ICC SAFE Impacts the Environment on a State Level
Stephanie McClaskey
October 21, 2022
Illinois Central College‘s (ICC) Student Association For the Environment (SAFE) shows their dedication to the state’s natural beauty, by spending Sunday cleaning up the trails of a state park. Eight of the members of SAFE traveled the 67 miles to Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Ill., Sunday, October 16, 2022. The members spent the day sharing knowledge with one another about the history of Starved Rock State Park and educating each other about the natural aspects of the environment.
SAFE is a student-led organization who has an invested interest in the preservation of the environment. Members help to raise awareness of the impact the human race has on the environment. SAFE is also dedicated to educating the community and offering alternatives for a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle.
SAFE had plans to clean up any litter left behind by visitors at the state park. The members of SAFE took trash bags and were surprised to find that there was not as much littering as they had expected. Co-presidents Julia Carpenter, a freshman studying Marine Biology, and Jordan Bohannan, a sophomore also studying Marine Biology, participated in cleaning up the state park.
“We didn’t even fill half a [trash] bag, which I believe was because of both the respect people give to Starved Rock and the maintenance staff who take care of the trails,” Bohannan said.
Carpenter shares that her passion for the environment began in high school where she founded the environmental club at Pekin Community High School. She expresses a sense of responsibility in being more sustainable to reduce her carbon footprint. Carpenter hopes to have a lasting impact on the environment both locally and nationally.
“I think if everyone would go out of their way to pick up some trash on the ground that they see while out and about the world would be a better place,” Carpenter states.
SAFE not only looks for ways to get involved in the community, but the community also searches the organization out to help with local events to improve the environment. The SAFE organization was invited by Peoria Park District and the city of West Peoria to assist in the Kickapoo Creek Sweep on November 12, 2022.
To volunteer for upcoming events hosted by SAFE or to join the organization, contact Jen Fenner at Jen.Fenner@icc.edu or attend a weekly meeting with the team on Fridays at 1 pm in room 318E on the East Peoria campus.