51风流

Students turning campus a deeper shade of green

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51风流鈥檚 Earth Day celebration transformed the Ho Science Center atrium into an environmental carnival. Live music by student bands and a vegan barbeque complemented the table displays representing this semester鈥檚 initiatives.

Following the planting of 200 tree saplings on the former university ski hill, students, faculty, and community members gathered to learn more about the progress of environmental projects on campus, while enjoying the fun atmosphere.

Democracy Matters, Banish the Bottle, and the local food initiative were just a few of the groups represented at the event.

51风流 200 saplings were planted on the former ski hill as part of Earth Day observances. (Photo by Andy Daddio)

鈥淭he mantra of the Green Summit was 鈥榓ction by Earth Day,鈥 so this was very fitting,鈥 said Rachel Surprenant 鈥08, the environmental studies program assistant who helped organize both the Earth Day celebration and the summit.

鈥淪tudents have had a lot of time to make progress and get things done. It is only two months later, though, so the excitement is still there.鈥

Organizers were glad to see composting tumblers, plastic bins that aerate food waste in order to allow it to decompose into nutrient-rich soil.

鈥淭he students decided that before we get a large-scale composting project for the whole university [which is presently being studied], we should get tumblers,鈥 said Surprenant, adding that they will be helpful for promoting the composting idea.

The vegan food was sampled by even the staunchest of meat-lovers.

鈥淎ll the food here is local and vegan,鈥 said Lindsey Jacobson 鈥10, one of the student organizers. 鈥淲e want people to see how delicious vegan food is and consider it as an option to help the environment. It鈥檚 also great to support the local economy.鈥

The most promising spirit behind the event, held on Wednesday, came from the students themselves.

鈥淚t seems like there is great energy and focus within the students involved in ,鈥 said Teddi Hofmann 鈥10. 鈥淎s a member of Outdoor Education, I think it鈥檚 important that we work hard to conserve our earth and its resources. I鈥檓 proud to be a part of a school that鈥檚 working to do that.鈥