How to Spend Earth Day (and any day) @ Chatham
Happy Earth Day, ChathamU! This year’s Earth Day theme is investing in our planet, a (relatively) easy ask when you consider the wide range of sustainability-centered courses, clubs, and initiatives underway across our campuses. No matter the sustainable cause that means the most to you, there is a likely a path to learning more at Chatham or in Pittsburgh. In honor of this year’s Earth Day theme, we’re counting down some of our favorite ways to invest in the earth at Chatham. Check them out below—
Explore Sustainable Fashion On & Off Campus
Is there anything more fun than sustainably-sourced fashion? Eco-friendly fashion is a big deal at Chatham. Each year, Chatham Student Power, an activist organization on campus, hosts a Sustainable Fashion Fair where students can donate and trade their clothes—it’s a major hit on campus. But even though the annual fair has passed, there are still plenty of opportunities to explore sustainable fashion online and in Pittsburgh. Chatham’s A La Mode fashion club hosts fashion repair workshops and there are plenty of thrift stores to explore throughout the city. You might also consider hosting your own Earth Day clothing swap with a few friends.
Join an Eco-Conscious Club on Campus
If you’re looking to partner up with a group of like-minded peers, we’ve got a few clubs for you to consider. Chatham’s Society of Ecological Restoration is a local chapter of an international society that is working to restore native plants by removing invasive species across our campuses. Chatham’s Green Team is an organization of student advocates that emphasizes climate action, education, and coalition building. And if you’re looking to start your own green gathering, you’re always welcome to start a new sustainable club on campus. Contact the Office of Student Engagement for more info.
Spend Some Time at Eden Hall
As you may already know, Eden Hall Campus is a wonderland of sustainable ways to spend your Earth Day (or any day). From our agroecology garden and forest trails to our CRAFT food workshops and aquaculture lab, sustainable efforts are built into the fabric of Eden Hall. You’re always welcome to take the shuttle up and explore the space, but you could also consider taking a class in one of our food studies or sustainability programs (more ideas below ⬇️) or check out offerings from the Center for Regional Agriculture, Food, and Transformation (CRAFT).
Find a Course that Teaches Sustainable Solutions
The easiest way to build on your sustainable skills and lifestyle is to educate yourself and luckily, Chatham is a hub for sustainable education, culture, and innovation. Chatham offers a wide range of introductory sustainability courses as well as bachelor and master degrees in the field. If growing your own food interests you, we offer an agroecology course that instructs students on sustainable and anti-racist farming practices. If you’re dipping your toe into the foodie world, you might check out our sustainable fermentation course. And if you’re looking to think about your ecological footprint from a literary perspective, consider taking environmental children’s fiction and film.
Take a Walk & Pick Up Litter in Our Community
If you’re looking to get outside this Earth Day, consider grabbing a bag and some gloves and taking a stroll. First, pick up any litter you might discover around campus. Next, walk through the surrounding neighborhoods and collect anything you might find. Head to Schenley, Mellon, and/or Frick Parks and continue to gather up the litter that you find. If you’re curious what types of litter are most harmful to local ecosystems, check out this list by the Potomac Conservancy.
Ride a Bike with BikeWorks or HealthyRide PGH
Whether you already have a bike or you’re hoping to acquire one, Pittsburgh is a great place to get around via bicycle. To get started, visit Chatham Bike Works in the basement of Woodland Hall behind the Book Store. Bike Works is a free work-space available to all Chatham biking community members. They offer by-the-semester or by-the year bike rentals as well as hands-on workshops for riders that focus on different aspects of bicycling, including basic maintenance skills, on-the-road repairs and how to ride safely. If you’re just looking to bike for a day, you can also rent one of the HealthyRide PGH bikes you’ll find stationed around the city.
Start a New Sustainable Initiative on Campus via The Green Fund
The Green Fund, offered by Chatham’s Office of Sustainability, can help support creative solutions by providing financial support to any students interested in implementing a sustainability-focused project on campus. The Office of Sustainability will guide students through the process, which includes an application phase, planning phase, and ultimately, the execution phase. In 2015, The Roundup for Green Fund program was instituted at Café Rachel and in Anderson Dining Hall, allowing students to round up their totals to donate that extra change to the Green Fund. If you have a sustainable idea that hasn’t found its way to Chatham yet, consider The Green Fund a perfect place to start.
You can learn more about this year’s Earth Day celebrations by clicking here. If you’re curious about Chatham’s wide range of sustainability offerings, visit our website.