KNOXVILLE—This week marks the start of Earth Month celebrations at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Now in its sixth year on campus, Earth Month promotes environmental awareness, conservation, and sustainable practices to the campus community. Earth Month is not unique to UT—this unofficial month-long event is celebrated by many other organizations, both nationally and internationally.
UT is giving this greenest of months an orange twist with some fun and interactive campus events that everyone can enjoy.
Note: All events are free to attend, but some require advance registration online.
April 3—Sustainability Careers Panel
5:00 to 6:00 p.m., Dunford Hall
Hosted by Career Services, students will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of professionals in the environmental field. Panel participants include representatives from local non-profits and commercial organizations.
April 4—Go Green Fair and Bike-to-Campus Day
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Johnson-Ward Pedestrian Mall
The Go Green Fair will showcase the work of UT’s environmental organizations and the surrounding community. There will be opportunities to learn how to get more involved, tips on going green, and much more. Everyone also is encouraged to bike to campus and receive a free bike tune-up, courtesy of the UT Outdoor Program (UTOP).
April 9-13—Brown Bag Series
12:15 to 12:45 p.m. each day, Carolyn P. Brown University Center, Room 226
Employees and students are invited to bring their lunches and learn something new during these fun and educational sustainability-themed lectures.
- Monday, April 9: Mark Fly, professor of forestry, wildlife, and fisheries, and director of the Human Dimensions Research Lab, will present “Children in Nature: The Emergence of a Threatened and Endangered Species.” Note: This lecture will be held in the UC’s Shiloh Room.
- Tuesday, April 10: Ryan Worth, environmental science senior and UTOP leader and instructor, will present “Rowing the Atlantic.”
- Wednesday, April 11: Sara Malley, graduate teaching assistant with the Department of Sociology, will present “Environmental Justice: An Examination of Case Studies.”
- Thursday, April 12: Grace Loy, education coordinator for East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition, will present “Alternative Fuel Use in East Tennessee.”
- Friday, April 13: John Nolt, professor of philosophy and chair of UT’s Committee on the Campus Environment, will present “Non-anthropocentric Environmental Ethics.”
April 17—Weatherization Workshop
7:00 to 8:00 p.m., Carolyn P. Brown University Center, Room 217
Hosted by the Community Action Committee, this workshop will give participants tips to weatherize their home and tools to apply the newly learned techniques.
April 19—Bike-In Movie
8:00 to 10:00 p.m., Humanities Plaza Outdoor Amphitheater
This special under-the-stars screening of Wall-E will feature complimentary food and beverages, free bike tune-ups, and raffle prizes.
The Bike-in Movie is sponsored by ARAMARK, WUTK 90.3 The Rock, the United Residence Halls Council, UTOP, the UT Film Committee, and the Office of Sustainability.
April 20—UT Earth Day
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Circle Park
Although the Environmental Protection Agency officially celebrates Earth Day on April 22, UT is marking the occasion two days early.
At 10:00 a.m., attendees can peruse the Recycled Art Competition, which will feature student artwork made entirely from repurposed or recyclable material. Students wishing to enter artwork for judging can do so at utk.edu/go/oc. Entries will be judged and the top three pieces will receive prizes.
At 11:00 a.m., Students Promoting Environmental Action in Knoxville (SPEAK) will host a vegetarian cookout with local environmental organizations.
At 12:15 p.m., the Environmental Leadership Awards will recognize members of our campus community who provide outstanding environmental leadership. Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek will present the awards.
April 22—Campus Litter Clean-Up
1:00 to 3:00 p.m., campus-wide
Campus Beautification and Keep Knoxville Beautiful will canvass UT’s Knoxville and agricultural campuses and the Fort Sanders neighborhood to pick up trash and recycling. People interested in volunteering will receive supplies to beautify campus and a complimentary lunch. Volunteers will rally at the Humanities Plaza at 1:00 p.m. E-mail campus.utk@gmail.com for more information.
April 24—New Norris House Field Trip
1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Tour bus will leave from the second-floor entrance of John C. Hodges Library
The Office of Sustainability invites faculty, staff, and students to visit the New Norris House, an award-winning, LEED-certified project designed and built by students and faculty from UT’s College of Architecture and Design. This home reinterprets the historic “Norris example” with twenty-first-century sustainable and aesthetic design. Green features include solar power, low flow plumbing, and a rainwater catchment system.
People interested in joining the tour must reserve a spot at utk.edu/go/oa. Space is limited.
For up-to-date information on UT’s Earth Month festivities, visit utk.edu/go/o4. To learn more about Office of Sustainability initiatives, visit environment.utk.edu.
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Contact: Courtney Washburn (865-974-7780, cjwash@utk.edu)
Gordie Bennett (865-974-7780, gbennet5@utk.edu)