Earth Fest Report 2024 by UTRGVOPC

EARTH FEST 2024

APRIL 23 EDINBURG

STUDENT UNION QUAD

APRIL 24 BROWNSVILLE

STUDENT UNION LAWN

Horganizations, local government, and sustainability-minded businesses to promote eco-friendly practices and raise awareness about critical environmental issues. It is in the small acts of changing everyday practices that keeps healthy people a healthy planet.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s (UTRGV) Office for Sustainability (OFS) in collaboration with School of Earth Environmental and Marine Sciences, School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, and the College of Fine Arts, worked together in both campuses to bring the annual Earth Fest event, a celebration of our planet and the environmental initiatives that work to preserve it. This cross-disciplinary partnership has allowed the Earth Fest planning team to create an event that comprehensively covers the many facets of environmental protection and sustainability.

This year, the Earth Fest event centered around one question, “how do you celebrate Earth Fest?” Therefore, the focus of this year’s Earth Fest was to highlight the collaborative efforts between community

Thanks to the support of the UTRGV community, OFS was able to put on a unique two-day event on the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses. Through a variety of engaging activities and informative exhibits, Earth Fest aims to educate attendees about simple ways they can reduce their carbon footprint and live more sustainably. This year, the event featured a diverse lineup of engaging activities, educational exhibits, and captivating performances. The 2024 Earth Fest event featured; a yoga session, a campus nature walk, the vaquero bike rodeo, cowboy kitchen, musical & theater performances, “Her Butterfly Effect” book reading and signing, and a mutt & strutt.

The ultimate goal is to inspire attendees to adopt greener lifestyles and become active participants in the movement to protect our shared home - the Earth.

Expo Fest

Brownsville and Edinburg both enjoyed beautiful weather and high attendance at their Expo Event. Close to fifty sponsors and exhibitors gathered at the Exhibitor Expo to celebrate and educate students about alternative energy sources, sustainable habits, and best practices. Hundreds of students participated and stopped at all of the booths to gather information from each exhibitor. A complete list of exhibitors is supplied below. While student groups were invited, some organizations shared booths with other peer organizations and some of those may not be included in this list. Exhibitors who accepted the invitation to participate and educate attendees on their organization’s mission and/or environmental issues included:

• Proyecto Desarrollo Humano

• Native Plant Society of Texas - Rio Grande Valley Chapter

• Community Council of the Rio Grande Valley - 211 Texas

• Environmental Studies Program

• Student Government Association

• Sea Turtle, Inc.

• City of Brownsville KBB

• Food Bank RGV Gem Valley Farm

• UTRGV Campus Food Security Initiative

• Center for Community Resilience research Innovation and Advocacy (CCRRIA)

• ENACTUS

• Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization

• U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (Santa Ana NWR)

• SEEMS -Environmental Science Program

• Mission Rotary Club

• UTRGV Plant Ecophysiology Lab

• Uteach Student Organization

• The Office of Community Engagement

• (ECs) Elliot Chemical Society

• Center for Innovation and Commercialization

• The Office of Engaged Scholarship & Learning

• Sculpture Club

• Lab of AVian Ecology

• Talk About It: Student Clinic

• UTRGV School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences

• Texas Rising

• BIOL 3409-03 Service Learning

• The Food Bank of the RGV

• Integrated Health Science Student Association

• Environmental Awareness Club

• Center for Student Involvement - Traditions Keeper & Community Service

• Bee Campus USA Committee

• UTRGV Student Food Pantry

• Student Accessibility Services

• Special Olympics Inclusion College Club

• The Loyal Friends Animal Welfare

• National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice

• NextGen America

• First-Year Writing Program / NovaRhet Research Symposium

• Hidalgo County Judge's Office

• University Recreation Outdoor Adventures

• TOW-R Treat Others With Respect

• Brothers Food Service

11:00 AM Welcome Remarks

Marianella Q. Franklin, Chief Sustainability Ofﬁcer

11:15 AM Yoga | Basic Stretch

Jessica Perez, Fitness instructor, UTRGV

11:30 AM Campus Nature Walk

Bill Green, Urban Forester, Texas A&M Forest Service

John Brush, Urban Ecologist, Quinta Mazatlan

Jerald Garrett, Research Asst., UTRGV - SEEMS

11:45 AM Vaquero Bike Rodeo

Joe Hernandez, Ofﬁcer, UTRGV

Samuel Hernandez, Lieutenant, UTRGV

Roel Reyes, Sergeant, UTRGV

12:00 PM Cowboy Kitchen

Luis Carlos Panqueva, Executive Chef, Chartwells 12:30 PM Musical Performance | Pale Blue Dot

