Jess Rivera '22 harvests tomatoes from the eGarden to sell at a Rochester farmers market earlier in the summer. (SUNY Geneseo/Keith Walters '11)
SUNY Geneseo is hosting a series of activities, presentations, and discussions in observance of Campus Sustainability Month, which kicks off Friday, October 1 at 3 p.m. with a tour of the campus eGarden given by interns from the college’s sustainability office.
Sustainability Month is designated by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, of which SUNY Geneseo is a member. The goal is to bring awareness to, educate, and celebrate the three pillars of sustainability: social sustainability, economic sustainability, and environmental sustainability. This year, theme weeks are guided by major events at Geneseo.
Week one is “water,” highlighted by the President's Sustainability Lecture, presented by Farhana Sultana at 2:30 p.m. on October 6, in the Doty Recital Hall and via zoom. Sultana is an associate professor in the Department of Geography and the Environment at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs of Syracuse University. Her topic is “Understanding the Climate Crisis—Sustainability, Politics, Justice."
On Thursday, October 6, from 5 to 6 p.m., participants can tour the Roemer Arboretum on campus and Narwhals in Nature art event the arboretum, featuring art made from natural items.
Week two focuses on “land” and features a presentation by Geneseo alum Conrad Baker '14, an environmental educator at Letchworth State Park, who will discuss the role social media has played in sustainability education at the park’s Humphrey Nature Center. Week three focuses on “food,” in collaboration with Cultural Harmony Week. Week four highlights “campus action.” There will be multiple events in which participants can discuss how to move forward and create positive change around all three pillars of sustainability.
Events in the eGarden throughout the month include a presentation about waste management and movie nights that feature themes related to sustainability.
Events big and small are open to students, faculty, staff, and community members. The Sustainability Events Google calendar will be continually updated with new events. Students will also update Geneseo Sustainability on Instagram @geneseosustainability.
Learn more about sustainability efforts at Geneseo.