By Eco Ambassador Ava Tribe
On September 16, Emerson Sustainability (housed in Campus Services), Emerson Green Collective, and Emerson’s Democratic Socialists of America chapter joined with the Esplanade Association to clean up Boston’s Charles River Esplanade.
Students and faculty met in the 2 Boylston Place Alley and walked over to the Esplanade to meet Esplanade Association staff, where they learned about what trash is typically seen by the Charles River and were given gloves, trash-grabbers, and bags. Students and faculty spent the morning walking along the river and picking up trash while discussing future community service projects and networking with the different individuals and organizations that were present. The volunteers picked up trash in the grass along the pathways and waste that had washed up along the river. With 35 participants present (a great turnout!), the group collected dozens of bags of trash and covered a large portion of the Esplanade area.
While walking back to campus after the event, Emerson Green Collective member Kyleigh Duff said “I loved being able to help my community in such a simple way.” Other students agreed, mentioning that they didn’t realize how fun and rewarding it would feel to pick up trash for a few hours. With an increase in sustainability initiatives on campus and an environmentally interested student body, community service projects that help our environment and the outdoor spaces of the Boston area will continue throughout the year. Hopefully cleaning up the Esplanade will be an Emerson tradition for years to come.
