Center for Civic Engagement presents
Earth Day 2026 IDEAS, ACTION, IMPACT
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 All sessions take place in the Leo A. Guthart Cultural Center Theater, Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, First Floor, South Campus. 9:40-11:05 a.m.
The Civic Benefits of Community Gardens Join our panel discussion on the various public benefits provided by community gardens, including how the upcoming Hofstra Community Garden can partner with other local community gardens. MODERATOR: J Bret Bennington, Professor, Department of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability, Hofstra University PANELISTS: Andrea Millwood, Roosevelt Community Garden; Irene Crovets-Prager, Valley Stream Community Garden
1-2:25 p.m.
Community Dialogue: AI – Is It Good or Bad? Hofstra students lead a community dialogue about the arguments for and against the use of generative AI. MODERATOR: Philip Dalton, CCE Director and Professor, Department of Rhetoric and Public Advocacy, Hofstra University PANELS AND PANELISTS: • The Problems With AI: Aidan Walsh, Geology, Sustainability Studies, and Filmmaking; Grason Jess, Sustainability Studies • The Advantages of AI: Aisha Ahmad, Computer Science; Dhruv Kamleshbhai Patel, Cybersecurity AI EXPERTS: Julia Stoyanovich, Institute Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, Associate Professor of Data Science, Director of the Center for Responsible AI, and member of the Visualization and Data Analytics Research Center at New York University Simona Doboli, Professor of Computer Science, Hofstra University, with research interests in AI, deep learning, neural cognitive modeling, creativity, and computational neuroscience.
2:40-4:05 p.m.
Rebound in the Sound and Other Positive Developments Explore the remarkable environmental progress recently observed in the Long Island Sound, from improved water quality to the return of key marine species. This talk will highlight the science, policy, and community efforts driving changes in one of the region’s most vital ecosystems. Join us to learn what’s working, what challenges remain, and how the next generation can help sustain this momentum. MODERATOR: J Bret Bennington, Professor, Department of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability, Hofstra University PANELISTS: Louise Harrison, Long Island Project Manager and Senior Science Advisor, Save the Sound; Allison Rugila, Associate Soundkeeper, Save the Sound; Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment
4:30-7:30 p.m.
Food: Science, Society, and Sustainability Join us for an exciting interdisciplinary panel exploring the critical intersections of food, health, economics, and the environment! Discussion will touch on topics such as plant-based diets for health and climate resilience, financing regenerative food systems, and equity in global food access. MODERATOR: Robert Gluck, Professor, Department of Graduate Nursing, Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies PANELISTS: David Meyer, Founder of Food System Innovations, Humane America Animal Foundation, and host of Ageless Warrior Lab podcast; Neal Barnard, MD, Author, Researcher, and Founding President, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine; Galina Hale, Professor of Economics and expert on global food systems; Faculty Director of the Institute for Social Transformation; Bruno Tison, Vice President, Systems Food Services, and Corporate Executive Chef, Northwell Health
These events are free and open to the public. Advance registration is required. To RSVP and view the full schedule of events, scan the QR code or visit events.hofstra.edu. For information, email Philip Dalton, director of the Center for Civic Engagement, at philip.dalton@hofstra.edu.
Center for Civic Engagement 19916:3/26