Stony Brook University students stepped into nature on April 21 for the “Running Wild 3K EcoWalk,” a new Earthstock event held in the Ashley Schiff Preserve.
Organized by sophomore Jasmine Mason-Randolph, a psychology major with a minor in environmental studies, the event was designed to combine physical activity with environmental education. The 3K walk featured interactive stations hosted by student clubs and organizations focused on sustainability, including the Environmental Club, Sunrise Movement and EcoEvo Society.
Mason-Randolph spent more than eight months developing the event, inspired by a project in her Environmental Humanities class with David Taylor, associate professor and interim director of the Sustainability Studies program.
“Last year, I took a class in Environmental Humanities with Dr. David Taylor, and one of our projects was a community initiative,” said Mason-Randolph. “I’m a runner — I’m on the track team — so I thought this would be the best way to combine being active and the environment.”
“Jasmine has worked on this project for almost a year now, researching eco-runs and their positive impact on people and their awareness and knowledge of local natural spaces. In the fall, she decided to take up the enormous task of trying to organize, solicit volunteers and hold a Stony Brook eco-walk,” said Taylor. “Thus, we began an independent research class this semester drawing on her year’s worth of research and work. I am thrilled to have students like Jasmine who take their research from a paper and put it into practice, making their campus a better place and also learning valuable skills along the way.”
Along the route throughout the preserve, participants took part in a scavenger hunt designed to promote awareness of local ecosystems and the biodiversity of the preserve. “The main thing is the scavenger hunt, where they point out things throughout the course and learn about what they have here at the Ashley Schiff Preserve,” Mason-Randolph said. “So they can appreciate what they have in their local environments — and hopefully boost people’s environmental behaviors and environmental attitudes.”
At the end of the walk, students were invited to paint rock mandalas with members of the EcoEvo Society. Participants also enjoyed cupcakes at the conclusion of the walk.
Despite overcast skies and busy schedules with upcoming final exams, students turned out to support the event.
The event was supported by SBU Athletics, several student clubs and the Friends of the Ashley Schiff Preserve. Mason-Randolph said her goal was to encourage students to connect with their natural surroundings in new ways.
“Just get involved in your natural community in any way,” she said. “Take a walk through the preserve. It’s a lovely place. If you just have your free time, get out there, get outside — and you’ll begin to appreciate it.”
— Beth Squire
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