Compiled by Annabelle Blair and Abigail Roberts
This week sustainability assistants hosted Creation Care Week to celebrate God's handiwork. Several environmentally friendly activities and events throughout the week encouraged students to engage with and appreciate nature.
Wednesday
Junior Andrew Hoff and two other students participated in a Wild Edibles hike in the Taylor Wilderness with Armila Francis ('14), visiting instructor of sustainable development. The group biked down "Devil's Backbone" to the entrance to the Taylor Wilderness and walked about a mile on a small trail that led to the river.
"It was just what I needed," said Hoff. "Hiking is something I really enjoy, and I haven't done that in a really long time."
Hoff said Francis would stop every couple of steps to pick an edible plant, such as wild chives or leeks, or some kind of plant for them to smell.
Francis said the riverside spot in the Taylor Wilderness is not well-know to many Taylor students. "I was there a week before, monitoring the progress of spring" she said.
Thursday
[slideshow_deploy id='14399']
Friday
Fresh Friday, an event to promote clean eating, will be hosted by the Hodson Dining Commons. Dishes made with only vegetables-such as spaghetti squash, vegan brownies and eggplant parmesan naan-will be featured. Francis said the DC leadership has partnered with sustainability teams on a variety of levels. Fresh Friday will encourage students to exchange carbs and meat for a veggie-balanced food group.
10:30 p.m. to whenever - star-gazing
Star-gazing will take place by Taylor Lake and is hosted as part of Swallow Robin Hall's Earth Day celebration.
Saturday
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - service project
Students are invited to volunteer with the Upland Lion's Club, clearing brush and doing trail maintenance on the Upland Greenway. Volunteers will receive a free lunch. Francis said this local service opportunity builds sustainable communities in both an ecological and a social sense.
12:00 p.m. - Taylor Lake
After lunch, join us in hammocking or relaxing by Taylor Lake. There will be games and trivia! Wear your best adventuring outfit to enter our Adventurer Costume Contest!
1:00pm - nature walk
Hosted by Swallow Robin Hall cabinet, participants are invited to meet at the Taylor Lake and participate in a nature walk and bird watching. BYOB (bring your own binoculars).
7 to 8:30 p.m. - Honor's bonfire
The Honors Guild cabinet will be sponsoring a event, "Earth Day Earth Yay!" Students are welcome to gather around the firepit behind the Honor's Lodge to eat s'mores, read earth-themed poetry and sing worship songs. Participants will also be invited to plant flowers around the Lodge, which is located on the south side of campus.
