In this special series, our blog contributors interviewed and profiled various sustainability student organizations on campus. Each of the groups offer unique insights into their missions, their engagement with sustainability, and how students can get involved. If you would like to learn more about the groups, ask the officers questions, and receive event updates please join our Princeton Student Sustainability Hub server here!
Frida is a Mechanical and Aerospace Engineer in the Class of 2025. She serves as the EcoRep Sustainability Outreach Coordinator.
Jason Luo ’25
Jason is a Comparative Literature major in the Class of 2025 and one of the EcoReps Coordinators. He is also involved with La Vie en Cello and is a member of Tower Club.
Tavia Bryan ’27
Tavia is a chemistry major in the Class of 2027. Aside from being an EcoRep Leader, she is the Events Co-Chair of the Princeton Caribbean Connection and a member of the Whitman College Council.
Anherutowa Calvo ’27
Towa is a Chemical and Biological Engineering major in the Class of 2027. He is an EcoRep Leader.
Jillard de Fiesta ’27
Jillard is a Civil and Environmental Engineering major in the Class of 2027. He is an EcoRep Leader.
Mariah Morgan ’27
Mariah is a prospective African American Studies major with a Spanish minor in the Class of 2027. Along with being an EcoRep Leader, she is a member of Princeton’s Black Student Union and Princeton Caribbean Connection.
Kirill Sirik ’27
Kirill is an Operations Research and Financial Engineering major in the Class of 2027. As a sustainability enthusiast, he is involved with USG’s sustainability committee.
In a rapidly changing world zeroed-in on combating climate change, it’s easy to overlook the plethora of other ways to help the environment thrive. Eliminating pesticide use is one such challenge that has a wide range of potential benefits for biodiversity, health, and environmental justice. Pesticides are harmful in many ways: they’ve been linked to problems like cancer and developmental issues, are toxic to a variety of organisms, and their use disproportionately burdens low-income communities. Pesticides are also produced from petroleum, meaning they require the burning of fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
The Visions and Goals of Re:wild Princeton
When graduating senior Adira Smirnov ’23 approached Zach Ducorsky ’26, a physics major, to helm a new campus group, Ducorsky knew he couldn’t pass up the opportunity. He wanted to be a part of an organization seeking to make a direct impact on the environment, and Re:wild was the perfect vessel. Re:wild Princeton is an up-and-coming group that seeks to increase biodiversity and preserve native species on campus. The burgeoning group Ducorsky leads is just one chapter of the larger global nonprofit organization that’s been fighting to rewild the planet for the past 35 years. One of Re:wild’s focuses is to partner with universities to raise awareness about the dangers of pesticides at a local and community level.
At Princeton, Ducorsky and the Re:wild team’s goals are twofold. The first is to lead rewilding projects around campus. That means finding ways to increase biodiversity and preserve native species that inhabit our green spaces. The second goal is to create more transparency regarding pesticide use on campus. Re:wild hopes to aid groundskeepers in transitioning away from traditional pesticide spraying, moving instead towards organic land care methods, which encompass a variety of natural strategies that exclude any synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
Getting Involved
In the meantime, Re:wild is working to set up meetings with the Office of Sustainability and campus groundskeepers. They’re also planning proposals for specific projects like workshops about pesticides and garden care. Re:wild Princeton is in the process of becoming an official ODUS campus organization. Anyone interested in learning more can join the GroupMe or email Ducorsky at zd0134@princeton.edu. This past year, the group met each Saturday afternoon at Frist 206.
Citations:
Re:Wild – biodiversity is the solution. rewild.org. (n.d.). https://www.rewild.org/
Re:Wild your campus. (n.d.). https://www.rewildyourcampus.org/
Is collaborating with local farmers a reasonable alternative to the current options available?
