USD Hosts Earth Days April 16-22
From a local fair and petting zoo to hikes, movies and keynote speakers, Earth Days will feature a variety of activities to inspire appreciation of sustainability and the local environment.
Unlike previous Earth Days in which many events took on a more serious tone in hopes of increasing recognition of some of the world’s most pressing environmental issues, this year’s Earth Days will take a more lighthearted approach to spreading mindfulness about sustainability.
“A key difference between this year’s Earth Days events and those of prior years is that we are going to try to have a more uplifting and positive tenor,” said Meghann Jarchow, Ph.D., coordinator of sustainability program and chair of Greening Vermillion. “There are challenges in moving towards sustainability that can be overwhelming, but we want to bring people together to show how there is hope and how we all can make a difference.”
This year’s keynote address, cosponsored by the Center for Diversity and Community, will feature Peterson Toscano, who speaks on a range of topics from LGBTQ issues, privilege, religion, and climate change. The lecture will occur at 7 p.m., April 17, in Old Main’s Farber Hall.
Below is a breakdown of activities by day. For more information, please contact Meghann Jarchow.
Earth Days 2018
Monday, April 16
· Earth Day Fair including a Local Food Fair
o Time = 11 a.m. – 2 p.m Earth Day Fair and 11 a.m. -1 p.m. Local Food Fair
o Location = MUC Pit Lounge, USD Campus
o Sponsoring organizations = SUST Club, Prairiesun Organic Farm, Heikes Family Farm, Aramark
· Family movie = Fern Gully
o Time = 6:30 p.m.
o Location = Coyote Twin Theatre
o Sponsoring organization = Friends of the Library
Tuesday, April 17
· Ufford Hills Country Market and Petting Zoo
o Time = 3-7 p.m.
o Location = Ufford Hills Country Market (3691 E. Main St.)
o Sponsoring organization = Ufford Farm
· Earth Days Keynote Lecture – Peterson Toscano (also Diversity Symposium Keynote)
o Title: Everything is Connected: An Evening of Stories. Most Weird, Many True
o Time = 7 p.m.
o Location = Farber Hall, Old Main, USD campus
o Sponsoring organizations = Office of Diversity, Sustainability Program
Wednesday, April 18
· Mulberry Bend Overlook Hike
o Time = 6 p.m.
o Location = Mulberry Bend Overlook (NE-15, Newcastle, NE 68757)
o Sponsoring organization = Missouri National Recreational River/National Park Service
Thursday, April 19
· The Lorax showing (early-out movie)
o Time = 2 p.m.
o Location = Location = Coyote Twin Theatre
o Sponsoring organization = Friends of the Library
· Green Thursday on the Platz
o Time = 6-8 p.m.
o Location = Ratingen Platz, downtown Vermillion
o Sponsoring organizations = Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company and Greening Vermillion
Saturday, April 21
· Spirit Mound Star Party
o Time = 8:30 p.m.
o Location = Spirit Mound Historic Prairie
o Sponsoring organizations = Living River Group of the Sierra Club and Missouri National Recreational River
Sunday, April 22(Earth Day)
· 2018 Tour de Verm
o Time = 2:30 p.m.
o Location = Start at the high school and ride to Barstow Park
o Sponsoring organizations = Barking Dogs Club and Living River Group of the Sierra Club
o Note = Participants in the bike ride will be required to wear a helmet
There will be many additional events at the Edith B. Siegrist Vermillion Public Library. Check with the Vermillion Public Library for more details.
