The theme for this year's E.A.R.T.H. Forward Summit is “Living Desert: Where Nature, Culture, and Sustainability Converge” and will spotlight the outstanding achievements of Maricopa Community Colleges students, showcasing how sustainability intersects with every field of study. This is an opportunity for students to connect their academic passions with real-world sustainability challenges.
Explore sustainability through Education, Adaptation, Resilience, Technology, and Humanities.
AGENDA
9:30a.m. - 11:45a.m. | Exhibit Fair, Estrella Hall Outdoor Patio and Estrella North Lawn
Step onto the Estrella North Lawn for an action-packed Exhibit fair. Get up close and personal with majestic birds of prey and fascinating reptiles with the EMCC Animal Ambassadors. Check out sleek electric cars and the many Earth-friendly exhibitors who will share their knowledge about sustainability and how you can get involved. Learn more about the Maricopa Community College seed library and how to gain access to free native seeds. The EMCC Native Bee Biodiversity Research Team will be on hand to share their knowledge and lead engaging activities. See our long list of exhibitors below.
11:50a.m. - 1:10p.m. | Lunch & Guest Speakers, Estrella Conference Center (REGISTER FOR FREE LUNCH HERE)
Livestream Link - https://www.youtube.com/live/lYRoiwTHWGo
Guest Speakers: Claire Musser - Executive Director of the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project, Travis Zelinskas - Arizona Public Service
1:10p.m. - 1:30p.m. | Art and Short Stories, Estrella Conference Center
How do you envision the Southwest and your place in the ecosystem? As part of our Earth Forward event, we will showcase original student artwork, photography, poetry, short stories, and writing pieces that show our place within the larger desert ecosystem and the impact that it has on our lives and well being. Student work will be displayed in a gallery format, showcasing work from EMCC and other colleges within the district, that reveals our connection to the natural world and our engagement with the native flora, fauna, cultures and landscapes that surround us.
1:30p.m. - 1:50p.m. | Student Presentations, Estrella Conference Center
EMCC Students Take the Stage! The EMCC Native Bee Biodiversity Research Team will discuss the importance of native bees to the ecosystem, and data they have collected to inform native bee conservation efforts. They will also discuss their development of non-lethal capture methods.
1:50p.m. - 2:30p.m. | Awards Presentation & Closing, Estrella Conference Center
Bill Davenport - AZ Game & Fish Department
Join us as we celebrate passionate pioneers and key sustainability leaders driving real change within the Maricopa Community College system.
E.A.R.T.H. Forward Exhibitor List
Arizona State Parks & Trails
Arizona Trout Unlimited
Arizona Game & Fish
Arizona Master Naturalist Association
ASU School of Sustainability
ASU -Conservation Biology
ASU - Endangered Species
ASU Rio Reimagined / Lower Gila River Collaboration
Arizona Public Service ( APS)
City Of Avondale - Sustainability & Storm Water
City Of Phoenix - Water conservation department
Coca Cola
EMCC - Animal Ambassadors
EMCC - Native Bee Biodiversity Undergraduate Research Team
EMCC - Engineering Club
Estrella Mountain Regional Park
Forestry & Fire Management
Denali Composting
Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project
GCU Sustainability Program
The Electric Car Club
Tiger Mountain Foundation
Local First AZ
Maricopa Seed Library
Maricopa County Air Quality Department
Maricopa County Environmental Services
Mom’s Air Force
Phoenix Zoo Biodesign Team
Sierra Club
Trees Matter
Valley Metro
Phoenix Herp Society
Odysea Aquarium
Rattlesnake solutions
Reimagine Phoenix / Zero Waste Phoenix
Salt River Project ( SRP)
Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center
US Fish & Wildlife
US Green Building Council
U of A Master Gardner
WeRide
Wild at heart Raptors
White tanks Mountains Conservancy
Xerces Society