Ambrosians are celebrating Earth Day in April. They are planning a lot of events leading up to a big festival on Earth Day on April 19th. Dr. Amy Blair, of SAU’s Biology Department, gives us a look at some things she wants you to participate in leading up to Earth Day, and what she is excited about.
One of the things that Dr. Blair is excited for the week before the Earth Day Festival is a hike at Wildcat Den State Park near Muscatine, IA, on April 14th. Everyone that is interested in going along on the hike is more than welcome to join.
SAU’s Sustainability Committee and Green Life have organized the Earth Day Festival for the past four years. More than 30 representatives from the community and campus, as well as vendors with sustainable goods, providing sustainability information, and also recruiting for organizations. Food trucks will also be on campus, including Cocina Verde, a Mexican food truck, and a few others. Dr Blair says she is excited. “The food truck makes delicious tacos and everyone has such a great time mingling and meeting new people.”
Some of the organizations that are coming to campus for the Earth Day Festival include Niabi Zoo, Food Rescue Partnership, Nahant Marsh, and others. Students are encouraged to explore and meet organizations that may lead to internships for students.
Students can also help Living Lands and Waters at their tree wrapping station. Dr Blair says she wants students to take part to get their hands dirty to help get some trees in good shape to be planted all around the Midwest.
Post Earth Day, on April 25th, the final Sustainability Roundtable is happening, here you hear from local experts about challenges for the environment that we need to help it overcome. Early May some gardens will be added around campus by Green Life, a few of them being pollinator gardens with flowers to support the bees.
Organizers also encourage Ambrosians to make their Earth Day better. Dr. Blair says, “One easy thing to do is reduce single use plastic by taking cloth bags to the grocery store, avoiding single use cutlery and plates, and bringing a reusable cup to the Beehive for coffee drinks and stingers.” The Beehive offers a 50-cent discount with bonus points on coffee and stingers.
Another great thing you can do especially as it warms up with spring finally here is take some walks around campus, or the nearby VanderVeer park, or visit hiking spots around the Quad Cities. Dr. Blair says to “bring a plastic bag and fill it with trash!”
“I’m crossing my fingers for a beautiful spring day!” says Dr Blair.
