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Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s opportunity to learn about, practice and celebrate sustainability is right around the corner. Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s second annual Earth Week, put together by the Department of Sustainability, begins Monday, April 17 and continues through Friday, April 28.

“This is our second Earth Week at Lamar,” said Director of Sustainability Alicen Flosi. By adding new events that appeal to different interests, she hopes to make it into a tradition.

The purpose of Earth Week is to inform students about ways to reduce our impact on the environment so that future generations have the resources they need, Flosi said. It also will show ways everyone can eat and live healthily and take care of their environment by becoming more engaged on campus.

“l hope that people are recycling all year long, but we know many aren’t. If you have one week where we are encouraging students to recycle and to take care of their community and campus, then these newly acquired habits can turn into a lifestyle for them,” she said.

The Departments of sustainability, civic engagement and Lamar Alive will collaboratively host events throughout the week:

Monday, April 17 - Seeds for Needs: Lamar students and community members are encouraged to meet in front of the Brooks-Shivers Dining Hall from noon to 4 p.m. The Seeds for Needs event will provide information about saving the Earth and plant restoration.   

Wednesday April 19 - Earth Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the Brooks-Shivers Dining Hall. Students, area service organizations, and southeast Texas businesses are encouraged to participate in the Earth Fair:

• Sign up your student organization to exhibit/sell products made from recycled items.
• Sign up your service organization to share information about your services and how you support sustainability at Â鶹ÊÓƵ.
• Sign up your area business to share information about your business and how you support sustainability. To register, email flosiab@lamar.edu or cwooten2@lamar.edu.

Thursday April 20 - Social Justice Discussion: Join Civic Engagement for a social justice discussion that will focus on a fair and equal community. Garrick Harden, associate professor of sociology, will moderate the discussion. The event will take place in the Family and Consumer Science Building from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Room 110.

Friday - April 21 – The winner of the sustainability video contest will be announced on the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Green Squad Facebook page. Also, beginning at 11 a.m., the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Tasting will be held in the Brooks-Shivers Dining Hall. Chef Stephen Gary from Chartwells at Â鶹ÊÓƵ and Chef Charles Duit and his culinary students will prepare items and be on hand to share recipes and meet foodies (normal Dining Hall prices apply).

Saturday, April 22 - Beach Cleanup: Carpooling will be available for students as they head to McFaddin Beach. All students will meet at the student annex at 8 a.m. and sign-in for their volunteers hours. The beach will supply tools and instructions upon arrival.

Tuesday, April 25, 4 p.m. - Earth Day at the Baseball Game, Â鶹ÊÓƵ vs. Texas Southern University. Come cheer for the Baseball Team and celebrate planet Earth!

Friday, April 28 - Arbor Day Celebration and Work Day at the Gardens, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. This special workday will begin at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Community Garden on campus by the tennis courts and will then move to the South Park Community Garden on the corner of Jimmy Simmons Blvd and Vermont.

“Earth Week will advance Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s sustainability mission to strengthen campus initiatives, encourage participation in sustainability efforts, inspire the efficient use of resources, and expand community outreach,” Flosi said.

For more information about Earth Week visit lamar.edu/sustainability or email Flosi at flosiab@lamar.edu.