Monika Leininger
Mleinin1@uwyo.edu
The University of Wyoming and City of Laramie have both planned several events to promote beautification and sustainability for Earth Day this week.
The sustainability coalition is hosting a solar powered music event, glass recycling, a tiny house display, composting, rummage swap and bike tuning sponsored by the Pedal House for donations.
The sustainability coalition through the University of Wyoming is a collaborative group made of student and faculty committed to promoting sustainability initiatives on campus. Organizations involved with the coalition include, the Sustainability Club, ENR Club, ACRES, Nordic Ski Team, Campus Sustainability Committee, SLCE and the Entomology Club.
“Our events provide short-term solutions to address local issues like glass recycling and food waste for example. The participation shows the need and support for implementing systems with long-term effects,” ENR student and President of the Sustainability Club Meghann Cranford said.
As the weather changes, more Laramie residents turn to alternative methods of transportation. The bike tune-up is expected to be an attractive event for the week.
“The bike tune up is meant to promote people using their bikes to get around instead of using cars that contribute to pollution problems,” SLCE Student Coordinator for Volunteer Programs Danielle Raffa said.
Another event for the week is university and city sponsored glass recycling. The glass recycling event will take place today from 11 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Union parking lot.
The Sustainability Coalition focuses on educating students and community members on the topics of conservation, energy, recreation and activism.
“Hosting Earth Day through the Coalition allows us to emphasize real world issues and try to promote solutions,” Cranford said. “Educating students, staff and the community about these topics allows us to set standards and envision a sustainable future for Laramie environmentally, but also socially and economically.”
Additionally, tomorrow the City of Laramie in partnership with other community organizations are hosting a Spring Cleanup event. The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a gathering point in the parking lot of the downtown annex behind city hall.
Participants will be provided a safety vest and trash bags. Lunch will be provided to volunteers from 11 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the lawn behind Fire Station No.1.
For a full list of Earth Day events and activities, visit the City of Laramie website and the Haub School of ENR sustainability’s webpage
