Tag Archive for: Earth Week

Bike blender at previous SOU Earth Week

Earth Week at SOU packs in wide variety of events

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University’s fifth annual, student-driven Earth Week celebration from April 15 to 20 will be all about awareness of important issues facing the planet – and celebration of efforts that are making a difference.

Events will range from a “tea talk” about environmental justice and a “pollinator party” with local beekeepers, to a transportation options fair and an Earth Day bike ride. The three-day Environmental Justice Film Festival will have screenings on Tuesday through Thursday, and a Gender Neutral Clothing Swap will also be held each of those days.

The film festival – sponsored by SOU’s Sustainability Resource Center (ECOS), Black Student Union, Queer Resource Center and Food Justice League, and the local climate action group Rogue Climate – will offer films that focus on environmental and social justice from 6 to 8 p.m. each evening. Tuesday’s film will be in the Stevenson Union Arena and the other two films will be in the facility’s Rogue River Room.

One of the featured events at this year’s Earth Week observance will be an “Earth Day Extravaganza” on Tuesday in the Stevenson Union Courtyard. It will feature displays that highlight some of the notable sustainability efforts underway in the Rogue Valley, and opportunities to interact with local organizations and groups that are engaged in those efforts.

Earth Week at SOU will feature public events both on and off the university campus.

Earth Week highlights
MONDAY: Meatless Monday brings an entirely vegetarian menu, all day, to the Hawk dining commons; Tea Talk discussion about environmental justice, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Third Eye Theater between the Stevenson Union and Britt Hall.

TUESDAY: Graduate student Emily Lind of the Environmental Education club will lead a short “bird hike” around the Ashland Pond, transportation provided (email stewartc3@sou.edu for information); Earth Day Extravaganza, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Stevenson Union Courtyard; a gender-neutral clothing swap, sponsored by the Queer Student Union, will offer free clothes from 1 to 6 p.m. in the Stevenson Union Gallery (SU 323); Environmental Justice Film Festival, “Viceland’s Rise, Standing Rock Part II,” about the Standing Rock efforts to protect tribal burial sites from the Dakota Access Pipeline.

WEDNESDAY: “Nature Reading” of short creative works about nature and ecology, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Third Eye Theater; OSPIRG pollinator party with beekeepers, live music, free food, face-painting, raffles and speakers, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Stevenson Union Courtyard; gender-neutral clothing swap, 1 to 6 p.m., Stevenson Union Gallery (SU 323); Environmental Justice Film Festival, “An American Ascent,” about the first African-American expedition on Denali, North America’s highest peak.

THURSDAY: Transportation Options Fair with information about getting around without a car, with goodie bags and smoothies made with a “bike blender,” 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Stevenson Union Courtyard; gender-neutral clothing swap, 1 to 6 p.m., Stevenson Union Gallery (SU 323); Environmental Justice Film Festival, “Urban Roots,” about depressed industrial towns and the need for a sustainable future.

FRIDAY: Arbor Day of service, a day of stewardship with ECOS, SOU Landscaping and The Farm at SOU, with an optional free lunch, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. (details and sign-up online); silver maple birthday party, music and games at the silver maple in Raider Village, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Earth Day Bike Ride with ECOS, biking along the Bear Creek Greenway with treats in Talent, noon to 3 p.m. (details and sign-up online); Rogue Valley Earth Day 2019, a free, all-ages celebration about stewardship and community-building, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum.

A full list of SOU Earth Week events can be found on the SOU sustainability website.

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Earth Week 2019

SOU’s ECOS accepting ideas for Earth Week events

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Earth Week 2019 is just over 1 ½ months away, and SOU’s Ecology and Sustainability Resource Center (ECOS) has invited groups on campus to submit ideas for events they could host as part of the university’s overall observance.

Those interested in organizing and hosting events during Earth Week, April 15 to 19, should complete and submit a form on the ECOS website. Clubs and organizations should apply by March 1 to reserve time slots.

ECOS – a collaborative office and community space for sustainability and service – organizes SOU’s Earth Week observances, which have occurred for at least the past five years. The mission of ECOS is to inspire environmental, social and economic responsibility among SOU’s students.

None of this year’s Earth Week events have yet been announced, but activities in past years have included film screenings, educational fairs, workshops, how-to demonstrations, discussions, tabling and rallies.

The first Earth Day occurred on April 22, 1970, when more than 20 million Americans participated in peaceful demonstrations to inspire environmental reform.

April 22 continues to be celebrated annually as Earth Day across the U.S. and in nearly 200 other countries. However, many universities such as SOU set aside the entire week to raise awareness of environmental issues.

Those who have questions about the SOU observance may email ecos@sou.edu for more information.

Story by Bryn Mosier, SOU Marketing and Communications intern

SOU Earth Week: a call to action

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NEWS RELEASE (available online at https://goo.gl/vt0Ic5)
(Ashland, Ore.) — A broad range of activities that fit within the theme “A Call to Action” will be highlighted during Southern Oregon University’s second annual and student-driven Earth Week celebration from April 15 through 23.
Events will include film screenings, an educational fair, an anti-pipeline rally and a presentation on pipelines and resistance. The celebration is being organized by Sustainability at SOU, a university-sponsored program of sustainability initiatives that focus on student involvement.
“Student leaders across multiple programs and sectors of SOU have spent months preparing for an educational, engaging and inspiring week,” said Sydney Lund, student director of SOU’s Ecology and Sustainability (ECOS) Resource Center. “Each event will offer students and community members a clear take-home message about how to become involved with climate action within their personal lives and the Rogue Valley.”
Earth Week at SOU will feature public events both on and off the university campus.
Earth Week highlights
“Ruin and Rose” film screening, 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 17, Rogue River Room of the Stevenson Union. The film explores the future of water resources on earth and incorporates ski and snowboard footage into an unforgettable movie experience.
“Earth Day Extravaganza,” 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, Stevenson Union Courtyard. The education tabling event will offer information about how to become involved with climate action in the Rogue Valley; SOU Dining will provide free food and the first 125 students will receive free “Sustainability at SOU” cups.
“Siskiyou Film Festival Roadshow,” 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, Rogue River Room of the Stevenson Union. KS Wild (The Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center) comes to campus with its Siskiyou Film Festival, featuring four of the organization’s most popular films. Two filmmakers will be on hand for a discussion following the films.
“No Pipelines Rally,” noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, Stevenson Union Courtyard. Students and the public may take action against the proposed Jordan Cove Pipeline, which would move liquefied natural gas through 400 Oregonian watersheds. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission denied permits for the project a year ago and refused to rehear the case a few months ago, then agreed in February to allow developers to refile their applications.
“Pipelines and Resistance: An Evening with Tara Houska,” 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, Stevenson Union Arena. Houska, a citizen of Couchiching First Nation, will discuss environmental justice around pipelines and resistance.
A full list of SOU Earth Week events can be found at https://sustainability.sou.edu/news/.
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About Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University provides outstanding student experiences, valued degrees, and successful graduates. SOU is known for excellence in faculty, intellectual creativity and rigor, quality and innovation in connected learning programs, and the educational benefits of its unique geographic location. SOU was the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power. It is the first university in the nation to balance 100 percent of its water consumption. Visit sou.edu.