SUNY Oneonta’s annual Green Dragon Week returned this year with not one but two weeks of programming that invited students, faculty and staff to explore sustainability through hands-on experiences, meaningful conversations and community engagement.
Held April 18 through May 2, the campus-wide celebration featured a wide range of events designed to connect environmental awareness with everyday action, both on campus and beyond.
From the start, Green Dragon Week encouraged participation in the local community. Students visited the Oneonta Farmers Market, where they could use vouchers to support local vendors, and joined a volunteer cleanup at Neahwa Park, helping care for shared public spaces.
Green Dragon Weeks reflect our ongoing commitment to sustainability... shared responsibility and a lived experience across campus,
On campus, events emphasized both environmental and personal wellbeing. Activities like Green Day in the President’s Garden, Nature Rx programming and guided walking meditations invited participants to slow down, spend time outdoors and reflect on the connection between environmental health and mental wellness.
Throughout the two weeks, students engaged with sustainability in creative and practical ways—from painting plant pots and crafting reusable tote bags to participating in food waste audits and sustainability-themed trivia. Career-focused programming, including a sustainability networking event, connected students with professionals in the field and highlighted pathways for future impact.
“Green Dragon Weeks reflect our ongoing commitment to sustainability, not just as a concept, but as a shared responsibility and a lived experience across campus,” said Associate Director of Sustainability Rachel Kornhauser. “Through hands-on activities, meaningful dialogue and community engagement, we’re empowering students to see the impact of their choices and to carry those values forward beyond their time at Oneonta.”
Academic and global perspectives were also central to the week’s programming. A screening of Can’t Stop Change: Queer Climate Stories from the Florida Frontlines explored the intersection of climate justice and identity, while an interactive display connected student research to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
A highlight of the week was a campus visit from forester, author and digital storyteller Ethan Tapper, who delivered this year’s Cornell-Gladstone-Hanlon-Kaufmann Lecture, an inspiring evening talk titled How to Love a Forest: Ecological Pragmatism and Hope in a Changed and Changing World. About 400 people attended the lecture, which was held in the Hunt Union Ballroom. Earlier in the day, Tapper participated in smaller discussions and a guided nature
