Greenhouse gets greenlight at Xavier

February 23, 2024

By Tariq Shaheed Johnson, Staff Writer

Xavier is reviving its campus space with the reopening of its greenhouse, a project led by the university’s Greenhouse Club. The club is not just focusing on plant cultivation but is also aiming to foster a deeper connection between students and nature. 

“Our biggest responsibility this semester is ensuring that our team operates in a way that builds on the momentum we’ve created,” said Darria Leggett, a biology major and the club’s president.  

Leggett emphasized the club’s commitment to creating a sustainable and thriving greenhouse that serves as a foundation for future endeavors. The club’s ambitions extend beyond the school, aiming to reconnect the predominantly Black community of New Orleans with nature. Leggett said she believes in the healing power of reestablishing this connection.  

“Being part of a community that is trying to usher in that type of repair in this city is mind-blowing,” she said of the greenhouse’s larger goal for the surrounding area. 

The club is teaming up with Teresa Thomas, the founder of “Crazy Plant Bae,” who said such initiatives promote the study of plant life and sustainability among youth. Thomas’ plant shop is located near the French Quarter, and she is working to educate students on the therapeutic and educational benefits of integrating plant life into daily living. 

“Caring for plants reduces stress, improves mental health, and even enhances productivity and creativity,” Thomas said. 

She advocates for the role of educational institutions like Xavier in promoting urban gardening and sustainability practices among students, emphasizing the importance of initiatives like the greenhouse project in fostering a love for gardening and nature. 

“The greenhouse serves as a living classroom, not only teaching students about the science of botany but also about the resilience and growth that plants can mirror in our own lives. It’s a space where students can learn to nurture life and, in turn, nurture themselves,” Thomas added. 

This collaboration is a major step for the club’s engagement and involvement with environmental conservation, highlighting the practical efforts being made towards sustainability and restoration. The club’s initiatives represent a dynamic approach to education, mental well-being, and community engagement. Through the leadership of Leggett, partnerships created by Erin DeJan, the community outreach coordinator, and with insights from Thomas, the club hopes to make a lasting impact on the university and the broader New Orleans community, promoting a lifestyle that is closer to nature, more mindful, and ultimately, more fulfilling. 

“I’ve lived here all my life and seen the areas that need restoration,” said DeJan, who is leading a collaboration with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) this semester. “I’m excited to finally get my feet on the ground and do the work,” DeJan said.