million pounds of debris from America's greatest rivers.

"The real take-away is that each of us has the power to personally make a big difference," Pregracke said at his talk, which was hosted by Students for Sustainability. "I've been doing this for 20 years, but truly, I feel like I'm just getting started."

At end of his lecture, many of the students in attendance signed up to learn more about alternative spring break next year, when Living Lands and Waters will be cleaning the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tennessee.

"What he was saying wasn't outside of anything that I couldn't do myself," said Hannah McCullough '17.

Other Knox Earth Month events that occurred during April were a Terrarium Making Workshop, a Repair Fair, a Share Shop Fashion Show, and a Green Oaks Camping Trip.

Students, faculty, and members of the Galesburg community also participated in the 5K Fun Run and Walk, sponsored by the Student Senate Sustainability Committee. The proceeds go to Trees4Galesburg, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to plant trees in Galesburg.

"It's inspiring to see people finish the 5K," said Debbie Steinberg, Knox's director of sustainability initiatives. "I think it's a great way to celebrate Earth Month and to explore both campus and a little bit of the city, whether you're a runner or walker."

"Earth Day is one of my favorite events at Knox, because it's so much fun," said Sofia Gillespie '18. "With everything that happens, it's hard not to have a good time."

Following the Fun Run was the Earth Day Festival, which included popcorn and snowcones, activities, and music from a variety of musical artists, including the Prairie Fireflies, a Knox College student-faculty folk ensemble.

"I heard the music, and I had to come over," said Josh Kuntz ‘18. "It's really cool. I like seeing the community coming together as one because we all share one planet, and we need to take care of it and celebrate it."

Festival attendees burned designs into blocks of wood, rode horses guided by members of the Equestrian Club, and had their faces painted by volunteers. The Chemistry Club hosted a Solar Oven Competition, where students baked cookies using a greenhouse effect. Knox President Teresa Amott served as the competition's judge.

"I love that Knox puts on these events throughout the month, because it's important to get everyone involved in appreciating our planet and its resources," said Patrick Prom '17, who tabled for the Bee Club during the festival. "It couldn't have been a better day."