Earth Week is the week during which people around the planet come together to celebrate their home. The first Earth Day was in response to environmental activists’ calls to action following a large oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara in 1969. Across the country, thousands of schools (including DMACC!) took part in celebrating the Earth while millions of people rallied for change in April of 1970. Over the last 55 years, this national event has expanded into a global phenomenon, and students can take part here on campus.
While he may not have been at DMACC for the first official Earth Day, biology professor Tim Bergin has been the organizer of Earth Week at Boone Campus for about 15 years, and he encourages everyone to come to this year’s exciting event.
The Earth Week fair will be ready to go on Tuesday, April 22nd. Environmental science lab students will have displays set up in the Courter Center about endangered species, sustainability, and other environmental issues. On the same day, fans of snakes and other reptiles can head to room 208 to chat with local reptile enthusiast Dan Lease and his scaly friends.
On Wednesday, ISU recycling coordinator Steven Kohtz, and Boone County Landfill & Recycling administrator John Roosa, will be in the auditorium to speak about recycling and keeping the land beautiful.
The fair will end with a bang on Thursday, during which musician Luke LeBlanc will be performing in the Courter Center. Students will also accompany their displays and be ready to answer any questions attendees may have about their exhibits.
Have fun and be informed at this year’s Earth Week fair. Earth Day is as significant today as it was 55 years ago, as Dr. Bergin said, “It’s just a way of reminding people how important the Earth is to us, and the fact that we can actually have both a profound positive but also a profound negative effect on the Earth.”