Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia will kick off UGA Earth Week 2014 on April 22 with events at the Tate Student Center Plaza, UGArden and State Botanical Garden. The four-day celebration will be packed with events and activities aimed to provide inspiration, tips for sustainable living and opportunities to better the UGA campus, Athens community and the planet.
During UGA Earth Week 2014, the UGA Office of Sustainability, Students for Environmental Action and other campus and community organizations will host daily events culminating in a green day of service featuring a paddling cleanup on the Middle Oconee River and a hangout with the Chew Crew goats.
UGA Earth Week 2014 events are listed below.
Tuesday, April 22
Earth Day Fair
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Tate Student Center Plaza
The Earth Day Fair will kick off UGA Earth Week 2014 by promoting sustainability initiatives from student-focused and community organizations. The UGA Earth Week Headquarters, a table hosted by the Office of Sustainability and UGA Students for Environmental Action, or SEA, will be open to inform students, faculty and staff about volunteer opportunities on campus and in the community. A visit from the Chew Crew goats will highlight the fair.
UGArden SXSM (South by South Milledge) Sustainable Spring Concert and SEA No-Waste Dinner
Time: 5-7:30 p.m.
Location: UGArden on South Milledge Avenue, just past the State Botanical Garden
The UGArden SXSM Sustainable Spring Concert and SEA No-Waste Dinner will celebrate local music, sustainability and good food at UGArden. Bring a fork, plate and cup to the fifth annual no-waste dinner co-sponsored by UGArden and SEA. Admission is $2. For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/events/395446673895888/.
Georgia Review Earth Day Program
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Day Chapel, State Botanical Garden of Georgia
The Georgia Review Earth Day Program will feature writer and activist Ann Pancake. The evening will open and close with music by Hawk Proof Rooster and be followed by a reception catered by Home.made. The event is co-sponsored by the UGA Jane and Harry Willson Center for Humanities and Arts, the Environmental Ethics Certificate Program and the Office of Sustainability.
Wednesday, April 23
Inspiring Local Careers: Sustainable Athens
Time: 3:30-5 p.m.
Location: UGA Law Dean Rusk Center, fourth floor, Larry Walker Room
The career-oriented panel on “Inspiring Local Careers: Sustainable Athens” will feature Athens-based industry leaders in sustainability from Athens-Clarke County government, Athens Land Trust, Georgia River Network, Noramco and Terrapin Brewery. Information on internships in sustainability and recycling will be available from local industry experts. The event is co-sponsored by the Office of Sustainability, Terry College Net Impact student organization and UGA Environmental Law Association.
Sustainability Short Film Festival
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Location: Tate Student Center Theater
The green mini film festival will feature film shorts provided by EcoFocus Film Festival and the Office of Sustainability and refreshments by Coca-Cola.
Thursday, April 24
Recycling Happy Hour
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Location: Intramural Fields parking lot (E01)
This drive-thru electronics recycling event is sponsored by Athens-Clarke County Recycling Division, WUGA, Coca-Cola, UGA Parking Services, Office of Sustainability and several local businesses. Bring electronics—TVs, computers, phones, cables, etc.—batteries, light bulbs and CDs to recycle at the UGA Intramural Fields, and receive a free Coca-Cola in return.
UOWN Terrapin Night
Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Terrapin Brewery
Support the Upper Oconee Watershed Network by attending the UOWN and Georgia River Network Terrapin Night. Local community and student groups will provide outreach and activities to increase awareness of sustainability within the community.
Friday, April 25
UGA Green Day of Service
Volunteer Opportunity 1: Middle Oconee River Clean-up and Paddle
Time: 3-6 p.m.
Location: Big Dogs on the River, 2525 Atlanta Hwy.
Volunteer with Big Dogs on the River, UOWN, UGA Outdoor Recreation and the Office of Sustainability to paddle and cleanup the banks of the Middle Oconee River. Then, dry off and stick around for local food at the cabana. No paddling experience is needed. Volunteers must register at http://vols.pt/K8nebY.
Volunteer Opportunity 2: Hanging with the Chew Crew
Time: 2-5 p.m.
Location: Tanyard Creek Chew Crew Site, corner of Baxter and Hull streets
The goat paddock is located on UGA property at the corner of Baxter Street and Hull Street (next to the Hull Street Parking Deck and near the Tate Student Center and Miller Learning Center).
Volunteer to help clean up Tanyard Creek and assist the Chew Crew goats. Volunteers will meet in the goat paddock next to the Hull Street parking deck and will help the goats remove invasive species and pick up trash along the way. Volunteers must register at http://vols.pt/K8nebY.
For more information about these events, email sustain@uga.edu. To find out more about sustainability initiatives at UGA, see http://sustainability.uga.edu/.