The Students for a Green University (SGU) club hopes you started the fall season in high spirits because we kicked it off with a lot of exciting activities.
We started the semester with an All-Day Apple Goodie Workshop, featuring Rosie the pig, on September 8th. We made no-canning, no-cooking-required, freezer-friendly, ready-to-“dump-and-bake” apple pie filling, along with pie dough and crumble topping. This was not just an opportunity for people to help out, but also a way to learn how to use available resources. The apples were collected from trees in the community as a bear preventative measure in collaboration with the Gleaning Abundance Program. This was also an opportunity for students to talk to other students and community members in a neutral environment, surrounded by the aroma of fresh apples, keeping their hands busy and their minds relaxed.
SGU, being an environmental action club, donated all the apple scraps to the PG Tickled Pig Rescue to ensure zero food waste at this workshop. Rosie the pig was there representing all the pigs from the shelter, and with all the pets Rosie received, the trip up to the university was surely worthwhile.
SGU members also visited Goodsir Nature Park, which runs solely on donations, on September 20th. We learned more about this hidden gem and its kind owner, Jim Good. I recommend everyone go check it out to admire over 3,000 varieties of plants on the 160-acre park. Jim Good, the person who made Goodsir Nature Park a living, breathing place, is someone who believes in being kind to others, no matter what. This is reflected in how inclusive the park is, including wheelchair-accessible trails, an abundance of washrooms, entrance by donation, and Jim’s welcoming nature. The park also features an extensive botanical museum and a music museum with nearly 50,000 vinyl records.
On September 21st, SGU members helped remove common tansy and other invasive plant species at Carrie Jane Gray Park. The event was hosted by the Prince George Naturalists Club. We pulled 13 bags of invasive plant material to help protect our native species.
We ended the first month of school by cleaning up our Dome Greenhouse, which is located at the northern end of campus, past the parking lot at the end of building 10. Volunteers helped revitalize the greenhouse by cleaning the floor, organizing pots, topping the beds with soil, and prepping the outdoor beds on the last Saturday of September. We also spent October 1st cleaning the hydroponics in the Thirsty Moose. On the first Friday of October, we hosted a Planting Bee, where students came together to plant cold-hardy crops in the greenhouse, garlic in the outdoor beds, and a take-home plant box. Keep an eye on the hydroponics at the pub to watch our seeds germinate there too.
This was just the beginning, and there are many activities planned for the rest of the semester. Anyone can participate—you don’t need any prior experience because we have a great team of people who can help you each step of the way. If you want to engage in any of the activities, visit us on our Instagram page @sgu.unbc to see which activity works well with your schedule. We also provide reference letters for volunteer hours signed by the club and our faculty advisor to help with scholarship and job applications. Our goal is to give you the skills you need to become an environmental citizen and steward. Remember, the little things we do for the environment can help meet the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs tomorrow.
