This semester, NREM holds its weekly meetings 5 p.m. Wednesdays in WQ 122.
From creating and decorating environmentally-conscious crafts, such as reusable tote bags, to hosting guest speakers, the natural resources and environmental management club (NREM) works to bring attention to environmental issues.
Although this semester the club only makes up a small percentage of Ball State’s student body, with 10 to 12 people, it still has goals set to have a bigger presence on campus and work more within the Muncie community.
“We want to create more community events that we can connect with not only the other people on campus but people in Muncie,” said Ashley Heilmann, the president of NREM. “They know who we are and what we’re trying to do and maybe learn for themselves more about environmental impacts and how to clean up their neighborhood and stuff like that, just Earth-conscious things.”
On track for their goals, members of NREM are currently trying to find different businesses in Muncie to partner with for community service events and potentially creating composts or community gardens in the future, Heilmann said.
“We’re in a first world society, so people don’t think about what’s happening [with the environment], what the consequences are; how much we’re taking in and how much is being produced,” said Trent Ward, secretary for NREM. “People aren’t thinking about it as much as they should be.”
In the past, NREM has partnered with the Muncie Foodhub and taken part in the White River Cleanup, a community event where volunteers pick up trash along the banks of the river.
RELATED: Ball State students participate in 10th annual White River Cleanup, 9/11 Day of Service
Last year, NREM also participated in Science Day with the Student Affiliates of the American Chemistry Society, an outreach event for grade school children. The group created crafts using wildflowers and leaves from nature to teach the children about different plants and trees, Ward said.
“I think teaching kids to understand those ideas and even just thinking about future generations, about how we share the world with not only humans but also animals is important,” Heilmann said. “[Children] have an impact on the world around them and [to learn] how they can be better in that situation.”
Contact Ayah Eid with comments at azeid@bsu.edu.
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