Presbyterian College to Celebrate Earth Day with Tree Planting and Festival

Presbyterian College will host a campus-wide Earth Day celebration on Monday, April 22, featuring a native tree planting, community reflection, and a festival with live music, free plants, games, and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Spearheaded by the PC Ecology Club in collaboration with students from the “Building Community” course taught by associate professor of philosophy Dr. Julie Meadows, the event is both a celebration and a call to action.

The activities will begin at 2:30 p.m. with the ceremonial planting of a serviceberry tree in front of Georgia Hall.

“Earth Day is our big event of the semester, and this year we will be planting native flowers and a serviceberry tree as part of the celebration,” said Dr. Sabrina Moore, assistant professor of biology and the club’s faculty advisor. “Amelanchier was chosen because it is a host plant for 124 species of moths and butterflies, and its berries support wildlife.”

The initiative reflects the college’s broader commitment to environmental resilience in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which damaged several trees on campus. According to Moore, replanting with native and ecologically beneficial species is a crucial step toward recovery and sustainability.

“After Hurricane Helene, our club’s focus has been on growing and planting our campus with resilient native species,” she said. “It matters what you choose to plant because our native trees are habitats that support biodiversity and benefit our climate. We invite Clinton community members to join us and learn more about positive climate actions we want to share with you!”

The idea for the tree planting originated with a student in Meadows’ Building Community course, which focuses on civic engagement and collaborative projects.

The tree planting and native flower installation—featuring coneflowers and other species—will be followed by a brief dedication ceremony at 3 p.m. and yoga on the lawn at 4 p.m.

The Earth Day Festival will run from 3 to 5 p.m., with participation from local environmental organizations including Keep Laurens County Beautiful and the Joe Adair Outdoor Education Center. In addition, PC student organizations will host booths and activities. Festival-goers can enjoy live music, grab a grilled cheese sandwich, and take home a free plant.

The Ecology Club will also reuse tree chips from campus trees lost during Hurricane Helene, turning the event into a full-circle effort to renew and restore the college’s natural spaces.

The celebration underscores PC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen community partnerships, promote sustainability, and support student-led initiatives that make a lasting environmental impact.