Earth Day Month Events

Earth Day is officially April 22, but events related to this celebration and sustainability in general are taking place throughout the month of April. Here's a look at events happening on campus and in the community:

Monday, March 31 at 7 PM, Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 12th and Oread
Film: “Power of Community”

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cuba's economy went into a tailspin. With imports of oil cut by more than half – and food by 80 percent – people were desperate. This film tells of the hardships and struggles as well as the community and creativity of the Cuban people. They share how they transitioned from highly mechanized agriculture to using organic farming and urban gardens. The film opens with a short history of Peak Oil, a term for the time when world oil production will reach its all-time peak and begin to decline forever. Cuba, the only country that has faced such a crisis, is an example of options and hope.

Sponsored by KU Environs, Earth, and Films for Action. Contact: E.A.R.T.H. (earth@ku.edu), Environs (environs@ku.edu), Films for Action (filmsforaction@gmail.com). $1-2 donations appreciated.$1-2 donations appreciated.

Tuesday, April 1 at 7 PM, Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 12th and Oread.
Presentation: "An Inconvenient Truth"

The slide show Al Gore presented in this Academy Award and Nobel Peace Prize winning documentary is being presented live by Dr. David Gordon, Associate Professor in Biology at Pittsburg State University.

Sponsored by KU Environs, Earth, and Films for Action. Contact: E.A.R.T.H. (earth@ku.edu), Environs (environs@ku.edu), Films for Action (filmsforaction@gmail.com). $1-2 donations appreciated.$1-2 donations appreciated.

Wednesday, April 2 at 7 PM, Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 12th and Oread
Film: "What a Way to Go: Life at the End of Empire”

This is a disturbing, compassionate, sometimes humorous personal essay about coming to grips with climate change, resource crises, environmental meltdown and the demise of the American lifestyle. Friends and experts analyze historical, social and psychological factors driving us toward human extinction. Bennett’s ruthless assessment challenges the audience to face terrifying times with courage and integrity.

Sponsored by KU Environs, Earth, and Films for Action. Contact: E.A.R.T.H. (earth@ku.edu), Environs (environs@ku.edu), Films for Action (filmsforaction@gmail.com). $1-2 donations appreciated.

Thursday, April 3 at 7 PM, Alderson Auditorium, KS Union
Film: “The 11th Hour”

'The 11th Hour' is the last moment when change is possible. The film explores how we’ve arrived at this moment -- how we live, how we impact the earth’s ecosystems, and what we can do to change our course. Featuring ongoing dialogues of experts from all over the world, including former Soviet Prime Minister Mikhail Gorbachev, renowned scientist Stephen Hawking, former head of the CIA R. James Woolsey and sustainable design experts William McDonough and Bruce Mau in addition to over 50 leading scientists, thinkers and leaders who discuss the most important issues that face our planet and people.

Following the showing of “The 11th Hour” food will be provided by Local Burger and a panel discussion including Nancy Jackson of The Land Institute’s Climate and Energy Project, Professor of History Dr. Donald Worster, Professor of History Dr. Karl Brooks, Professor of Anthropology Dr. Jane Gibson, Professor of Atmospheric Science Dr. Johannes Feddema, and Stefan McGuire of Tree Media and Co-Producer of the “The 11th Hour” will take place.

This film is being sponsored by the Tree Media Film group.

Saturday, April 5, Buford Watson Park Gazebo
Public Event: READ-OUT, SING-OUT, SPEAK-OUT, ACT-OUT, DANCE-OUT ON EARTHCARE

This event will begin at 8:00 in the morning of April 5 and continue through the night until the morning of April 6. Community members will read, sing, speak, act, dance, make music, and perform in other ways during this 24-hour, marathon event on global warming.

This event is being sponsored by the Oread Friends Meeting Environmental Committee. Contact: Elizabeth Schultz, eschultz@ku.edu

Monday, April 7 at 8 PM, Jackpot Saloon - 943 Mass St
Concert: Bands Lending Hands to the Wetlands

Clearview, Sick Bird, Dead Man Flats, and Device will be performing. The show gets under way at 8 (or after the NCAA championship game) and a $5 donation will be accepted at the door.

Sponsored by KU Environs. Contact: 785-766-3009, bsifton@ku.edu

Monday, April 7 at 7 PM, Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center, 1299 Oread
Public Event: Going Green is Their Mission!

