Weeklong Earth Day Celebration Coming to La Verne April 20-24
The University of La Verne plans to raise awareness about sustainability and ways to reduce the carbon footprint during a weeklong celebration of Earth Day at the University’s main campus starting April 20.
Dr. Christine Broussard, co-chair of the Sustainable Campus Consortium and Chair of the Natural Sciences Division, said she hopes people attending learn that even small steps – switching to energy-efficient lighting, using Energy Star appliances or riding a bicycle to work – can make a difference.
“I think it’s easy to ignore or forget about the challenges that we face environmentally in our day-to-day lives,” Broussard said. “This is an attempt to bring to our awareness that there is an environmental crisis happening and every person needs to act.”
The week kicks off with a “Composting Awareness Day” on Monday, where the student organization Students Engaged in Environmental Discussion and Service (SEEDS) will help participants assemble a potted plant using a mystery seed and recycled, compostable pots. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Johnson Family Plaza near the corner of C and Second streets.
On Tuesday, the community can bring a used book or recyclable materials to the University’s Sneaky Park at the corner of C and Third streets for Recycling Awareness Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 21. The Associated Students of the University of La Verne will give free reusable tote bags to the first 50 students to donate books.
The Earth Day Festival is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday April 22 with informational booths on various environmental and sustainability themes, including alternative transportation, recycling and water conservation. Broussard said the Sustainable Campus Consortium will encourage people to sign a pledge to make life changes that improve the environment.
“The pledge is about all the things you can do in your daily life to have a smaller carbon footprint,” Broussard said.
The Botany and Gardening Club, a student organization, plans to offer information on use of drought-resistant plans, and ways to conserve water while taking a shower, washing your car or watering the yard. SEEDS will set out a trash can and recycling bin, challenging students to bring 10 pieces of trash for prizes and to learn what is recyclable.
Other groups set to participate include SEEDS, ASULV, Campus Activities Board, and the transportation and purchasing departments.
The celebration continues on Earth Day from 1 to 3 p.m. at the University’s Student Health Center at 2147 E St. where there will be a grand opening of the University of La Verne Community Garden, a site where the campus community can grow produce. There will be a raw juice truck at the event.
Scientist Peter Eisenhardt is scheduled to speak at 8 p.m. in Morgan Auditorium on environmental issues.
The campus community aims to reduce its own carbon footprint by encouraging students, faculty and staff to use alternate modes of transportation on Thursday April 23 for Transportation Challenge Day. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., participants taking buses, bicycles and other eco-friendly transportation are invited to gather at Sneaky Park where Green Truck will offer organic and vegan food. This event is significant for the University because about 80 percent of its main campus student population commute to the campus.
Earth Day events will wrap up Friday April 24 with a screening of “A Fierce Green Fire,” a documentary exploring the environmental movement during a 50-year span. The In Context Series screening, hosted by SEEDS and University of La Verne Professor of Biology Dr. Jay Jones, will be at 7 p.m. in Arts and Communications Building Room 212.
“We hope through all these activities that people understand that one person can make a difference,” Broussard said.
