Earth Day Fair

Earth Day was established in 1970 when the public became increasingly concerned about the current state of the environment. 

The Earth Day Fair has been a tradition at W&J since 2019.

In April 2020 and April 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fair was brought online for a week. It focused on educating the W&J community about sustainability topics, student and faculty environmental work, and encouraged participation in celebrating Earth Day.

Student & Faculty Blogs

Students and faculty have contributed over 50+ blogs dedicated to celebrating Earth Day. Topics range from conservation to environmental justice issues, and they touch upon personal experiences or passion for a subject.

Climate & Environmental Justice – Gaza, Palestine

Written by Jude Taha   When talking about the environmental crisis, it is important to acknowledge the disproportionate impact it holds. Wealthy communities, countries, and individuals frequently feel as though they are safe from the flames and swords of climate...

Vegan Myths: Debunked!

Written by Lena DiFulvio Being a vegan for three years now, I’ve heard my fair share of myths, rumors, and rebuttals. I usually find it best to confront these discussions with a sense of humor, but it also helps to have a few solid arguments ready in your back pocket...

The Addax

Written by Chibuike Ugwu Scientific Name: Addax nasomaculatus. Status: Critically Endangered. Threats: Uncontrolled hunting, drought, and the extension of pastoralism. Africa is a land that has been blessed with the most some of the most unique animals in the world....

Healthcare & The Environment

Written by Kailee Havrda The health care system makes up a large fraction of the world we live in and now a days it has become part of the fore front of our news. There are times when the health care system seems untouchable, but there are still many ways that it can...

How Exploring Nature Helped Me Find My Passion

Written by Bri Hoffman   I, like many young adults, began my college path with the mindset that I wanted to be a medical doctor. I had always loved science and I knew I wanted to help the world, so I thought medicine was the correct path for me. However, I very...

GMO’s. What are they?

Written by Aleena McDaniel   GMO’s. What are they?  GMO’s are Genetically Modified Organisms. They have been created through biotechnology, which is where scientists manipulate the genetic makeup of crops and livestock in order for them to tend to our needs....

Jay-Term 2020: Costa Rica Ecology

Written by Lily Bonasso In January of 2020, I had the privilege of traveling to Costa Rica with a small group of W&J students as well as Dr. March and Dr. Ternes for a Jay-term course focusing on tropical ecology. In light of the recent travel bans, I have been...

Interconnected: People and Land at the Mexico-US Borderlands

Written by Marcy Saldivar   When Americans think of the Mexico-US border, it is likely that conflict initially comes to mind. The political climate surrounding the border is intense as half of Americans support the building of a border wall and the other half...

How to Recycle Plastic Bags into Yarn

Written by Carly Croft Do you feel as though you’re drowning in a sea of single-use plastic bags? Ever wonder what you could be doing to reuse them other than carrying things in them or using them for your trash can? If so, this DIY is for you. Plastic shopping bags...

Ecofeminism – what it is & why you should care

My name is Marcy Saldivar and I want to shed light on ecofeminism. I am a feminist and I actively study and advocate for all marginalized communities. My sister has Down syndrome which has motivated my interest in disability studies. As I studied these topics and...

Student Creative Pieces

Students wrote poems, short stories, and created art centered around celebrating the earth.

Title: “Tenacity”

Artist: Lena DiFulvio

Medium: Pencil on paper

“Tenacity,” at first glance, seems simply to be a human hand holding a tree, its roots spread about, reaching for the unseen earth below. A butterfly perches on the hand, its size taking hold of our gaze. Is this a work depicting beautiful human interaction with the Earth, providing fertile ground for its life to flourish upon, or is the tree in the image is being mercilessly uprooted, a symbol of human destruction and carelessness? Just as we must decide how we treat our planet, it is up to us to assign meaning to this piece. (April 2021)

The Cactus & The Eagle

Written by Gracie Gregick | It was through the immense pain in my heart that I, myself, came face to face with the Gods. Once before, they descended to our people as messengers; promising land if we left the security of our home in the North. We wandered dispossessed...

Thoughts & Prayers

Written by Nickolas Bartel | The world  yells  in  another  uproar    Another  environmental  tragedy  has occurred  once more.   As it has  swallowed  one more  toxic pill,    we learn of  yet  another  oil spill.   While  the people ask for aid to repair the lives...

Lion Reserve in Kaolack, Senegal

Lion Reserve in Kaolack, Senegal

Photo by Marcy Saldivar Written by Marcy Saldivar | 2 feet in front of me— No cage or glass between— Stood Abeke, an epic lion. And there I stood,  Paralyzed. Her coarse fur was stained matte gold.  And I saw deep amber eyes undisturbed by my presence. She looked...

Mother Nature

Written by Hannah Robart To know what Mother Nature knows To see the beauty that she holds.  Everything we have We owe to her.  So why do we choose not to love A mother that has given us so much? One day, I think we’ll see That our mother will not take this disrespect...

La Selva

Written by Marcy Saldivar |   A summer-morning cicada choir sings, The green iguanas jump between treetops,  A scarlet macaw opens rainbow wings, Dim light contrasts the glowing eyes of crocs. At dawn, a herd of peccaries run home,  Capuchins play a game of tag...

What’s the word?

Written by Chibuike Ugwu | Johnny is a special boy, He can talk to animals, which brings him joy, Johnny went to south china to see Mr. Tiger,  But he was sad to see his Ambush was getting lighter. Johnny decided to go to Kenya to greet Mrs. Rhino, But he noticed the...