Cal State East Bay to celebrate Earth Day on April 24
- April 5, 2012
Make a vow to live “greener,” sample water from different sources or step-up your commitment to recycling during a daylong April 24 celebration in honor of national Earth Day at Cal State East Bay.
The event, dedicated to promoting environmental awareness at CSUEB was organized by Associated Students Inc. Recreation and Student Health and Counseling Services Health Promotion Department.
“We hope the activities on (April) 24 will inspire (members of the) CSUEB campus community to consider their everyday actions and how they can minimize their personal impact to our planet,” said Krista Smith, ASI director of the Recreation and Wellness Center.
The celebration will feature educational activities promoting environmental safety and preservation, beginning with a weeklong clothing drive for Hayward’s Family Emergency Shelter Coalition and A.L.L. (Air, Land, Lungs), a 9 a.m. campuswide clean-up effort focused on the collection of improperly disposed cigarette buds.
Participants are also encouraged to take part in the interactive Pledge Tree in front of the RAW lobby, where they will be welcome to share their sustainability commitments with others and renew their vows to the environment.
ASI Director of Environmental Affairs Corrie Christine said it’s the little things people do that make a big difference in preserving the environment.
“It’s important to bring awareness and promote clubs and organizations on campus to become more involved in sustainability,” said Christine. “The more groups we get involved, the more people we can reach.”
Although campus recycling at a whole is at 80 percent, which Christine said was commendable, she observed that celebrating Earth Day on campus will only improve the percentage, by educating students about the importance of conservation.
The Tap vs. Bottle Taste Test, scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. at the RAW Plaza, is designed to do just that. After partaking in the challenge, participants will learn if there really is a difference between municipal and bottled water, and just how people can preserve the environment by drinking tap water.
For each attended activity, participants will be entered in a raffle at the end of the day to win Chipotle and R.E.I gift cards, as well as BART passes.
Although the Earth Day celebration is only a daylong event, members of ASI Recreation and the Student Health and Counseling Center encourage the CSUEB community to protect the environment 365 days of the year.
“Earth Day was established to educate and promote the collective responsibility to preserve Earth’s natural resources and improve the health of our environment,” said Smith. She added that she hopes the environmental celebration will encourage students to lead sustainable lives.
Looking towards the future, Christine said she would like to make the daylong event an annual occurrence, as well as see it become a collaborative effort among several CSUEB organizations.
Check out a complete schedule of activities online.
.