Viewfinder - Earth Fest At Connecticut College

The Earth Fest of April 16 offered attendees the opportunity to learn about a variety of ecology oriented topics from a diverse collection of exhibitors as was intended by the event organizer, Campus Environmental Coordinator, Amy Cabaniss.

Although a chilly breeze whipped through the white tent set up to shield participants from the weather and put a damper on attendance, undaunted exhibitors stood by their posts to provide information and insight on the environment.

The 30 exhibitors included Mystic Marinelife Aquarium, the Connecticut Green Party, the Connecticut Outdoor & Environmental Education Association as well as campus-based Spokespeople and Forest Justice Club.

At the Mystic Marinelife Aquarium Project Oceanology table, attendees were encouraged to touch a variety of preserved marine specimens including a green turtle, a harp seal pelt and whale baleen.

Connecticut College student Tristan Cole represented Spokespeople, a group that offers loaner bicycles to students and information on care and maintenance of bikes. He was also encouraging donations for the Bikes for Kids program.

Sarah Sanderson, also a student, sold succulent plants to raise funds for the college’s Forest Justice Club to promote ecological awareness and sustainable growth in rain forests around the world.

Vendor Eileen Clark of Guilford displayed a variety of sea glass jewelry that she creates and sells and offered information on classes she teaches for those who want to learn that craft.

A bit of mirth was added to the event by Connecticut College staff member Maria Ursin who paraded around the tent costumed as her Mystic Paper Beasts. She also won delighted approval from children who tried on the masks she had to offer.

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