Dr. Monica Martinez, Asst. Professor, School of Music

12:45 PM Theatre Performance | Somewhere

Savannah Mares, College Theater Green Captains

11:30 AM Campus nature walk 1:00PM book reading & signing 1:30PM vaquero |mutt & strut 12:00PM Vaquero | Cowboy Kitchen 11:15 AM Yoga | basic stretch 11:45AM Vaquero|bike rodeo musical performance Pale Blue Dot 12:30PM theatre performance Somewhere 12:45PM LIVE MUSIC | ARTS & CRAFTS SCAN & REGISTER EARTH FEST FOR CLASS CREDIT

1:00 PM Book Reading & Signing | Her Butterﬂy Effect

Dr. Elaine Hernandez

1:30 PM Vaquero Mutt & Strut

Lawrie P. Andrews PAWS Center

Brownsville Animal Regulation & Care Center 2:00 PM Closing Remarks

Marianella Q. Franklin, Chief Sustainability Ofﬁcer

Vaquero Volunteer Day

Vaqueros Volunteer Day is an annual event at UTRGV organized around National Volunteer Week, which happens during the third week of April. Considering it as an observance that falls around the same time as Earth Day, this year, the UTRGV Office for Sustainability (OFS) partnered with its host, the UTRGV Community Engagement Office, to offer it as part of the 2024 UTRGV Earth Fest activities.

In this event, volunteer students engaged in a campus beautification project where they planted flowering plants in previously barren areas. Promoting civic duty and a desire to invest back into the serene surroundings that UTRGV offers, the Vaquero Volunteer Day activity was the perfect way to kick off and set the tone of appreciation for Earth Fest.

EARTH FEST 2024

Ready UTRGV

Ready UTRGV is an emergency management initiative led by the UTRGV Office of Emergency Management (OEM) designed to prepare the university community for any disaster it may face. From hurricane preparedness to knowing how to deal with a technological emergency, this initiative aims to build a resilient community. As resiliency is essential to sustaining quality of life on earth, Ready UTRGV information sessions could not be missing from the Earth Fest celebration activities. Held at the Edinburg, Brownsville, and Harlingen campuses, these Ready UTRGV sessions offered students, staff, and faculty information they could apply to emergencies, safety practices, and also organizations and resources available.

FEST 2024

Critical Safety Sources & Emergency Preparedness

BROWNSVILLE

SALON CASSIA

APRIL 25

HCEB 1.100

Earth Day Baseball Game

UTRGV | Earth Day

Baseball Game

Earth Day is a time to celebrate and bring awareness to the environment, emphasizing the importance of adopting sustainable practices in our daily lives. This year's Earth Day at UTRGV was set to include a special baseball game dedicated to environmental awareness. In partnership with the UTRGV Office for Sustainability, the event aimed to combine fun, engagement, and education for hundreds of attendees.

The baseball game was designed to be a unique celebration, offering Earth-themed prizes throughout the game to encourage participation and excitement. Attendees were looking forward to a day of enjoyment while learning about the importance of environmental conservation. The game was expected to be a monumental event, blending the thrill of baseball with the significance of Earth Day.

However, despite the careful planning and anticipation, the event was canceled due to bad weather, specifically rain. The cancellation was a disappointment for many who were eager to participate and support the cause. Although the game did not take place, the spirit of Earth Day and the commitment to sustainability remain strong within the UTRGV community. The efforts to raise awareness and educate about environmental issues continue, with future events and initiatives planned to further these goals.

Event Attendance

Behind each annual Earth Fest celebration, there is much collaboration and effort as an event that engages the university community and beyond. This year, the event reached 3362 individuals who attended the celebrations at the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses. Not only did the event achieve a high attendance rate, but it also gathered a diversity of community partners representing ten different industries, offering attendees the opportunity to learn about and connect with a wide variety of resources, organizations, and people who work toward sustaining the health of our planet.

