How the Geaux Green Campus Chapter Builds Community in New Orleans

What does building a community in support of the environment on a college campus look like? For the Audubon on Campus chapter at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, XULA Geaux Green, it involves hosting activities for students to feel that they can make a difference in that space.

XULA Geaux Green started in 2019 as one of the first chapters in the Audubon on Campus Program—a program that empowers student conservationists to make an impact on college campuses. Since then, the chapter has grown from fewer than 20 active students to a roster of more than 100, all while consistently connecting the student body with environmental issues.

“Our main purpose and our main projects are around community building and growing a community in sustainability and the little things that we do to educate students,” says Keziah-Yvonne Smith, a political science and pre-law student and the president of the chapter.

One of the chapter’s projects involved decorating tote bags and reusable water bottles to promote sustainability. Another project focused on creating a space for students to connect with nature by building a community garden filled with plants, bird feeders, and art installations. To advocate for food waste reduction, the chapter provided a way for students to weigh their food waste in the cafeteria.

These activities offer opportunities for students to know that they can make an individual impact by doing something about large-scale issues like climate change while also being educated on what those issues are, says Smith.

As Xavier’s Director of Sustainability and Quality Control and advisor for the chapter, Helena Robinson knows how vital it is for students to come together to advocate for these issues. “Community building is important on campus because students need to see what is impacting not just them, but everyone,” she says. “They need to feel ownership over it.”

And with Xavier being a Historically Black University (HBCU) situated in New Orleans—a city that experiences environmental impacts like flooding and hurricanes—it’s especially important to have this presence on campus.

“This is a great chapter for a historically Black campus because, historically, we're not always involved in the decision making,” says Robinson. “Our neighborhoods tend to be left out or the ones that are affected the most, and it helps with [the students] already being on the ground doing some of the work so that hopefully they will help better their own future.”

The chapter’s vice president Kieston Dillard, a biochemistry and pre-med student, has seen the impact their work has made on students both in the club and throughout the college. “I see [that] there's more conscious efforts to cut back on pollution or even simple things like taking a bike instead of driving to school,” he says. “Small things that help [make] the biggest difference.”

Like the other 91 Audubon on Campus chapters across the United States, XULA Geaux Green’s mission connects with how Audubon strives to bring people together to act on behalf of birds, people, and the planet. Plus, the chapter not only engages with the on-campus community but also the surrounding ones.

It’s something that Charles Allen, engagement manager for Audubon Delta and an advisor for the chapter, has worked with them closely on. From litter cleanups to collaborating with Restore the Mississippi River Delta, they are connecting with local residents about environmental projects and issues.

The students have even traveled beyond New Orleans to continue their activism. One of the graduates went to Capitol Hill to advocate with Audubon on behalf of seabirds and our coasts. Other students have and will be attending Audubon’s leadership conferences for training on leading their chapter. “Essentially what we're doing is cultivating the next generation of environmental professionals,” says Allen, an alumnus of Xavier.

What’s next for XULA Geaux Green? The chapter received an Audubon on Campus grant to further their efforts, and the students have a particular activity they want to host: a camping trip. For Smith, she hopes being immersed in nature can be a transformative experience for the students that will further connect them with the outdoors.

Smith also wants to find creative ways to continue their outreach and community building both on-campus and in the surrounding areas. “We're just so grateful for having this opportunity and having this platform and continuing to help our planet because our planet needs us.”

Watch the video below to learn more about XULA Geaux Green’s work.