Earth Week at Highline has officially kicked off this past Monday with a presentation by Isaac Kastama of Water Street Public Affairs at the Mt. Constance building and has been raging ever since. Speakers and presenters like our institution’s own Woody Moses (Biology) and Lonnie Somer (Anthropology).

Activities like a forest cleanup, an environmental resource fair, and bird watching compelled students and faculty alike to take a step back and appreciate our environment and, perhaps even more importantly, see the urgency in caring for it. 

Somer, who led the bird watching excursion on Wednesday, shared his passion for recognizing the local aviary life that flourishes in the trails behind Highline College. As with the rest of the campus activities, it became clear that placing yourself amongst nature is bar none, the best way to truly take it in. 

“I’ve seen eagles, ospreys, and other really cool birds…It’s really great,” said Somer. somer also spoke of the noise pollution that can often drown out the beauty that sits, thinly veiled, on our very own campus. “Ambient noise like planes, heaters, and cars can cover up the tens of bird species living their lives right beside us.”

As the walk continued, the group laid their eyes on robins, warblers, and of course a handful of crows: all gorgeous creatures whose variety and brilliance must be seen to appreciate it. Somer’s passion for bird watching highlights the greater need for weeks like this one, where we pause and assess the strange wonder of our planet, and examine our own spot within it.

Of course, as Earth Week comes to a close, students should feel welcomed to continue embodying the mindset we’ve seen since Monday. Be sure to check your student email daily to stay up to date on events like this, you’ll find that there is plenty of room to join; you may even find a new passion while you’re at it!