The last Environmental Coalition (ECO) meeting, Monday 26, had a great turnout: old officers, new officers, fresh faces, and familiar faces.
It’s exactly what the club has been hoping to see.
ECO, Moravian’s Environmental Coalition, is like a case study of the global green movement. Both are too often under-attended, underestimated, and little understood.
ECO’s officers are looking to change that.
Hi. I’m the club’s publicity officer. I’ve been in ECO since I was a freshman (that makes three years), but last year my friends took on leadership roles. I’ve had a renewed sense of purpose since. I think the club has, too.
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| The Environmental Coalition was formerly called EnviroCo. The club changed its abbreviation as part of an identity overhaul. |
ECO’s mission is to spread awareness of environmental issues and have fun doing it. Last year’s events, I think, reflect that.
- Earth Hour. On Saturday March 26 2011, as part of the global call to turn out lights for one hour, ECO had acoustic music and glow in the dark Frisbee to lure students out of their artificially lit dorms.
- Trash on the Patio. We sorted one day’s worth of trash from a freshman dorm than sorted it to reveal how much we could have recycled or composted. A: over half.
- Canoe and Bike Trip. Last spring, we joined our friends at the PA Wildlands Conservancy for our fourth trip since we’ve teamed up.The trip begins at Sand Island, a recreation area along the Lehigh River,a walk away from Moravian's living and learning community, the HILL. The trip involves biking the historic canal-towpath that follows the river. Four miles later, participants hop into canoes and paddle back to Sand Island. The event is one of ECO's most popular.
- Recycled Art Contest. In April of 2011, ECO held its second annual Recycled Art Contest. Students were challenged to make sustainable art out of their recyclables. Cash prizes were awarded to first, second, and third place.
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| Judges assessing Recycled Art Contest Entries. The tea set, Moravian's Art Club took first place. |
This year we’re planning to bring back old favorites, like our Vegan-Vegetarian Thanksgiving Nov. 20 in the Marketplace, and organize some new events.
ECO also wants to team up with other clubs and campus initiatives like:
- Peace & Justice Club
- Alternative Energy Club
- Lehigh’s Green Action
- and environmental clubs at other Lehigh Valley schools.
So can students just drop in, to hear what's going on, before deciding to jump in with both feet? How many students participate?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! We try to welcome and hear the ideas of every newcomer-- without pressuring them to keep with the club. Our hope is that we will be fun enough and inspiring enough to keep the students that wander in.
ReplyDeleteOur meetings generally have between 10 and 15 people, but a far broader base of students and faculty participate in our events.
That canoe and bike trip sounds awesome! Are there any fun events planned for this year yet?
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering the same thing as Katie. I'd love to know about those trips, too!
ReplyDeleteIt is awesome! So much fun! :)
ReplyDeleteWe hope to do a hike or picnic with other LVAIC schools! I'll keep you posted. And we're also planning to go on another canoe/bike trip.