We all have to do our part, no matter how big or small the actions are. We collectively make an impact that will make a difference. It's the ripple effect, no act is too small.
South Mountain Community College celebrated Sustainability Awareness Month during October with a variety of activities to raise visibility and to promote sustainable practices amongst the community. These activities were planned and facilitated by the SMCC Sustainability Committee.
The month kicked off with the Sustainability Committee, along with Salt River Project (SRP) and Trees Matter, sponsoring an initiative for the city of Phoenix to create and increase more shade within the communities. This event distributed nearly 2,000 free trees to about 600 people, which also included 20 new trees to be planted around the SMCC campus.
The recipients of the trees had participated in either an online workshop or the in-person workshop that was held on campus on October 18. This workshop drew in a large crowd, who were buzzing with energy and eager to ask questions to the presenters. This also marked the first time the workshop was held at SMCC and proved to be a successful morning of informing the community on the benefits of planting trees.
“I am proud of our SMCC residents coming out to learn and receive their trees. We all know that having shade in Arizona is vital, especially areas closer to the airport and city,” said Azra Mahmood, SMCC faculty and coordinator for the SMCC Sustainability Committee.
SMCC students also joined in on the festivities by teaming up to lead a discussion on October 21 about plant-based living and debunking the myths. The panel of students shared their own experiences and knowledge about plant-based recipes and diets to the community, detailing how they each embraced these eating patterns. This was followed by a screening of a short film to further empower the messages of the students’ discussion. The event left a positive impression on the audience as it shed light on the food industry, all while focusing on the sustainable efforts and environmental benefits of plant-based nutrition.
To keep the momentum going of raising awareness towards sustainability, SMCC also hosted a month-long clothing drive. The community was invited to donate gently used or worn clothing for this good cause, which resulted in collecting several boxes filled with items. The Sustainability Committee will be partnering with Helping Hands Relief and Development (HHRD) to drop off this collection to help those who can benefit most from it.
“It seems like a great way for us to pay it forward with clothing that is not being worn anymore or to make space in the closet and it feels great to get our students involved in sustainability as I know thrifting and curbing consumerism in this economy is on the forefront of everyone's mind,” said Mahmood.
The Sustainability Awareness Month events not only inspired the SMCC community into taking direct action, but served as a way to educate those on the significance of sustainable development that will ultimately impact future generations.
“I believe having the SMCC community engagement around sustainability awareness is very empowering. We all have to do our part, no matter how big or small the actions are. We collectively make an impact that will make a difference. It's the ripple effect, no act is too small,” said Mahmood.