A wide variety of events throughout April that revolve around the theme, “Together, we can make a difference,” will commemorate Fredonia’s annual observance of Earth Month, beginning with a challenge posed to students, faculty and staff that’s already underway.
No Impact Week, which began Friday, April 1, and continues through Friday, April 8, asks participants to undergo a “carbon cleanse” by reducing their own environmental impact in a different way each day of the week. Its goals are to boost motivation and interest in sustainability, build a sense of community and create positive change.
Along the way, those registered for No Impact Week receive helpful daily emails to guide them and have access to the No Impact Experiment manual. They can also share their experiences and read tips from other participants by joining Fredonia’s No Impact Week Facebook group.
A series of individual events, free and open everyone, as well as individual projects hosted by residence halls, are spread out throughout the month.
In Recycled t-shirt: Quilting 101, participants will learn how to create a treasured heirloom t-shirt quilt, using 12 to 15 clean t-shirts they bring with them to Williams Center Room G103A on Friday, April 8, at 3 p.m. ITS Project Manager Sandra Lewis is leading the session.
National Geographic Society explorer Wade Davis will give the Maytum Convocation address, “Rediscovering the Diversity of the Human Spirit,” at King Concert Hall on Tuesday, April 12, at 3 p.m.
A campus-wide litter pickup, hosted by the Black Student Union and Educational Development Program and open to all students, will be held on Wednesday, April 13, beginning at 3:30 p.m., on Ring Road near Thompson Hall.
A garlic mustard pull aimed at the invasive species found in the Alexander Preserve will be conducted on Saturday, April 16. The Biology Club and Dr. Jon Titus are organizing the event. Participants are to report to the Science Center back parking lot at 10 a.m.
A sign recognizing trees planted by Fredonia students in the Greystone Nature Preserve will be dedicated on Friday, April 22, at 2 p.m. Tree-related activities, such as walnut cracking and maple syrup tasting, will also be held. Representatives from the county, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and Greystone and students and faculty from Fredonia will also speak.
Electronics recycling, open to campus and community members, will be staged on Saturday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the double tier parking lot (#7), along Ring Road off the campus’ Central Avenue entrance.
Cleanup of Point Gratiot Beach, sponsored by the Department of English, the Sustainability Committee and the Office of Volunteer and Community Services, will be held on Saturday, April 23. Students needing transportation or wishing to carpool to Point Gratiot should meet at 11:30 a.m. in the Fenton Hall parking lot. Gloves, garbage bags and Adopt-a-Beach™ materials will be provided; volunteers are encouraged to reuse plastic shopping bags for trash collection.
An earth-friendly career display featuring occupation and internship information can be viewed at the Career Development Office in Gregory Hall, on Monday through Friday throughout April. Appointments to discuss opportunities for scientists, writers, organizers, analysts, designers, planners, policy-makers and educators can be arranged with a career counselor.
Individual residence halls hosting events for their residents include:
• Alumni Hall – Magnetic terrariums, Monday, April 4; newspaper fashion show, Monday, April 25;• Hemingway Hall – Water bottle piggy banks, Tuesday, April 5; garbage jog/walk, Saturday, April 16; K-cup plants, Tuesday, April 19;
• Chautauqua Hall – Recycle ball, Wednesday, April 6, and Thursday, April 14;
• Eisenhower Hall – Book upcycling, Wednesday, April 6; seed bombs, Thursday, April 21;
• Nixon Hall – Clothing swap, Thursday, April 7; flowers in Mason jars, Tuesday, April 19;
• Hendrix Hall – Let’s go thrift shopping, Saturday, April 9; creek cleanup, Sunday, April 17;
• Grissom Hall – Capri Sun wallets, Monday, April 11;
• Gregory Hall – Recycled bottle sand art, Monday, April 11; do it yourself terrarium, Thursday, April 14;
• Kasling Hall – Do-it-yourself lemon trees, Wednesday, April 13;
• Schulz Hall – T-shirts, totes and pillows, Sunday, April 17;
• Igoe Hall – Create compost, Sunday, April 17;
• McGinnies Hall – Earth Month recycle art, Wednesday, April 20;
• Disney Hall – Drop, swap and shop, Friday, April 22.
