During Earth Week, students will be able to participate in several events that promote sustainability, including gardening workshops.
The University of Texas at Dallas will highlight sustainability and environmental practices for the campus community during its sixth annual Earth Week from April 17-21.
The Office of Student Volunteerism (OSV) organizes Earth Week events along with Facilities Management’s Office of Sustainability. Twenty community agencies, 10 student organizations and 10 campus departments are partners in the weeklong events.
“We are excited to have such a diverse array of student and community groups involved this year,” said Mackenzie Hunter, program coordinator in the OSV. “These partnerships make it possible to connect and empower UT Dallas students, staff and faculty with alternative energy options, habitat restoration efforts, local food distributors and waste reduction initiatives.”
For the first time, students in the new Eco-Reps internship will help with Earth Week activities, including giving presentations on composting, gardening and recycling.
“These partnerships make it possible to connect and empower UT Dallas students, staff and faculty with alternative energy options, habitat restoration efforts, local food distributors and waste reduction initiatives.”
Mackenzie Hunter,
program coordinator in the Office of Student Volunteerism
“We have been focusing UT Dallas’ sustainability efforts from a facilities standpoint: save water, save energy, and improve our campus habitat and recycling. The new Eco-Reps program helps us better connect with students," said Thea Junt, associate director of energy conservation and sustainability. "Eco-Reps are getting an education in campus sustainability and then putting it into action.”
Earth Fair, the week’s largest event, will feature booths and interactive activities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday on the mall.
Recycling Walks will take students to stations on the mall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday. Eco-Reps will provide information on monarch waystations, vermiculture and honey bees. There also will be environmental-themed photo booths.
A master gardener will offer free workshops at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday at the UT Dallas Community Garden. Registration is required.
Volunteers at Operation Upcycle will create items from recycled materials such as cardboard tubes and departmental T-shirts to donate to local agencies from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in Student Union Galaxy Room A. Registration is required.
Faculty members will share their research and engage students in environmentalism and sustainability during a panel discussion at 6 p.m. Tuesday in TI Auditorium.
A free screening of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax will be at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Student Services Addition Auditorium. From the creators of Despicable Me, the animated film features the vocal talents of Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift and Betty White.
UT Dallas Dining will offer fresh treats, cooking demonstrations and recipes, along with food for purchase, at a Pop Up Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday on the mall.
The UT Dallas Butterfly Flutterby from 10 a.m. to noon Friday will give participants the opportunity to maintain the University’s monarch waystations by planting varieties of milkweed. Registration is required.