Photos by Lilah Wharton ’26, Arya Shajwani ’26, Sophie Pierce ’26 and Olivia Murray ’26.

Gunston’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability continues to set the standard for environmental education in the region. As a nationally recognized leader in the field, the school also places high value on the mind-brain-body connection with nature—an essential foundation for both human well-being and the development of future environmental leaders.

This year’s Earth Day brought Gunston students and faculty together for a full day of hands-on learning, exploration, and service— a day designed to deepen students’ connection to nature and empower them as stewards of the environment. The day’s keynote speaker was Marvin Hayes, the dynamic Founder and Executive Director of the Baltimore Compost Collective. A passionate youth mentor and advocate for zero-waste practices, Mr. Hayes shared his inspiring journey from the streets of West Baltimore to becoming a nationally-recognized Master Composter. Through powerful storytelling, he emphasized the environmental and community-building power of composting:

“Compost: Learn so we don’t have to burn. Starve the incinerators, feed the soil, feed the community,” Mr. Hayes told students. “We can do so much through composting—help young people develop job skills, protect the planet, and build community resilience.”

Students chose from a diverse slate of workshops led by faculty, students, and visiting experts. Sessions included artifact hunting in the Chesapeake with Chris Cerino, Vice President of the Sultana Education Foundation; a discussion on the effects of insect decline with birder and Master Naturalist Jim Wilson; a look at invasive fish species with Roxanne Wolf of the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Invasive Catfish Task Force; and a discussion about environmental clean-up on the water with Mr. Quinton Ford of PCCI, Inc., a marine and environmental engineering firm. 

Students also explored fisheries policy with Tony Friedrich, P’27, Policy Director at the American Saltwater Guides Association; flower farming with Galena Blooms Farm owner and Gunston tutor Ms. Biggar; and the issue of ocean plastics, presented by Eamon Schopfer ’26 and Sydney Kim ’26. Other highlights included life aboard a tall ship with Captain Kate Dumhart of the Schooner Sultana; a hands-on pollinator and mural painting workshop with Kennedy Cooper ’27, Zoey Loveless ’27, Liv Labrador ’27, and Ms. McCauley; and a session on environmental tote bag creation with Lila McDermott ’28, Peri Overton ’27, Camilla Nonemaker ’27, and Ms. Showalter. Christina Harper, P’26, Coordinator of Outdoor Education Leadership at Salisbury University, spoke about careers in outdoor education, while additional faculty-led sessions included journaling in nature and discussing bears and climate change.

In the afternoon, students participated in active sessions designed to get them moving and engaging with nature, such as nature hikes, off-campus walks, kayaking, sailing, yoga and meditation. Fishing activities were led by Seniors Bennett Wirts, Wylie Keegan and Grayson Allen. Several creative workshops including an Eco-Poetry activity, led by Eleonor Hubbert ’26, Annabelle Baker ’26, and Liv Labrador ’27 were also available. 

Students were especially eager to use the brand new kayaks the school recently acquired thanks to a generous grant from the Edward E. Ford Foundation. Awarded this past fall, the $100,000 matching grant was given to establish an environmental scholars fund as well as purchase a new van, kayaks, and kayak trailer. The school will also be constructing outdoor classrooms in strategic locations throughout the campus’s 75 acres. “Our new outdoor classrooms will offer flexible learning spaces that encourage collaboration, exploration, and a connection to nature. We are targeting areas with diverse ecological features, such as woodlands, meadows, and waterfront, to create unique learning environments that cater to various disciplines,” said Mr. Brad Hirsh, Director of the Chesapeake Watershed Semester and Sustainability. 

Gunston’s Earth Day concluded with a wide range of service learning projects across campus, reflecting Gunston’s commitment to environmental stewardship. These included tree plantings led by Lilly Showalter ’27 and Natalie Edelen ’27, as well as trash pickups and recycling initiatives, tail clearing and invasive species removal and a campus garden project.