Called the "Mother of the Everglades," Marjory Stoneman Douglas's legacy of protecting the watery region still lives on today. An environmentalist, activist, and feminest, Douglas is perhaps best known for her best-selling book, "The Everglades: River of Grass," which was first published in 1947. Seventy-five years later, the University of Miami is honoring the tireless and groundbreaking efforts her book made to enlighten the public of the importance of preserving the fragile ecosystem.
"The book helped galvanize support for the park and appreciation of the Everglades, introducing readers to its unique history and ecosystem," said Robin Bachin, assistant provost for civic and community engagement. "The book also has served as a reminder of the constant need to support Everglades' conservation asindustry and development continued to encroach upon its lands," she added, noting that Douglas's book as published one month before the dedication of Everglades National Park.
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the book’s publication, the Office of Civic and Community Engagement at the University of Miami is inviting the University community to celebrate this milestone during National Everglades Day on the Rock Plaza on April 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In an effort to honor her activism as well, the office is teaming up with the Center for the Humanities for a panel discussion highlighting Stoneman’s accomplishments on April 19 in the Kislak Center at Richter Library.
“Douglas was a pioneer in many areas, not just in Everglades conservation but also in promoting women’s suffrage, racial justice, and social equity,” pointed out Bachin, who will participate in the discussion. “She was a tireless advocate for the causes she believed in and worked to promote them well into her later years, founding Friends of the Everglades, for example, when she was 79 years old.”
Among the events being featured during the University’s Earth Month, the Office of Sustainability, along with the Student Government Environment and Conservation Organization (ECO) Agency, invite students, staff and faculty members, alumni, and community members for an exciting series of events that will explore our role in accelerating solutions to combat our greatest threat—climate change—and to encourage everyone to do their part.
“This is the first time we will do a series of programming the entire month of April to introduce students to different perspectives,” said Gustavo Eduardo Tovar, chair of the ECO Agency. “Our hope is that Earth Month will give students an opportunity to feel connected to sustainability and all its efforts in a non-discouraging way.”
Teddy Lhoutellier, director of sustainability, wants everyone to know that there is something for everyone among the programs that are being offered.
“There are a lot of different events including conferences, plantings, concerts, service days, community outreach happenings, sporting events, and even award ceremonies,” listed Lhoutellier.
On April 22, the community is invited to the traditional Hug the Lake event from 11:20 to 11:45 a.m. that will be followed by the presentation of the Roberta “Bosey” Fulbright Foote Award, which recognizes a member of the University community who has made a meaningful and lasting contribution to the beauty, humanity, and future of the campus.
For alumni, family, and friends of the U who also want to participate in Earth Month events, the annual ’Canes Day of Service will be held on April 23 at Virginia Key Outdoor Center, where volunteers can participate in the shoreline or coastal cleanup and invasive plant removal. They can then attend an interactive lunch and learn, hosted by the Miami ’Canes Community, where the impactful efforts of coral reef restoration will be addressed by researchers from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.
As Earth Month celebrations begin, the University is proud to tout the fact that it has earned a STARS Gold certification rating for the second year in a row in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.
“The institution is very proud to have achieved a STARS rating for our sustainability accomplishments once again,” said Jessica Brumley, vice president for facilities operations and planning. “We are working hard to ensure our sustainability efforts grow so our ranking may continue to improve through the STARS program.”
Natalia Jimenez Sierra, vice-chair external of ECO Agency, hopes everyone will participate in the exciting events being held during April.
“To me, Earth Month is a unique opportunity to explore, learn, and experience the intersectionality of environmentalism, including waste diversion, social justice, sustainable purchasing, and more,” she explained. “We are all connected by the fact that we live on Earth. By participating in Earth Month, you join the effort to protect the environment as we become educated consumers who learn how to make an impact on the world around us.”
Get more information on the University’s Earth Month and view a full list of events.
