Union will celebrate Earth Week with a series of events to promote sustainability across campus.
The weeklong celebration is an extension of Earth Day, an annual day of action started in 1970 dedicated to preserving and appreciating the planet’s resources. Earth Day 2013 is Monday, April 22.
"Earth Week celebrates the beauty and bounty of nature as well as the need for activism, engagement and environmental protection," said Meghan Haley-Quigley ’11, Union's sustainability coordinator.
The College's events, from Saturday, April 20 to Saturday, April 27, touch on a variety of issues and topics, including environmental appreciation and education, the importance of buying and eating locally/organically produced goods, and proper disposal of waste.
Among the highlights:
Saturday: Octopus's Garden planting with the Kenney Community Center, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Sunday: Environmental Club trip to Dionondehowa, a wildlife sanctuary in Shushan, N.Y.
Monday: Downtown Schenectady Greenmarket sets up shop outside the Reamer Campus Center, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Meatless Monday in Upper Class and West Dining Halls.
Wednesday: Ban Bottled Water Day. No water bottles sold on campus.
Thursday: Trash audit. Outside Reamer, students sort through one bag of trash from every building, separating out all items that could have been recycled, reused, donated or composted, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
For a calendar of events, click here.
For more information, contact Jordan Pulling '15 at pullingj@garnet.union.edu
Union is ranked among the country’s most environmentally responsible colleges, according to The Princeton Review’s “Guide to Green Colleges.” The free guide, produced in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council, includes schools that have “demonstrated an above average commitment to sustainability in terms of campus infrastructure, activities and initiatives.”
At Union, "U Sustain is a mantra and a mission," according to the 2013 edition of the guide.