Colorado State University Celebrates Earth Week with Events April 18-25

Colorado State University will celebrate Earth Day with a week of green events starting Thursday, April 18, through Thursday, April 25.

“Earth Week is an opportunity for CSU to showcase the amazing research, curriculum, engagement, and service opportunities related to sustainability the University is proud to offer students,” said Tonie Miyamoto, director of Communications and Sustainability. “This year’s lineup features 10 major events that provide a wide variety of education and hands-on programs for the campus and Fort Collins community.”

Events happening during Earth Week include:

Thursday, April 18

– “Our Energy Future: A Clean Energy Symposium” will be held 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Lory Student Center Main Ballroom. The fifth annual event of the Clean Energy Supercluster centers around the documentary, “Switch: Discover the Future of Energy.” Clips from the film will be shown throughout the day alongside panel discussions centered on the topics of biomass, solar and efficiency. For more information, visit energy.colostate.edu. The event is sponsored by CSU’s Clean Energy Supercluster with Next Generation Photovoltaics Center, SEEAC, PowerHouse Energy Institute, Center for the New Energy Economy, SoGES, Sustainable Biofuels Development Center and the CNS Education and Outreach Center.

– Colorado State’s annual Earth Day Festival highlights sustainability initiatives within the university and greater community. The festival, held this year in conjunction with I Love CSU Day, will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the Lory Student Center Plaza. Remarks from Vice President for Student Affairs Blanche Hughes, ASCSU President Regina Martel, and Director of Sustainability Andrew Oringer; the reading of the Governor’s I Love CSU Day proclamation; the presentation of the RecycleMania trophies and the announcement of the official CSU Tartan will be made at noon. Join CAM the Ram 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for photos. This year, more than 30 booths also will present information about student organizations, departments, nonprofits and private enterprises. Booth registration and participation is free. To register, visit green.colostate.edu/earth-week-2013.aspx.The event is sponsored by the CSU Live Green Team and the Alumni Association.

– The documentary “Switch: Discover the Future of Energy” will be shown at 7:30 p.m. in Behavioral Sciences Building 131. The film illustrates how the use of energy resources like coal and oil are shifting to newer resources. The event is sponsored by CSU’s Clean Energy Supercluster with Next Generation Photovoltaics Center, SEEAC, PowerHouse Energy Institute, Center for the New Energy Economy, SoGES, Sustainable Biofuels Development Center and the CNS Education and Outreach Center.

Friday, April 19

– RESCHEDULED for April 26, time to be announced: Join Tree Campus USA for this year’s Arbor Day Celebration 9 a.m.-noon at Ammons Hall on campus. The event includes a short presentation about the history of Arbor Day and the requirements of the Tree Campus USA program, as well as an award presentation. CSU’s Facilities Management and Colorado State Forest Service will then lead pre-registered volunteers in planting and mulching several trees around Ammons Hall. To register, visit green.colostate.edu/earth-week-2013.aspx. The event is sponsored by CSU Tree Campus Advisory Committee.

– The Earth, Sun and Fire Tour of the Foothills Campus takes place 1-3 p.m. and includes a tour of the 5.3-megawatt, 30-acre solar plant; the in-vessel composter; and the biomass boiler. CSU will be providing round-trip bus transportation from the Lory Student Center Transit Center to the Foothills campus. Drive Electric Northern Colorado also will provide two demo electric cars for transportation as part of their national effort to urge communities to develop electric vehicle ecosystems to make ownership of an electric vehicle simple, convenient, attractive and cost effective. Reservations are required, and can be made via email at ramtrax@colostate.edu. The event is sponsored by RamTrax, Facilities Management and Housing & Dining Services.

Saturday, April 20

– The CSUnity Service Project occurs 9 a.m.-3 p.m. around Fort Collins. Students, faculty and staff will join together to plant trees, visit with senior citizens, and provide other help as part of CSUnity. Services are provided to neighbors in the community; the City of Fort Collins; state, county and federal agencies; and local nonprofits. The Eco Leaders will be at Lee Martinez Farm to help prepare for the summer growing season. The event is sponsored by SLiCE and Eco Leaders.

– Canceled: The CSUnity Alumni Tree Planting with Colorado State Forest Service, which will assemble at 3843 Laporte Ave. on the Foothills campus at 8 a.m., is a volunteer effort to plant 400 seedlings in Rist Canyon, within the burn area of last summer’s High Park Fire. The event will continue until 3 p.m. CSFS will provide lunch, gloves, extra water and some 4×4 vehicles. Volunteers must fill out the CSUnity waiver form online at green.colostate.edu/earth-week-2013.aspx. The event is sponsored by CSU Alumni Association and the Colorado State Forest Service.

Monday, April 22

– Join Housing & Dining Services and Facilities Management for the Compost Giveaway Day, 1-3 p.m. in the Moby Arena parking lot. Participants can bring their own buckets (limit two buckets per person) and pick up free compost created from food waste generated in the campus dining centers. The compost is given away on a first-come, first-served basis. The event is sponsored by Housing & Dining Services.

Wednesday, April 24

– Ride your bicycle to campus between noon and 2 p.m. and get a free snack for this year’s “Pedal for Pizza.” There will be free giveaways, maps and information about commuting around Fort Collins, bicycle safety tips on how to ride on campus and throughout the city, as well as opportunities to register your bike at the intersection of Meridian and University avenues. A bike mechanic also will be on hand providing free minor repairs and adjustments. The event is sponsored by the CSU Campus Bicycle Advisory Committee, the City of Fort Collins Bicycle Ambassador Program and ASCSU.

Thursday, April 25

– CSU’s Alternative Transportation Fair, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the LSC Plaza, encourages safe, environmentally friendly ways to commute to campus and alleviate the stresses of finding parking. The event is sponsored by University Parking Services.

For more information about CSU’s Earth Week Celebration, contact Tonie Miyamoto at (970) 491-4314 or tonie.miyamoto@colostate.edu. More information about all Earth Week events and all of the university’s green initiatives can be found at www.green.colostate.edu.

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