Vibrant Street Fair Caps Off Stony Brook’s Earthstock Celebration

Stony Brook University hosted its annual Earthstock Street Fair on April 25, drawing students, faculty, staff, and community members to the SAC Plaza and Academic Mall for a day dedicated to celebrating environmental awareness and sustainability.

The event marked the conclusion of Earthstock, a campus tradition celebrating conservation, climate action, and sustainable living through lectures, panels, and activities. This year's fair brought together on- and off-campus vendors, student organizations, live performances, and interactive exhibits showcasing local and global environmental initiatives. Attendees also enjoyed popular eco-friendly giveaways, including reusable bags and food storage items provided by event sponsor IKEA.

"Every day, we are investigating new ways to make a positive difference for the planet, both on and off campus," said Stony Brook Interim President Richard L. McCormick in a message to the campus community. "We are fortunate to have our annual tradition of Earthstock, which allows us to reflect on the values that drive us forward."

Among the attractions were student-led sustainability initiatives, including outreach on waste reduction, clean energy, and green transportation. Attendees also visited information tables from campus departments and local environmental organizations and vendors.

"Sustainability isn't just a buzzword - it's a responsibility," said Associate Dean of Students Hedieh Yazdanseta, who welcomed the crowd. "From reducing waste and conserving energy to supporting local food systems and accessible infrastructure, our choices reflect the kind of future we want to build, not just for ourselves, but for the world beyond this campus."

Live performances from student groups, including the Stony Brook Pipettes, Wolfie's Big Band, and a belly dance ensemble, provided entertainment. The annual rubber duck race, a highlight of the day, drew a large crowd along the Brook as hundreds of ducks floated toward the finish line.

In remarks during the event, Paul Shepson, dean of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, emphasized the role of student leadership in addressing global climate challenges. "You are powerful. You can do great things," he said. "We don't need to wait for federal action to lead on climate issues. The solutions are here - and so is the will to act."

Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Kassay also addressed the crowd, highlighting her path from environmental studies to public service. "We need more environmentally minded individuals in decision-making roles," she said. "And we need to support student engagement, whether it's through environmental action or expanding access to voting."

Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich spoke of the importance of community-level efforts in addressing environmental issues. "In local government, we see firsthand the impact of climate change," he said. "Sometimes it feels like progress is slow, but events like this are encouraging. I see a cultural shift happening, led by students who are ready to act and equipped to lead."

The fair also celebrated achievements in environmental education and research. Students George Chen and Kate Miller were recognized as recipients of the Friends of the Ashley Schiff Preserve scholarships, while Madalyn McDowall and Sister Mary received the Department of Ecology and Evolution's Jeff Eng Memorial Scholarship.

- Beth Squire