In addition to community partners and UTRGV students, staff, and faculty, other school districts were also in attendance. From elementary to high school, 400 students joined in the activities from three school districts, San Benito, Idea, and Harmony. Conversations with attendees revealed that above everything Earth Fest inspired them to pause and become aware of their surroundings, and showed them ways in which they can actively care for them. Some of the takeaways included making it a point to slow down to appreciate the little things and excitement about witnessing a significant level of student involvement and leadership.

Yoga/Basic Stretch

Earth Fest attendees stepped into the Earth Fest spirit as the event unfolded with a soothing yoga session led by Jessica Perez, a fitness instructor from the university’s Rec Center. Gathering under the morning sun, participants were invited to merge their physical beings with the peaceful rhythms of nature surrounding them. The yoga session provided a serene and invigorating start to the festivities, reminding everyone of the interconnectedness between personal well-being and the health of our planet.

The yoga stretch not only initiated the day's festivities but also emphasized a fundamental truth: the well-being of individuals is intricately linked to the health of our planet. Through the integrated practice of yoga, we embark on a journey of self-awareness, where the alignment of mind, body, and spirit fosters a deep understanding of holistic wellness. As the session ended, attendees were urged to carry forward the insights gained from their yoga practice, embracing mindfulness and responsible stewardship in their interactions with the natural world.

Nature Walk

Earth Day is often associated with images of environments with little human involvement, reinforcing the idea of nature being distant from our everyday lives. However, nature is all around us. Bringing awareness to this is critical to sustaining life on Earth since it compels us to care and adopt environmentally friendly behaviors. With this in mind, this year's Earth Fest celebration included a nature walk activity that invited attendees to appreciate the abundance of life around campus.

Since the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses offer different natural characteristics, each walk was unique. However, in both walks, participants were given a set of binoculars and a guide with species found on campus to help them become familiar with their surroundings.

Leading the Edinburg walk was Quinta Mazatlan's urban ecologist, John Brush, and urban forester for the Texas A&M forest service, Bill Green. The combination of their knowledge resulted in a rich experience where the group learned how to look at leaves to recognize species of trees, how important it is to procure local species to foster healthy ecosystems, and how the design of the new quad project at the Edinburg campus contributes to this. Participants also enjoyed using their binoculars to identify birds chirping around campus.

Jerald Garret, research assistant at the School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences,

guided the walk at the Brownsville campus. The tour started at the student union lawn. Then, it took students over the bridge on the resaca to end at the pollinator garden. During the experience, participants learned about Bronwsville's biodiversity and invasive species, among other topics. At the end of the walk, Garret shared how he decided to study natural habitats after being exposed and learning to appreciate the biodiversity of the RGV.

EARTH FEST 2024

CAMPUS NATURE WALK

APRIL 23 EDINBURG STUDENT UNION QUAD 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

APRIL 24 BROWNSVILLE

STUDENT UNION LAWN

Nature Walk - Edinburg Brochure

Nature Walk - Brownsville Brochure

Vaquero Bike Rodeo

The Vaquero Bike Rodeo partnered with the UTRGV campus police to not only foster a love for cycling, but to also instill valuable knowledge that ensures participants can enjoy biking safely while contributing to a healthier and more sustainable future. Beyond just fun and games, this event served as a proactive step towards building a more sustainable future by encouraging cycling as a green alternative to traditional modes of transport.

The Vaquero Bike Rodeo is an exciting activity that promotes eco-friendly transportation methods. This event invites participants to experiment with an obstacle course that is designed to allow children to engage in safe bicycling practices. From mastering road rules to navigating obstacles, yielding to traffic, and maintaining situational awareness, attendees not only learn to bike safely but also embrace a lifestyle that reduces carbon emissions and promotes environmental awareness. Additionally, the event included workshops on basic bike maintenance and repair, equipping participants with the skills needed to keep their bikes in optimal condition. This comprehensive approach ensures that cyclists are not only prepared for safe riding but are also committed to long-term sustainability efforts.

Cowboy Kitchen

EARTH FEST 2024

APRIL 23 EDINBURG STUDENT UNION QUAD VAQUERO COWBOY KITCHEN

APRIL 24 BROWNSVILLE STUDENT UNION LAWN

12:00PM

One of the main stage events that received high attendance and participation during the Earth fest celebration was the Cowboy Kitchen. This activity was a cooking demonstration by Luis Carlos Panqueva. Mr. Panqueva is the executive chef at Chartwells for UTRGV dining services, the designated campus food service provider. Chartwells believes in serving nutritious and well-balanced foods to support its mission to contribute to addressing food insecurity.

