UMD Students Strive for Sustainability at Green Terp Event
By Lydia Hurley
October 29, 2021
Image Credit: Lydia Hurley for The Campus Trainer
As students and staff at the University of Maryland work to improve their sustainability efforts, Green Terp ambassadors work to connect students with resources to lead a more sustainable life on campus.
On Thursday, Oct. 14, ambassadors tabled outside Adele H. Stamp Student Union with a few activities and ways that students could get involved.
At the table, student ambassadors helped students mix exfoliators that they could take home with them. The exfoliator was made of coconut oil, organic sugar, and repurposed coffee grounds from a coffee shop on campus, said Tanvi Gadhia, the Sustainability Outreach Coordinator for the Office of Sustainability at the University of Maryland.
Image Credit: Lydia Hurley for The Campus Trainer
“The goal of the Green Terp tabling events, which take place three times each week, is to raise awareness and encourage action on sustainability. Students can take the Green Terp pledge, discuss sustainability with ambassadors and do a hands-on, sustainable DIY,” said Gadhia.
Ambassadors at the table explained their involvement in the program and discussed opportunities for all UMD students to get involved with the program.
Students could scan a QR code to take them to the Green Terp pledge and make a promise to make more sustainable choices. Students also got to take home a Green Terp magnet that outlined specific sustainability practices they could implement into their lifestyle.
Image Credit: Lydia Hurley for The Campus Trainer
“We have a couple tips on the magnets, like washing your clothes in cold water or little things that students may not already do. So, [students] can take the Green Terp pledge and agree to do 10 sustainable actions, one from each category. Once you get certified, you can pick out a prize like a straw set or planting a tree,” said Tommy, a Green Terp ambassador.
After students explain which sustainable actions they took, they can be certified as a Green Terp by the Office of Sustainability. Then, students can choose between a reusable straw set and a reusable utensil set, or they can choose to donate (and plant a tree) to offset their carbon footprint, Gadhia said.
“Research shows making public commitments, having face-to-face conversations, and getting resources to make more sustainable choices every day can help Terps across campus build a culture of sustainability,” Gadhia added.
Image Credit: Lydia Hurley for The Campus Trainer
Sophomore public policy and piano performance major Julia Hananel stopped by the table, made her own coffee scrub and signed the pledge to become a Green Terp.
“I think anyone can do this. A lot of these things are really helpful and easy to do, like walking and biking, that's easy on a college campus. I think UMD could probably make things easier a bit when it comes to things like composting. But I think anyone can [live sustainably]. You don't have to be like a big activist to do these things,” Hananel said.
Many Green Terp events are coming up this October to promote sustainability efforts on campus continually. Follow @sustainableUMD on social media, subscribe to the monthly newsletter, and visitsustainability.umd.edu to learn more.