In an age of reliance on natural energy and a time where the energy landscape is ever-changing, it has become more important than ever to take care of our planet and the world around us. One student-run Penn State group is trying to drive this initiative: Positive Energy, a club focused on spreading the good news of America’s abundant natural resources.

The club was founded by Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering students Tyler Stom, a senior, and Adam Larson, a freshman. The two met through the Penn State Society of Petroleum Engineers, where during the fall semester, Stom proposed the idea for Positive Energy to Larson, who was immediately on board.

The group, a subcommittee of the Penn State Society of Petroleum Engineers, aims to give back to the community through environmental means. Though Positive Energy is just starting up, it hopes to make Penn State more environmentally friendly statewide.

“Our mission is to permanently engrain an eco-friendly culture at the Penn State campus and really all the Penn State campuses throughout the commonwealth,” Larson said.

Positive Energy recognizes that, in an age where energy is vastly produced and consumed, it is crucial to give back to the environment and community we live in. The group will have many opportunities for volunteers to give back with projects that include refurbishing local parks, restoring local water sources, camping trips to embrace nature at state parks, and linking up with other Penn State “green” initiatives.

The club’s first effort to give back to the environment will, fittingly, take place this Wednesday on Earth Day. Positive Energy will travel to Roaring Branch to plant 200 Norway Spruce Evergreens along a pipeline where trees were initially taken down to make room for construction and work space. Students, community members, and energy professionals will all come together to collaborate on the effort.

“We all want clean air. We all want clean water,” Larson said. “Everyone wants to preserve the mountains and trees.”

Though Positive Energy is supported by the Penn State Society of Petroleum Engineers and the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, students from any major are invited to participate in the various activities or become a member of the club. Current members range from geology majors to finance students.

Interested students can sign up on the club’s website. Companies, particularly in the energy industry, can also sign up to sponsor the club and its efforts. Additionally, members of the community as well as students can fund the planting of a tree on Earth Day by Positive Energy with a $1 donation. Interested parties can go to the website and check out the “Contact Us” tab.

“Our ‘bread and butter’ is to energize the communities around us by volunteering and fundraising,” Larson added. “We want to show the general public that we are passionate people that care about the environment.”