News Release | Community
Mariah Lopez, Environmental Science student from Weslaco, talked with patrons about the Environmental Awareness Club at Earth Fest. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Community, Around Campus, Events and Exhibits
By News and Internal Communications
By Ramiro Coronado
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – MAY 15, 2024 – UTRGV Edinburg and Brownsville campuses came alive with the vibrant spirit of environmental consciousness during this year’s Earth Fest activities.
The UTRGV Office for Sustainability (OFS), in collaboration with School of Earth Environmental and Marine Sciences, School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, and the College of Fine Arts, hosted the annual event in late April with a celebration designed to inspire and inform attendees about the importance of environmental sustainability.
The event featured a diverse lineup of activities, educational exhibits and performances.
UTRGV students enjoyed fresh fruit from the Brother’s Food Service from Harlingen at Earth Fest. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)
Attendees had the opportunity to join yoga sessions, a bike safety course, a theater performance by the College Green Captain, and a cooking demonstration by the executive chef of Chartwells, UTRGV’s campus dining partner.
The popular Nature Walk provided a chance to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses. Led by expert ecological stewards Bill Green, John Brush and Jerald Garrett, the walk was a journey through the campus gardens, with lessons about local flora and ecological conservation efforts.
Andrew Nieto, one of the nature walk participant, said he found Bill Green to be inspiring regarding nature conservation around campus.
“I’m a plant lover myself and I feel he gave a very important message about the role we can play in preserving the natural world,” he said.
Beyond the main stage activities, Earth Fest offered a wide range of activities and information tables. Visitors explored interactive displays, participated in hands-on workshops and learned about the variety of environmental initiatives and organizations available.
UTRGV students walked a few dogs that were available for adoption during Earth Fest. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)
Music lovers were about to attend a performance by the Pale Blue Dot, who performed a piece inspired by a 1991 photograph taken by the Voyager 1 spacecraft that reflects on humans' relationship with Earth. The music was by Dr. Monica Martinez, assistant professor of Horn for the UTRGV School of Music.
Sandra Villareal, who attended the musical performance, said it was a truly beautiful performance.
“I think this piece is a reminder of the importance of preserving our Earth and its resources, and served as a call to action for all of us to do our part in protecting our planet,” she said.
There were many different activities available during Earth Fest, including painting clay pots. The event was organized by the UTRGV Office for Sustainability on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at the Quad in Edinburg, Texas. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)
Dr. Elaine Hernandez, author and newly elected governor of Rotary District 5930, organized reading of her book, “Her Butterfly Effect,” with narration about the background of the book.
Overall, Earth Fest showcased the collaborative commitment of communities towards protecting and preserving our planet.
To learn more about Earth Fest and sustainability around campus, visit the OFS website or follow its social media channels.
ABOUT UTRGV
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 as the first major public university of the 21st century in Texas. This transformative initiative provided the opportunity to expand educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley, including a new School of Medicine, and made it possible for residents of the region to benefit from the Permanent University Fund – a public endowment contributing support to the University of Texas System and other institutions.
UTRGV has campuses and off-campus research and teaching sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley including in Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville (formerly The University of Texas at Brownsville campus), Edinburg (formerly The University of Texas-Pan American campus), Harlingen, McAllen, Port Isabel, Rio Grande City, and South Padre Island. UTRGV, a comprehensive academic institution, enrolled its first class in the fall of 2015, and the School of Medicine welcomed its first class in the summer of 2016.