April 15, 2009-Earth Day just isn’t big enough for those looking to promote their green activities and projects at the University of Utah. All across the country, people concerned with protecting the environment will celebrate on April 22, but environmentally friendly students, faculty, and staff at the U will party like its Earth Day all week long.

The fun begins Saturday, April 18 with a call to action for neighborhoods to beautify by planting native greenery. Many other green events and activities are scheduled for Earth Day, April 22, including festivals at the Union Plaza and College of Social Work.

Schedule of Events:

Saturday, April 18

• Bend-in-the-River Earth Day Planting Celebration

Where: 1030 West Fremont Avenue (1100 South)

When: 8:30 a.m.-noon

Join your community in enhancing this neighborhood natural area by installing native plants that provide wildlife habitat and year-round beauty. Start the morning with a light breakfast, followed by a planting demonstration by TreeUtah. Then join in some weed removal and planting and finally a tasty lunch. Children’s activities will be provided by Girl Scouts of Utah.

Stick around afterward to join a naturalist-led tour of this portion of the Jordan River, co-sponsored by Salt Lake City Open Space Lands Program. The tour will begin at noon. Please bring your own mug or water bottle to help cut down on waste. Shovels and sturdy work gloves are suggested. Organizers will have some tools and gloves available to borrow that day as well.

For more information, visit www.bend-in-the-river.org. RSVP to tpoelzing@sa.utah.edu or call 801-587-9027.

• Lecture: “The Challenge for Africa: A Conversation with Wangari Maathai”
  

Where: Carolyn Tanner Irish Humanities Building, Rm.109

When: Reception at 4 p.m., talk at 5 p.m.

Wangari Maathai–Nobel Prize winner, author and creator of the Green Belt Movement–will speak about wars being waged over resources, which are now becoming increasingly scarce. She suggests protecting the global environment is directly related to securing peace.

Note: Media only. Tickets required and this event is SOLD OUT.

Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day)

• Earthfest at the Union Plaza

Where: Olpin Student Union Plaza

When: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Enjoy food, live music, rock climbing, games, environmental displays, and two tree plantings: one by the union programming council and one in honor of the late Dr. Craig Forster, former director of the Office of Sustainability.

• Ubike Kick-off Celebration
  

Where: Olpin Student Union Plaza

When: Noon

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at noon followed by a bike parade.

Each year, the Associated Students of the University of Utah’s senior class presents a gift to the University of Utah as a way of saying “thank you.” This year, the senior class will give back to the university by creating a bicycle rental program. The Ubike rental program will make new and used red bicycles available for free rental at the Olpin Student Union, the hub of campus, in the summer of 2009. Students, faculty, staff and community members will be able to check out a bicycle for personal use for up to two weeks, free of charge. University of Utah Commuter Services has kindly agreed to match up to $15,000 in funds raised for Ubike.

For more information, contact ASUU senior class president Madison Warren at 801-916-6151 or by email: mwarren@asuu.utah.edu

• College of Social Work Earth Day Celebration
  

Where: Community Meeting Room, Goodwill Humanitarian Building, 395 S. 1500 E. Salt Lake City

When: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.,

Enjoy local music, food, door prizes, environmental documentary screenings, and informational booths from local environmental groups.

• Open House and Tours of the Newly Remodeled LEED equivalent V.R. Turpin University Services Building.

Where: Turpin Building, 1795 E. South Campus Drive, just west of the Huntsman Center

When: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Come take a tour of the new retro-commission and major remodeling project of the University Services Building. Free food and tours. Learn about the building’s special features, such as solar tubes and solar panels, projected energy savings, and waste minimization efforts during construction, or take a tour of the university’s new co-generation energy production facility.

• E-WASTE Collection Event

Where: V.R. Turpin University Services Building parking lot, 1795 E. South Campus Drive, just west of the Huntsman Center

When: 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

There is no charge to drop off your unwanted and obsolete electronics to have them responsibly recycled. Open to university students, staff, and faculty and all Salt Lake City residents. Electronic equipment contains toxic compounds that can leach into the soil and water supplies and contaminate our air if they are sent to landfills or incinerated. Drop off:

– Televisions
– Computers, monitors, and other accessories
– Audio/stereo equipment
– VCRs and DVD players
– Video cameras
– Telephones and cellular phones
– Fax and copying machines
– Wireless devices
– Video game consoles

Friday, April 24 (Arbor Day)

• Greek Row Community Festival

Where: Wolcott St. and 100 S.

When: 5 – 8 p.m.

Students, faculty and the community are invited to enjoy “green” children’s activities, as well as other Arbor Day fun, tree seedling sale to raise money for Red Butte Garden, and live acoustic music.

Saturday, April 25

• Library Science Festival of Science and Art “Imagining a Cleaner Future”

Where: Library Plaza

When: 12-5 p.m.

Exciting hands-on activities for children, families, and the campus community.