Students here at Virginia Wesleyan University work, study and participate in many different activities and organizations throughout their college career. One student organization that is huge and important for campus is Marlins Go Green. Their mission is to spread environmental awareness and advocacy around the campus of Virginia Wesleyan University. Marlins Go Green would host community events, fundraisers, sustainability-oriented projects and partnerships in order to educate the community about their roles in the environment and local sustainability efforts. Recently, Marlins Go Green hosted Earth Week from April 18 to April 22 which included many different activities and events, especially their main event, Earth Day Field Day.
On their website, Marlins Go Green hopes that in the future “Despite operating as a University club, Marlins Go Green aims to become a prominent voice of change in the local community. Our current focuses are on waste reduction and recycling on the Virginia Wesleyan University campus, and will expand out to the Oceanfront of Virginia Beach. Over the next few months, we are aiming to launch our first online store, which will feature locally produced, sustainable and holistic products, of which the proceeds will go to funding our future research, education, and outreach events.”
One of the events Marlins Go Green hosted here at VWU recently was the Earth Week celebration that went on from April 18th-22nd. Faculty advisor and Professor of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at VWU, Dr. Elizabeth Malcolm said “Holly (President of Marlins Go Green) has done a fantastic job organizing events this year, including events this week for Earth Week.” For Earth Week Marlins Go Green hosted Chesapeake Bay Foundation Oyster Reclamation, making Seed Bombs for the Hoffler Creek Preserve, campus clean-up, Happy Feet on the Lawn and Earth Day Field Day.
On Friday April 22, MGG hosted Earth Day Field Day here at VWU’s Quad. With the event comes many different activities for students to do like opportunities to speak with other environmental organizations outside of campus like Virginia Department of Forestry with information on careers and volunteering, environmental button and magnet making, tie-dying recycled clothing, planting microgreens, sustainably crafted earrings, tote bags and even a tree giveaway.
By: Joseph Cooper
jmcooper1@vwu.edu
