Saturday, April 25, marked the fourth year in which the University of Houston-Downtown has partnered with Citizens’ Environmental Coalition on Discovery Green’s Earth Day celebrations, and the event was a resounding success!
The theme this year was “Our Power, Our Planet” to encourage attendees to take part in caring for our environment, and two distinct UHD initiatives tackled this theme in very different ways. The Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability had students implementing and educated visitors on hands-on waste reduction strategies. And Students from the Department of Arts and Communication presented thoughtful, informative art displays. These efforts of both these groups also underscored how academic programs can extend beyond the classroom to serve the public good.
In partnership with Citizens’ Environmental Coalition and Zero Waste Houston and headed by UHD Sustainability Coordinator Adriana Penabad-Galva, the university was responsible for a network of zero-waste stations across the park. There, approximately 100 student volunteers guided visitors on how to sort compost, recycling, and landfill items correctly. Participating groups included the CUAS Recycling Program, Scholars Academy, Urban Education (Science Methods), DAIR to Teach, and the Be A Teacher Club. Beyond simply directing traffic, they engaged families, answered questions, and shared practical sustainability tips. Collectively, they helped sort over three hundred pounds of material, with a strong diversion rate of 78.67%
Penabad-Galva pointed out the symbiotic relationship between students and the event, noting, “Our students played a critical role in making this event successful, and it’s through partnerships with organizations like CEC and Zero Waste Houston that we’re able to connect classroom learning with real world impact.”
UHD’s involvement was also guided by Natacha Poggio, Arts and Communication Associate Professor of Design, who has served as a bridge between UHD and Citizens’ Environmental Coalition since 2022, when she first arranged for students from her Graphic Design II class create designs for the event.
Poggio also translated event organizers’ goals into a design brief for her class. The students were given about a month to design compelling visuals t about the dangers of microplastics. Under Poggio’s guidance, they created educational posters, which were displayed in an open-air gallery.
"I wanted students to understand that plastic pollution isn't just an environmental issue — it's a human health issue. The poster becomes the bridge: they learn the science, then they find the story that makes someone stop and actually look. The exhibition title is the question: Plastic never disappears: where does yours go? Every student poster is a different answer. Through the body. Through the bayou. Through the food chain. Together, they tell one story," Poggio explained.
Events like this reaffirm UHD’s role not just as an educational institution, but as an active, invested partner in the life of downtown Houston. Students gained real-world experience, visitors learned about sustainability practices, and the park was transformed into a hub for positive change.