The produce we consume goes through many stages prior to reaching the consumer body. From the farm to production facilities to markets, food, among other perishable resources, often travels large distances from the moment of its harvest to its final destination. The estimates for the exact mileage are lacking, with most news outlets reporting a shocking figure of 1,500 miles. According to ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture, “studies estimate that processed food in the United States travels over 1,300 miles, and fresh produce travels over 1,500 miles, before being consumed.” That distance is almost the same as the shortest driving distance between Dallas and NYC. Due to the nature of transportation used in the food cycle, the produce cost varies with changes to oil prices. Furthermore, the farmers who harvest the crops do not get much in return for their tedious labor. According to the University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems, “just 14.5¢ of every dollar spent on food in 2021 went back to the farm; in 1975, it was 40¢.” There is a greater number of inconsistencies in the US and global food cycle than one can count. Princeton Farmers Market aims to support both the local farmers as well as the consumers, all the while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by exclusively collaborating with individuals and organizations centered less than 50 miles away from Princeton’s Campus.
From local-grown produce to innovative sweet treats, products of all sorts appear on the shiny counters of the Princeton Farmers Market vendors. Once a week, students, as well as everyone near the campus area, have a unique opportunity to get their hands on the freshest produce. To learn more about this organization’s mission and values, we sat down for an interview with the Princeton Farmers’ Market current president, Genevieve Shutt ’26.
Shutt, who joined the group in her freshman year, described her interest in organization from the perspective of someone who has lived in a rural town and had experience with farming. Her interest in agriculture made the organization that she is currently a president of particularly appealing.
Vision and Goals of the Princeton Farmers Market
Princeton Farmers Market is grounded on the principles of community engagement, community building, and sustainability. Princeton students are provided with an opportunity to interact with Vendors, whether local businesses or individuals, whom they usually would not interact with. All individuals present at the market hail from less than 50 miles away from campus, which fulfills the integral ‘locality’ element of the market. The Farmer’s Market offers a multitude of options that include vegan and vegetarian produce, among others. Furthermore, all of the goods present are encouraged to have been produced with reduced energy use.
An effort of half a dozen individuals goes into maintaining the excellence of the Princeton Farmers Market In addition to the ‘traditional’ president, vice president, treasurer and other roles that assist with the Market events organization with the help of the university’s administration and the Office of Sustainability, Princeton Farmers Market student group relies on the dedicated efforts of the vendors outreach team as well as the marketing team. The vendors outreach team takes care of all of the paperwork that goes into making the farmer’s market come to fruition. The marketing team, on the other hand, is responsible for gauging interest between the student body and the vendors, such as collaborating with USG to offer vouchers to students.
Princeton Farmers Market student group has accomplished feats of all kinds. The organization is particularly fond of implementing the fall farmer’s market as well as the voucher program, which has significantly expanded attendance of the event. Princeton Farmers Market is committed to sustainability, which is underscored by the lack of reliance on shipment as well as direct interaction with vendors, which brings the market with sustainable options to students. This past farmer’s market, they were able to expand the vendors list by adding Princeton Farmers Market three new vendors: New Carlitos Taco Wagon; 1up 1 down, which is a coffee shop from Trenton; and Tico’s, which are known for their juices. In total, 12 vendors participated in the market, which is the largest number of individuals/businesses to participate since the organization’s founding in 2015.
Getting Involved
For those interested in getting involved with the organization, Princeton Farmers Market student group offers many opportunities to do so. The group hosts interest meetings at the beginning of the semester. Furthermore, the president of the organization encourages those having ideas, interest, or wanting to volunteer, to reach out to her. Check out this page to learn more about the organization. Feel free to reach out to Genevieve at gs7302@princeton.edu. The Princeton Farmers Market will resume its operations in the Fall 2024 semester.
Princeton’s Undergraduate Student Government (USG) is the largest student organization on-campus. One of the many ways the students may get involved with USG is to join one, or more, of its seven committees. For this article, we interviewed USG’s SusComm chair, Quentin Colón Roosevelt ’27, a prospective SPIA or Politics major, about the committee.
When asked about his interest in joining the organization, Colón Roosevelt shared that he is broadly interested in getting involved with USG and working with the administration to advance and complete various sustainability initiatives. As a student and somebody who has grown up in a sustainability-oriented household, Colon Roosevelt wanted to have his voice heard about issues like on-campus waste. After running for local government in his town’s infrastructure board, Colón Roosevelt gained relevant experience that ignited his passion to make change on Princeton’s campus.
