SU, ESF celebrate Earth Week

SU, ESF celebrate Earth WeekApril 18, 2003Ellen Edgertonebedgert@syr.edu

April 22 will mark the United States’ celebration of Earth Day, and Syracuse University and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry are marking this year’s Earth Week, April 20-26, with a variety of on- and off-campus events focusing on the environment and the greater Syracuse community.

The theme of SUNY ESF’s Earth Week 2003 celebration is “One Earth, One Family: Unity Through Awareness.” The week’s events kick off on April 21 with an ice cream social at noon on the ESF quad, followed by “Alexander Humboldt: His Life and Legacy,” a lecture on the renowned naturalist by Dietland Muller-Schwarze, ESF professor of environmental and forest biology, at 3 p.m. in 110 Moon Library.

On April 22, SUNY ESF’s Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions Speaker Series presents “Managing St. Lawrence River Discharge in a Time of Climatic Uncertainty,” a lecture on how water quantity affects wildlife, recreation and the economy, by Dr. Christiane Hudon of the Centre Saint-Laurent, Environment Canada, at 4 p.m. in 140 Baker Hall. A blood drive will also be held in Nifkin Lounge, Marshall Hall, from 12:30-5:30 p.m. Appointments can be made by e-mailing ldicarlo@syr.edu.

Free food, juggling and drum teaching sessions, plus a look at Toyota’s eco-friendly Prius car, will be among the attractions at the SUNY ESF BBQ and Activities Fair, April 23 from noon- 4 p.m., on the ESF Quad. Students will plant ivy outside of Marshall Hall at 3 p.m. In case of rain, events will be moved indoors to the Nifkin Lounge. Students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in a blueberry bake-off competition using blueberries donated by Grindstone Farm in Pulaski, with entries to be judged at Wednesday’s event. For more information on how to participate in the bake-off, contact esfmike@yahoo.com.

The New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) will present a program on tobacco and the environment on April 24 at 5:30 p.m. in 140 Baker Laboratory.

On April 26, several SU student groups and offices will team with the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency for the 2003 Countywide Earth Day Cleanup. Among the SU groups organizing the event are the SU Volunteer Organization, the Office of Government and Community Relations, the Office of Student Events, and the Office of Off-Campus Student Services in the Division of Student Affairs.

The cleanup will take place at various locations throughout the Syracuse area from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free food and drinks will be available at the Westcott Community Center for all participants after the cleanup. Those interested in signing up for the cleanup can call the Center for Public and Community Service at 443-3051 or register in person at Room 237 of Schine Student Center.