Redesigning Our Future

02/20/2021

A growing number of teens and young adults are experiencing mental health issues related to the impacts of climate change. They suffer from a condition called “eco-anxiety.” How can the older generation help?

Sustainability leader Heather White notes that Generation Z (those born after 1997) face the “cascading issues” of economic recession, a global pandemic, systemic racism, and climate change. “That means the future they are inheriting is uncertain and scary,” she says.

To register and receive the Zoom link for this very informative discussion and q&a, go to
https://conta.cc/2Ntx8Ts

12/18/2020

Holly Kuhn: A bright light that we miss deeply

These photos are a tribute to Holly Kuhn. Many of you remember Holly as either a participant or a counselor for the National Environmental Summit from 2014-2019. She actually became a counselor in the summer of 2017 before she even began classes at Catawba as a freshman. She wanted to help future campers have the transformative experience she had during the three years she participated in the program.

We learned recently that Holly died in a tragic car accident on December 9. The news brought great sadness to our college community.

We will remember her as someone who cared deeply for others. One person said she “set the bar” for how we should care for one another and, through her genuine interest in the welfare of others, made others want to act with the same loving-kindness.

The photos, which cover the years 2014-2020, depict her love of birds and nature and her desire to teach others about the wildlife on the Stanback Ecological Preserve. They capture her smile and her focus on others.

We are all better for her life among us.

03/10/2020

Innovative, Impactful, and Inspiring! Our National Environmental Summit brings together 14 -17 year old teens for a week-long summer program. The program draws on the expertise of college professors and national organizational leaders to highlight how environmental sustainability can be achieved in intelligent and engaging ways via student input.

Interested? Apply to the program before May 1 and be rewarded with a $90 discount. Link to the application is www.catawba.edu/summit

11/30/2019

Photos of the students of the 2019 Redesigning our Future

11/21/2019

08/10/2019

Alien invasive species are considered one of the top threats to biodiversity on the planet. Lead by Dr. Jay Bolin, participants in this focus group were able to observe the value of organismal biodiversity, from ecosystem services to the intrinsic value provided by diverse communities of plants and animals.

They also learned about the presence of invasive species and how they make their way to new habitats and the negative impacts invasive species may have on native biodiversity. However, there are some notable positive impacts that invasive species contribute to ecosystems. Students were able to work in the 189- acre preserve and cultivate invasive species that most of us can find, even in our back yards! They also had a hand at cooking with Kudzu, a very popular invasive plant to make some delicious snacks!

08/10/2019

Humanity continues to grow and spread its influence across the world. Every inch of the planet is affected, from deforestation in the Amazon, microplastics in ocean trenches, or changing climates at the poles. Technology will either assist in minimizing our influence on the world, or magnify our impact. Lead by Dr. Andrew Jacobson, this focus group explored the potential for emerging technologies to help save biodiversity and avert an impending extinction crisis.

Drones and satellites are greatly enhancing our ability to monitor the earth, while Artificial Intelligence is allowing us to make sense of Big Data. Students had the opportunity to play with two emerging technologies – camera traps and drones – and explore these continuing issues.

08/10/2019

Environmental health is an important and rapidly growing field that intertwines several aspects of science including ecology, biology, chemistry and bioengineering. The overall health of an environment can be assessed by investigating the invertebrate diversity and abundance in a given area, and can provide important information as to the health of the surrounding ecosystem.
Thanks to Dr. Carmony Hartwig, participants had the opportunity to observe basic biology of select invertebrate species, as well as learn the techniques associated with collection and surveillance measures that investigators employ in the field. They discussed how invertebrates benefit the entirety of any given ecosystem and the effects of climate change on these species.
Students spent time in the great outdoors as well as the laboratory, identifying collections and conducting molecular assays used by environmental health specialists.

08/10/2019

Art conveys messages we yearn to translate to the world. Professor Ashley Pierce revealed to the students at the Summit this year that their passions for nature can be expressed utilizing the resources that nature provides. Doing this displays the pure beauty that the natural world beholds. Students used raw materials from the outdoors to make original art pieces. This method is inspired by Andy Goldsworthy, an artist renowned for his indulgence in utilizing raw materials to create his own influential masterpieces.

In the Explorations in Environmental Art focus group, members engaged with a series of fast and fun daily activities in visual art. They utilized repurposed and recycled materials, leaves for monoprinting, and even learned the basics of silkscreen printing and t-shirt transfers! Members leveraged their interest in art to change the world utilizing environmental concepts.