Vision and Goals of SusComm
USG’s SusComm vision is to increase student engagement with the committee, the Office of Sustainability (OoS), as well as other on-campus organizations. SusComm aims to help Princeton students learn about different events and have the students input in some campus sustainability projects. They also create events to gauge student interest, whether that be with the USG or other sustainability groups on campus. The committee operates by using meetings to do workshop sessions to encourage people to come from their ideas and the students to share and pursue their ideas. SusComm is comprised of 16 students, all of whom are assigned to different ‘divisions’ in the committee: Action Events Team; Athletics Team; Food in the Dining Hall Team, and Community Outreach Team.
SusComm has been responsible for many sustainability events on campus. The student group has been providing substantial planning support for and co-sponsoring the Earth Month event this past April and are responsible for assisting with the ReSale event every September, providing the opportunity for students to purchase items that would have simply thrown out for better prices. In fall of 2023, SusComm orchestrated the Eco Festival, which included bringing in several sustainability guest speakers, a mini sustainability club fair, and a fashion show where models showcased thrifted items. They also got heavily involved in sustainability efforts for Lawnparties, where they implemented clean-ups, trash can set-ups, placed signage for attendees to clean up after themselves, and partnered with an organization to recycle the wristbands used. Within USG, SusComm has put a great deal of effort into making other USG committees, like the Social Committee, more sustainable. By collaborating with the mental health committee for mindful nature walks, the SusComm encouraged more Princeton students to get more involved in nature.
Getting Involved
SusComm puts a great deal of effort into enhancing student involvement with sustainable values on-campus. The committee collaborates with the Dining and Nutrition Task Force to expand the reusables initiative, reduce single-use, plastic utensil/container waste in the short- and long-term, and to expand vegan and vegetarian options. One of the committee’s core values is to celebrate Princeton’s diverse communities, perspectives, and approaches to sustainability.
For those interested in joining the organization, Colón Roosevelt encourages the students to reach out to him for ideas, as he is very open to student input. Furthermore, the committee holds new applications every semester, so those interested in becoming a part of the committee should not hesitate to apply. Check out this page from USG’s website that expands on the Sustainability Committee’s mission.
In recent years, many institutions have made significant strides toward adopting sustainable practices. From universities and organizations to corporations and other influential entities, the shift toward environmentally-conscious policies is evident. Yet, there remains a crucial element that is often overlooked: the people. Sunrise Princeton aims to address this gap by rallying the power of the people to confront climate change and support movements and policies aimed at improving the lives of those most disproportionately impacted by climate change. Their efforts are part of a larger movement, coined as environmental justice, that is shifting away from assessing environmental impact solely through carbon dioxide emissions and considering the very present issues occurring in many communities consisting of those with lower socioeconomic status. At the heart of their mission is the belief that meaningful progress depends on collective action, driven by the strength and unity of communities committed to a just and sustainable future.
The Vision and Goals of SunrisePrinceton
As a relatively new organization, Sunrise Princeton, previously known as Divest Princeton, is dedicated to building climate justice within both the University and surrounding communities by actively addressing the interconnected issues of environmental and social equity.
Interviewing past year’s coordinators, Eleanor Clemans-Cope ’26 and Alexander Norbrook ’26, allowed us to gain insight into Sunrise Princeton’s creation. Clemans-Cope, an economics major, was inspired to become environmentally engaged by her younger sister, who was concerned about the future and motivated them both to get involved in climate organizing and eventually join their local Sunrise chapter. Norbrook, a history major, had an innate interest in nature and concern about climate change from a young age. He joined his high school’s Sunrise organization and decided to bring that climate activism engagement to Princeton. Both previously involved with the Sunrise Movement and wanting their efforts to support groups beyond Princeton’s campus, they, alongside the current undergraduate members of Divest Princeton decided to shear gears. Despite the change, they continue to support Divest Princeton’s mission, by striving for the complete divestment of the remaining $700 million contributed from privately owned fossil fuels and ending all related research and funding ties. Looking forward, they aim to leverage the University’s extensive resources to aid in the decarbonization of New Jersey and provide meaningful support to neighboring communities such as the township of Princeton.
