Alternative Spring Break & the Green Life

Saturday, March 21, 2009 - 3:01pm

By Center for Leadership and Community Engagement Program Coordinator Misty Hensley

This spring, fifty Mason students traveled to communities across the United States to spend their week engaged in community service, part of the Alternative Break program. Trips are collaboratively designed by students and staff to delve into critical issues through volunteerism and education.

This year the destinations and issues addressed included: Atlanta, GA/Community Development, New York City/HIV, Waynesburg, PA/Habitat for Humanity and Philadelphia, PA/Urban Youth.

For the second year in a row, students traveled to Stuart, Florida for a conservation trip working with the Martin County Engineering Department. The student’s days were spent working alongside staff to plant over 700 native plants in order to protect eroding beaches and revitalize areas previously taken over by invasive plants. To ensure that the fledging plants take root, students also laid a drip irrigation system.

Other activities included learning about the ecology of mangrove forests through a kayak tour, visiting injured sea turtles and feeding sting rays. Evenings were spent reflecting upon the experiences by campfire.

Living the Green Life

Students reported a renewed commitment to ensuring that they are doing their part to protect the environment. Their top five tips they had on student green living:
  • Use a refillable water bottle –the number of plastic bottles disposed on campus is immense. You will save money and help the environment!
  • Pay your bills online. Many companies offer the option to email you when your bill is ready for online payment. This reduces paper waste and offers you a convenient way to keep track of your bills!
  • Turn the water off –A lot of water is wasted if it is left running while you shave or brush your teeth. Instead, fill a sink halfway and rinse your razor off as you go and turn off the faucet while brushing.
  • When cooking, put meals together from scratch. Pre-packaged food requires a lot of bulky packaging, not to mention it can be much more expensive than buying fresh ingredients!
  • Make a recycling plan with your roommates so that you can share responsibility of getting recyclables to the proper bins from your room instead of pitching them!

    • More information on Alternative Breaks can be found at http://clce.gmu.edu.

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