Stella Niagara Education Park celebrates Earth Day with faith, creativity & outdoor learning

Stella Niagara Education Park press release & photos

Stella Niagara Education Park marked Earth Day with a joyful, hands-on celebration rooted in faith, environmental stewardship, and a deep reverence for our planet – our shared home.

The day began with a reflective prayer service inspired by the 800th anniversary of the “Canticle of the Creatures” by Saint Francis of Assisi. Students and faculty walked the campus together, offering prayers that honored the interconnectedness of all creation – sun, moon, water, animals and humanity – echoing St. Francis’s enduring message of love for “Brother Sun” and “Sister Moon,” and his care for “Sister Mother Earth.”

Following the prayer service, students immersed themselves in a full day of Earth Day activities designed to spark curiosity, creativity and ecological awareness. They crafted bug houses and fairy gardens, painted rocks to beautify campus and home gardens, and made seed bombs to encourage pollinator-friendly planting. Hands-on learning continued with building birdhouses, participating in interactive games about bees and the solar system, and exploring the relationships between ecosystems and the wider universe.

These experiences reflect Stella Niagara Education Park’s distinctive curriculum, where learning extends beyond the classroom and into the natural world. Across its 104-acre campus, students engage directly with nature – developing a meaningful connection to the Earth while strengthening academic skills.

The school extends its gratitude to dedicated volunteers from Niagara University and Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, whose support helped make the day both meaningful and memorable for students.

To keep energy high throughout the celebration, students enjoyed a variety of healthy snacks, including yogurt, fresh fruit, Cheerios, chocolate chips, vegetables and hummus – fueling both body and mind for a full day of discovery.

“At Stella Niagara Education Park, Earth Day is not just a single event – it’s a reflection of who we are,” said Amy Reynolds, Class of 1984, director of institutional advancement. “Inspired by St. Francis, we nurture a love for animals, nature, and one another, while helping students understand their responsibility to care for our common home.”

Through faith-based reflection, experiential learning, and a deep respect for creation, Stella Niagara Education Park continues to cultivate environmentally conscious students who are prepared to protect and cherish the Earth for generations to come.