Aligned with the broader Sunrise Movement’s three pillars of political action, people power, and people’s alliances, Sunrise Princeton empowers individuals to participate in climate justice advocacy, supports politicians committed to progressive environmental legislation, and works in solidarity with other social justice movements. Internally, Sunrise Princeton is organized into four teams, each with a specific focus that compliments the core goals of the organization. The Actions Team is responsible for coordinating club events and larger activism related projects/campaigns, such as last year’s Reclaim Earth Day (RED) event. The Communications Team handles advertising for events and projects, ensuring that their initiatives reach a wide audience. The University Team investigates Princeton’s relationships with fossil fuel companies, working to uncover and challenge ties that undermine climate justice. Finally, the Community Team focuses on outreach, building connections with New Jersey environmental organizations and grassroots led efforts to involve them in Sunrise Princeton’s events and projects.
In line with their mission, Sunrise Princeton has actively organized and participated in significant events to advance environmental justice on and off campus. A major accomplishment was Reclaim Earth Day (RED) this past April, where they collaborated with student groups like Princeton Conservation Society, Re:wild Princeton, Students for Prison Education, Abolition and Reform (S.P.E.A.R.), Princeton’s chapter of YDSA, etc. The event included speeches from figures like Professor Rob Nixon and a campus-wide rally advocating for Princeton to meet their climate demands. They also co-organized the NJ Climate Action Gathering at Rutgers University with Food and Water Watch, bringing together key voices in New Jersey’s climate and labor movements. Previously, as Divest Princeton, they staged a Die-in protest during a BP-funded Climate Mitigation Meeting to highlight greenwashing concerns. Last September, they helped mobilize around 60 students for the NYC End Fossil Fuels Climate March, joining over 70,000 participants in a powerful call for climate action.
Getting Involved
Sunrise Princeton is committed to making big waves on campus — at Princeton and across the nation — and are always welcoming new members. Want to be a part of the movement? Check out their website and Instagram to stay in the loop, and fill out this interest form to get involved. If you have any further questions, feel free to email sunriseprinceton@gmail.com.
Citations:
Home. Sunrise Movement. (2023, November 18). https://www.sunrisemovement.org/
Home – sunrise princeton. Sunrise Princeton – the world is hot and scary, we are cool and fun! (2024, February 12). https://sunriseprinceton.com/
Fast fashion, the rapid production of cheap, trendy clothing, has become a major driver of environmental degradation and social injustice. The fast fashion industry is notorious for its reliance on unsustainable practices, including the overuse of water, toxic chemicals, and synthetic fibers that contribute to pollution and waste. In addition, fast fashion perpetuates exploitative labor conditions in developing countries, where workers are often underpaid and subjected to unsafe working environments. The harms of fast fashion are far-reaching, affecting ecosystems, communities, and consumers alike. By choosing to mend and repair clothing instead of buying new, we can help combat the wastefulness of this industry, reduce our environmental footprint, and foster a more sustainable and ethical approach to fashion. One group on campus, Mend, is taking steps to raise awareness around this issue.
Vision and Goals of Mend
Mend is a student group that aims to teach the skills of alteration and mending to prolong the lives of our clothes. They also seek to discourage discarding gently-used garments and to spread awareness around upcycling the contents of our closets. Having a resource like Mend on campus means we can explore ways to get the most use out of our clothing, reduce the amount of fast fashion consumption, and avoid contributing to companies that are inherently unsustainable.
This past year, Mend was an integral part of the numerous sustainability-led events on campus. Mend plays a large role at the EcoReps’ annual Clothing Swap, which offers a venue for students to bring, swap, and donate old clothes. At the event, Mend occupies a table with sewing machines and other supplies to help fix clothing with tears, rips, holes, and frays. Additionally, Mend participated in the 2024 spring Earth Day Festival and the weekly Farmers Markets. Last but not least, they also serve as a resource for other on campus groups, getting involved with sewing projects for performance and theater groups.
The MEND team is led by four passionate Princeton undergraduates: Lauren Owens ’25, Susan McLernon ’27, Tanaka Dunbar Ngwara ’24, and Isabella Gomes ’25. We sat down with each of them to hear why they joined Mend.
