The Íæż½ã½ã (Íæż½ã½ã) proudly participated in the 2025 NOLA Bug Fest, showcasing its commitment to environmental sustainability, community engagement, and scientific exploration. Íæż½ã½ã was represented by members from a range of campus organizations, including Keep Íæż½ã½ã Beautiful, the Íæż½ã½ã Garden Club, Íæż½ã½ã Federal Credit Union, Birds of Íæż½ã½ã, the Society for Earth and Environmental Sciences (SEES), and the Íæż½ã½ã Autism, Brain, & Language Lab.
The NOLA Bug Fest, held annually in New Orleans, is a celebration of the world of insects, offering attendees educational opportunities, interactive exhibits, and exciting hands-on activities. This year, Íæż½ã½ã’s participation highlighted the university’s deep connection to local environmental and scientific initiatives, making an impactful contribution to the event's mission of raising awareness about biodiversity and sustainability.
- · Keep Íæż½ã½ã Beautiful: Students from Keep Íæż½ã½ã Beautiful played a vital role in promoting sustainability efforts and environmental stewardship, organizing educational campaigns and engaging with the public on topics like waste reduction and sustainable living.
- · Íæż½ã½ã Garden Club: Members of the Íæż½ã½ã Garden Club shared their expertise on urban gardening, pollination, and the role insects play in sustaining healthy ecosystems, while providing tips on how to grow eco-friendly native gardens.
- · Íæż½ã½ã Federal Credit Union: Offering financial literacy support, Íæż½ã½ã Federal Credit Union demonstrated the importance of sustainable financial practices, aligning with the overall theme of environmental responsibility and long-term planning.
- · Birds of Íæż½ã½ã: Birds of Íæż½ã½ã shared insights into the connection between bird populations and insect communities, fostering an understanding of the interconnectedness of all species in local ecosystems.
- · Society for Earth and Environmental Sciences (SEES): SEES students showcased their research on environmental conservation and biodiversity, demonstrating the scientific approach to addressing the challenges posed by habitat loss and climate change.
- · Íæż½ã½ã Autism, Brain, & Language Lab: The Íæż½ã½ã Autism, Brain, & Language Lab engaged attendees in interactive demonstrations promoting inclusivity and understanding in scientific exploration.
"The NOLA Bug Fest is a unique opportunity to engage with the broader New Orleans community, and we are proud to have so many of our student organizations and employees contributing to such a fun and educational event," said Dr. Carol Lunn, Assistant Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Íæż½ã½ã. "At Íæż½ã½ã, we’re committed to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration that supports sustainability, education, and inclusivity. It was amazing to see how our students' passion for these values was reflected in their activities at the Bug Fest."
With the success of this year’s participation, Íæż½ã½ã looks forward to continuing its involvement in the NOLA Bug Fest for years to come. The event serves as a valuable platform for Íæż½ã½ã to connect with the community, raise awareness about critical environmental issues, and inspire future generations of environmental stewards and scientists.
For more information on Íæż½ã½ã’s ongoing environmental and sustainability efforts, visit /sustainability.
