Cedars, March 2019

March 2019 7 CAMPUS by Madeleine Mosher P ro Terra Forma is a Latin phrase that means “for the good of the Earth.” Cedarville’s student organization of the same name exists for that very reason: To care for the Earth. Its organization profile on Cedarville’s website says its goal is to promote bibli- cal stewardship of the Earth at Cedarville, which Emily Lykkegaard, organization vice president and senior environmental sci- ence major, said is part of Christianity. Though she grew up in church, she had never heard of the concept of Christians car- ing for the Earth until she was at Cedarville. For Christians, Lykkegaard said, preserving the Earth is more than just trying to survive. It’s how we respect God’s creation. Lykkegaard joined Pro Terra Forma during her junior year after a graduating environmental science student asked her to take an officer position. Lykkegaard liked the idea of making an impact on the world and collaborating with other people who wanted to as well. Some of Pro Terra Forma’s activities center around making this impact. Last spring, they went on a cleanup hike from campus through Indian Mound Reserve in Cedarville and filled up three or four trash bags with litter. They are planning another for this year. Additionally, they’ve been campaigning to get recycling bins in the dorms on campus but have been unsuccessful in getting ap- proval and funding for the project. They also plan to work with the Tecum- seh Land Trust in invasive species removal. The Trust protects agricultural, historical and natural land, as well as water resources, within Greene, Clark, Champaign, Clinton and Madison counties. The sunflower fields in Yellow Springs are a part of the trust. Other organization activities focus on trips and observation. Last year, they went to the Franklin Park Conservatory and Bo- tanical Gardens in Columbus, which com- prises 13 acres of gardens, biomes, art and seasonal and horticultural exhibits. It was Lykkegaard’s favorite event. This year, they are planning trips to Newport Aquarium in Kentucky and Cedar Bog Nature Preserve in Urbana. Routinely scheduled org meetings that don’t involve hikes or trips are monthly this year because Lykkegaard and president Sam Charpentier want to keep people involved. Members who attend meetings are rewarded with snacks and drinks for their attendance, and then the meeting is spent recapping and planning events. Then, any- one who needs to leave can, and the rest play board games provided by Charpentier. Josh Blackburn is a junior electrical engineering major who keeps so many cacti, succulents and air plants in his room that he frustrates his roommate. When he joined the org during his freshman year for his love of plants, it was made up almost entirely of environmental science majors. Now mem- bers are studying electrical engineering, biology, business and theater as well an en- vironmental science. He said he enjoys collaborating with different kinds of people to work on orga- nization projects, like setting up recycling in the dorms. Blackburn said he enjoys having Lyk- kegaard and Charpentier as officers be- cause it’s clear they really love what they’re doing, and they’re passionate about caring for the earth. Though she’s graduating, Lykkegaard hopes to get more students involved in the org, whether they’re environmental science majors or not. She wants to recruit younger environmental science majors to step in as officers or participants when she and Char- pentier graduate. But she also wants to en- gage campus by hosting events like movie nights or outdoor activities and then talking to the students who attend about their re- sponsibility to care for the environment. “We might not be able to affect some- thing on a global scale,” she said, “but we can do something to improve where we’re at.” Madeleine Mosher is a sophomore journal- ism major and a Campus News Co-editor for Cedars. When she’s not complaining about homework or having a snack, she enjoys coffee, words, and rock ‘n’ roll. For the Good of the Earth Pro Terra Forma students work together to care for their corner of creation Photo by Lauren Jacobs Rebekah Bayle, a member of Pro Terra Forma, enjoys two cute plants at the annual aloe sale. Photo by Lauren Jacobs Rebekah Bayle, Emily Lykkegaard, and Josh Blackburn can’t help but smile when there’s plants involved.