For Owens, it started with her love of sewing from the age of six when she got her first sewing machine. Once arriving at Princeton, she wanted to find a fun crafty club on campus, and found Mend was the perfect opportunity. She knew she had found a place where she could creatively express herself, while being sustainable.
Similar to Owens, Gomes was excited to find a sustainable creative outlet like Mend. She found joy in learning from the other members and has since learned how to use a sewing machine.
Dunbar Ngwara initially had planned to work at a costume shop, but when it didn’t work out, she was elated to find an ad for Mend on a listserv. She not only found the group really fun to be a part of, but was also deeply moved learning about the importance of sustainable fashion and thrifting. It’s an added plus that she already had experience with friends asking her to help fix and alter items, so Mend was a perfect fit.
McLernon shared the same feeling as the others, an excitement to be part of such a unique sustainability group. Already having a knack for sewing that flourished during the Covid Pandemic, she appreciated having a creative outlet as a job.
Getting Involved
Students interested in being a part of the Mend team should always feel free to reach out. Mend’s office hours are typically on Mondays 7–9 pm in the Frist Ecolounge. Be sure to follow their Instagram to keep up with the latest updates!
Citations:
A new textiles economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future. A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future. (n.d.). https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/a-new-textiles-economy
Abelvik-Lawson, H. (n.d.). How fast fashion fuels climate change, plastic pollution, and violence. Greenpeace International. https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/62308/how-fast-fashion-fuels-climate-change-plastic-pollution-and-violence/
In the academic year 2022–2023, less than 2% of Princeton University undergraduates and less than 3% of the graduate student population identified as Native, according to the University’s Annual DEI Report. Despite this, Natives at Princeton (NAP) have ensured to create a space for students that welcomes diverse ethnic backgrounds. NAP is currently led by Ila Nako (President, Anthropology ’26) and Ixtle Montuffar (Vice President, EEB ’27). Not only is NAP a cultural affinity group that makes spaces for Indigenous people, but part of their mission also lies in education for non-native students that empowers Indigenous students.
Visions and Goals of Natives at Princeton
Indigenous people have always played a pivotal role in sustainability efforts globally. Because of this, it is not a surprise that Natives at Princeton have engaged in sustainable cultural practices. For instance, according to the United Nations, countries like Burundi and Zambia, where many of its residents rely on sustenance farming, have turned to indigenous organizations that promote sustainable agriculture. In another example, Indigenous communities in Bolivia have helped ease the plastic pollution in Lake Uru Uru by recycling its debris, combining indigenous knowledge and scientific principles. There is no doubt that Indigenous people around the world have been crucial in encouraging sustainable practices to combat negative effects of climate change.
Last spring, Natives at Princeton attended a lecture, hosted by Professor Mnour (part of the Department of Near Eastern Studies), about Amazigh lands — an opportunity for Princeton students to learn about indigenous knowledge in Amazigh communities with an emphasis on education. Indigeneity has always been linked with the environment, especially when it is the discussion of land use or who has ownership of ancestral lands. At this front, Natives at Princeton have been diligent to promote this connection and topics such as biodiversity, environmental racism, and environmental justice.
Undoubtedly, NAP has worked hard to create a space for Native and Indigenous students and education on campus. The organization is also a great place to connect and receive advice from upperclassmen Native students.
Getting Involved
To learn more about their organization, follow their instagram @princetonnatives. You can also visit https://indigenous.princeton.edu/events to learn more about any upcoming events with the Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative at Princeton.
Citations:
The Trustees of Princeton University. (n.d.-a). Diversity, equity and inclusion annual report | inclusive princeton. Princeton University. https://inclusive.princeton.edu/about/reports-webinars/diversity-annual-report
Undp. (n.d.). What do the sustainable development goals have to do with indigenous people? – united nations development programme: UNDP. Exposure. https://stories.undp.org/what-do-the-sustainable-development-goals-have-to-do-with-indigenous-people
According to the University of Montana, “If everyone in the world who works less than 5 miles from home cycled instead of driving to work one day a week, it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5 million tons a year.” Everyone knows bicycles are more sustainable than your average combustion engine vehicle. But, we can do more. That’s where the idea of a circular economy comes in — the idea that the end-of-life of one thing is the beginning-of-life of another. Cycling is great for the environment. Recycling old bike parts is even better. One group at Princeton does just that.
