Everyone’s responsibility: Earth Day event on local campus aims to make a difference | Earth Day column

It’s that time of year again: the rain is subsiding, the clouds are clearing, the grass is looking greener and Earth Day is less than a week away. No excuses this year, April 22 will fall on a Sunday and it is the perfect opportunity to get out there and do your part. If you are looking to shake things up this year and take environmentalism to the next level, our local green campus, University of Washington, Bothell and Cascadia Community College, are teaming up to host an Earth Day Celebration on April 19.

By Hillary Sanders • April 16, 2012 3:32 pm
At this year's Earth Day Celebration on the University of Washington
At this year's Earth Day Celebration on the University of Washington

It’s that time of year again: the rain is subsiding, the clouds are clearing, the grass is looking greener and Earth Day is less than a week away. No excuses this year, April 22 will fall on a Sunday and it is the perfect opportunity to get out there and do your part. If you are looking to shake things up this year and take environmentalism to the next level, our local green campus, University of Washington, Bothell and Cascadia Community College, are teaming up to host an Earth Day Celebration on April 19.

President Darryl Nevels of the Sustainability Organization at the University of Washington, Bothell reached out to various student and community organizations to head up this year’s event. Along with a 50 other students in the organization, Nevels, a senior, has put together a list of activities for the second annual Earth Day Celebration. From 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., there will be presentations on sustainable practices, an electric-vehicles show including the electric S-10, goat petting, tree planting in the campus wetlands and much more.

The activities throughout the day will showcase environmental awareness and the campuses’ commitment to sustainable practices. Organizations from the community including the Friends of North Creek Forest and the city of Bothell’s Recycling and Public Services will be in attendance, as well as student organizations from on campus.

The goal is to have as many as people as possible get involved in order to have the greatest influence. Community leaders, sustainability advocates, students, teachers and conscientious citizens will team up on this day to promote a healthy earth.

“My hope for the event is that it will bring people together to learn about sustainable practices, and recognize that we can all work together and as individuals to decrease negative environmental impacts every day,” Nevels said.

The community is invited to participate in the festivities and celebrate Earth Day on campus on April 19. The event schedule and descriptions can be found at http://www.facebook.com/uwbccc.earthday2012.