43
YSU organization hosts YSU Earth Day
YSU group sponsors special event
By Bruce Walton
Youngstown
Even though Earth Day is observed Friday, Youngstown State University’s Youngstown Environmental Sustainability Society hosted an Earth Day Celebration on Wednesday to take advantage of the last bit of good weather.
From the morning to the afternoon at the Andrews Recreation and Wellness Center, the event included 14 tables for a number of environmental organizations from the Youngstown and Northeast Ohio area.
The goal was to educate and involve YSU students and other members of the Youngstown community in environmental conservation.
“It’s a great place for people to come through and just collaborate,” Brian Daugherty, YESS treasurer, said. “Even professionals collaborating, and students collaborating with professionals, and students collaborating with students – its a great way to move forward.”
Daniel Duran, sophomore communications major, attended for his environmental studies course, but said he took the class in the first place because of his interest in the environment.
“It really puts into perspective what these organizations do for the environment, and it tells us more of how we can get involved,” He said.
Ed Wilk, a coordinator for the Division of Surface Water in the Twinsburg office of the Ohio EPA, stood at his table to inform students about the ways the state organization helps keep the environment safe and clean.
“Everybody lives in it, we have to have it and it’s one of those things everybody needs to be aware [of], for not just this generation but future generations to come,” he said.
Wilk said he also wanted to let students know that the rules and regulations set in place at the state and federal level have been put there to protect the environment.
Organizations big and small attended the event. Even the college organizations that attended could help educate and encourage students to get involved.
Connor McFadden, a junior geology major, hosted the YSU Chapter of the American Institute of Professional Geologists at YSU, telling students and guests about the organization and its hand in conservation and environmentalism. For many, Earth Day focuses on plants, water, energy and wildlife, but McFadden said it also has a lot to do with the ground itself.
“Everything you look at almost always came from the ground in some way,” McFadden said. “So geology has a huge impact on the environment, the way we live and especially our resources and energy and our daily lives.”
Members of YESS said they hope this event helps give a better understanding to Youngstown residents about the importance of preserving and improving the environment as well as the chance to make that happen themselves.