By John Zintz
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – Camden County College held an environmental fair and several field activities on April 22 on the Blackwood campus in celebration of Earth Day. The event was organized by Dr. Dan Flisser, a professor in the biology department at CCC.
Several biology majors from CCC and other outside departments set up display tables and held presentations in Civic Hall, allowing students to learn about components of biology and their work fields. Topics discussed included preserving biodiversity, the effects plastic has on water quality, the effects of fast fashion, and the impact artificial intelligence has on the environment. Attendees could read information from poster boards and examine physical samples provided at each table.
One presenter at the event, biology student Seamus Hall, stated he hoped his presentation on plant life would help “generate interest in plant biology.”
One presentation dove into the endangered wildflower known as swamp pink (helonias bullata), a plant on the verge of extinction because of extensive development destroying its habitats. Biologist of the United States Fish and Wildlife Services Marc Virgilio said about the purpose of his presentation, “I hope it raises awareness of swamp pink and other endangered species in the state.”
The presentations remained available to the public from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
After the presentations, students were allowed to participate in three nature-related activities that took place in the afternoon at separate times. Despite the initial drizzly weather outside, each event was held as planned.
The first activity brought together students from the Garden State Pathways Program to learn the importance of nature preservation by sprucing up the pollinator garden outside of Lincoln Hall. The activity began at 1:30 p.m. and was organized by Flisser, Virgilio, Garden State Pathways Coordinator Kimberly Whitham, CCC Arts Coordinator Cara Horner, Secretary for Psychology and Human Services Liz Lounsberry and Office Manager Elva Pollard. Gardening tools were provided to encourage students to work freely and educate themselves on pollinators and maintaining Earth cleanliness.
The second activity was held by Professor Edward Ramirez-Wright, who led students on a guided nature walk through South Alumni and Madison Drives to examine the trees and other vegetation near the roads. Students were able to learn about several types of trees and plant groups that inhabit the school grounds. The tour began at 2 p.m. and ended at 2:30 p.m., when the group moved on to the CCC greenhouse for the final activity.
The third activity was held by Flisser and Ramirez-Wright in the greenhouse, where students got to experience the art of cultivation by managing pothos plants made available to them, having access to soil and water to maintain their plants and plastic cups to take them home and care of them.
The event concluded at 3:30 p.m.
As to what he hoped students would get from the event, Flisser said he wished they would “recognize that the natural resources keep us afloat and we need to protect them.”