It’s no coincidence that you can’t spell “recyclable” without “cyclab.” In fact, the Cyclab has been a bastion of the Princeton student community for nearly two decades. They operate in the shadows, providing life-saving bike repairs on the darkest of nights…
We sat down with Nic McAdam ’25 to talk about the group and how it is involved with sustainability. McAdam, along with Sam Kleiner ’25, manages Cyclab. From the conversation, it was easy to see that sustainability is something they take seriously.
The Goals and Visions of Cyclab
The Cyclab is a student job organization supported under Rockefeller College and is composed of paid student mechanics and volunteers that work in shifts during operating hours. Founded in 2007, Cyclab’s mission is simple: help students fix and maintain their bikes. But in reality, they do more than that, all while keeping sustainability at the forefront of their mission.
According to McAdam, “Cyclab’s vision is just to create a space that’s inclusive to as many people as possible, as well as creating a more sustainable future for the Princeton community and for the cycling community.” Much of their work is focused on reversing the attitudes of consumerism and single-use purchasing. “Just because something’s out of fashion, or something’s a few weeks, months, years old, doesn’t mean that it no longer has value,” McAdam said. “Value is intrinsic to the person who uses it, as opposed to the object itself.” In particular, Cyclab’s mechanics make use of old parts from abandoned or confiscated bikes around campus. “We take what parts we can possibly reuse and put those on to other bikes. And from that, we then will give those parts out. And if we can’t reuse them, for example, if a frame is cracking, or there’s something wrong with the frame, we have channels to recycle those as well as any rubbers or materials that were used in the frame,” McAdam said. “There’s a huge emphasis on sustainability within that, as well as just general safety for students.”
When asked how Cyclab specifically intersects with the environment, McAdam had a broader outlook: “There’s multiple facets … I think cycling as a whole, and teaching students that cycling is an option for commuting going into the future, is definitely a huge mindset change that has to happen within society.” McAdam said he felt compelled to join Cyclab after experiencing the competitive culture at Princeton. “There’s a huge amount of pressure to perform. Whether it’s academically or whatever environment, it’s very much a place where, no matter what, you feel like there’s a sense of being judged,” he said. “And coming into a space like Cyclab, I very much felt that it was a space where you were encouraged just to be who you are. At that moment, I didn’t need to worry about being judged for what I was doing. It was very much this thing that I’d like to learn a little bit more about. And that was embraced regardless of what level I was at, or what school I was at. It was just, I could show up and be present in that space and be taught the skills.”
Moving forward, Cyclab hopes to work with facilities and other campus groups to plan larger events. One idea involves discussing bike safety, including educating riders on when to do tire and brake replacements. The group also envisions researching ways to recycle unusable materials and giving people the chance to properly dispose of their old tires.
Getting Involved
Cyclab is typically open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 7:30–10:30pm, and Sundays from 2–5pm. Interested in learning more? Be sure to visit Cyclab’s website, or follow their Instagram and Facebook pages. Those looking to get involved with Cyclab as a staff member or volunteer can contact the managers at nmcadam@princeton.edu and sk3220@princeton.edu.
Citations:
The Trustees of Princeton University. (n.d.). The cyclab – Princeton University’s bicycle cooperative at Rocky College. Princeton University. https://cyclab.princeton.edu/
Benefits of biking. University of Montana. (n.d.). https://www.umt.edu/transportation-parking-services/news/benefitsofbiking.php
Bike waste and moving towards a circular economy for … (n.d.). https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/10126902221138033
The decline in bee populations due to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is a huge environmental concern that many don’t know about. Bee pollination is a critical component of our ecosystem, responsible for the successful reproduction of many of the world’s crops and wild plants. However, due to CCD, a phenomenon where worker bees abruptly abandon their hives leading to the collapse of the entire colony, global food security and biodiversity is jeopardized. Bees are one of the most effective pollinators and contribute to the production of approximately one-third of the food we consume. Without them, we would face severe declines in the availability of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, which are vital for both human nutrition and agricultural economies. Fortunately, one Princeton group is playing a part in ensuring bees continue to thrive.
