By Alexandar Utzschneider

For The Diamondback

University of Maryland students enjoyed free succulents, insect encounters and a visit from Testudo at this university’s annual EarthFest celebration on Thursday.

The event, hosted by the Student Government Association’s sustainability committee, celebrated the Earth through games and hands-on learning.

Students wandered through rows of tables on McKeldin Mall featuring various student organizations, many of which offered goods including plants, vegan treats and temporary tattoos.

Some students also visited an exhibit where they could hold insects ranging from a spiny leaf to a giant Asian mantis.

While the event featured games and free giveaways, organizers emphasized its educational purpose.

“This is a big event to make sure everyone’s coming together,” said Alicia Barnett, a sophomore environmental science and policy major and one of SGA’s sustainability committee directors. “People can walk away with new facts and information they may not have had before.”

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Griffin Cargnel, a senior government and politics and public policy major, said the event makes sustainability approachable for all students, regardless of their major.

“Outreach and awareness are the big things,” he said.

Events like EarthFest are part of the SGA’s sustainability committee’s broader efforts to support environmental education and action at this university. The committee also hosts an annual student sustainability summit, which will take place on May 2 in Stamp Student Union.

Other students highlighted how EarthFest connects them to various campus groups and causes.

Charlotte Knight and Ru Subramaniam, both sophomore environmental science and policy majors, said they were excited to learn more about opportunities through the sustainability office.

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Knight and Subramaniam both picked up succulents from one of the tables. They got information about Resident Life’s Terp to Terp campus reuse store, said Subramaniam, who is also a member of this university’s Sustainable Ocean Alliance club.

While students and organizers acknowledged the university’s existing green initiatives, they also said there’s room to grow.

“Our work will never be over,” Barnett said. “We still have a long ways to go.”