Assistant City Manager Laura Gay, and City Planner & Sustainability Chair Danielle Murray, of Mission, KS will present their organization’s sustainable practices, and will be prepared to answer questions about how you can do the same!

Sponsored by Campus KUCIMATs and KAPS. Contact: Justin Montgomery, mont311@ku.edu, Download Flyer (PDF)

Thursday, April 10 at 7 PM, The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St
Concert: Bands Lending Hands to the Wetlands

Russian Discussion, Loglady, and Lloyd Likes Mike will be performing. $5 donation will be accepted at the door.

Sponsored by KU Environs. Contact: 785-766-3009, bsifton@ku.edu

Friday, April 11 - Saturday April 12, Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 12th and Oread.
Conference: Fair Trade in the Heartland Conference

For students and community members interested in human rights, trade policies, alternative economies, and environmental issues to learn about fair trade, meet producers, network with other groups around the region, and get information on how to organize and make a difference on campus and in the world.

Sponsored by Lawrence Fair Trade. Contact: 785-843-4933, spearit1@ku.edu, http://www.lawrencefairtrade.org.

Saturday, April 19 at 11 AM - Massachusetts Street
Lawrence Parade for the Earth

Parade will go from Buford Watson Park to South Park along Massachusetts Street.

Organized by KU Environs. Contact: 785-864-7325, LawrenceEarthParade@Gmail.com

Saturday, April 19 from 11:30 AM to 4 PM, South Park
Lawrence Earth Day Celebration

Live music, food, and children s activities. Exhibits about waste reduction, recycling, composting, alternative fuels and vehicles, energy conservation, land preservation, wildlife and habitat preservation, and more. Featuring the April Showers to Water Towers: Water Festival for Douglas County, which uses fun, educational activities to present information regarding watersheds, stormwater pollution, erosion, drinking water and other water quality issues. Come to the Earth Day Celebration in style: walk, bike, or ride the T for free!

Sponsored by City of Lawrence Waste Reduction and Recycling Division. Contact: 785-832-3030, recycling@ci.lawrence.ks.us http://www.lawrencerecycles.org

Monday, April 21 at 6 PM, Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 12th and Oread
Local Foods Dinner and Panel Discussion

Local asparagus, local organic greens and other things will accompany a panel discussion moderated by Kelly Kindscher. Gary Nabhan and Rhonda Janke will speak.

Sponsored by Community Mercantile and KU Environs. Contact: 785-843-8544, cmef@themerc.coop.

Tuesday, April 22 at 11 AM to 3 PM, Stauffer-Flint Lawn
Public Event: Earth Day Recess

Take a moment to relax and enjoy the outdoors. A wide variety of activities will be available including inflatable attractions, wax hand making, basketball, and Frisbee art. Free beverages will be available, or buy lunch from Ron the Hot Dog Man. KU Recycling will also be on hand along with other environmental organizations.

Sponsored by Student Union Activities

Tuesday, April 22 at 7 PM, Spooner Hall, "The Commons"
Lecture: Geography of Food Endangerment: Strategies for Renewing America's Food Traditions, Gary Nabhan

Gary Nabhan, ethnobotanist, naturalist, MacArthur Fellow, Director of the Center for Sustainable Environments, and writer from Northern Arizona University will speak on endangered foods.

Sponsored by KU Environs, The Commons, KU Center for Sustainability, Community Mercantile. Contact: Kelly Kindscher, 785-864-1529, kindsche@ku.edu.

Saturday, April 26 from 9 AM to 1 PM, Lied Center Parking Lot
Public Event: Pilot Electronic Recycling Event

The City of Lawrence invites residents and small businesses to recycle old, unwanted electronic equipment. Electronic equipment accepted: Computer Monitors*, Televisions*, Desktops, Laptops, Keyboards, Printers, Copiers, Scanners, Telephones, Cell Phones, Pagers, Fax Machines, VHS/DVD Drives, Hand Held Devices. Electronic recycling will be provided by Asset LifeCycle, LLC.

* There is a small recycling fee of $5 for monitors, $10 for televisions and no charge for other electronics. On-site hard drive destruction is available for $5 per hard drive.

Sponsored by the City of Lawrence. Contact: 785-832-3030, recycling@ci.lawrence.ks.us, www.lawrencerecycles.org/.