Colgate University
ER-T2-1: Student Group

Students for Environmental Action is a student group that promotes green initiatives at Colgate. Their mission is to educate and energize students about recycling, waste reduction, energy consumption reduction, and greater community issues. They plan activities such as a film series. Students for Environmental Action is Colgate's oldest environmental student group, but is far from the only sustainability-focused student groups. Green Earth Gang's mission is to promote environmental awareness among children ages 8-10 in local schools through experiential and interactive activities. Green Thumbs manages and promotes the Colgate Community Garden in order to provide local, student produced, organic produce to the student community. Green Gates seeks to be volunteer service oriented through serving both the Colgate campus and the community in supporting sustainability efforts, eco-conscious actions and environmental awareness. The Clean Water Coalition adopts a section of the local Chenango Canal. The group works to sponsor campus events to inform others about water pollution and raise money to build wells in Africa. Hamilton Outdoor Group, or HOG, teaches Hamilton middle schoolers outdoor skills and an environmental ethic that will encourage a positive outdoor experience.

The Hamilton Outdoor Group (HOG) has worked with middle school students at Hamilton Central School to promote learning and teamwork in a friendly, environmentally educational way. They have focused on Leave No Trace principles and taught outdoor skills like shelter-building and safely building a fire. They have hosted several activities with the students such as outdoor scavenger hunts and orienteering that require the students to work together to accomplish their task. Through these activities, the group is helping kids learn how to interact respectfully with their peers and with Colgate student volunteers while still enjoying themselves. The Clean Water Coalition is working with the Chenango Canal Association to maintain the canal towpath trails and prepare for spring. They are organizing a can drive and Clean Sweep event in April of this year that will raise funds for the Association, and they are printing bumper stickers that will raise awareness about conserving water. They are also organizing a screening of the movie "Last Call at the Oasis" to raise awareness about water pollution, followed by a discussion about the issues that have a global and local effect on water. Students for Environmental Action is hosting a film series during the month of April. The weekly series focuses on environmental issues including energy, waste, water, and marine life. Each movie is followed by a discussion, led by SEA members.