April 28, 2026 — Students are helping shape sustainability at Marist through hands-on initiatives that connect learning, community, and care for the campus environment.

Helping drive the University’s sustainability efforts are students like Megan Connor '26, a Biology major and the Student Government Association (SGA) Vice President of Sustainability. Passionate about advancing sustainability at Marist, Megan organized a team of student leaders to create this year’s expansive Earth Week programming.

“Earth Week is an opportunity for students to reflect on how human actions impact the environment and their own lives,” said Megan. “Nature provides the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe, and it also offers beauty and space to recharge. If even one student walks away with a deeper understanding of that connection, that matters.”

 
Students sort through clothes to thrift at the Ethical Fashion Initiative’s Fashion Fest on the Green. Photo by Emily Portnov '27/Marist University.

Throughout the week, events invited students to engage with sustainability in ways that felt both accessible and immediate. A Mindfulness Walk through Fern Tor encouraged participants to slow down and reconnect with the natural environment.

On Earth Day, student clubs and local organizations like Scenic Hudson gathered on the Campus Green to introduce students to opportunities ranging from environmental volunteering to sustainable food practices.

Nearby, the Ethical Fashion Initiative hosted a Fashion Fest focused on thrifting and conscious consumption.

“Earth Week at Marist is important to me because we celebrate the Earth year-round and highlight our accomplishments in one week,” said Malena Russo '27, Fashion Merchandising major and President of the Ethical Fashion Initiative. “Since coming to Marist, I’ve learned about the harms of fast fashion and overproduction. On campus, I share my experience with secondhand shopping, have significantly reduced my own consumption, and advocate for others to embrace more conscious, sustainable shopping habits.”

Additional programming included an e-recycling drive and an outdoor screening of The Lorax, giving students multiple ways to engage with environmental themes. Later in the week, a Clothing Repair Cafe offered a hands-on way to reduce waste by repairing and reusing garments.

Together, the events showed that sustainability at Marist is both practical and personal, expressed through learning, service, daily choices, and shared responsibility.

Student Leadership Driving Change

Students making homemade granola at the Earth Fair on the Green. Photo by Emily Portnov '27 /Marist University.

Behind the week’s programming was a collaborative effort across student organizations and campus partners. Their work extends beyond event planning.

The Student Government Association Sustainability Board continues to advocate for long-term changes, including reducing single-use plastics in dining, expanding water refill stations, and advancing the University’s sustainability action plan.

“Earth Week brings people together around something we all share, this planet,” said Brooklyn Jones '26, President of Student Encouraging Environmental Dedication (SEED) and Environmental Science major. “It is an opportunity to raise awareness about environmental and social justice issues and inspire continued engagement. I hope every student takes a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature and our responsibility to protect it.”

A key initiative during Earth Week was a student-led pledge encouraging the campus community to avoid purchasing plastic bottles. The "Pledge Against Plastic" campaign aimed to demonstrate student demand for more sustainable options and reduce reliance on single-use plastics.

“Earth Week at Marist is really special to me,” said Gourmet Dining’s Sustainability Intern, Dorian Lazzara '26, a triple major in Biology, Environmental Science, and Global Studies. “It's an opportunity to appreciate how privileged we are to experience the nature and wildlife of the Hudson Valley. It is not every day that we take the time to appreciate the world that inhabits us, and it's really important to educate ourselves on how to sustain our environment.”

A Shared Commitment to Sustainability

A butterfly (a pollinator) resting on a flower in the Marist Community Garden. Photo by Nelson Echeverria/Marist University.

Earth Week also reflects how Marist supports student-driven initiatives, providing the structure and resources to turn ideas into action. Across campus, students are putting sustainability into practice through partnerships, projects, and hands-on work, such as designing and physically building a pollinator garden for an environmental science class.

As the week concluded, the focus remained on what comes next. For many students, Earth Week is not an endpoint but a catalyst for continued work.

“Since everyone is busy with their day-to-day lives, events like Earth Week help bring sustainability back into focus, especially for students outside environmental fields,” said Carina Pascucci '26, Environmental Science Student and SGA Sustainability Deputy. “It’s nice to know that people at Marist are paying attention, want to learn, and care about the environment not just during Earth Week, but all year long.”