The second annual Marist Earth Day Weekend was held from April 19-21 in Esopus, bringing together over 45 student leaders from seven Marist schools in solidarity for our common home.
“Earth Day Weekend at Esopus was an affirmation of the strength, concern, and care that our young people have for our common Earth,” said Joanne Cavera, former chair of the Science Department and Green Team representative at St. Joseph Regional. “That they CAN make a difference was the theme throughout the weekend.”
The program began with an overview of Laudato Si, Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical on the environment, and the seven principles laying the foundations for an ethic of integral ecology. These include the Response to the Cry of the Earth, the Response to the Cry of the Poor, Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles, Ecological Education, Ecological Economics, Ecological Spirituality, and Community Resilience and Empowerment.
The second day of the gathering featured all plant-based meals prepared by Br. Dan O’Riordan, Provincial of the USA Marist Brothers, along with a range of outdoor programming. In the morning, students walked down to the Hudson River for a special prayer gathering led by Evan Pritchard, an Indigenous Mi’kmaq elder and former professor of Native Studies at Marist College.
Evan Pritchard leads students in morning prayer at the Hudson River
Austin Bilotto, a Teacher of Environmental Science at Marist High School in Chicago, then guided students in a case study on the environmental history of the Hudson River, highlighting the ecological importance of estuaries, the effects of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) pollution from industrial plants, and recent efforts to remediate the river.
In the late morning, Joanne Cavera led students in a workshop on native planting to underscore the importance of food security and the health of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Cavera also helped each school develop plans for native gardens to be planted in their home communities. Students then worked together to plant a native food forest with apples, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. They also planted an indoor herb garden for the kitchen using a wooden box crafted by Director of Maintenance and Facilities Tyler Pereira.
Joanne Cavera leads a workshop on native planting
Planting an indoor herb garden
Students from Mount St. Michael Academy plant an apple tree
In the afternoon, students took part in four workshops on various topics of integral ecology. Henry Glynn, a Religion teacher at St. Joseph Academy Brownsville, offered a workshop on climate action, drawing on his years of experience with the Catholic Climate Covenant. Damian Sciano, an alumnus of Archbishop Molloy and energy expert, led a workshop on the transition to a clean energy future. Bridgette Bolduc, a Teacher of Science and Religion at Central Catholic, guided students in a contemplative forest walk at nearby Black Creek. Joanne Cavera led students in bird watching around the grounds of Esopus, where students marveled at a bald eagle nest perched in a tall pine tree.
Henry Glynn guides students in a workshop on climate action
Damian Sciano speaks with students about the transition to a clean energy future
Joanne Cavera leads students in bird watching
That evening, students took part in a special Earth Day program from the Catholic Climate Covenant called “Healing Our Throwaway Culture: Focus on Plastics.” During the program, students learned about the life cycle of plastics, its harmful effects on human health and the biosphere, and strategies for mitigating and managing plastic waste in their communities.
After nightfall, students gathered around a campfire for marshmallows and storytelling led by Matt Fallon, Director of Marist Youth and Young Adult Ministry. They then concluded the day with a contemplative stargazing practice under a clear night sky.
Matt Fallon tells stories around the campfire
On Sunday morning, students joined for Mass and shared action plans they hope to bring forth in their home communities. These included planting native gardens, expanding recycling campaigns, and promoting reusable bottles.
“The students have gone back to their school communities and demonstrated what they shared—for example, by working to create pollinator-friendly native plant gardens,” said Joanne Cavera. “The youth are our hope for a bright future for God's creation.”
To join the Marist Green Team, reach out to Ecology Coordinator Sam King at [email protected].
