Fifty-two years after the first Earth Day, news of Earth’s impending climate change doom dominates the news. The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, was meant to raise awareness of the environmental issues of the day.
Throughout April, UB Sustainability is hosting events focused on the celebration of a more sustainable future while acknowledging the challenges of the present. Each event during the month corresponds to one of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Erie County and local nonprofits are also hosting events:
April 12 — Pride March and Mixer
The Intercultural Diversity Center is hosting a Pride March in celebration of Pride Week from 3-6 p.m. starting at Knox Hall. UB Sustainability considers LGBTQ rights a sustainability issue under the 10th Sustainable Development Goal of reducing inequalities.
April 15 — Climate Change Stress Relief
Health Promotion is hosting a meditation group in the Student Union courtyard from 3-4 p.m. During the month of April, Health Promotion is tailoring its weekly meditation sessions toward easing students’ anxieties about climate change through mindfulness.
April 21, 22 and 24 — Tifft Nature Preserve
Tifft Nature Preserve is inviting volunteers to help plant trees and shrubs from 12:30-4 p.m. Tifft is located along Buffalo’s Outer Harbor, a five-minute drive from downtown Buffalo, and is complete with five miles of trails and boardwalks. Pre-registration is required and Tifft encourages participants to wear clothes and shoes they don’t mind getting dirty.
April 23 — ESW Spring Sweep
Engineers for a Sustainable World is partnering with UB Sustainability and Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper to clean up the area around Bizer Creek, next to the Center for Tomorrow lot. The clean-up is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and volunteers will meet in the Center for Tomorrow lot.
April 23 — Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Garden
The Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Garden is hosting its inaugural Earth Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets for students cost $12.50 and various vendors, nonprofit organizations and environmental educators will partake in the event.
April 27 — GRoW Your Network
UB Sustainability and the Career Design Center have partnered to present a sustainability networking event in the GRoW Home Clean Energy center from 4-6 p.m. Students interested in environmental- or sustainability-related careers can expect a “casual night of networking.”Anyone who attends has a chance for tickets to the WNY Sustainable Business Roundtable Summit.
April 30 — WNY Earth Day Challenge
The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning is hosting a month-long challenge ending April 30. The grand prize is a bike from Bert’s Bikes and other smaller prizes. The challenge includes activities like reading a book about sustainability, planting native species, and visiting local trails and parks.
Julie Frey is a senior news/features editor and can be reached at julie.frey@ubspectrum.com
Julie Frey is a senior news/features editor at The Spectrum. She is a political science and environmental studies double major. She enjoys theorizing about Taylor Swift, the color yellow and reading books that make her cry. She can be found on Twitter @juliannefrey.
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
