Campus community invited to participate in Earth Week events April 17-23

The Campus Planning, Architecture and Sustainability department has joined forces with several departments and student organizations to celebrate Earth Week from April 17-23. The extended celebration on campus is centered around Earth Day, which has been held on April 22 for more than 50 years.

West Lafayette campus faculty, staff and students are invited to join the planned events and activities to promote sustainable initiatives. Registration is not required unless otherwise noted.

SUNDAY (APRIL 17)

Campus Cleanup with Boiler Green Initiative, Boiler Gold Rush and the Melon Man. Volunteers will meet at the Class of 1939 Water Sculpture, also known as the Purdue Mall Fountain, at 1 p.m. Participants will then spread out across campus to help with litter cleanup efforts. The event will conclude at 3 p.m., and giveaways will be provided. Check @bgi_purdue and @allaboardpurdue Instagram accounts for updates about potential weather impacts.

TUESDAY (APRIL 19)

Scavenger Hunt with Purdue Student Government. Learn about sustainability and earn fun prizes while visiting educational tables outside the Class of 1950 Lecture Hall, Bell Tower and Unfinished Block P Sculpture. The event is from 2 to 4 p.m.

WEDNESDAY (APRIL 20)

Tree Planting with the Grounds department and Arboretum. Purdue will receive the Tree Campus USA award at 11 a.m. A tree planting event led by the Grounds department will follow at 11:30 a.m. in Founders Park, west of University Hall.

Tree planting volunteers need to preregister online as spaces are limited. Closed-toe shoes are required, and additional gear will be provided by Grounds. Participants are encouraged to bring work gloves and dress appropriately as clothing and shoes may get dirty. Lunch will be provided to preregistered volunteers in attendance after the trees are planted. Registered individuals will be contacted via email if the event is canceled due to weather.

David A. Rubin
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Keynote speaker. David A. Rubin, founding principal of David Rubin Land Collective, will present “Integrated Infrastructure: A Systems Approach to Sustainability, Empathy, and Resiliency.” He will demonstrate how sustainability can be designed into the fabric of campus. Join in at 6 p.m. at the Class of 1950 Lecture Hall, Room 224.

THURSDAY (APRIL 21)

Sustainability Education Table. Meet the staff of the Campus Planning, Architecture and Sustainability department while learning about related initiatives. Prizes will be provided for answering sustainability questions. The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Centennial Mall, near Wetherill Laboratory of Chemistry.

FRIDAY (APRIL 22)

Earth Day Fair with the Purdue Student Sustainability Council. Organizations will offer games, crafts and learning activities from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Purdue Mall Fountain. Participants are encouraged to bike to this event.

Earth Day Softball Game. The Boilermakers will take on Michigan State at 5 p.m. in Bittinger Stadium. Reusable grocery tote bags will be provided to the first 100 attendees. A donation station will be set up for gently used clothes to benefit local charities in celebration of Earth Day. Sustainability facts will be highlighted on the videoboard, and recycling will be promoted with bins added throughout the stadium. Admission is free with a Purdue ID, and the public can purchase tickets online or by calling the Hayes Family Athletic Ticket Office at 765-494-3194. Check @purduesoftball (Instagram or Twitter) for changes due to weather.

SATURDAY (APRIL 23)

De-Trash the Wabash with the Tippecanoe County Partnership for Water Quality. The community is invited to join efforts to clean up the Wabash River adjacent to campus. The event is from 8 a.m. to noon, and registration is required. More information and registration are available on the Tippecanoe County website.

Many of the events listed above are weather-dependent. Check the social media channels noted for specific events and @SustainPurdue (Facebook, Instagram or Twitter) and @purdue_sg  (Instagram or Twitter) for others. Event information is available on the Earth Week webpage.

Questions may be directed to sustainability@purdue.edu.