April 15, 2010

Get your green on for Earth Week, April 19-25

by Paula Van Brocklin

April 22 marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and Iowa State is celebrating with several activities during Earth Week, April 19-25. Many campus events will take place multiple times during the week. A complete calendar (PDF), including Ames community events, is online. All events are free unless noted.

Here's a snapshot of Earth Week events taking place on campus.

Reoccurring during the week:

  • Used magazine sale, April 19-23 (8 a.m.- 10 p.m.; April 23, through 4 p.m., browsing library, Memorial Union). Bring your unwanted magazines and pick up a few more for 25 cents each. All proceeds support the browsing library.
  • Book swap, April 19-21 (2-8 p.m., Pine Room, MU). Books of all kinds are welcome at the Green Umbrella Group book swap. Take a book for every book you bring. Swap at least two books and receive a free tote bag made from recycled pop bottles.
  • Scavenger hunt, April 19-22 (ongoing, campus-wide). The list of items to find will be available at the book swap (see above). Take photos of the items and bring the pictures to the Parks Library lawn April 22 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Winners will be announced April 23 at the Gabrielle Louise workshop and concert (see April 23).
  • ISU Dining specials, April 19-23 (regular hours, campus cafes). Stop by any ISU cafe) with a reusable mug (up to 24 ounces) and fill it with hot tea, fountain pop or brewed coffee for 99 cents. Also, stock up on free coffee grounds for your garden at Caribou Coffee, Hawthorn Market and Cafe), MU Market and Cafe), and Bookends.

April 21

  • Sustainable lunch (10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Union Drive Marketplace; 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Linden Dining Center; and 10:45 a.m.-2 p.m., Seasons Marketplace). The menu includes local foods and pasture-raised meat. Cost is $9 (Dining Dollars and meal plan also accepted).
  • Inherit the Earth fund-raiser (11 a.m.-2 p.m., front of Curtiss). Sigma Kappa sorority will sell potted plants, blooming flowers and cookies to benefit Inherit the Earth. Cost is $3 to $5.

April 22, Earth Day

  • Student organization displays (11 a.m.-1 p.m., Parks Library lawn). Stop by and talk with student representatives from eco-friendly organizations about their latest projects. And, test your eco-wisdom with a round of Earth Week Jeopardy.
  • Bike tune-ups (11 a.m.-1 p.m., Parks Library lawn). The outdoor recreation program is offering free bike tune-ups.
  • Light bulb giveaway (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Parks Library lawn). The Council on Sustainability is giving away free compact fluorescent light bulbs (one per person).
  • "How's Your Building Doing?" research project awards (noon-1 p.m., 192 Parks Library). During the 2009-10 academic year, 24 campus buildings took part in an experiment to see which buildings conserved the most energy. Stop by to learn more about the projects and celebrate with the top conservers.
  • Tree planting and volunteer recognition (noon-1 p.m., Reiman Gardens). Former Iowa first lady Christie Vilsack will participate in a tree planting ceremony and speak at the volunteer recognition luncheon. Attendees should bring their own lunch in a reusable bag. The all-day entry fee is $10 for the public; free for ISU students. Stay from 5 to 7 p.m. and enjoy discounts on all sustainable products at the Reiman Gardens gift shop. Admission is waived for those just visiting the gift shop.
  • Art exhibit (7-8 p.m., Brunnier Art Museum). "A Walk in the Woods" features the environmental artwork of C. Arthur Croyle, associate professor in art and design; and the research conducted in Latin American jungles by Lynn Clark, professor in ecology, evolution and organismal biology.

April 23

  • Migratory bird kite flying awareness (11 a.m.- 1 p.m., central campus). Learn about Iowa's role as part of the migratory bird flyway through kite flying. A limited number of kites and kite kits will be available. You also may bring your own kite.
  • Gabrielle Louise workshop and concert (5:30-8 p.m., Reiman Gardens). Performer/songwriter Gabrielle Louise, an advocate of alternative fuel, travels the country in a van powered by used vegetable oil. She will present a workshop on the economic and environmental impact of this fuel source, followed by a concert.
  • Nearly Naked Mile (8-10 p.m., ISU Alumni Center). Give the shirt (and maybe a few other unnecessary clothing items) off your back to benefit Haiti. Participants may strip and donate excess layers of clothing before the start of the race (bathing suit areas must be covered). Or, you may wear a costume. All runners must donate at least one clothing item. Registration is free, but participants must pay $5 to get a T-shirt.