University of Central Arkansas students and non-profit organizations are teaming up to educate the community about the environment.
UCA Environmental Alliance, SGA, and Biology Club are hosting 2010 Green Week the week of March 15. All events will be held in the Student Center courtyard. In case of rain, the events will be held in the Student Center.
The event is significant because it marks a partnership between Resident Student Organizations, local businesses, local non-profit organizations, students and professors who all have the same purpose: to educate UCA students and the community about ways in which they can become more environmentally friendly, said Brittany Edwardes, an intern with Americorps Environmental Education.
“As you can imagine, there are many ways a person can become more ‘green’ and that is exactly why we have invited such a large number and variety of organizations, people, and vendors to the event,” Edwardes said.
Shay Clark, SGA senator at large, said environmental concern is not a fad, but forward thinking.
“Students need to broaden their idea of sustainability’s role in the private and public sector in order to effect change,” she explained. “The public currently has the ability to ignore the affects of their poor choices on the world’s climate. Citizens, educated and aware of not only the problem, but the solutions, are the key to positive momentum toward a sustainable future.”
UCA Green Week will bring environmental issues to the forefront and cause people to think twice before making unsustainable decisions, Clark added.
“Bringing together environmentally conscious businesses and organizations with students facilitates new learning and partnerships to form,” she said. “Increases in education and awareness of sustainable issues could increase positive pressures for money saving green reforms on campus and in Arkansas.”
Environmentalism is important because consumers must be knowledgeable about how their lifestyle impacts the world’s resources, Edwardes said.
“I hope that this event will increase awareness of environmentalism and educate students on both the resources we have in our community and the ways in which they can become involved- a healthy campus is an involved campus,” she said.
Many green organizations and businesses such as The Ride, Caldwell Toyota, the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, and La Lucha Space will be in attendance.
Green Week events are:
RECYCLING & RSO DAY
March 15, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
WORKSHOP: Recycling Rules!!!
Pass It or Trash It Sorting Competitions
Don’t Get Trashed! Greek/RSO Aluminum Can Drive
GREEN BUSINESS/ART DAY
March 16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Recycled Original Origami
X-Period: Local Bands
• Cerro Gordo
• Michael Sutterfield & Paul Sammons
NATURAL ORGANIZATIONS & RESOURCES DAY
March 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Growing Green! Planting Event
WORKSHOP: Wilderness Survival Skills
ALTERNATIVE TECH/TRANSPORTATION DAY
March 18, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
X-Period: UCA Bike Rental Kickoff
WORKSHOP: CAB led Bike Repair
Recycled Recreations: Practical Plastic Tote Making
