Originally published on April 26, 2018.

Kim Habicht, Nederland.

This past Earth Day — April 22nd — the beaming sun beat served as a reminder to maintain and conserve Earth’s resources. University of Colorado students scattered the University Hill, many enjoying the free tans while cleaning up the littered sidewalks.

Leyla and Kaya Yalman pulled weeds and picked sticks from their plush front lawn, while Makayla Sauro and Kristin Endahl enjoyed the free rays and enjoyed the spring flowers that dotted their lawn. Most students mentioned concerns about the state of the Earth and noted the importance of awareness year-round.

“If we don’t act on protecting the environment now, then future generations will suffer from our negligence,” Endahl said.

Freshmen Anna Harris and Ray Byrket hung out around their dorm on campus and enjoyed the quiet shade of a blooming tree.

“Earth Day is a day where people get concerned about issues that they should be concerned about year-round,” Harris said.

Else Dodge is a student particularly concerned about environmental issues; she’s an environmental studies major at CU. Recently, her attention has turned to bees.

“Bees are a vital part of our ecosystem, we rely heavily on them to pollinate a wide range of food that we consume, and plants in general,” said Dodge.

She encourages people to rethink their use of harmful pesticides.

“It’s important that people are aware of the problem that is going on, so they can contribute to possible solutions that are necessary not just for us, but for future generations as well,” she said.