Students give back to environment on Earth Day

Zoe Deno

News Editor

Garbage that littered the woods around Hudson Valley Community College is now gone, thanks to an Earth Day project organized by engineering science student Asan Anarkulov.

“I think it’s the responsibility of all of us to do what we can to take care of the environment,” said engineering science professor Beth Ernest, who assisted Anarkulov in his project. “If we don’t take care of it, who will?”

Everytime Anarkulov passed by the woods along the side of South Drive by the Science Center, he noticed all the trash that littered the shrubs. When he had first saw the trash, he hoped services would be employed to clean it. However, the trash only seemed to accumulate.

Anarkulov is not new to community service. He has picked up trash near his home in Downtown Albany as well.

“I care about the environment, and I believe in taking action,” he said.

“I thought it would be nice to [pick up trash] at Hudson Valley Community College because I appreciate this school,” Anarkulov said.

Anarkulov said he felt there was more of a chance to garner support in picking up trash because he organized it for Earth Day.

Only two other students showed up to help: football players Rasheed Teasley and Geoff Heller. Ernest, who often tries to assist in her students’ projects, also helped.  

The project was last minute, and Asan acknowledged it was more difficult to get people out of Hudson Valley on a Sunday at 9 a.m. without much notice. Earlier in the week, he had reached out to his professor, Ernest, and the Director of Athletics at Hudson Valley, Justin Hoyt, to help him spread the word of his event. Both individuals were very receptive.

“I thought it was a great Earth Day activity, but it didn’t surprise me that Asan wanted to organize an activity like this,” Ernest said. “He’s a good student and never hesitates to volunteer when I need help.”

Ernest continued, “The students who helped pick up trash did a fantastic job. We picked up 15 30-gallon bags of trash from the wooded side of South Drive. They had to climb up and down the hill and battle a lot of prickers and branches to get to all the trash. The area looks so good now.”

Anarkulov said that, despite the low turnout, he was able to accomplish a lot more than when he collects trash on his own.

“At the end of the day, I was thrilled that three people dedicated their time and effort to this endeavor,” Anarkulov said. “I was thankful and humbled. I encourage everyone who reads this to be more respectful toward public space and the environment. The least you can do is not litter.”