Pictured are members of Lander ESSO, who regularly participate in service projects around the Greenwood community. Submitted photo
Students at Lander University are turning environmental awareness into hands-on action through the Environmental Science Student Organization (ESSO), a campus group dedicated to sustainability, conservation and community engagement through monthly meetings paired with service projects.
The club was revived two years ago under current president Rida Hirani, a senior medical biology major. Sponsored by Lisa McDonald, assistant professor of biology, the organization brings students together around environmental awareness while creating opportunities to learn and make a difference in the community.
“Environmental issues are something that concern every human, animal and species – really the entire world – because the health of our environment directly affects how we live and the future we share,” said Hirani. “As a club, we hope to encourage students to consider sustainability not just as an idea, but also through hands-on experiences such as cleanups, educational events and community involvement.”
The club meets once a month on Tuesday afternoons in the Science Building, and typically hosts a service project immediately after each meeting. Activities are designed to help students explore environmental challenges affecting land, water, wildlife and plant life.
“We had a plant propagation activity at one of our meetings where we prepared plant cuttings and helped them grow into new ones, which promotes plant conservation and teaches students sustainable gardening techniques,” said Hirani.
“Another time, we created bird feeders out of pinecones and peanut butter for our feathered friends and put them up at Camp Fellowship to help local bird populations, and raise awareness about how to care for wildlife and maintain their habitats,” she added.
The organization works both on campus and throughout the Greenwood community. Members partner with Keep Greenwood County Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, and recently participated in the Lake Greenwood Cleanup.
The group also received a grant from Strategies for Ecology Education Diversity and Sustainability, or SEEDS, to support a long-term conservation project installing bee hotels and wooden nesting boxes throughout the community.
Students may join as active members or attend events as their schedules allow.
“Active members get a stole at graduation, but for that they pay semester dues, attend at least two ESSO service events, and attend three to four monthly meetings,” explains Hirani.
To learn more about events, activities and programs of Lander University’s College of Science and Mathematics by visiting www.lander.edu/cosm.
This article was originally published in The Forum, Lander University’s monthly campus newspaper. To read The Forum, visit www.lander.edu/student-media.