Every year in early April, Salem State University hosts a week-long celebration, Earth Days, filled with events and programming of different topics all under the theme of Earth Day.
By Janiela quiñones
Every year in early April, Salem State University hosts a week-long celebration, Earth Days, filled with events and programming of different topics all under the theme of Earth Day.
Over 25 years ago, SAFE helped establish Earth Days at the university. This year, we co-chaired and worked closely with the planning committee to organize the week—from panel discussions to speakers, and a film screening.
Tuesday, April 7th
Starting off the week, we hosted Flowing Together: Water in Salem. This talk featured Erin Bonney Casey of Ipswich River Watershed Association, SSU Professor Kristin Pangallo, and Point neighborhood resident researchers, this educational panel focused on Salem’s water systems and water quality.
The Intersection of Migrant Justice & Climate Justice was led by Professor Avi Chomsky, Elsabel Rincon of Welcome Immigrant Network, and Salem State student Sabrina Zemlyansky. This talk discussed the global systemic link between displacement and climate change.
Wednesday April 8th
We started this day off with The Silencing of Science: How Federal Interference Threatens the Energy Transition, led by John Rodgers, Associate Director of Energy Analytics at the Union of Concerned Scientists. This event consisted of a discussion of current scientific policies, and the impacts this is having on our energy transition. Rogers explored how the current administration has challenged the work of scientists—how individuals will remove or hide facts and data to fit their arguments and goals, even if it doesn’t make sense. “We need science to be at the core of our decisions to make good decisions.”
Followed was the Using Participatory Action Research and Collaborative Strategies to Explore Food Sovereignty in Salem with Matt Buchanan of Mack Park Farm and Kelly Murphy, RDN., Salem’s Health & Wellness Coordinator on current efforts to expand access to food in Salem. Copies of Dr. Moore’s book, Exploring Equitable Community–Campus Relationships, were provided to attendees!
Ending the day was the No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí, a bilingual, multimedia program led by Elisa Castillo, Assistant VP of Hispanic-Serving Institutions-Minority Serving Institutions Initiatives and Media & Communications student, Latin American Student Association (LASO) Media & Public Relations Coordinator, and SAFE intern, Janiela Quiñones, featuring Yinette Guzman of Punto Art Museum.
This program explored how Bad Bunny uses his music to educate the public on contemporary Puerto Rico, providing context on current issues the island faces, related to environmental injustice.
Thursday April 9th
On Thursday, we held a film screening of the Emergent City. A documentary on the conflict between global developers and Brooklyn residents, exploring the intersectionality of climate crisis, gentrification, and real estate development. This was not our first time screening this film to an audience. In fact, our 2025 fundraiser at Cinema Salem was a film screening of this documentary. We’re glad we were able to screen Emergent City again and share its message. Kelly Anderson, director of the film, joined us for a Q&A session. Thank you to professor Gavin Gleasman for hosting this event and moderating.
To end Earth Days week, the Center for Entrepreneurship, Economic Development, and Sustainability hosted a simulation and discussion on gentrification, and the Salem State Policy Lab hosted Interrogating Climate Gentrification: The Paradoxes of Building Resilience, an interactive discussion with Professor Thomas Piñeros Shiels, Ph.D., and Dra. Neenah Estrella-Luna. Attendees were engaged in conversation with both the speakers and with the people around them, sparking discussion on current events and possible futures.
Additional programming for the week included:
The Seals & Society Exhibit hosted by Bates Center for Public and Global Affairs, Politics, Policy and International Relations, Biology and Geography & Sustainability.
Sharing the Shores: Seals, Science and Society with Dr. Andrea Bogomolni, Chair, Northwest Atlantic Seal Research Consortium and Co-Creator of the Seals and Society Exhibit. Thank you to Professor Jennifer Jackman for coordinating this programming.
Miyawaki Forests to Collaborating with Nature with Alexandra Ionescu, Bio4Diversity’s Associate Director of Regenerative Projects, hosted by Professor Nick Geron.
Dismantling Environmental Protections with panelists Dr. Jennifer Jackman and Professor Guy Bellino of Politics Policy and International Relations, and Dr. Marcos Luna and Dr. John Hayes of Geography and Sustainability.
Salem State’s Urban Tree Canopy and Environmental Sustainability organized by the Sustainability Council interns and faculty advisor Professor John Hayes of Geography and Sustainability.
Congratulations to the recipients of the Earth Days Friend of the Earth Awards: Mia Amaral, Dr. John Hayes, and Mack Park Food Farm. Thank you to Mayor Pangallo for joining us for the ceremony.
Mia Amaral received the Student Friend of the Earth Award. Mia is a Salem State University senior, majoring in Geography, with a concentration in Environmental Sustainability and a SAFE intern. She has worked on numerous community-centered projects, such as the Chelsea Affordable Housing Project, under the direction of Professor Marcos Luna. Additionally, she is the president of SSU’s Intersectional Feminist Collective (IFC), blending both gender and identity-based justice. Within her work, she centers intersectionality, combining both social and environmental justice.
John Hayes was recognized for his enduring and invaluable contributions to the development of Earth Days at Salem State and his role as a relentless champion of Climate Science and Sustainability. He is retiring this year and we wish him all the best!
Mack Park Food Farm received the Friend of the Earth Award for being an anchor in Salem, strengthening our city through environmental and educational means to ensure food security and food sovereignty in our community. Sign up to volunteer or visit the market to pick up free produce. The food farm is the only in the state that is funded by and in collaboration with a city government.
We want to thank every one of you who attended Earth Days 2026! Whether it was all the events or just one, we appreciate you for showing up in support and with willingness to learn. Many attendees were students, either attending for class or in-between classes, and we’re thankful for their engagement this year. We had so much fun working with Salem State’s Earth Days Committee and we’re looking forward to supporting Earth Days in 2027.
Janiela Quiñones is SAFE’s Communications Intern.