Students gathered in clusters, despite the on and off downpour of rain, laughter mixing with live music and the soft bleats of baby goats. Off to the corner of the larger event, a small group stood on the grass, gently holding and petting the goats — an unexpected but welcome feature of this year’s Earth Day celebration at Chico State. A.S. Sustainability hosted event transformed the campus into a lively hub of education, community and hands-on engagement.
“I brought baby goats on campus today to snuggle for Earth Day,” said Tina Cardin, owner of Two by Two Ranch and Petting Zoo, serving most of northern California. “They get lots of happiness, and it’s very relaxing.” For many students, the goats offered a moment of calm during a busy semester, but they also symbolized a deeper connection to the natural world that Earth Day is meant to celebrate.
The event featured a wide range of campus organizations, student groups and local partners. Tables lined the walkway by Meriam Library, each offering information, activities or demonstrations focused on environmental awareness and action. Students were encouraged to engage with the booths through an interactive “punch card” system. After filling out the six earths, they were rewarded with a sandwich, provided by the campus dining hall.
“We’re here to just celebrate Earth Day,” said Laurie Nunez Soprano, a student ambassador for Associated Students. “There’s vendors, there are tabling, there’s all our services on campus that are tabling and we encourage students to talk to them and just learn more about sustainability, how they can get involved.” As an added incentive, she explained, “if they talk to six tables, they can get free food.”
Beyond the educational booths, the event fostered a strong sense of community. Local musicians Aloja and Maya McConnell performed for attendees, adding to the welcoming atmosphere.
Though not students themselves, they were eager to participate. “We love supporting the community in any way we can,” they said. Reflecting on the meaning of the day, they added, “Earth Day is a good reminder to be aware of the actions we take and if they are helping or hurting the earth.”
While the event felt celebratory, it also highlighted the serious and ongoing sustainability work happening across campus. Marie Patterson, the current Director of Sustainability, emphasized the collaborative nature of these efforts. “We’re doing education and outreach for upcoming events, prior events and recruiting for new coordinators for next year for Green Campus,” she said. These paid student positions allow participants to actively contribute to sustainability initiatives.
Patterson also described the broader structure behind these efforts. “It’s essentially people across campus–helping improve our campus sustainability efforts in all sorts of areas,” she explained, referencing the Campus Sustainability Committee. With representatives from departments ranging from facilities to human resources, the committee works to integrate sustainable practices throughout the university.
Students themselves also play a critical role in shaping a more sustainable future, particularly through their academic programs. Elizabeth Perine, a junior in the interior architecture program, represented her club at the event. “We are here … to present what sustainability and environmental impact means to architecture,” she said.
Perine highlighted how modern design increasingly prioritizes both environmental and human health. “Taking into consideration every stage of development … as well as how it makes the environment, as well as the people who are going to be inhabiting or working in the space,” she said. From energy-efficient certifications like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and Energy Star to the use of low-emission materials, students are learning to design spaces that are both functional and responsible.
Sustainability efforts were also deeply rooted in Chico State’s agricultural programs. Bailey Leverett, a fourth-year agricultural education major, emphasized the essential connection between people and the planet. “We need the earth to kind of move forward and live our life,” she said. At the event, she represented the College of Agriculture alongside the Center for Regenerative Agriculture.
Their focus is on promoting practices that maintain and restore environmental health. “We’re here … to talk about different practices to help keep our Earth better,” Leverett said, pointing to the importance of sustainability not just in theory, but in everyday agricultural work.
Lindsey Hethcote, an employee at the CRA and Resilience Systems, expanded on this idea. “Regenerative agriculture is a type of agriculture that’s focused on protecting natural resources — soil, water, air,” she explained. The program offers courses, conducts research, and works directly with farmers to implement conservation practices like cover cropping and pollinator habitats.
Amid the wide range of booths and perspectives, the event also carried a sense of continuity and tradition. For Cardin, returning to campus was especially meaningful. “I’m actually a Chico State alumni … I’ve done all kinds of events on campus,” she said. “It’s always good to have the goats here.”
Earth Day at Chico State served as both a celebration and a call to action, reminding attendees that sustainability is a shared responsibility.
By the end of the afternoon, students left not only with free food or photos with baby goats, but with a deeper awareness of how their choices impact the environment. One message remained clear: caring for the Earth starts with small, intentional actions and a community willing to come together to make it happen one seed at a time.
Merri Shiger can be reached at [email protected]
