Sustainability Efforts at Texas State

By Amaya Lewis
Culture Assistant

Seeing as Earth Day is happening on April 22 this week, it feels like the perfect time to shed light on the importance of ensuring our beautiful planet stays protected for it to thrive long after us.

Pollution and deforestation have been among the leading causes of our planet experiencing long-term consequences, such as damaging effects on animals, crops, the ozone and the global climate.

As a result, in 1970, Earth Day was first celebrated after a Wisconsin senator’s effort to raise national awareness about environmental issues. Since 1990, it has now become celebrated “by more than 140 countries around the globe”, according to National Geographic Kids, focusing on honoring the achievements of the environmental movement while raising recognition of the need to protect Earth’s natural resources.

At Texas State University, many students have taken the initiative to use their knowledge and resources to create positive environmental change throughout the semester!

One such organization, Sustainability Squad, is an organization that “focuses on connecting students to sustainability through volunteer opportunities, social events and activities, educational workshops and community engagement,” Sustainability Squad president Kalin Adams said. “We work with the Office of Sustainability (OOS) and learn about how we can help heal our environment and make our campus sustainable.”

Sustainability Squad has been active for three semesters; during that time, they’ve done several events. “This year, we have had ‘Lights Out Bobcats’, which are campus building walls where we collect data on energy waste for the OOS and shut off lights, monitors and projectors left on.”

In addition, Sustainability Squad has also participated in a host of river cleanups, tree planting, trash collecting and recycling, along with supporting the OOS for Open Closet, the Sustainability Expo and the Earth Day festival. On Sept. 6, 2023, they will be having their first meeting with plans to continue campus cleanups, lights out bobcats, bobcat field days and more!

Check out their Instagram to keep up with the important work they’re doing and to get involved!

The Plant Biology Society, established in 2018, is another organization at Texas State that has remained committed to protecting the planet and taking care of the environment.

“We are a non-profit student organization at Texas State for students who are interested in botany, biology, houseplants and houseplant care,” Plant Biology Society president Molly Brannan said. “We have a greenhouse that we maintain on campus where we grow and probate houseplants to teach members about how to take care of plants.”

As activities, the Plant Biology Society participates in a number of events that focus on sustainability and conservation efforts at both Texas State and within the overall San Marcos community.

“We attend plant-themed volunteer events, such as the invasive plant species removal and river cleanups held around San Marcos,” Brannan said. “Over the next couple years, we will continue to educate Texas State students on caring for plants and, by extension, the planet.”

To learn more and keep up with what the Plant Biology Society is up to, take a look at their Instagram!

Both these organizations have done wonderful work at educating students and making a positive impact to aid the longevity of Earth, and if you want to get involved, consider looking into these organizations and learning ways that we can make sustainable efforts within our daily lives.