SU Celebrates Green Week April 18-24

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University celebrates Green Week from April 18-24 with a variety of events on campus. Highlights include:

• April 18-24: "Recycle 2010" exhibit, Commons, Comma Gallery (near SU Bookstore). From baskets woven from telephone wire and bowls made from pressed record albums to glass beads re-cast from old bottles, sustainable art is in! See this week-long exhibit, sponsored by the Office of Cultural Affairs.

• Monday, April 19: Earth Day bake sale, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Henson Science Hall. Funds raised support the Environmental Students Association’s (ESA) 2010 Earth Day celebration.

• Wednesday, April 21: Homemade planters, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 2-5 p.m., Red Square. The Residence Life Sustainability Awareness Team invites students to bring plastic water bottles to turn into flower pots from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. From 2-5 p.m., the People Initiating Peace Club invites students to bring other recyclables they may turn into planters.

• Thursday, April 22: Butterfly garden raffle, 10 a.m., Salisbury Zoo. Students from Professor Paula Morris’ marketing and promotions class join in the Salisbury Zoo’s Earth Day celebration by hosting a butterfly garden raffle to raise funds for the facility. The prize includes 18 plants and a birdbath, as well as installation of the garden. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and may be purchased in advance at the zoo’s gift shop, administration office or education office, or during the zoo’s Earth Day event. For more information call 410-860-6880.

• Thursday, April 22: Earth Day, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Red Square. The ESA and Student Government Association sponsor SU’s annual Earth Day celebration. Activities include the opportunity to make recycling receptacles out of cardboard boxes, information booths spotlighting recycling and sustainability, raffles and a recycled water bottle display. The Sociology Action Club offers a survey regarding sustainable agriculture on the Delmarva Peninsula and a poster on which students may write suggestions on how to reduce their carbon footprint. Commuter Connections sponsors a car mechanic who offers tips for maintaining vehicles to reduce carbon footprints. Bike Sport and ESA members also host tune up bicycles for free during the event.

• Thursday, April 22: "Going Green" lunch, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Commons. Dining Services and the Office of Cultural Affairs host this special meal, with many vegan and vegetarian options. Admission is $8.32, $4.29 for children 6-12, free for children 5 and under.

• Thursday, April 22: Earth literacy and communications presentations, noon-3 p.m., Red Square. Students from Dr. Joan Maloof’s Earth Literacy class present displays on sustainability in higher education and SU’s progress on Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS). Meanwhile, Salisbury Green Space and students from Dr. James Carsten’s Environmental Communication class present information on sustainable topics of local interest, including the Wicomico River, Chesapeake Bay and Salisbury Zoo.

• Saturday, April 24: Alternative energy workshop, 9-11:30 a.m., Henson Science Hall Room 103. The ESA and Wicomico Environmental Trust co-host this workshop providing homeowners and small businesses with practical information regarding alternative energy systems. Speakers address the installation and financing of small-scale solar, wind and geothermal systems. Information on tax incentives, funding opportunities and net metering and interconnection policies also is presented. Coffee and light fare is provided.

In addition to these activities, the SU community is also invited to learn more about the University’s Climate Action Plan, unveiled in 2010 as part of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment signed by SU President Janet Dudley-Eshbach in 2007. The plan outlines steps SU will take over the next 40 years with a goal of zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Those interested may view the plan and offer comments and suggestions at www.salisbury.edu/president/sustainabilityinitiatives/cap.

Admission to all events is free, and the public is invited. For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu