National environmental activist speaking at TU

Ninth annual Environmental Conference will kick-off Towson University's 2018 "Celebration of Excellence"

By Kyle Hobstetter on April 2, 2018

Towson University will welcome 17-year old climate activist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez as the keynote speaker for the ninth annual Environmental Conference.
Towson University will welcome 17-year old climate activist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez as the keynote speaker for the ninth annual Environmental Conference.

At just 17-years old, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez has become a powerful voice on the front lines of a global, youth-led environmental movement.

Martinez will bring that powerful voice to Towson University for its ninth annual Environmental Conference[BROKEN LINK]. The conference takes place on Wednesday, April 4 at 9 a.m., inside the University Union, while the keynote event with Martinez takes place on Tuesday, April 3 inside the West Village Commons ballrooms at 7 p.m.

An indigenous climate activist and hip-hop artist, Martinez serves as youth director for Earth Guardians — a global activist group focusing on climate and environmental issues. The group’s efforts have been featured by PBS, Showtime, National Geographic, Rolling Stone, Vogue, The Daily Show, CNN, HBO, and Vice.

In 2014, Martinez received the United States Community Service Award from President Barack Obama, and was the youngest of 24 national change-makers selected to serve on the President’s youth council. 

When Towson University was looking for its first ever keynote speaker for its annual Environmental Conference, Martinez was an easy choice. 

“He’s done so much in such a short time — inspiring doesn’t even cover what his work has been so far,” said Luis Sierra, assistant director of civic engagement at Towson University. “We felt like he was a perfect choice to not only kick off the conference, but to add even more of that layer of ‘there are many ways in which students can be involved,’ and be active both inside and outside of the classroom when it comes to issues they care about.” 

Check out the complete Environmental Conference Program

Martinez has had plenty of experience sharing his message, as he began speaking around the world at the age of six — including engagements at the United Nations Summit in Rio de Janeiro and the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Through his message, he has helped to remove pesticides from parks, get coal ash contained and moratoriums on fracking in his state. He is also currently a plaintiff in a youth-led lawsuit against the federal government for their failure to protect the atmosphere for future generations. 

Because of Martinez’s work across the country, Sierra is excited that he will not only speak during the keynote event, but will also interact with students during a special breakout session of the Environmental Conference the next day.

“It’s very special, his willingness to come speak, but also to be able to have those intimate connections and be able to leave resources,” Sierra said. “Because it’s one thing to be inspired by the message he shares, but it’s amazing for him to be able to impart resources and continue to impart knowledge in a more practical way.”

Along with Martinez, the Environmental Conference will host breakout sessions that highlight career, research, leadership and advocacy opportunities across the wide spectrum of environmental and sustainability focus areas.

The conference is presented through a partnership between the Office of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility[BROKEN LINK], the Office of Sustainability and the Environmental Science and Studies Program. However, the Environmental Conference will feature collaboration from throughout campus — including breakout sessions featuring faculty from TU’s Electronic Media and Film, Physics, and Geography and Environmental Planning departments.

The collaboration doesn’t stop at the breakout sessions —the TU SGA has played a big part in planning the event, while Black & Gold Catering has designed a special vegan, low-impact menu. In addition, for the first time, the Environmental Conference will have a sponsor in ABM — who handles TU’s custodial management.

“We want to show that everyone can play a part,” Sierra said. “Everybody who is presenting and spreading the word, it all shows that everybody can play a role in making the world a better place, and to address issues that deal with the environment and how it’s being effected.”

Along with Martinez, environmental non-profits from around the area will be present during the conference, including breakout sessions with Maya K. van Rossom, the Delaware Riverkeeper and the Climate Reality Project.

The event is free and open to Towson University students, faculty, staff and the general community. Registration is free and is available online or through same-day, walk-in registration. The keynote event is a ticketed event, with free tickets available at the University Union and at the door on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The Environmental Conference will also serve as the kick-off event for Towson University’s “Celebration of Excellence.” The second annual “Celebration of Excellence” will feature 10 unique events that celebrate the success and accomplishments of TU’s best and brightest.

This year’s “Celebration of Excellence” takes place over the final two months of the academic term — with students, faculty, staff and alumni being recognized for their achievements from throughout the year.

Nine additional “Celebration of Excellence” events will be held over the next two months: