NMU’s Sustainability Hub for Innovation and Environment (SHINE) and Geographical Honor Society Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU) are collaborating to host Earth Week events April 19th-24th, featuring over 30 events.

“SHINE helps to coordinate, communicate and amplify GTU’s Anderton Earth Week planning and schedule,” said Jes Thompson, the Director of SHINE. “We are co-hosting the Earth Fest on Friday, and our team is hosting a 5k fun run in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation and Michigan State Parks called ‘Run for the Trees Happy Little 5k’. We’re also hosting our first Sew-Swap-Show Upcycled Fashion Show on Thursday evening in Harden Hall.”

All events are open to students of any major.

“From craft events held by student organizations, to educational presentations by guest speakers, to a community cleanup downtown and more — there really is an opportunity for everyone to get involved and learn something new,” SHINE’s Climate Education Intern Chloe Ravenscraft said.

Each event is meant to give students a new perspective on what they can do to help the planet during Earth Week.

“The events serve to show that even small actions within a community will make a large impact,” GTU member Maya Bubolz said. “Another purpose of these events is to promote environmental education surrounding Earth Day. We hope that these events spark a love and understanding for our natural world and that they inspire people to protect it.”

On the other hand, these events are not just for students.

“These events are not only aimed at students, but are also intended for faculty, staff and greater community members to enjoy,” Ravenscraft said. “Oftentimes, when we talk about sustainability and the current state of our environment, there is a sense of doom and grief. Earth Week’s goal is to flip the narrative: we want to celebrate the beautiful planet that we are so lucky to call home and to do so with others.”

Each student who had a role in planning this year’s Earth Week has an event that they are anticipating the most. 

“I am most excited about the MiChEM presentation – the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will be taking a trip up to NMU from downstate to share about their statewide biomonitoring project,” Ravenscraft said.

Even faculty mentors have an event they are most excited about. 

“I’m most excited about the fashion show, it’s the first time we’ve ever tried to host an event like this and we have some great prizes.” Thompson said. “I love to see how creativity can inspire climate action — this is going to be a highlight of the week for me.”

Check The Hub for more information about specific Earth Week events.