Student Group Organizes Event Series for Earth Week 2009

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MACON — A Mercer University student group is going far beyond Earth Day, celebrated every April 22 since 1970, to educate students and the public on ways to reduce their impact on the environment. The events will run from April 18 through April 25 and will offer new ideas for ways individuals can enhance the global environment by making changes in their own lives. The group planned the events in and around Mercer’s Macon campus as part of its Second Annual Earth Week celebrations.

“We want to raise awareness about environmental issues on campus and in the community with this week of activities,” said junior Collin Douglas, president of Students for Environmental Action. “Our main focus is to educate students and encourage them to be responsible environmental stewards.  We hope these events will encourage the Mercer community to implement more innovative sustainable solutions on campus and continue our strong partnerships with local community and student groups.”

Among the group’s partners are local companies, the College Hill Corridor Commission and other student groups to hold a series of events, drives and displays targeted to the Mercer community. The group also planned a number of events that are open to all, which it hopes will engage the community as well.

The weeklong events in the Fresh Food Company and Connell Student Center include:
A Week Without Trays (to lower food waste and water use)
Composting of all food preparation waste (which should exceed 300 pounds)
Vermicompost (worm composting) demonstrations
Cell phone donations for Crisis Line and Safe House of Middle Georgia
Used battery and ink cartridge recycling
Mixed paper, plastic and aluminum recycling
Local food campaign with organic farmers
Raised-bed garden display
Water conservation display
Georgia Adopt-A-Stream and Rivers Alive
Students for Environmental Action information table and raffle

Earth Week Events
(Free admission, open to the public)

Saturday, April 18
Beall’s Hill Neighborhood Cleanup
9:30 a.m.
Volunteers meet at the corner of Ash and Ross Streets

Sunday, April 19
Sunday Brunch
Noon to 3 p.m.
Washington Park, 1098 Magnolia St.
www.collegehillcorridor.com

Monday, April 20
“Did You Know? Facts About Your Trash”
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Porter Patch, Macon campus

“Environmentalism and the Environmental Movement in Georgia”
3:30 p.m.
Room 251, Stetson Hall, Macon campus
A presentation by Patty Durand, director of the Georgia Sierra Club, http://georgia.sierraclub.org/index.aspx

Tuesday, April 21
Bike Repair Demonstration
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Porter Patch, Macon campus

“Let It Rot” – seminar on composting by Dr. Heather Bowman-Cutway, Biology Department
7 p.m.
Lecture Hall, Willet Science Center, Macon campus

Wednesday, April 22, Earth Day
Dedication of Ronald McDonald House Community Garden
10 a.m.
1160 Forsyth St.
 
“Shindig on the Green,” in partnership with Macon-Bibb County Parks and Recreation Department
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tattnall Square Park
Event will feature: Try a Bear Bike, recycling, compost demonstration, flower and tree plantings, yard games, vendor tables and a raffle.

“Lights Out at Jittery Joes”
All Day
Jittery Joe’s, Mercer Village
Jittery Joe’s Coffee, in conjunction with Earth Day and Earth Week, will turn off its lights all day and use candles at night. It will also offer a 10 percent discount for all customers who request a non-disposal cup or plate. Additionally, Jittery Joes will also compost coffee grounds and recycle for the entire week.

Thursday, April 23
Eco Trivia…How Green Are You?
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Connell Student Center

Movie on the Patch: “Into the Wild”
8 p.m.
Porter Patch, Macon campus

Friday, April 24
Bike Ride to Lunch
Noon to 1 p.m.
Lunch at Market City Cafe, group leaves from the lower level of Connell Student Center

Screen on the Green: Disney’s “WALL-E”
8 p.m.
Tattnall Square Park

Saturday, April 25
“Super Saturday Summer Series”
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mercer Village
The kick-off event for a new series at Mercer Village that will feature live music, an outdoor barbecue, kids’ activities, prizes and food and drink specials at Mercer Village restaurants. The series will continue on the last Saturday of each month through the end of summer.

About Mercer University:
Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University has approximately 7,600 students; 11 schools and colleges – liberal arts, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing and continuing and professional studies; major campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah; three regional academic centers across the state; a university press; two teaching hospitals — Memorial University Medical Center and the Medical Center of Central Georgia; educational partnerships with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta; an engineering research center in Warner Robins; a performing arts center in Macon; and a NCAA Division I athletic program. For more information, visit www.mercer.edu.
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