Angela Scionti
Equinox Staff
During the entire week of April 21, Keene State College held Earth Week, a collaboration of the celebration of Earth Day. Colorful chalk designs and informational posters adorned Appian Way, drawing attention to passersby and provided information about conservation and “green ideas.”
On Wednesday, April 24, the lawn outside the Young Student Center was decorated with an array of stands set up by the Ecology Club of KSC. One particular stand run by freshmen Matt Bacon and Megan Markanthony displayed a water taste test activity.
“The idea is to try one of each and then you try and guess which is which,” Markanthony stated.
“We are trying to show that tap water and filtered water are actually better than the bottle water here; you can’t really taste the difference. It shows how you should use recyclable bottles instead of plastic bottles,” Markanthony stated.
“Eco-Reps is a peer-to-peer education program that works primarily in residence halls to make students aware of how their actions impact the environment and the cost of running the school,” an Eco-Reps Raise Student Awareness article stated.
Both Bacon and Markanthony are part of Eco-Reps, which Markanthony explained “promotes sustainability on campus and educates others.”
Another stand that also provided information about sustainability and helpful tips was being run by junior Kelly Marchione, president of Campus Ecology. Marchione explained, “Campus Ecology is an environmental advocacy organization,” that promotes sustainable living and the use of clean and renewable energy resources.
Marchione continued, “Every year we put on two solar-powered musical festivals. We have a big bus that comes in and it has solar panels on it, so we get all of our energy from there. We have clubs that run a table, we have vendors that come—it’s a big event to promote sustainability and to also bring the KSC community together.”
Campus Ecology is also big into volunteer work both on and off campus, Marchione said. “Every September we go to Maine and help out and volunteer at the Maine Organic Farmers Association.” (MOFGA)
MOFGA was formed in 1971, and, according to the MOFGA website, is the oldest and largest state organic organization in the country. “The purpose of the Association is to help farmers and gardeners: grow organic food, fiber and other crops; protect the environment; recycle natural resources; increase local food production; support rural communities; and illuminate for consumers the connection between healthful food and environmentally sound farming practices,” states the website. Campus Ecology works with the Sustainability Project, a local organization. The organization held its seventh annual “Seed Project” this past February.
The event hosted, “workshops about composting, vermiculture, beekeeping, holistic health care, seed saving, basic gardening, plant communication, permaculture, mediation, bats, GMOs, organic lawn care and an open space event focusing on neighborhood food security facilitated by Transition Keene,” according to a Keene Transition WordPress article.
Evan Henkel, a member of the Mountain Bike Club, said that his stand was about “getting information out about driving to work as opposed to biking to work. The amount of gas and CO2 you will use rather than how much you will save by riding your bike.” The stand also provided vital safety tips and things to remember to have on a bike before one rides. Another table was brought by the Green Bike program, which held a raffle for a chance of winning a Green Bike. The program was started in 2002 by members of KSC Campus Ecology group and several Keene High School students. It was found that in 2009-2010 academic year the bikes were rented over 800 times, according to the Sustainable Initiatives at Keene State website.
Students can get involved with conservation and sustainability by practicing eco-friendly habits.
Students who want to be even more involved are welcome to join the Campus Ecology club, Eco-Reps and participating in volunteer work both on and off campus.
Angela Scionti can be contacted at
ascionti@keene-equinox.com