Rather than spending one day celebrating the earth, West Virginia University is devoting the whole month of April to “going green.”

WVU’s Office of Sustainability is partnering with other organizations on a variety of recycling, lectures, shows and other events planned throughout the month. Globally, the 40th anniversary of Earth Day will be recognized on April 22.

“The Earth Month events fall in line with our big tent approach and the coming together of different perspectives, positions and passions through partnership and collective action to shape our common future, both on campus and beyond,” said Clement Solomon, director of sustainability at WVU.

Earth Month will kick off with a seven-month campaign to encourage people to throw their cigarette butts away in the proper container. The “Keep Your Butts Off the Ground” campaign will be held from April to October in Monongalia and Marion counties.

Partners in the campaign include Monongalia County Litter Control, West Virginia Wellness, West Virginia Tobacco Control, Friends of Deckers Creek, Morgantown Utility Board, Our Studio, WVU Office of Sustainability, WVU Center for Civic Engagement and WVU Recycling.

Other events include:

• Thursday, April 8 from 5-6 p.m. – Water and Eco Artist lecture by Basia Irland in Bloche Hall at the WVU Creative Arts Center.

• Saturday, April 10 from 1-4 p.m. – Amizade’s third annual Water Walk for Women’s Rights. For more information and to register, visit http://www.amizade.org/resources/walkwalk2010.html .

• Saturday, April 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Impact E.A.R.T.H. (Environmental Awareness and Respecting Tomorrow’s Home) and the Earth Day 5K race at the Ruby McQuain Amphitheatre. More information is available at http://wecan.wvu.edu/home_2/impact_earth . This event is sponsored by the WVU Office of Sustainability, Morgantown’s Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners, Monongalia County Solid Waste Authority, The Dominion Post, Morgantown Utility Board and WE CAN. The WVU Society of Environmental Professionals and the WVU Entomology Department will also be participating.

• Thursday, April 22 from 2-6 p.m. – Green Show on the Green will be held on the Mountainlair plaza. The concert will feature members of The Emperors, One Hundred Hurricanes and The Greens. Various booths promoting sustainability will be set up on the plaza. Free reusable water bottles will be given out. This event is sponsored by the WVU Office of Sustainability, WELL WVU and the WVU Young Democrats.

• Thursday, April 22 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. – Sierra Swing show at 123 Pleasant Street. This event is sponsored by the Sierra Student Coalition.

• Friday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to noon – Free Shred Day at Communications Building. Individuals can bring up to five letter-sized boxes of paper and have the contents shredded for free. The event is for WVU faculty, staff and students only. This event is designed to be for personal property only. This event is a collaborative effort between WVU Printing Services and WE CAN.

• Friday, April 23 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Electronic Recycling on Maiden Lane adjacent to the Mountainlair. All types of electronics will be accepted, including televisions. A complete list of accepted items will be available at http://wecan.wvu.edu closer to the event. This event is for WVU faculty, staff and students only. This event is designed to be for personal property only. This event is a collaborative effort between the Center for Civic Engagement and WE CAN.

For more information, visit http://wecan.wvu.edu/ .

-WVU-

cd/04/05/10

CONTACT: Amelia Martin, Office of Sustainability
304-293-3349, Amelia.Martin@mail.wvu.edu