Director of Sustainability Nate Keener, Restoration Ecology Coordinator Scott Moss and the Student Sustainability Association were the key coordinators.
The Student Sustainability Association and Biology Club hosted a native plant and vegetable sale, and also a clothing drive, all week long.
There was an Earth Week Pledge Drive, which aimed to achieve 9 billion “acts of green.” Campus Conservation Nationals, an energy reduction competition, wrapped up a successful three-week long campaign.
Monday kicked off Earth Week with a “Ride your Bike to Campus Day” to promote alternative transportation. The dunk tank that was supposed to be a part of Earth Week was postponed due to weather limitations.
Tuesday, April 22, was the actual Earth Day. A movie was featured in The Commons, as well as a meet & greet with the Student Sustainability Association. There was also an open house in the Sustainability Center that had free snacks.
Five local businesses attended a free breakfast on campus to learn a few tips on how they can “save green while going green.
” On Wednesday, there was a demo of wind and solar technologies in The Commons to promote renewable energy. SSA member Max Parks put together a solar powered infinity fountain and displayed it outside The Commons. The Student Sustainability Association funded his efforts, which, in total, only cost about $80.
“One of these units produces enough energy to store into a 12-volt battery. You can power your lights, your fans and whatever you need all through the night using no electricity, or being off the grid,” said Parks, a Grafton resident and Mass Communications major.
Thursday brought on a RSVP-only field trip, which took a tour of the organic farm at Riverbend Roots. Participants had the drawing for the Great Green Raffle, and finished the evening off with a green speaker in the Olin Science Building.
Thursday and Friday, there was a two-day honeysuckle removal project back by the soccer fields. Students and staff were welcome to participate.
The week ended with Friday’s festivities and an e-waste drive. Students were able to bring in electronic gadgets on Friday and Saturday morning. The winner of the Art of Recycling contest was also announced for each category.
With such a large variety of Earth Week events, students should think about greener practices the other 51 weeks of the year.
sbeckwith@lc.edu
