Iowa State celebrated Earth Week in a uniquely “eco” way

Iowa State University’s Student Sustainability Network was excited to kick-off the first annual EcoWeek weeklong event to celebrate Earth Week, April 20-26th!! A diversity of sustainability-minded and connected student organizations have committed to planning and implementation of at least one event resulting in a collection of unique, fun, active and green opportunities for the campus and community to take part in.   On Monday, Cyclones could “strike a pose” in a photo booth with an eco twist, celebrating some of campus’ century-old trees, and tour the green roofs on campus. Tuesday featured climate change events that included the delivery of a fossil fuels divestment petition to university administration, and planting event with upcycled containers. On Earth Day, all sustainability campus and community organizations were invited to gather and showcase their great work and accomplishments, as well as opportunities to get involved (encompassing environmental, economic and social sustainability) at our Earth Day Celebration Event.  The event also featured free bike tune-ups and eco-minded giveaway items – including reusable fruit-infuser water bottles that can be filled with different flavors of fruit-infused water prepared by ISU Dining Services. Thursday focused on our food-connected and focused organizations and included a winter squash seed harvesting and planting event to assist our student organic garden kick off their growing season.  A showing of the documentary “Food Chains” was also offered. Friday celebrated our local arts with a music concert on our central campus.  Everyone was invited to bring a blanket and picnic and enjoy an all-local musicians event. Saturday engaged the campus and the community in a giveback competition. The Amazing Water Race Charity Event challenged participants to compete in various poverty-related athletic and non-athletic activities to raise money for Charity Water, an international cause committed to bringing clean and safe drinking water to every person in the world. Our EcoWeek completed with a cleanup of our beloved campus lake and home to our iconic swans, Lancelot and Elaine, Lake Laverne. For more information about EcoWeek and the amazing student organizations that made this happen, check out our events page:http://www.livegreen.iastate.edu/news-and-events/earthmonth/earthweek201… You can also see us in “action” by following us on FB:https://www.facebook.com/events/861068843950632/. Kayla Hasper, Campus and Community Engagement Intern at Live Green! Initiative at Iowa State University