Save the Planet

GAMBIER, Ohio (April 17, 2011)

One Week of Sustainability captures year-round efforts at Kenyon to protect the planet.

Launching on Sunday, the Week of Sustainability is organized by the Environmental Campus Organization (ECO) and raises environmental awareness while celebrating spring. ECO member Kendra Lechtenberg '13 of Fort Collins, Colorado, emphasized that the week is an effective way to unify the Kenyon community around an important cause. "We have received extraordinary support from many student groups," she said. "A large portion of the student body participates in and is proud of" the week-long effort.

The Earth Day Festival starts at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday in the Kenyon Athletic Center where dozens of vendors will be selling local foods, herbs, clothing, and gifts for the home. Fitness tests, music, a petting zoo, and a working bee hive are part of the fun. The related Earth Day Challenge Marathon and Half Marathon starts at 7:00 a.m. and finishes outside the athletic center the same day.

The residence-hall energy competition also begins on Sunday. Buildings compete through April 24 to use the least amount of energy. Students are encouraged to unplug electronic device and power cords and keep lights off whenever possible. A free meal is the prize.

Other events include:

Sustainability Director Ed Neal will lead students on a tour of composting and recycling facilities at 4:10 p.m. Monday. To participate, contact eco@kenyon.edu.
A tour of the Brown Family Environmental Center on Monday. Meet at the College Bookstore at 7:00 p.m.
A visit to the Wiggin Street Elementary School garden at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Peirce Hall herb garden opening at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, and a local-foods cooking competition among AVI Foodsystem chefs at 4:00 p.m.
The film Blue Planet screening on South Quad at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, marking the one-year anniversary of the devastating BP Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
"Women in the Grassroots: A Panel on Community Organizing in Coal Country" with social activist Elisa Young marks Coal Day at 7:00 p.m. Thursday in Peirce Lounge.
Earthfest celebrates Earth Day on Friday on Ransom Lawn at 5:00 p.m. A local-foods picnic includes music performed by Kenyon bands, informational booths, and a free store with donated clothing. Food will be served in Peirce Hall in the event of rain. The Horn Gallery hosts the Vermont-based "cheap art and political theater" company Bread and Puppet Theater at 6:30 p.m. on the lawn, with the gallery as the theater venue in the event of rain.
The spirit of the week continues at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at the Brown Family Environmental Center with a Migration Bird Walk hosted by Professor of Biology Ray Heithous.

Week of Sustainability sponsors include AVI Foodsystems, Crozier Center for Women, ECO, Horn Gallery, and People Endorsing Agrarian Sustainability. To learn more, contact ECO at eco@kenyon.edu.