This past week, the Center for a Regenerative Future hosted its first-ever “Green Gala,” featuring student voices, community connection and great food. 

This green-themed event was a special occasion focused on connecting the regenerative and sustainability-oriented eco-community through collaborative conversations, education and job opportunities for students interested in entering the ecological justice sphere.

There were a variety of organizations in attendance at Craig Hall, both DU-affiliated and unaffiliated from the larger Denver area. Some of these organizations included The Alliance for Collective Action, Denver Food Not Bombs, the Nature Conservancy and Conservation Colorado.

DU organizations such as the DU Pollination Association, DivestDU, Queer Student Alliance and Social Justice Peer Education were also in attendance.

Asher Reid, a student at the Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) with an ecological justice concentration, spoke about the seed that planted the idea for the Green Gala.

“The idea for this event came after the hosting of the Eco-Retreats in an effort to continue bringing the community together and amplifying voices in eco-justice,” said Reid.

The Center for a Regenerative Future’s Engagement team of five people pulled this event together in seven weeks.

“We are all doing great work, and it’s so important we find ways to learn from one another, be inspired and collaborate,” said Reid.

A delicious dinner was served by SAME “So All May Eat” Cafe, a Denver-based restaurant whose ‘pay what you can’ structure aims to create community through healthy food access and dignity. They offered vegan and vegetarian options, and folks all around the tables were raving about how good the food was.

While the food was a shining topic of conversation, so was the work that students, professors and community members contributed to. Members from the DU Food Pantry, DU Thrift Store, DU Bike Shop and more were seated amongst the many full tables.

An emphasis of the event was for the student members of the Center for a Regenerative Future to explain their work and goals in restorative ecological justice, and how they had moved beyond sustainability.

At the beginning of this quarter, the Center for Sustainability made its name change to the Center for a Regenerative Future. According to Reid, the Green Gala was the triumphant start to announce and exemplify this change.

“The fact that so many organizations showed up to the Green Gala speaks to the power of community and the strength of this growing field of regeneration,” they said.

You may be wondering, what is the difference between sustainability and regeneration, and why is this new name change significant? 

Reid stated, “The ‘regeneration’ framework is nothing new, but the need for it to be implemented across every sector of humanity to restore health and balance is ever more pressing.” The Center’s name may be new, but the goals they aim to achieve are built upon a foundation of regeneration, something a bit deeper than just sustainability.

With ever-mounting climate change, environmental racism and degradation and a “society based in extraction,” Reid emphasizes that the Center’s work is moving beyond simply sustaining the Earth. Restoration, regeneration and resiliency have filled in those gaps.

“Regenerative practices root from long-held Indigenous traditions found across the globe. The majority of human history has been based in regenerative practices, and humanity is waking up to the reality that we must transition back to these ways that work within the limits and support of nature and not against it,” said Reid.

They added that when it comes down to it, “Sustainability is not enough.” 

This sentiment was echoed throughout the presentations given by student and engagement team member Kania Campbell and Center Director Derek Brannon. All eyes and ears were open to the powerful discourse shared during the Green Gala with resounding claps and cheers coming from those in attendance.

“With nearly 90 folks in attendance, we feel the event was a huge success, and [we] can’t wait to have more,” says Reid.

The Green Gala was undoubtedly a night to remember for those involved in ecological justice, with many members reaching out to send praise and thanks for the opportunity to be involved in these student-based conversations and community. This dazzling green event may have been the first of its kind here at DU, but it is most certainly not the last.