Natural Resources Week ends with food and footwear
On the last day of Natural Resources Week, the college of Natural Resources wanted to give students a break.
The first ever Chacos and Tacos Social was held in the Natural Resources building Friday from 7-9 p.m.
Tacos and nachos were provided for all those who attended, whether they were wearing Chacos sandals or not. Arthur Wallace, a junior majoring in conservation and restoration ecology, hosted the event. Wallace said people should know that natural resource students are “pretty chill.”
“We just like to hang out with each other and learn about science,” Wallace said. “We like to go on nature walks. We love eating good food.”
Music played as people socialized and ate. Others played with water guns and some wore Chacos.
“They’re comfortable for being outside. You can be in water. You can walk on land,” Wallace said. “You can go hiking, and so a lot of people like that type of shoe.”
The versatility of Chacos was put to the test in a race organized outside the building in a contest of footwear against footwear.
“Chacos are sandals, but to accommodate everybody in our college we’ve also incorporated boots and so the race is Chacos vs. boots,” Wallace said.
With their feet tied to two-by-fours, participants had to move their legs in unison to move forward. What no one foresaw was how difficult it was to keep their feet tied to the wood. The ropes came off almost instantly, but participants took this in stride.
Though Chacos were a feature of the social, wildlife science senior Hope Braithway said the footwear is not what defines the college.
“We like Chacos, but that’s not all we’re about,” Braithway said.
Also on the scene was Adam Fisher, a junior majoring in watershed science and Earth systems. Fisher was placed in charge of the raffle table, which displayed donated prizes.
“We have a gift card to Angie’s and we have some gift cards from Sports Academy,” Fisher said. “We also have a sweatshirt that’s being donated, and then these college T-shirts for Natural Resources Week were also donated. We also have a wide array of gag gifts that were picked up at D.I. They’re all water themed to go with our water theme for Natural Resources Week.”
Attendees also had the option to dress up in one of three costumes and have their pictures taken. The props and costumes were on loan from the Water Extension Lab and are usually used to help educate children. But for Friday night, every Chaco and Taco attendee could dress up in a fisherman, fish or bug costume and have their picture taken.
The inclusive nature of the social was a reflection of the Natural Resources College general studies and natural resources, said senior Evan Poole.
“The College of Natural Resources is totally awesome, and everyone who comes here finds a place to flourish.” Poole said. “And really, if they work at it, it can change their lives. People are able to find their place, where they are able to be passionate in their jobs and connect with the natural world, and also be that bridge from society to the natural world.”
— mthomasmcbride@gmail.com