Pittsburg State University students came together this semester to support the Native Garden, a project that highlights sustainability while giving students hands on experience in service and environmental stewardship.
The garden, led by Students for Sustainability with support from the Student Government Association, has become a visible example of student-led change on campus.
S4S President, Charlie Judd, said the project connects directly to the group’s mission of promoting sustainability in ways that students can see and interact with.
“Even though this is something little, it is openable and Pitt cares about it,” Judd said. “It helps push that we do care about the environment and it can still be pretty.”
The idea for a native garden has been around for years, and Judd said seeing it finally happen has been meaningful. “It is something we tried for years to do, and to see where it is now shows that the university does care,” he said.
He called the garden one of the group’s most important efforts. “While we also have recycling, this project was something a past president tackled that has grown into not just a part of the club, but a part of the university.”
For Judd, success comes from watching the garden bring people together. “Seeing it come to life, watching people get involved, and noticing the impact on campus, whether it is a bee or a student, that is success,” he said.
Judd said students from any major are welcome in S4S. “We do not have any major requirements. We have students from all around,” he said. “You just have to want to help the earth.”
SGA Community Service Chair, Natalie Garland, said the garden also fits with SGA’s goals of connecting students to service.
“The project was started by our previous chair, Jordan Haworth,” Garland said. “What I hope people take away is how to take care of and respect the garden, to see the ecosystem and how it flourishes.”
Garland said SGA promotes service through social media and personal outreach, and October will feature nearly daily opportunities. “It feels like when you say ‘service,’ no one wants to do it,” she said. “But it can be fun and rewarding. Any service can be fun with the right people.”
She added that collaboration with S4S has helped both groups. Upcoming partnerships include a cleanup with Women in STEM and another Native Garden event later this month.
Eva Sager, SGA advisor, said the garden is a strong example of a student initiative that has grown into a lasting project.
“Seeing it continue this year and watching other students contribute gives me hope that it is going to be a continued success,” Sager said. “It is impactful and hopefully encourages them to take steps in their everyday life that could lead to bigger impacts.”
Looking ahead, Judd said he hopes the garden anchors a bigger vision for S4S. “I am hoping it grows into an organization that is not just about recycling but about finding connection and building a community that blossoms into a group that cares about campus.”
He added that his goal as president is to leave a legacy of inclusivity and impact. “I want people, when they think of S4S and my role here, to see that it was about making Pitt State better in every possible way.”