By Cole Bedics*
It is once again that time of year, the azaleas on campus are blooming, and that light green color drapes every tree. Plants one day barren, the next are full of color with bees and birds orbiting them. This is the season of rebirth. It is Earth Month, and it is a great time to get out there, do something new, and appreciate our world’s natural wonders. Take advantage of the beauty and feeling of the season and let it lead you to more connection to the community both natural and human here at Auburn University
As someone who lives in Auburn, you should know that you are living in the center of one of the nation’s greatest natural wonders. Did you know Alabama is the most aquatically biodiverse state in America? We have more species of freshwater muscles, fish, crayfish, turtles, and snails than anywhere else in the nation. Unfortunately, this fact is often unknown to most citizens, and they often do not treat this great place like the natural wonder that it is. During this Earth Month, walk around with pride knowing that you live in a place that is exceptional in wild beauty and take steps to recognize and protect the creatures who share our home.
A great way to begin to appreciate the Earth is by building a community that will help you get out there and experience it; adventures are always more fun with the people you enjoy. By making the effort to go to some of the Earth Day events around campus you can begin to find your people. You can also begin by adopting a new habit or lifestyle that will start to change your relationship with the environment! Which we will talk about more…
Connect at an Auburn Earth Month Event!
Auburn Azalea Festival
A native azalea – Come see and celebrate Auburn’s native collection of beautiful azaleas!
If you’re walking around campus, you may see many different flowers in vibrant pink, orange, and white. These are Auburn’s famous azaleas, and did you know that this native plant is a huge tradition at Auburn University? Over the course of 40 years, Auburn developed a nationally accredited collection of them. The University has played a prominent role in the development of new varieties through hybridization and selective breeding. Come celebrate Auburn’s native tradition by seeing our collection at the Donald E. Davis Arboretum and by attending the annual Azalea Festival on April 4 from 8 am to 2 pm where you can have a chance to purchase the varieties native to Auburn. This event is coming up quickly, so be sure to start off your Earth Month right by celebrating our university’s heritage.
Spring Sing at Chewacla State Park
Come appreciate the natural wonders of Chewacla State Park with their Spring Sing!
One of my favorite spots this time of year is Chewacla State Park. This beautifully managed forest is one of the most diverse places in the Auburn-Opelika area. You can experience some of the Southeast’s most iconic forest sounds with their Spring Sing on April 11 at 6:30 pm, where you can be guided through woods at dusk and learn about our native frogs’ calls. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our wonderful state and the species that call it home.
UPC Earth Day Extravaganza
Come build community at this year’s Earth Day Extravaganza!
The Earth Day Extravaganza on April 22 from 11 am to 2 pm will be the crescendo upon this Earth Month in Auburn. There will be hands-on activities like plant pot decorating, and painting. There will also be a flower truck where you can create your own beautiful bouquet and food from local food trucks. This will be a festival all about sustainability, community, and the spirit of Earth Day! Come celebrate on the Plains!
Earthday.org
Earthday.org has a lot of Earth Month events from all around the world, just in case you are not going to be in Auburn for our local Earth Day Extravaganza. Events on this site range from volunteering opportunities to advocacy efforts to community events.
Start a Habit, Adopt a Lifestyle, and Build Community
This time of year, it is hard not to feel inspired. The sunsets later, life is buzzing all around you, people are outside, and the sun is shining. New Year’s Resolutions be forgotten, Earth Day comes at that time in spring that represents new beginnings, so use this recognition of Earth’s miracles and use it to start a new habit, a new lifestyle choice, or take the opportunity to build community.
Utilize The Office of Sustainability’s Lifestyle Guides to discover ways to create new habits that are especially helpful and sustainable for Auburn students and employees. My favorite habit that I picked up while living at Auburn was using my bike to get around campus. This has a number of benefits, including it being carbon-free, but most importantly, I could leave my dorm and be in my class in less than five minutes. Little changes like these can change your life in surprising ways, and there are many more tips like this in our guides.
Also, on our Office of Sustainability website, there are a bunch of community resources to help you get engaged in sustainability on campus. There are plenty of groups and clubs that both students and residents of the Auburn area can join to begin building community around sustainability efforts.
Don’t let this season go to waste! Make use of the new beginnings of nature and create new beginnings for yourself.
Cole Bedics is the Engagement Coordinator.
