Whether you consider yourself an environmentalist or are far from it, there will be something for everyone at Ecofest, taking place this week and sponsored by the Environmental Task Force.
The first annual Ecofest will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 1 and ends on Thursday, Oct. 3.
The Environmental Task Force, established in 1990, currently has student, faculty, and staff members that propose and work to gain approval for many university environmental policies.
This year, their primary goal is to improve the recycling of volumes and increase the amount of 100 percent recycled paper used in university offices.
The Environmental Task Force has arranged to hold various activities on campus to raise environmental awareness, encourage participation in environmental programs, and inform the community about their organization.
"The two biggest ones are energy conservation and recycling programs," said University Energy Officer Walter Simpson. "Both programs are ones which every member of the university community, students, staff, et cetera can participate in."
The Environmental Information Fair marks the start of the festival's events on Tuesday afternoon from 11a.m. to 2 p.m.
The fair will consist of tables and booths of local and regional environmental groups. Two electric and compressed natural gas vehicles will be on display outside the Student Union and joining students at the fair will be animals from the Hawk Creek Bird Sanctuary, as well as Erie County's waste reduction mascot, Willy Waste Little.
Throughout the day the task force will be raffling off a grand prize mountain bike, ski lift tickets, and CDs, as well as gift certificates to local merchants including Amy's Place, Stimulance, Talking Leaves, the College Store, and Cowpok Piercing and Tattoo Studio.
Tuesday will end with Environmental Film Night, featuring the films "The China Syndrome" at 7:30 p.m. and "Butterfly" at 9 p.m.
Wednesday's festivities include EcoForum Panel Discussions on environmental issues from noon to 1:30 p.m. in room 145 of the Student Union.
The first discussion will focus on "Building a Green Campus" with panel members Robert Wagner, senior counselor to the president, William Bagley, UB recycling coordinator, and Erin Cala, environmental educator for the UB Green Office.
"Green campus refers to everyone working together to reduce the environmental impact of the university," said Simpson.
Wednesday's discussion at the EcoForum will address methods for creating the "paperless office" and UB's recycling programs.
The second panel in the EcoForum discussions will be called and will pertain to "Population and the Environment." Lawrence Southwick, associate professor of finance and managerial economics, and Annette Souder from the National Sierra Club are included on the panel with Simpson moderating.
The culmination of EcoFest will be on Thursday 7:30 p.m. when Julia Butterfly Hill is scheduled to speak in Slee Hall.
Hill is an internationally known environmentalist, most famous for protesting the destruction of old and ancient growth forests by living 180-feet off the ground in a redwood tree she named Luna.
The details of the time she spent in the tree are discussed in her book, "The Legacy of Luna: The Story of a Tree, a Woman and the Struggle to Save the Redwoods."
Her second book, "One Makes the Difference," includes the main themes she will discuss Thursday at UB. Both the book and discussion are about inspiring lifestyle changes and legislation that can change the world.
If you are interested in joining the Environmental Task Force or would like to learn more, there is an open meeting on Oct. 10 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in room 210 of the Student Union.
To be notified of future meetings call Tracy Baez at 645-2028 extension 208. For further information on the Task Force visit http://wings.buffalo.edu/ubgreen.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