The Princeton Bee Team is a student-led organization dedicated to raising awareness and educating others about beekeeping. They currently manage an active bee hive at Forbes Garden. We had the pleasure of speaking to the current and emeritus presidents, Ella Cervi ’26 and Peter Brown ’24.
Vision and Goals of Princeton Bee Team
The organization’s vision includes revitalizing what was once a much larger and more active group and expanding the number of bee hives. Brown emphasizes the group’s commitment to spreading awareness and education about beekeeping through various educational initiatives, including a recent event that featured Brazilian beekeepers and explored alternative beekeeping methods.
The Princeton Bee Team operates with a structured yet collaborative approach. It’s supported by your typical key student roles, such as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and communications office. But, as Cervi highlights, the group also benefits from the expertise of a resident beekeeper, David Wagenblast, who serves as head garden manager and maintains a personal bee colony in his backyard. Brown notes that while the resident beekeeper is relatively new to this role, he brings valuable experience to the team. This structure enables effective management and coordination of activities, combining practical beekeeping expertise with essential administrative functions to support the group’s goal.
Cervi’s journey into beekeeping began during the pandemic when she encountered dead bees, which left her saddened and concerned for their well-being. This experience prompted her to research beekeeping, take a virtual class, and eventually join a New Jersey beekeeping group, where she helped with honey harvesting. Her passion for beekeeping is so profound that she even wrote her Common App essay on the subject! Brown’s interest in beekeeping grew from his lifelong love of plants and nature, further nurtured by his uncle, who has been a beekeeper for many years. Under his uncle’s guidance, Brown gained hands-on experience and deepened his involvement in beekeeping, perfectly complementing his outdoorsy lifestyle.
The Princeton Bee Team has achieved several notable milestones, reflecting their commitment to beekeeping and community engagement. Recently, they hosted a successful honey harvest event, featuring hoodie merchandise and giving participants the chance to take home jars of freshly collected honey. They further showcased their honey in a collaboration with the Coffee Club, featuring it in spring drinks. The team has also organized a range of engaging activities, including documentary screenings, cooking and decorating sessions, and muffin baking events. At the campus Earth Day festival, the Princeton Bee Team set up an informative activity stand, providing information about pollinators and offering honey sticks to engage the wider community. The team is especially excited about the arrival of their new hive, which will house a new bee species.
The Beekeeping Process
The Princeton Bee Team’s beekeeping process is seasonally driven, with most activity occurring from late spring to early fall. Brown explains that the process begins by acquiring a box of 10,000 bees and placing the queen in a queen cage before introducing her to the hive. After a few days of adjustment, the bees begin producing honey, which can be harvested in late summer or early fall. Beekeepers collect honey only from the top two boxes, leaving the honey in the lower boxes for the bees to use. During colder periods, the hive remains dormant, but inspections at the start of the season are crucial. On average, a single hive can yield about 30 pounds, or 3 gallons, of honey per season!
The Princeton Bee Team’s activities closely align with environmental sustainability in several ways. Cervi emphasizes the importance of maintaining native bee populations, noting that with the decline of these populations, many bees in the environment now come from beekeepers. She stresses the need to form a symbiotic relationship with these bees to preserve ecological balance. Brown adds that natural pollination through beekeeping is a more sustainable alternative to artificial methods, contributing to healthier gardens and ecosystems. The involvement of their members in other sustainability groups further reinforces the team’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
Getting Involved
The Princeton Bee Team has distinguished itself as a vibrant, student-led organization committed to beekeeping and environmental education. Their vision includes revitalizing and expanding their beekeeping efforts, as highlighted by recent achievements such as a successful honey harvest, a collaboration with the Coffee Club and engaging activities like documentary screenings & baking events. Operating within a seasonal cycle, the team manages hives and harvests honey while focusing on ecological balance and sustainability. Committed to sustainability, the team emphasizes the importance of native bee populations and the benefits of natural pollination compared to artificial methods. Both Cervi and Brown bring both personal passion and hands-on experience to the team, and are excited for more students to engage by attending their events or joining the club to help with the expansion of their beehives. Princeton students interested in getting involved can subscribe to the team’s email list, join their GroupMe, and participate in upcoming events like the honey harvest!
