Western's College of the Environment hosting full slate of Earth Week activities

As part of its Earth Week celebration, the College of the Environment will host Diandra Marizet Esparza and Jarre Hamilton from Intersectional Environmentalist (IE) for a variety of Earth Week events covering ecofeminism, community resilience, and the power of storytelling. Then roll up your sleeves and join LEAD as we build Western’s new Miyawaki Method mini-forest in the Sehome Arboretum. The Miyawaki Method of reforestation mimics what nature would do without human intervention, and it’s being used all over the world to plant mini-forests in areas as small as a tennis court.

Tuesday, April 18 

Intersectional Ecofeminism: Tuesday, April 18, from 5–8 p.m. in the VU Multipurpose Room

Join us for a discussion about gender, queerness, and identity in the environment. Panelists include Diandra Marizet Esparza and Jarre Hamilton from Intersectional Environmentalist, CENV instructor Sylvia Hadnot, and WWU student and NASU member Maiyuraq (Lauryn) Nanouk Jones. This evening event includes authentic Caribbean cuisine served by Calypso Kitchen and musical performances by Kitty Obsidian and Abby LaBounty.

Students RSVP through WIN: https://win.wwu.edu/event/9050122

Wednesday, April 19

Community Resilience Workshop with Intersectional Environmentalist, 3-4:30 p.m. in VU 567

This workshop is for students, faculty, and community members who want to learn how to host Intersectional Environmentalist-style events and apply that to moving IE ahead at WWU now and in the future.

Outback Unplugged with Intersectional Environmentalist, 5-7 p.m., at the Outback Farm's Outdoor Classroom

Join us for an evening of stories and entertainment. Following an introduction to the power of storytelling from Diandra Marizet Esparza and Jarre Hamilton from Intersectional Environmentalist, enjoy music by BaddDog Blues and storytelling from local artists and performers.

About Intersectional Environmentalist: Intersectional Environmentalist(IE) is a Black-founded and WOC-led environmental justice education and awareness organization founded in 2020 that has become a leading resource for content and programs that explore environment, culture, and identity. IE seeks to shift environmental education, movements, and policy to center environmental justice and the importance of equity in institutional and educational spaces, to ensure a better and safer future for all people, especially those most impacted by the climate crisis.

Diandra Marizet Esparza is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit, Intersectional Environmentalist, and contributing writer to The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet. Diandra has shared her work speaking at Google, Tazo, Clorox, Method, MSU, U of C Berkeley, SXSW, and more to help learners explore meaningful shifts toward cultural empowerment and inclusive sustainability. Diandra has also been honored as a 2021 Renaissance Awards Awardee and is based in Houston, Texas.  

Jarre Hamilton is a PhD candidate in anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley, and currently oversees research development at Intersectional Environmentalist. Jarre’s work as a certified interpretive guide, environmental educator, and scholar focuses on creating outdoor educational spaces to engage a wide range of public audiences in discussions on science communication and programming, cultural heritage, community engagement, and the environment.

Thursday, April 20

Environmental Speaker Series - 'Mini-Forest Revolution: Rewilding our Communities for Climate Resilience,' 4:30 p.m. in AW 204 or Zoom

What holds some 500 species, sequesters 500 pounds of carbon dioxide per year, is several degrees cooler than its surroundings, soaks up lots of rainwater, and is co-created by children and their elders in spaces no bigger than a tennis court? A “mini-forest” planted using the Miyawaki Method, of course! 

Hannah Lewis, author of Mini-Forest Revolution: Using the Miyawaki Method to Rapidly Rewild the World, will show how communities all over the world are planting mini-forests.

Registration required. RSVP: https://alumni.wwu.edu/event/mini-forest-revolution

Saturday, April 22

Miyawaki Method Mini-Forest Work Parties

Come celebrate Earth Day by planting trees and shrubs in Western’s new Miyawaki Method Mini-Forest. The Miyawaki Method of reforestation mimics what nature would do without human intervention. NOTE: There are separate registration links for the morning and afternoon sessions.
Saturday, April 22
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Join LEAD, the City of Bellingham, Whatcom Million Trees Project, and Washington Trails Association as we remove invasive species and, following the Miyawaki Method, plant a variety of native trees. All ages and abilities are welcome. Registration required. More info and RSVP: https://cob.org/event/earthday2023-volunteer
12 - 1 p.m. - During lunch, Hannah Lewis, author of Mini-Forest Revolution: Using the Miyawaki Method to Rapidly Rewild the World, will give a short introduction to mini-forests, how they work, and why communities all over the world are planting them in the small spaces around where they live and work.
1 - 3 p.m. - Put on your work gloves and join WWU’s LEAD (Learning, Environment, Action, Discovery) as we put the Miyawaki Method to work, planting trees and shrubs that will be a self-sufficient mini-forest in just a couple of years. Registration required: https://alumni.wwu.edu/event/earth-day-2023-mini-forest-community-work-party