Themed days filled with educational displays, interactive exhibits and tree-planting ceremony celebrate the Earth all week; activities kick-off Summer of Sustainability Program on campus
RENO, Nev. – The northern Nevada community can celebrate the Earth and learn about sustainable living at the University of Nevada, Reno campus Tuesday, April 22 and Wednesday, April 23. Educational programs and demonstrations will focus on environmentally friendly efforts and examples of green campus and community resources. Additionally, an Arbor Day event, Friday, April 25, moves the University closer to becoming a designated Tree Campus USA location, a designation granted through the Arbor Day Foundation. 
“I have a vision for a healthier, more sustainable world,” geography student Jean-Paul Torres, president of the Campus Cycling Coalition, a bicycle advocacy club, said. “We want to make this campus a more bicycle friendly university, which is key to making us stand apart from the rest, from the status quo. There is something about being able to easily traverse the campus within seconds by bicycle, and the more we can show people how great it is, the more I believe we’ll start garnering support.”
The University’s Summer of Sustainability is a series of activities on campus that will explore the environment and the sustainability movement. One of its signature events is a curated and juried art exhibit, “Reused + Recycled = Art,” which is also an official Reno Artown event. Organizers are currently inviting artists to submit their work and ideas to the project.
“We are hoping to use the exhibition to continue the conversation and awareness about sustainability,” Maureen McCarthy, executive director for the University’s Academy for the Environment, said. “We want materials to be up-cycled into a new and productive life, as well as a beautiful piece of art.”
The University’s Earth Week events will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gateway Plaza in front of the Joe Crowley Student Union, with the Arbor Day planting event taking place just north of Lawlor Events Center.
Dumpster Dive
Tuesday, April 22: Waste, Recycling and Local Foods
11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Joe Crowley Student Union Plaza
Highlighted activities:
- The Return of the Bag Monster, offering free reusable grocery bags
- Dumpster Dive with trash collected from a University dumpster
- Plastic-bottle recycling display
- Plant giveaway sponsored by the University’s Arboretum Board
- Recycled art made by Children of the Child and Family Research Center
- Local food and farming information from Urban Roots and River School
Wednesday, April 23: Alternative Transportation, Energy and Water
11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Joe Crowley Student Union Plaza
Highlighted activities:
- Eco-Friendly Vehicles: All-electric Nissan Leaf, University’s Parking and Transportation Service’s Hertz on Demand and a new RTC zero-emissions electric bus
- Campus Cycling Coalition Bike Repair Clinic with the Reno Bike Project
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylPa1JSu2Og
1-4:30 p.m.: Nevada Undergraduate Research Symposium
1-1:30 p.m.: Joe Crowley Student Union Theatre, third floor
Welcome and Keynote Speaker, University Vice President for Research and Innovation Mridul Gautam
1:30-3 p.m.: Joe Crowley Student Union Theatre, third floor
Student Oral Presentations
3-4:30 p.m.: Joe Crowley Student Union Glick Ballrooms, fourth floor
Student Poster Session and Reception
Friday, April 25: Arbor Day
11 a.m.: Southwest entrance of the West Stadium Parking Complex, just north of Lawlor Events Center
The University is taking steps to become a designated Tree Campus USA. The public is welcome to join University officials and students as they plant a new Paw Paw tree.
University partners and organizers of the weeks’ activities include the Joe Crowley Student Union, the University’s Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Department, Environmental Health and Safety, Academy for the Environment, University Arboretum Board and many Associated Students of the University of Nevada student organizations. Additional campus and community groups will be present at the Student Union Plaza.
For more information and a complete list of events, click here. Self-paid parking is available in the metered lot south of Lawlor Event Center or on the top floor of the Brian J. Whalen Parking Complex.
The University’s Earth Week will help kick-off additional community Earth Day celebrations such as the Earth Day 2014 at Idlewild Park on Sunday, April 27.
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Note to editors: Students, staff, faculty and community members are available for interviews during any of the events. Set-up begins Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. Please make arrangements with Natalie Savidge for interviews prior to Earth Week activities or for times outside of the scheduled events.
Photo cutline: Have you ever wondered how many plastic bags an average shopper goes through in a year? 500. The Bag Monster (Associate Professor and Assistant Chair for the University’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science Nancy Markee pictured here from 2012) will be strolling through the Gateway Plaza and nearby campus buildings on Tuesday, April 22.
Founded in 1874 as Nevada’s land-grant university, the University of Nevada, Reno ranks in the top tier of best national universities. With nearly 19,000 students, the University is driven to contribute a culture of student success, world-improving research and outreach that enhances communities and business. Part of the Nevada System of Higher Education, the University has the system’s largest research program and is home to the state’s medical school. With outreach and education programs in all Nevada counties and home to one of the largest study-abroad consortiums, the University extends across the state and around the world. For more information, visit www.unr.edu.
Media Contact:
Natalie Savidge
Senior Communications Specialist
Marketing & Communications
775-784-4611 phone
nsavidge@unr.edu
Media newsroom: http://newsroom.unr.edu
