By Tori Mier
Elm Staff Writer
Despite growing awareness, promoting environmental concerns often seems like an endeavor better suited for big organizations or prolific individuals. However, every small action is another step towards creating a better, healthier, and cleaner environment, and WC is avidly participating in these efforts through the Student Environmental Alliance (SEA.)
Dedicated to improving the campus, community, and the surrounding Chesapeake Bay area, the SEA focuses on making improvements through service projects, cleanups, participation in environmental politics, and promoting awareness for the concerns it finds most important.
Though the SEA obviously deals with serious concerns, it does not stop members from having fun while promoting environmental awareness.
On Sept. 1, the SEA took a trip to Tuckahoe State Park to experience wildlife immersion in the form of a rock wall and zip line.
In sharing her experience about the trip, freshman Tori Aplaugh laughed about getting lost a few times. and in “these heinous harnesses” to climb the rock wall – something that turned out to be a lot harder than it looked. The reward was a zip line, which she said felt like flying over the forest. After the zipline and rockwall, the group drove to the lake area to snap a photo.
It was the first trip for the year, Aplaugh said she had a lot of fun getting to know everyone. She enjoyed the different kind of connection she felt with the other members. Though some were Environmental Studies majors like her, others were studying a myriad of different majors, but all were united by their passion for environmental awareness.
Aplaugh also discussed how important it is to do anything possible to lessen carbon footprints. Everyone can do something, whether it be recycling, purchasing a reusable water bottle, or riding a bike instead of driving. “Little stuff like that really adds up,” she said.
Protecting and raising awareness for the environment were her main reasons for joining SEA.
“The environment is so important,” said Aplaugh. “I feel like I’m at a great stage to learn more and lessen my carbon footprint – something everyone should do. Actions that could be considered tiny or unimportant can, in reality, make an immense difference when it comes to the environment.”