Spring is the time of year for blooming flowers, rain showers and warm weather. In the midst of all this natural beauty, it is imperative to remember the importance of environmental conservation. On April 22nd, Earth Day celebrates the planet we live on while reminding the community to come together to protect the planet in any way they can, whether it’s recycling littered plastic bottles or planting trees. This past Sunday, NC State Wellness and Recreation reached out to NC State and greater Raleigh community for help to clean up Lake Raleigh and the trails surrounding it.

Lake Raleigh is a popular recreation site on NC State’s Centennial Campus where many people enjoy activities like fishing, running or paddling a canoe. With constant visitors, there is often fallen litter, so trail maintenance must be upheld. Additionally, recent storms with high winds have knocked down trees that block trails, and broken branches can make it dangerous for trail-goers to hike safely. In response to all of these issues, NC State Wellness and Recreation organized an Earth Day Clean-up in order to spruce up Lake Raleigh.

Nathan Williams, assistant director of NC State Outdoor Adventure and host of the Earth Day Clean-up event explained why he decided to host the event.

“We’ve actually been doing this for the past three years at least,” Williams said. “It’s a good chance for the community, students, faculty and staff to come together to support the lake.”

This event provides an opportunity for the community to come together and clean up parts of our beautiful and beloved campus.

Dewang Bhavsar, a volunteer of the Earth Day Clean-up event, spoke about participating in the clean-up.

“I’m an alumnus and used to live here so it’s a nice way to contribute back to the place I enjoyed,” Bhavsar said.

Environmental conservation isn’t just a one-day event when people help the earth. It’s a process that takes years of dedication and thousands of people to change how we interact with our planet.

“With climate change and everything, it’s always good to have a reminder about the direct effects that people have on the environment,” Williams said.

Bryan Ellis, a volunteer at the Earth Day Clean-up, explained why it’s crucial to participate in conservation and continue to help save the environment.

“It’s always important to make sure you’re taking care of the earth that takes care of you,” Ellis said. “It’s very important to know that if we don’t take care of our planet, then how can she take care of us?”

During the event, volunteers picked up a total of 116.5 pounds of trash, recyclables and compost on the trails and in the lake. By simply picking up litter around Lake Raleigh, the area can continue to be a pristine park for the community to enjoy.

Maintaining and cleaning Lake Raleigh is only one example of environmental conservation on Earth Day. People around the world can find ways to help clean up their community and contribute to the cause.

NC State Wellness and Recreation holds many events that students and faculty can participate in, such as outdoor activities and sporting tournaments. Upcoming Wellness and Recreation events can be found on their calendar.