Messages of conservation, sustainability and community agriculture filled the Bertolini quad in celebration of Earth Day.

Coordinated by the Students for Sustainable Communities Club and Associated Students President Jessica Jones, the event attracted an estimated 85 students.

One of the groups representing Earth Day was WeGo Sonoma, a rideshare service that provides an alternative transportation option by carpooling with others to campus. The service is provided throughout Sonoma County and is gaining popularity at SRJC, according to Amy McCrary who represented the WeGo Sonoma table.

“I know there are several hundred people here on campus who are using it and that’s faculty, staff and students, so it’s for anyone here to use. It will keep going; we hope to launch again in the fall and make a big splash here,” McCrary said.

Montgomery High School students directed another area of sustainability by discussing the school’s Green Career Pathway Program, which provides students with the education and skills necessary to enter the green workforce following graduation.

Ryan Johnson, a third-year student of the program, says the pathway allowed him to pursue his interest in farming, which he plans to make into a career.

“Next year I’m actually going to go to Shone Farm to go through the whole JC program and get my certificate. Maybe one day I’ll own my own farm and do my own CSA [Community-Supported Agriculture system],” Johnson said.

The Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy featured another area of Earth Day celebrations by highlighting Earth’s finite resources and advocating for responsible leadership in both public and private business affairs.

To get involved with educating future policy makers and promoting a vibrant local economy, visit the organizations website at www.ecoleader.org.

The group Sunflowers for Santa Rosa presided over a different table, boasting multiple packets of sunflower seeds for students to pick up and plant around Santa Rosa neighborhoods.

“We feel like we’re growing community one sunflower at a time. The idea is that you get a packet of sunflower seeds, you talk with your neighbors on both sides of you and you guys all plant sunflower seeds out in front of where you work, live and play,” Cohn said.

Sunflowers for Santa Rosa can be seen on its self-titled Facebook page.