Every year, on April 22, Earth Day gives us a moment to hit pause and celebrate the incredible planet we call home. It’s a chance to step outside, breathe in the fresh air and think about all the important ways to protect our planet. As college students, there are many ways to celebrate and protect our earth.
Nestled along the picturesque shores of the Long Island Sound, Fairfield University sits at the heart of a vibrant and academically rich community. With its historic architecture, beautiful green spaces and lively campus culture, Fairfield fosters a fond, inviting and friendly environment.
Leading the charge in sustainability efforts on campus is the Leaders for Environmental Action at Fairfield (LEAF) Club. LEAF Club is planting more than just pollinator gardens outside Bannow this spring — they’re growing a movement. With a mission to keep campus more sustainable, LEAF Club is always finding ways to foster an environmentally friendly community within the university. While Earth Day just passed, LEAF Club is keeping the momentum going with a full week of exciting activities and events celebrating sustainability.
Senior Grace Brogioli is the club’s president and she is no stranger to environmental advocacy. As an environmental studies major, Brogioli joined LEAF Club her freshman year. She believes in the importance of protecting our planet and caring for the world around us.
Brogioli is proud of the efforts LEAF Club has made over the years and how much it has grown. She explained that LEAF Club was created because students felt very passionate about the environment and wanted to make a difference. Before Covid, LEAF Club made a lot of efforts to get students involved. She said, “There used to be recycling by the townhouses for can deposits. Students would get Stagbucks back for recycling.”
Brogioli explained that Covid took a hit on the club, but they are working to get initiatives like recycling for Stagbucks back.
LEAF Club is most known for their beach cleanups, which get many students involved in giving back to the community. Brogioli explained that the town of Fairfield expressed their gratitude for these cleanups because “the people in public spaces see us cleaning and it gets them so happy that students care.”
Along with the beach cleanups, LEAF Club offers a space for students to come together, share ideas and find new ways to make a difference. Brogioli explained that in recent years, the club has expanded and a lot more underclassmen are getting involved. Because of this, LEAF Club created three committees– campus sustainability, politics & outreach and wildlife– to further explain leadership roles for students. Each member of LEAF Club can join one of these student-lead committees and focus on working towards specific goals.
Brogioli joined LEAF Club because of her interest in the environment and the want to meet people in her field. However, a lot of club members are not even STEM majors. She explained that anyone can join the club: “You don’t have to be a scientist or big environmentalist to have a care or passion for the environment.”
When asked why she believed the club is important, Brogioli said, “Even if you don’t care about the environment, it affects you. So for selfish reasons, you should care.”
This week, for Earth Day, LEAF Club has many events and activities planned. Today, April 23, there will be Outdoor Yoga on the Library Lawn from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM. See the full list of events below.
