Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
A spirit that is not afraid

The University celebrates Earth Day with an extravaganza

<p>Earth Day posters placed on trash cans across campus remind students to recycle and "Remember their power," Auburn, AL 2021.</p>

Earth Day posters placed on trash cans across campus remind students to recycle and "Remember their power," Auburn, AL 2021.

Earth Day Extravaganza is an event celebrating Earth Day to raise awareness of sustainable practices through food, activities and open conversations. 

The event is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 22 on the green space. It is being hosted by the University Program Council, the Department of Geosciences, the Office of Sustainability and the Waste Reduction and Recycling Department. 

To kick off the event, Sarah Hamilton, director of the Academic Sustainability Program, will provide a brief overview of the history and significance of earth day. Following Hamilton’s introduction, there will be an informal panel of faculty to answer students’ questions about sustainability and environmental issues. 

This event also gives faculty and students the opportunity to showcase their research relating to climate change and the environment to educate attendees. 

The Department of Geosciences will be flying a drone to demonstrate how pictures of the earth are taken as well as hosting Earth Day trivia. There will also be a giveaway of Earth Day goodies like posters. 

Stan, the Tyrannosaurus rex skull, will also be in attendance, weather permitting. 

Shrimp tacos, with locally sourced shrimp and basil, will be served at the event. However, the tacos will be packaged in plastic as a precaution due to COVID-19. There will also be water refill stations and students are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottle. 

UPC will have a succulent workshop at the event where students can pot their own succulent to take home. 

The Office of Sustainability organized activities that tie into education about environmental issues. One activity will be a scale where students can match a country with their carbon dioxide emissions to balance the scale. They also have a felt board to help students actively learn about how our actions have consequences for the planet. 

Jennifer Morse, outreach and communications manager at the Office of Sustainability, said the purpose of this event is not just to have a good time, but also to become more educated about sustainable practices, climate change and Earth Day.

Chandana Mitra, associate professor in the Department of Geosciences and one of the organizers of this event, said she hopes students will become educated about sustainable practices like, reducing plastic consumption, using less paper and minimizing consumption of animal products like meat and dairy.

Mitra said she is hopeful that students can learn from past generations’ mistakes and take action towards protecting our planet.  

“The Earth has silently taken the brunt of human activity and we are now starting to see effects of this like extreme weather, climate change and the extinction of plants and animals," she said. 



Share and discuss “The University celebrates Earth Day with an extravaganza ” on social media.