Environmental Club Preserves Community Park
The Environmental and Sustainability Club, one of HEPR Univeristy's many student organizations, recently organized a thorough cleaning of HEPR Park to improve the environmental health of the local community.
Lead by club president and senior Environmental Studies major Matt Treehugger '21,
the preservation of HEPR Park is just one of many initiatives planned by the club.
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"The health of the environment, both on campus and in our local communities, faces threats every day from careless littering and pollution," says Treehugger. "If you're interested in saving wildlife and preserving nature, I highly recommend you join the Environmental Studies and Sustainability Club. We have a lot of good projects coming up this semester."
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Cleaning HEPR Park
Using environmentally friendly garbage bags and gloves, the Environmental Club spent the day removing litter and garbage from the park. Nick N. Roll '22, junior Biology major, noted that the work was laborious but necessary.
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"I knew I had to take action," says Roll. "At a personal level, I want to enjoy the park and I want others to enjoy the park. Spending a day with my friends in the Environmental Club made the work enjoyable, and I knew I was doing a good deed to help my community."
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Students of all majors and years took part in the project, fulfilling HEPR University's mission of building community engagement across varying student groups. Under the supervision of Environmental Club faculty advisor and Professor of Natual Sciences, Russell Merces, Ph.D., over 10 pounds of garbage and six pounds of recycling products were removed from the park.
WATCH: The Environmental Club works as a team throughout the day, transforming HEPR Park from an environmental issue to a bright neighborhood venue.
Environmental Club President Matt Treehugger '21 (right) and Vice President Nick N. Roll '22 (left) led the charge in removing garbage from HEPR Park.
Photo credit: Hunter Green, Communications Manager at HEPR University
"Projects like these are critical for the only local environments, but the global health of our planet," says Dr. Merces. "Emissions and pollution are trending upward while forest space and air quality are trending downward. We have to take a stand wherever and whenever we can."​
HEPR University Environmental Initiatives
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The University has an extensive history of engaging in and promoting
environmentally sustainable practices. Past initiatives include:
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Using 100% of out electrical power from renewable sources;
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Implementing a waste-reduction program in our cafeteria using
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biodegradable utensils;
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Placing water refilling stations in every campus building to discourage plastic water bottles; and
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Using pesticide-free landscaping practices on campus
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According to Statista, the U.S. is one of the highest producers of land waste in the world, dumping about 2.58 kilograms per day. HEPR University, as a partner of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Green Power program, works to reduce the harmful health impacts of land pollution, air emissions, and more. Student organizations such as the Environmental Club serve at the core of the University's mission to improve global sustainability.
Before the Environmental Club cleaned up HEPR Park, litter and garbage were the only ones sitting in its benches.
Interested in making a difference for both your campus and your planet? Join the Environmental Club by contacting environmental@hepr.edu and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @hepr_envrionmentalclub.
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If you're looking to make a career out of saving the planet, check out HEPR's Environmental Science major, Environmental Studies minor, and other majors in the Department of Natural Sciences.
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Author: Hunter Green
Publication Date: April 20, 2021
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Contact:
Hunter Green, Communications Manager
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