Students celebrate Earth Day
LAFAYETTE. More than 200 students learn about a wide range of environmental topics through eight hands-on stations.
![Students celebrate Earth Day Students learn about a wide range of environmental topics at the 17th annual Earth Day Celebration on April 19 at the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority in Lafayette. (Photos provided)](http://www.advertisernewssouth.com/binrepository/324x432/0c0/0d0/none/808998/GOIT/cfeb1943740d46b78c58fce749b50045-img-6_4-7648235_20240425152551.jpg)
![Students celebrate Earth Day At right is the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority’s newest mascot, Sammy the Safety Seagull.](http://www.advertisernewssouth.com/binrepository/576x432/0c0/0d0/none/808998/HRSS/f55d2fb7715d45df80a245ba5add8bb2-img-2_4-7648236_20240425152553.jpg)
![Students celebrate Earth Day Students celebrate Earth Day](http://www.advertisernewssouth.com/binrepository/576x432/0c0/0d0/none/808998/DMMS/9cf1e1a5a0d441589bed0c33f8770170-img-2_4-7648585_20240425175353.jpg)
The Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority (SCMUA) and the Wallkill River Watershed Management Group hosted the 17th annual Earth Day Celebration on April 19 at the SCMUA in Lafayette.
More than 200 students from Pope John Middle School in Sparta, McKeown Elementary School in Hampton, Florence M. Burd School in Andover, Lafayette Township School and Hardyston Elementary School took part in the event at the SCMUA’s landfill and recycling center.
Students learned about a wide range of environmental topics through eight hands-on stations:
• Aquatic Insect Identification (AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors).
• Composting to Reduce Food Waste (Foodshed Alliance LocalShare Program).
• How Long for Items to Decompose (Clean Communities).
• Landfill Construction (ARM Group).
• What Not to Flush (SCMUA Wastewater Department).
• Native Tree Planting (SCMUA-Wallkill River Watershed Management Group).
• Recycle More at the SCMUA (SCMUA Recycling Department).
• Recycling Relay Race (Certified Recycling Professional).
The SCMUA also debuted its newest mascot, Sammy the Safety Seagull, at the event.
A food drive for the Sparta Community Food Pantry was conducted to help collect nonperishable food items for Sussex County families in need.