As part of this year’s celebrations surrounding Earth Day, West Virginia University is hosting and participating in several events throughout April to spread awareness about caring for people, the planet and prosperity.

Events on campus will highlight the many ways sustainability is part of people’s everyday life.

Informational booths will be set up at the Mountainlair on April 21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with giveaways and activities.

“As a sustainability research assistant with the Office of Sustainability, I am not only pleased to be coordinating these campus-wide events but also in gaining relevant academic experience that fits well with my career goals,” said Nick Marks, a senior multidisciplinary studies student.

Events include:

-On Wednesday, April 20, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. WE CAN is sponsoring a free electronic-cycling day for WVU faculty, staff and students in the Coliseum parking lot. All types of electronic devices will be accepted, except televisions. Items that will be accepted include computers, monitors, keyboards, stereos, printers, copiers, CD players, DVD players, VCRs, microwaves, fax machines, cell phones, ipods and PDAs. Also on April 20, WVU Printing Services and WE CAN are offering a free shred event for confidential documents at the Communications building. The free shredding will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants are limited to five small boxes of paper per person.

-On Thursday, April 21, the Green on the Green Eco Jamboree will be held on the Mountainlair Green from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Music and entertainment will be provided and local and student organizations will be sharing information on their sustainability initiatives. Groups in attendance will include the Sierra Student Coalition, Friends of Blair Mountain, Friends of Decker’s Creek, Cafe Con Leche, WECAN, The Wildlife Society, West Virginia Raptor Rehabilitation Center, Zipcar, Society of Environmental Professionals. The band Afrogravity will play in support of the Friends of Blair Mountain and will begin playing at 5 p.m. More information on the jamboree can be found on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=160233217366689&notif_t=event_admin

-On Monday, April 25, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. an energy efficiency and smart house tech demo will be held at the Sustainable Design Studio on campus.

-Waste audits will be available from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. from April 18-20.

-The WVU community is also invited to participate in Morgantown’s Earth Day 5k on April 22. Registration begins at 11 a.m. at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park.

WVU doesn’t only work to be environmentally responsible around Earth Day. In the last year, WVU has taken several strides toward energy efficiency and conservation as it began the third phase of a project that will make all campus buildings more energy efficient and could save the University $36 million in utility costs over the next 15 years.

In September, the University signed an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of the agencies Sustainability Partnership Program. Through the program, the EPA will offer technical assistance and resources as the University continues to plan and implement sustainable efforts that will conserve energy and improve the local environment.

WVU’s recycling program has continued to grow and now has recycling collection points throughout the Health Sciences Center, Ruby Memorial Hospital’s Office Complex and Cheat Lake Physicians building.

WVU’s Office of Facilities and Services is a campus-wide leader in recycling and conservation efforts. Since 2007, Facilities Management has offered in-house recycling services that include daily collection of aluminum and steel cans, paper, plastic and cardboard. Other recyclables collected are electronics, fluorescent tubes, scrap metal, textiles and toner cartridges.

Facilities also leads the charge in green building initiatives by providing energy efficient renovation and construction services.

To find out more about WVU’s sustainability efforts and a calendar of Earth Day events, visit http://wecan.wvu.edu/ .

-WVU-

dm/04/15/11

CONTACT: Clement Solomon, WVU director of Sustainability
304-293-7916, clement.solomon@mail.wvu.edu