As communities around the world prepare to celebrate Earth Day this week, University of Oregon students, faculty and staff again are doing their part through a variety of on- and off-campus events.
Earth Day is officially Tuesday, April 22; however, UO campus members are demonstrating their commitment to the environment with events that began last week and run through the week of Earth Day.
The events are in addition to the many efforts by the UO to expand sustainability initiatives and reduce its carbon footprint. Those efforts have made the UO one of the greenest campuses in the nation.
Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 to demonstrate support for important environmental issues. Today, more than 192 countries celebrate the event.
Campus events that already have happened or are coming up include:
- EcoChallenge: The university’s first weeklong EcoChallenge kicked off Monday, April 18, and will conclude Tuesday, Earth Day. About 200 students and faculty members are participating in the effort to shrink the UO’s carbon footprint through personal commitments.
- Earth Day Open House: The April 19 event was held at the Science Factory Children’s Museum and Exploration Dome. Activities were aimed at educating children on appropriate ways to promote a healthy planet.
- E-Waste Recycling Drive: The fourth annual drive will conclude Tuesday, April 22. All university members are encouraged to drop off unwanted or broken electronics at the Duck Store’s technology department. Recycled technology will earn store credit in exchange for the item value; each participant will also receive a $10 store credit to the Duck Store.
- UO Day of Service: On Saturday, April 19, about 200 UO students took part in projects to improve local neighborhoods surrounding the university. The three goals for this year’s event were planting trees, removing trash and staging a small food drive for local charities.
- Earth Day reading and book signing: Oregon State University philosophy professor and nature writer Kathleen Dean Moore will appear from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Duck Store. She will read from her book "Holdfast: At Home in the Natural World." The UO Student Sustainability Coalition organized the event.
- Bike Appreciation Day: Free minor bike repairs will be available to UO students, faculty and staff from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at the EMU Amphitheater. The UO Bike Program is organizing the event with the Student Sustainability Coalition.
- Green business presentation: The Oregon MBA Net Impact Chapter will host representatives of several area companies that demonstrate social and environmental responsibility Thursday, April 24, from noon to 3:30 p.m. in the Lillis Atrium The companies will be invited to showcase their environmental practices.
-by Sarah MacKenzie, Public Affairs Communications intern