Earth Day Turns 40: Campus Celebration on April 22

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas will celebrate Earth Day with free food, a vendor fair and speakers on the Central Quad between the Arkansas Union and Mullins Library and stream cleanup of College Branch Creek on April 22.

The campus celebration dovetails with the communitywide Earth Day 40 celebration, which commemorates the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and is being held April 17-24.

At least 35 companies and organizations will be exhibiting their information about solar and wind energy; wood stoves; weatherization and building-energy conservation products and services; fair trade; organic and locally produced foods; social justice and creation care programs; green business development; electric and hybrid vehicles, and more. These vendors will be located on the Central Quad, between the Arkansas Union and Mullins Library from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Earth Day.

Hybrid vehicles, including motorized bicycles that can be pedaled or take advantage of a small built-in gas motor for an uphill boost, will be on display. Local musician Opal Fly will be performing, and free food provided by Tyson Foods and Chartwells will be available at the fair and for volunteers at the stream cleanup. There will also be displays from Pack Rat and Lewis and Clark Outfitters and many others.

College Branch Creek is a key tributary to the West Fork of the White River. It originates north of campus and flows through The Gardens and Carlson Terrace area. Volunteers are needed to help pick up litter in an effort to reduce pollutants and maintain a healthy watershed. Participants should meet at 2 p.m. at the George Family Pavilion in The Gardens on Razorback Road. Gloves and bags will be issued and the cleanup will conclude at 4 p.m. Volunteers should dress appropriately as some of the litter removal may require wading in knee-deep water. Refreshments will be provided for volunteers. For more information, contact Nick Brown nrb004@uark.edu.

A variety of speakers from the campus and community will speak on the steps outside the west entrance of Mullins Library about topics related to sustainability. The rain location for the vendors and speakers will be in the Connections Lounge in the Arkansas Union. The tentative schedule of speakers throughout the day follows:

• 10 a.m. – Nick Brown, director of campus sustainability, Sustainability at the University of Arkansas 2010.
• 11 a.m. – John Coleman, sustainability coordinator for the city of Fayetteville, Sustainability in Fayetteville 2010.
• Noon  – Art Hobson, physics professor emeritus, An Earth Day Call to Action
• 1 p.m. – Mattie Bookhout, president of Associated Student Government, Students and Sustainability 2010.
• 1:10 p.m. – Greg Sparrow, Habitotes representative, Earth Day and Habitotes.
• 1:20 p.m. – Robert Pfountz, president of Students for a Sensible Drug Policy, Uses of Hemp.