Finally Spring! Just when the gray skies and cold mornings are getting too much to bear, daffodils bloom, birds are singing, and it is even light for a few hours after work! Its time to shake off the winter blues and emerge from hibernation and April is full of ways to celebrate the season.
April 16th-18th the annual Campus Community Partnerships for Sustainability Conference is being hosted by University of Kentucky, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, and Transylvania University. The conference travels to a different campus each year, and last year WKU was thrilled to host the event.
I attended my first CCPS conference in 2007 when it was hosted by Eastern Kentucky University. I was a student then and attended with other GreenToppers. We had a ball and came home with a document prepared by us and students from other Kentucky schools, demanding a commitment to sustainability by our university. As a university, we’ve come far since then but that reflection is for another day. The idea that I want to share here is that this is a GREAT opportunity for students. The conference is free and if transportation or lodging is a problem, contact me and I can help you. I would love to see our students, who are exceptional in so many ways, represent WKU at this conference. If you are interested in attending, visit: www.greencampusky.org for information.
April 22nd is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. We are throwing a huge bash here at WKU, including activities, how-to demonstrations and all kinds of great exhibits by campus and community partners. The agenda and list of participants follows (preliminary agenda - some details still to be announced). Please plan to join us!
Events include:
· 9-11:00: Experience the sustainability initiatives at the WKU farm. Tours will be on site and will last 30 minutes each.
· Noon: “Garbology” Environmental Education students take a close look at what we throw away. Sponsored by the Center for Environmental Education and Sustainability
· Noon-1:00: Noon Tunes on the DUC Patio.
· 1:00: Come help plant this spring’s addition to the Community Herb Garden, and take some cuttings home too! Workshop lead by the WKU Garden Crew.
· 2:00: “Sustain Your Style” recycled materials fashion show, produced by students in the Design Merchandising and Textile Program in the Consumer and Family Sciences Department.
· 3:00: Composting Workshop by WKU Recycling. Come and learn how to transform your kitchen scraps into black gold, and take some worms home to help.
· Noon-4:00: “Eco-feminism” by WKU Women’s Studies Department. Tie-dye your plain white T-shirt and join the drum circle – stop by their booth any time.
· Noon-4:00: Join us in welcoming the Sky Farmers’ Market for their first appearance on our campus, and for the opening of the new growing season. Come meet the farmers that grow your food.
· Noon-4:00: “Solar Powered Smoothies” and other goodies from WKU Restaurant and Catering Group. Stop by to watch the power of the sun run the blender, and take some sample snacks.
· Noon-4:00: Stop by for a lesson in basic mechanics from Big Red’s Bike Coordinator, and learn more about our campus bike lending program.
· Noon-4:00: Informational booths galore, including: ALIVE Center, General Motors, GO BG Transit, Greener Groundz, GreenToppers, Humane Society, Institute for Citizenship and Social responsibility, Interfaith Coalition for Earth Care, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, Kentucky Division for Air Quality, Nutrition Center, Office of Sustainability, Organic Alchemy, Sierra Club, Student Government Association, TVA/BGMU, WKU Health and Fitness Lab, WKU Biology Dept., WKU Bookstore, WKU Ecology Club, WKU Environmental Health & Safety, WKU Habitat for Humanity, WKU Horticulture Department, WKU Outdoor Recreation and Activity Center, WKU Parking and Transportation, WKU Recycling, WKU Restaurant and Catering, WKU Surplus and Supply, University of KY College of Agriculture Extension
· 4:00: Join the Bowling Green Interfaith Coalition for Earth Care in a candlelight procession from the WKU campus to Fountain Square in downtown Bowling Green for prayer, reflection, and open mic.
· 4:00 till ?: Live music continues in the DUC courtyard, featuring Joe and the Bugmen, Polytheon, and others to be announced.
Celebrate spring and our lovely planet by participating in one of these great events. For more information, contact me at: Christian.ryan-downing@wku.edu or 745-2508
