FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Folks may be familiar with Earth Day, an annual springtime observance of the environment, but this year, the University of Arkansas is holding a week’s worth of earth-related events from April 18-25. All events are free and open to the public.

7 a.m. until noon – Horticulture Club Plant Sale – Horticulture greenhouses at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Start Earth Week a little early when GroGreen, a student organization dedicated to organic gardening, will be working in the greenhouse and selling its organic veggies and herbs at the annual Horticulture Club Plant Sale at the university farm, east on Cassatt Street from Garland Avenue, 1.5 miles north of campus.

10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. – Biodiesel tours – Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

Ride the Gray bus to the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center (the university farm) on north Garland Avenue to the university’s micro-refinery that makes biodiesel from waste vegetable oil that comes from Chartwells food courts on campus. Catch the Gray bus at the Intermodal Transit Facility located atop the Stadium Drive Parking Facility next to the Arkansas Union or at any stop along its route (http://parking.uark.edu/gray.pdf).

   7-9 p.m. – EcoVillage – Chi Omega Greek Theatre

    University Programs is bringing the Campus Consciousness Tour to the University of Arkansas.  The tour will feature a free concert by rock band Guster.  It will also feature the Campus Consciousness EcoVillage by Reverb, an organization founded by members of Guster.  The EcoVillage will include a tented display of green and renewable concepts at the concert site surrounding the Greek Theatre. The EcoVillage is organized in conjunction with campus partners, the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance and Planet Aid.

    8-11 p.m. – Guster concert – Greek Theatre

    University Programs will host the rock band Guster, who will perform at the Chi Omega Greek Theater as part of the Campus Consciousness Tour.  Wild Sweet Orange will be the opening act.  The concert is free and open to the public.  Doors are at 7 p.m.  The concert begins at 8 p.m.

8 a.m. – Green Globes Plaque Presentation – Duncan Avenue Apartments

The Duncan Avenue Apartments is the first construction project on the University of Arkansas campus to earn the U.S. Green Buildings Initiative’s “Green Globes” designation for its energy efficient and environmentally friendly design. Representatives from the U.S. Green Buildings Initiative will present the Green Globes plaques to the university during a special ceremony.

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Entomology department insect display – Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 N. Crossover Road, Fayetteville

Representatives from the entomology department in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences will have a display of insects and other arthropods and be available to answer questions about the roles of insects in the environment.

10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. – Biodiesel tours at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center.  

Ride the Gray bus to the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center (the university farm) on north Garland Avenue to the university’s micro-refinery that makes biodiesel from waste vegetable oil that comes from Chartwells food courts on campus. You can catch the Gray bus at the Intermodal Transit Facility located atop the Stadium Drive Parking Facility next to the Arkansas Union or at any stop along its route (http://parking.uark.edu/gray.pdf). 

 

The winners of this year’s Recycle Mania, a student recycling competition, will be announced.

1:30-3:30 p.m. – Students-FirstSustainability Competition final presentations ­­– Arkansas Union Rooms 508-509

The teams have been narrowed and the three finalists will make final 15-minute presentations that will be judged to determine the outcome of this semester-long competition. Student teams worked all semester to develop practical innovations to provide campus with financial and energy savings and reduction of the university’s carbon footprint.

3:45 p.m. – Students-First Sustainability Competition, winner announcement – Arkansas Union Rooms 508-509

With $30,000 in prizes for the winning student teams on the line, this is the exciting finale to the semester-long competition whereby teams create a comprehensive plan to address a sustainability initiative on campus. The winning team, chosen by a panel of judges and announced by Chancellor G. David Gearhart, may see their idea implemented.

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. Members of the student chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects will be participating, and everyone is welcome to help pick up litter in an effort to reduce pollutants and maintain a healthy watershed.  

5 p.m. – Fayetteville High School greenhouse gas inventory roll-out – 1000 W. Stone St., Fayetteville

The University of Arkansas Sustainability Council and the Fayetteville Sustainability Program have provided technical assistance throughout the spring semester as Fayetteville High School students have developed a greenhouse gas inventory for the FHS campus, and high school students will present the inventory to the Fayetteville School District Board.

7 a.m. until noon – ReLeaf Tree Give Away, Fayetteville Farmer’s Market – Fayetteville Square

Student members of the American Society of Landscape Architects will be participating in the city of Fayetteville’s tree give away on the Fayetteville Square.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Lake Fayetteville Outdoor Festival – Lake Fayetteville Park. Parking available at the park and surrounding businesses.

The University of Arkansas Intramural/Recreational Sports Department, Fayetteville Parks & Recreation and Lewis & Clark Outfitters will be hosting the first Lake Fayetteville Outdoor Festival. The event will include kayaking, group bike rides, family hikes, fishing demonstrations, a kids zone with inflatables, fire safety demonstrations, McGruff the crime dog, disc golf demonstrations, horseshoes, yoga and Pilates classes, live music, food vendors and much more. In case of rain, the festival will be held will be Sunday, April 26. Visit http://gooutandplay.com for more information.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Entomology department insect display – Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 N. Crossover Road, Fayetteville

Representatives from the entomology department in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences will have a display of insects and other arthropods and be available to answer questions about the roles of insects in the environment.