Grays Harbor College Celebrates Earth Day

Posted on: May, 5, 2025

This spring, the Student Life department at Grays Harbor College hosted a series of events to celebrate Earth Day.

During the first week of GHC’s spring quarter, Culinary Arts Instructor Nina Urioste and Grounds & Nursery Specialist Janet Parker led the opening of the new Culinary Herb Educational Field (CHEF) Garden, which will grow herbs for GHC’s Culinary Arts classes and food pantry. After planting herbs, GHC students, faculty, and staff celebrated by decorating stepping stones for the garden.

“I would like to thank TRIO, Janet Parker, Student Life, and the food pantry for their support. They made it possible for Culinary students next fall to cook with fresh ingredients and learn to grow their food from seed to harvest,” said Urioste.

The Coastal Interpretive Center and Surfrider Foundation led an educational and hands-on event on campus on Monday, April 21.  Students planted rosemary seeds in compostable pots to take home, while the Coastal Interpretive Center and Surfrider Foundation taught students about native plants, marine life, and a closer look at the wonders of Grays Harbor’s ecosystem. To close the event, the Surfrider Foundation led a discussion about plastic pollution and the local efforts underway to keep beaches clean and beautiful.

On Earth Day itself, April 22, GHC Student Life partnered with the College’s Forestry program and the Grays Harbor County Noxious Weed Control Board for a stewardship project at Mill Creek Park in Cosmopolis. Together, a group of students, faculty, staff, and community members removed invasive weeds to protect and preserve one of the community’s popular trail systems.

“What we accomplished at Mill Creek Park on Earth Day was just the beginning. It will take a lot more work to turn this park back into something that the community can really be proud of,” said GHC Natural Resources – Forestry Instructor Pat Mahoney. “There are a lot more weeds out there that need to be removed, and they will resprout again and again. This kind of work is never a one-and-done kind of deal, it takes continued effort to keep invasive plants at bay.” Mahoney also shared that the Forestry program plans to continue working with the City of Cosmopolis on cleanup efforts, and there will be future opportunities for volunteers to get involved and lend a hand.

“We are incredibly grateful to every student, staff member, and community partner who showed up, lent a hand, and shared in these moments,” said Student Life Coordinator Emma Benson. “These events remind us that it truly takes a community to create meaningful impact — and we’re so thankful to be growing, learning, and working together here at GHC.”