E.A.R.T.H. Forward - Water For Life!
It's time to come together for our annual E.A.R.T.H. Forward event themed "Water For Life!" Join the Office of Sustainability and Glendale Community College on April 8, 2025, for an exciting day dedicated to shaping a greener, smarter, and more resilient future. Explore sustainability through Education, Adaptation, Resilience, Technology, and Humanities.
- Interactive vendor fair with eco-friendly businesses and electric vehicles
- Inspiring speaker presentations on sustainability
- Engaging student-led discussions on green initiatives
- Sustainability scavenger hunt & Kahoot game with awesome prizes!
With over 8 billion people sharing this planet, it's time to learn, innovate, and take action-together. Let's move forward toward a more sustainable and thriving future!
Date, Time & Location
April 8, 2025
9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Student Union, room SU-104
GCC Main Campus
Agenda
Exhibit Fair & Scavenger Hunt
9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. | The Mall outside SU Building
Come see wild birds of prey and various reptiles along with electric cars and other Earth friendly vendors at the Exhibit Fair outside on the main campus mall near the SU building. Students can join in a fun Scavenger Hunt while exploring the sustainable aspects of the GCC campus. Prizes will be awarded!
Lunch & Guest Speakers
11:50 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Student Union, room SU-104
Dr. Stephen Gonzales - Welcome video
Dr. Tiffany Hernandez - Welcome
Joanne Toms - Joanne Toms is the Environmental Program Administrator for the City of Glendale Water Services Department - Conservation and Sustainable Living Division. Joanne oversees the City's water conservation program and Drought Management Plan. Having grown up in the Midwest, she relates to customers who have challenges with desert landscaping. Joanne has a B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Science and a M.S. in Water Resource Management. Naturally drawn to water, her maiden name is Vokoun (Vo-Kin), which means fish in Czech.
Vineetha Kartha - Vineetha Kartha is currently employed as the Colorado River Programs Manager with the Central Arizona Project. In her capacity with CAP, Vineetha and her team provide technical and policy support to management and the CAWCD Board of Directors on Colorado River issues including developing and implementing strategic planning efforts and projects protecting and enhancing CAP's interest in the Colorado River water supplies. Prior to that, she worked with Freeport-McMoRan as their water resources manager, working on water rights management issues across Freeport mines in Arizona. She has previously served as the Manager for the Colorado River Management Section at the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). Vineetha has also worked in the capacity of environmental planner for a private engineering firm and acted as the principal long range planner for the City of Surprise. Vineetha Kartha has almost two decades of experience working on water management and natural resource issues.
Kahoot! with Prizes
1 - 1:15 p.m. | Student Union, room SU-104
Join the Sustainability Kahoot Challenge! Bring your phone or tablet, test your eco-knowledge, and compete for awesome prizes. Don't miss the fun-let the games begin!
Student Presentations
1:20 - 2:10 p.m. | Student Union, room SU-104
GCC Students Take the Stage! Dive into inspiring student presentations on key sustainability topics and discover innovative ideas for a greener future!
Awards Presentation & Closing
2:15 - 2:30 p.m. | Student Union, room SU-104
Join us as we celebrate passionate pioneers and key sustainability leaders driving real change within the Maricopa Community College system.
E.A.R.T.H. Forward Vendor List
Westech Recyclers will be collecting electronics at the event for recycling. Please see a list of what can and cannot be recycled.
Exhibitors
- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
- Arizona State Parks & Trails
- Arizona Sustainability Alliance
- Audubon Society
- ASU School of Sustainability
- City Of Glendale Recycling
- City of Glendale Water Conservation
- City Of Peoria Recycling
- City Of Phoenix - Water conservation department
- Coca Cola
- Dress for Success
- EMCC - Animal Ambassadors
- GCC - Trip Reduction
- GCU Sustainability Program
- Green Living Magazine
- The Electric Car Club
- Liberty Wildlife
- Local First AZ
- Maricopa Seed Library
- Maricopa County Air Quality Department
- Sierra Club
- Trees Matter
- Valley Metro
- Spaces Of Opportunity
- Phoenix Herp Society
- Population Media Center
- Prescott College
- Odysea Aquarium
- Rattlesnake solutions
- Reimagine Phoenix / Zero Waste Phoenix
- SRPMIC - Environmental Protection and Natural Resources
- Scottsdale Community College - Center of native and urban wildlife
- South Mountain Community College table - Moroccan theme
- Westech Recyclers
- Wild At Heart Raptor Rescue
2025 Sustainability Leadership Awards - Nominate a Champion!
The Sustainability Leadership Awards celebrate Maricopa Community Colleges' faculty, staff, and students who are making a real impact on campus and in their communities. Whether they're leading sustainability efforts or promoting eco-friendly transportation, these individuals are shaping a greener world.
Know someone who deserves recognition? Submit your nomination by March 31, 2025. Let's honor those making a difference! 🏆
Nominate a Sustainability Champion
Student Showcase - Share Your Sustainability Projects!
The E.A.R.T.H. Forward Summit will highlight the incredible work of Maricopa Community Colleges students, demonstrating how sustainability connects to every field of study.
💡 This is a celebration, not a competition! No judging-just an opportunity to share, inspire, and connect.
Want to showcase your work? Submit your project for consideration today!