Trinity’s Long Walk to a Greener Tomorrow

Since the early nineteenth century, Trinity College has helped shape the heart of Hartford, its tree-lined campus woven into the rhythm of Connecticut’s capital city. Along the storied Long Walk, brownstone buildings stand as enduring landmarks that have inspired generations of students. Beneath this historic charm, Trinity is forging a bold new vision for climate justice and civic engagement. One that marries the liberal arts tradition with a forward-looking commitment to environmental action.

A stone to memorialize the exact spot of President Teddy Roosevelt’s 1918 campus speech held on Trinity College’s Long Walk.

Trinity’s environmental excellence runs as deep as its history. The college has steadily built a reputation for pairing academic rigor with hands-on sustainability. Through initiatives such as the Liberal Arts Action Lab, students and faculty partner with local organizations to tackle pressing issues from climate resilience to urban green space restoration. Courses across disciplines—from environmental science to public policy and the humanities—invite students to examine the social and ecological dimensions of climate change. At the same time, campus operations continue to push toward lower emissions and smarter resource use. Trinity demonstrates how an academic institution can lead the way in addressing the climate crisis while enriching both campus life and the broader community partners.

Diego Tovar, Director of Campus and Civic Engagement at the Rachel Carson Council, arrived in Hartford on the evening of September 17^th, settling into the Smith House ahead of a full day of conversations and exploration. Morning broke with warm September air and a lively breakfast with RCC National Environmental Leadership Fellow and Trinity College student Avery Sands, who shared ideas for how Trinity students can become more deeply involved with the Rachel Carson Council. This was an early glimpse of intellectual inquiry and hands-on civic action approaches that Diego saw across campus that day.

Dr. Amber Pitt

From there, Diego was welcomed by Dr. Amber Pitt, who guided him to Williams Hall for an early meeting with Dean Sonia Cardenas, Trinity’s Dean of Faculty. Their conversation delved into how a liberal arts education can become a catalyst for climate advocacy. Dean Cardenas described the college’s efforts to integrate environmental justice into the curriculum, emphasizing the importance of empowering students to think critically and act boldly in the face of climate challenges. For Trinity, the goal is to cultivate citizen-leaders capable of bridging policy, science, and community needs.

The morning unfolded in a series of encounters that revealed the campus’s vibrant character. Dr. Pitt led Diego along the Long Walk to meet with various students interested in the Rachel Carson Council. Conversations highlighted the energy and creativity of Trinity’s student body. Students of all disciplines were eager to learn how to not only get involved but also continue to make a difference throughout their communities and the college campus.

After a sweeping campus tour with Dr. Pitt, which showcased Trinity’s balance of tradition and sustainability, Diego gave a guest lecture about the importance of narrative in climate justice initiatives and brought students solutions for how they can leverage their own personal stories to create change. Diego described how personal and community stories can reshape the public’s understanding of climate change and influence the policies that define our collective future. The talk sparked questions and reflections from students and faculty eager to translate their own passions into action.

A sunny day on Trinity College campus

The afternoon carried Diego to the Liberal Arts Action Lab, where he met with director Dr. Derin Ozlem Atalay and students from the lab. The Action Lab, a partnership between Trinity and Capital Community College, serves as a bridge between campus and city, pairing students with Hartford organizations to tackle pressing local challenges. For Diego, the Lab embodied the very ethos the Rachel Carson Council champions: merging academic inquiry with tangible, community-centered solutions.

As the day waned, Diego met with more students to share about the National Environmental Leadership Fellowship. By early evening, the conversations moved from campus corridors to the warm ambiance of a local Hartford restaurant. Over plates of Mexican cuisine, the group traded stories of their experiences—discussing local climate initiatives, the role of higher education in shaping policy, and the personal commitments that drive their work.

By the time Diego checked out of Smith House the following morning, Trinity College had revealed itself as an institution determined to bring a new generation of climate advocates to the fold. We are proud to welcome Trinity College as the 86^th member of the Rachel Carson Campus Network.