Celebrate Earth Week at Salve Regina with variety of events and activities
“Every living creature, has intrinsic value, in its existence, its life, its beauty and its interdependence with other creatures …. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united.”
~Pope Francis in “Laudato Si’ On Care for Our Common Home”
Earth Day is celebrating its 52nd anniversary in 2022 on Friday, April 22, and as earth is a critical concern of Mercy, the celebration of Earth Day and Earth Week is a tradition central to Salve Regina’s Mercy, Catholic mission.
This year, Earth Week will be celebrated during the University’s last week of classes from Sunday, April 17 through Saturday, April 23. The schedule will be full, as community members from across campus will be providing programming and resources throughout the week with lectures, service opportunities, art projects and other activities.
Find a full listing of offerings and registration information on the Earth Week 2022 website. Just a few of the Earth Week events are highlighted below.
Earth Week events
Monday, April 18
Earth-Centered Meditation
Noon, McAuley Hall rear lawn
Join Dr. Paula Martasian, chair of the Department of Psychology, and Joseph Goff ’18, assistant men’s rugby coach and graduate student in holistic counseling, for an Earth-focused meditation featuring “Love Letter to the Earth” by Thich Nhat Hanh and an earth-centered Qigong practice.
Tuesday, April 19
Sustainable Pop-Up Thrift Shop
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Gerety Hall
Join Cassidy Curry ’23, Samantha Parsons ’23 and the Office of Student Engagement for a pop-up thrift shop with any kind of donation. Thrift shops by nature are sustainable. This Earth Week thrift shop will have clothing in a wide range of sizes. All proceeds and unsold clothing will be donated to local community partners. While thrift shopping, check out Salve Regina student artisans, enjoy some snacks and guess how many pieces of trash are in the water bottle brick for the chance to win a prize.
Wednesday, April 20
Spring Arboretum Tour
1 p.m., meets outside of Misto Gatehouse
Join Michael Chester, superintendent of grounds; Dr. Jim Chace, chair of the Department of Cultural, Environmental and Global Studies; and certified arborist Chris Fletcher for a springtime tour of Salve Regina’s arboretum. This educational and inspiring tour will begin at the Misto Gatehouse. After the tour, attendees can take an optional shuttle ride to the Young Building for Salve Regina’s annual tree planting. Attendees will also receive a Sustainable Salve/Earth Week reusable food storage bag. Lemonade and cookies will be available, so bring your favorite reusable travel cup to fill up before you go.
Thursday, April 21
McKillop Library Faculty Lecture: Mercy Critical Concern Faculty Collaborative on Earth Panel
4 p.m., McKillop Library first floor
Join the McAuley Scholars from the McAuley Institute’s Mercy Critical Concern Faculty Collaborative on Earth, who will share their experiences advancing teaching and research initiatives that address the critical concern of Earth and contribute to the mercy, Catholic vocation of Salve Regina.
Friday, April 22
Is it too late to act on climate change?
Noon, virtual
Join the Pell Center for a virtual roundtable discussion with Dr. Jameson Chase on the latest from the COP26 Global Climate Summit after his attendance in November. Participants will discuss the policy updates that will take place as the world prepares to reunite again this fall for COP27 and what each of us can do to make lasting change. To register and receive the Zoom link, email pellcenter@salve.edu.
Clean Up Salve Regina
Noon to 1:30 p.m., meet outside of Gerety Hall
To celebrate Earth Day and Salve Regina’s immaculate campus, the Office of Mission Integration and the grounds department will host a campus cleanup for the critical concern of Earth. Register as a team or an individual and participate in a fun competition to see who can pick up the most. Meet back at Gerety at 1:30 p.m. to learn who wins. Gloves, bags and tools will be provided. Gift certificates to A-Market, Green Grocer, Custom House, reusable bags, organic snacks, and more will be given out to the winners. All are welcome — staff, faculty, students and friends — and participants are invited to dress down.
Lawn Games and Earth Day Awards
1:30-3:30 p.m., Gerety Hall lawn
Join the offices of Mission Integration and Student Engagement for an iced coffee bar from Custom House Coffee, a pull apart Cupcake Tree from Clements Market, lawn games, music and more. Winners of the Earth Day cleanup will be announced and awarded, along with the presentation of Earth Champion Awards to students, faculty and staff including a lifetime achievement award at 1:30 p.m.
Sustainable Barbecue
4:30-7:30 p.m., Gerety Hall lawn
Join the Office of Student Engagement and Sodexo Dining Services for an Earth Day/last day of classes sustainable barbecue with meatless options.
Find a full listing of offerings for Earth Week and registration information on the Earth Week 2022 website.
Earth Week is sponsored by the Sustainability Committee; the Student Government Association; the Campus Activities Board; the Environmental Club; the Center for Community Engagement and Service; the McAuley Institute for Mercy Education; the McKillop Library; the Mercy Center for Spiritual Life; the Department of Cultural, Environmental and Global studies; the Department of Religious and Theological Studies; the Department of English, Communications and Media; the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance; the Office of Mission Integration; Grounds and Facilities; the Arboretum and more.