In the demonstration, Mr Panqueva showed everyone how to make spring rolls, while emphasizing the positive impact that conscious food choices can have on both personal health and the environment. He encouraged participants to consider the origins of their food and to make informed decisions that promote sustainability and reduce their carbon footprint. The Cowboy Kitchen not only entertained and educated the audience but also reinforced the commitment of Chartwells and UTRGV dining services to providing high-quality meals that contribute to the overall well-being of the campus community.

Musical Performance

The concern with the state of our Earth is present throughout culture and art. At the recent Earth Fest event in Edinburg and Brownsville, this sentiment was beautifully echoed through a captivating musical performance by Dr. Monica Martinez. As an Assistant Professor at UTRGV, third horn position player with the Victoria Symphony orchestra, and a talented freelance musician, Dr. Martinez brought to life the essence of our planet's fragility and beauty through her rendition of Pale Blue Dot. This evocative piece, inspired by a 1991 photograph captured by the Voyager 1 spacecraft, delves into humanity's profound relationship with Earth. Through haunting melodies and stirring harmonies, Dr. Martinez transported the audience on a poignant journey, inviting reflection on our collective responsibility to cherish and preserve our precious home amidst the vastness of space. As her notes filled the air, attendees were reminded of the interconnectedness of all life on this Pale Blue Dot we call home.

EARTH

APRIL 23

STUDENT UNION QUAD MUSICAL

Theater Performance

The importance of events like Earth Fest is their ability to help us imagine a future. They serve vital platforms that inspire and empower communities to rethink their relationship with the natural world and take real steps towards a more sustainable future. By creating spaces for education, collaboration, and celebration, Earth Fest and similar initiatives help bridge the gap between awareness and action, empowering folks to become active stewards of the environment.

One such impactful event was the theater play by the UTRGV Green Captains, "Somewhere: A Primer for the End of Days." This production invited the public into the journey of two sisters following the last butterflies on Earth, calling us into action regarding climate change. The play served as a powerful catalyst for imagination, encouraging viewers to envision a future in which humanity takes proactive measures to address climate change and protect the natural world.

Vaqueritos Book Reading and Signing

Celebrating our Earth also means celebrating our power to transform it. The book reading of "Her Butterfly Effect" did just that during this year's Earth Fest. Drawing the audience through her captivating storytelling gift, Dr. Elaine Hernández conveyed a message of love and leadership to the university community by reading bits from her book and sharing the background behind the story.

Participants were able to follow along the main

EARTH FEST 2024

BOOK READING & SIGNING

Dr. Elaine Hernandez

APRIL 23 EDINBURG STUDENT UNION QUAD

“Her Butterﬂy Effect” 10:00 AM

Book Reading and Signing

EARTH FEST 2024 BOOK READING & SIGNING

Dr. Elaine Hernandez

APRIL 23 EDINBURG

“Her Butterﬂy Effect” 1:00 PM

STUDENT UNION QUAD

Participants were able to follow along the main character's journey as she worked to convince others to work together to improve upon their community surroundings, as each audience member received a book copy. When sharing the background of her book, she also reflected on other topics such as immigration and the importance of talking to our parents and grandparents about their stories. At the end of the reading, everyone stood in line to have their copies signed by Dr. Elaine, eager to discuss the book's impact and share their own personal connections to the themes.

Vaquero Mutt Strutt

The bond between humans and their furry companions was celebrated in full swing at the heartwarming "Mutt and Strutt" event in Edinburg and Brownsville. Organized in collaboration with Laurie P. Andrews PAW Center (Edinburg) and Brownsville Animal Regulation and Care Center (Bronwsville), this event brought together dog lovers from all walks of life for a delightful day out. Attendees had the joyous opportunity to take a stroll with adorable dogs provided by spreading smiles and wagging tails along the way. As laughter and barks filled the air, the event fostered a sense of community and camaraderie among both two-legged and four-legged friends. The "Mutt and Strutt" not only promoted the adoption and welfare of furry pals but also underscored the profound joy and fulfillment