We hope the general public takes note of what’s happening at Northern Michigan University next week.

NMU’s EcoReps student organization has planned a series of events to mark “Sustainability Week: Facing the Future” starting Monday and going through Oct. 16.

NMU announced the following schedule, with all events outdoors on the academic mall, unless otherwise indicated, in keeping with COVID-19 safety protocol:

≤ Monday: Collaborating with Indigenous People’s Day. Opening ceremony at 10 a.m., keynote speaker Frank Ettawageshik from 6-9 p.m. via Zoom (http://cglink.me/r823529).

≤ Tuesday: Sustainable Self and Health. Yoga at noon, followed by a Health and Wellness Info Fair from 1-3 p.m.

≤ Wednesday: Markets and Gardens. Mini farmers’ market from noon to 4 p.m., followed by a Harvest Party at the NMU Community Gardens (by the Lincoln Street apartments).

≤ Thursday: Resilient Communities, with a focus on community and advocacy, noon to 4 p.m.

≤ Friday: Sustainability Summit. NMU’s Sustainability Audit Update delivered by Sustainability Advisory Committee reps at noon via Zoom link https://nmu.zoom.us/j/94667563546, followed by another Harvest Party at the NMU Community Gardens from 1-3 p.m.

The events are being run by EcoReps, a student sustainability peer-to-peer education program designed to give students the resources and knowledge to solve environmental, economic and social sustainability issues.

A release from the university further explains that reps function as the student branch of the Sustainability Advisory Council, and work together to organize campus-wide programming, carry out collaborative projects and represent the program at various on- and off-campus events.

Reps are introduced to new topics, help plan activities and implement actions that will improve sustainability on campus and in the community.

In these difficult days of pandemic, a week that looks at how we can better care for ourselves and our communities is a much needed effort.

Thanks go to all involved.