The Princeton Impact Capital team for the 2023-2024 academic year is proudly presented here. Each year, group and individual photos are taken to provide members with professional headshots for use in various professional contexts, such as profiles and email signatures. This tradition highlights the diverse and dynamic nature of the team while equipping members with tools to confidently represent themselves in impactful roles within and beyond the university.
Where Environment and Economics Intersect
Environmental economics is a dynamic field that explores the intersection of economic activity and environmental sustainability. It addresses how market forces, policy interventions, and economic incentives can be effectively harnessed to protect our natural resources and promote environmental health. Central to this field are discussions around the valuation of environmental goods, the efficient management of public goods, and the strategies to mitigate negative externalities, such as pollution, that harm society and ecosystems. By informing policy and guiding responsible economic practices, environmental economics plays a pivotal role in driving sustainable development.
Given the increasing importance of sustainability in both public and private sectors, student organizations like Princeton Impact Capital (PIC) have emerged to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application. These clubs provide a platform for students to engage in impact investing — where financial returns are balanced with social and environmental benefits. Through PIC, students can explore how investment strategies can drive positive change, aligning financial success with the broader goal of sustainability. To gain deeper insight into PIC’s vision and impact, we interviewed Alexandra Roberts, an economics major in the Class of 2025 and the current President of Princeton Impact Capital.
This photo captures Princeton Impact Capital members during a pivotal education meeting, a central element of the organization. Education drives the knowledge and skills that fuel the group’s collective impact. These meetings are the foundation for idea exchange, strategy development, and the reinforcement of a strong commitment to social impact. The image reflects the vibrant discussions and learning that are integral to the community.
For Roberts, the journey to leading Princeton Impact Capital (PIC) began with a deep-rooted passion for environmental stewardship and a strong interest in the interplay between politics and economics. Her extensive involvement in environmental work during high school fueled her desire to make a meaningful impact in these areas. PIC provided Roberts with the perfect platform to merge her academic pursuits in economics with her commitment to social and environmental causes. As President of PIC, she is driven by the opportunity to guide the organization in making strategic investment decisions that prioritize sustainability and social responsibility.
The Vision and Goals of Princeton Impact Capital
Princeton Impact Capital is more than just a student-run organization; it is a movement that empowers students to become leaders in impact investing. PIC’s mission is to educate and engage students in the process of identifying and investing in stocks that align with environmental and social values. Through rigorous research and thoughtful analysis, PIC equips its members with the skills needed to drive positive change in the financial world. The organization is led by a dedicated and collaborative team. The leadership structure includes:
Two Directors of Education: Tasked with educating members on how to effectively pitch stocks that align with PIC’s values.
Treasurer: Oversees the organization’s financial health.
Director of Media and Website: Manages PIC’s digital presence and communication.
Director of Outreach: Cultivates relationships with industry professionals and brings in guest speakers.
PIC’s impact extends far beyond the campus. While its approach to sustainability may be more nuanced than that of other organizations, its research and analysis are critical in helping members identify companies that prioritize sustainable practices. This knowledge not only prepares members for impactful careers but also positions them to influence corporate behaviors toward greater social and environmental responsibility. Since its inception, PIC has seen remarkable growth and success, with increasing membership and retention rates. The organization has hosted high-profile speaker events featuring leaders from companies such as Nike and Bridgewater, providing members with invaluable insights into the intersection of finance, sustainability, and corporate responsibility.
Getting Involved
Looking ahead, PIC is focused on expanding its educational offerings and speaker events. The organization’s group stock pitch activities are designed to deepen members’ understanding of impact investing while fostering collaboration and learning. Princeton students who are passionate about integrating sustainability into finance are encouraged to apply to PIC in the fall. Alexandra Roberts and the PIC team are eager to connect with like-minded students and explore the growing field of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing. Through their efforts, PIC is shaping the future of finance, cultivating a new generation of leaders who are committed to making a positive impact on the world.
Citations:
Chen, J. (n.d.). Environmental economics: Definition, importance, and example. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/environmental-economics.asp#:~:text=Economics%2C%20broadly%20speaking%2C%20is%20the,meeting%20concerns%20about%20environmental%20impact
