The verdict is in: spring is just around the corner, according to Punxsutawney Phil. According to the long-standing legend, the infamous critter failed to spot his shadow on Groundhog Day, meaning an early spring.
Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction lifted the moods of many a Michigander. As the gloom of winter subsides and sunny days increase in frequency, many Oakland University community members plan to spend more time outdoors in the coming months.
Numerous organizations on campus encourage community members to develop positive relationships with their natural environment. CASE-OU, Ecology Club and the Pollinator Conservation Organization are just a few examples of campus organizations that promote their love for planet Earth through sustainability education and programming.
CASE-OU
Campus Alliance for Sustainability and the Environment (CASE-OU) is a campus advocacy group that seeks to build a community of individuals interested in sustainability and environmental justice. The organization’s membership is composed of current OU students, faculty, staff, alumni and local community members.
“We [CASE-OU] host monthly meetings, take nature walks at OU’s biological preserve, advocate for sustainability on campus and collaborate with locals on sustainability events,” Sarah Griffith, a student member of CASE-OU, said during OU’s first sustainability showcase event in Oct. 2023.
Preserving biodiversity on OU’s campus is a major focus of the organization. In 2022, CASE-OU assisted in the establishment of OU’s biodiversity garden, which is located between the Oakland Center and Kresge Library. The garden includes numerous native plant species, which supports pollinator health and ecological well-being.
CASE-OU has played a foundational role in campus ecological restoration through prescribed burns within OU’s biological preserve. The group has organized a number of controlled fires to recycle nutrients and increase plant growth.
Those interested in learning more about CASE-OU can visit their webpage or sign up to join the group’s emailing list.
The Ecology Club
The Ecology Club is dedicated to educating the campus community about ecological principles and environmental justice advocacy.
“The Ecology Club is a renewed organization at Oakland University. Prior to COVID, the group was pretty popular on campus – now, the e-board,” Eien VanRiper, Treasurer of The Ecology Club said. “We strive to raise awareness about ecological issues and educate students about ecological well-being.”
While The Ecology Club has remained largely dormant for the past couple of years, the group’s leadership team is in the process of planning numerous service projects and educational events for the winter semester.
“We hope to organize local cleanups, advocate for sustainability on campus, and to ensure the security of Oakland University’s natural resources – such as the biological preserve,” VanRiper said.
Those interested in learning more about The Ecology Club, or joining the organization, may visit The Ecology Club’s GrizzOrgs webpage.
Pollinator Conservation Organization
The Pollinator Conservation Organization aims to protect wild and managed pollinator species, such as bees, butterflies and moths. The group’s activities include creating pollinator sanctuaries and educating the campus community about native pollinators.
The Pollinator Conservation Organization has established two pollinator gardens on campus, complete with native wildflowers. Members of the group regularly maintain these spaces to provision pollinators with floral resources.
On Feb. 7, the Pollinator Conservation Organization hosted a honey sampling event in the Oakland Center. Students were invited to listen to a local honey-maker expert speak about the role native pollinators play in the honey-making process.
Those interested in joining the Pollinator Conservation Organization may visit the group’s GrizzOrgs page.
