Duke Celebrates 'Earth Day' All April
Programs, party and photo walk planned for Earth Month
Students, faculty and staff have plenty of ways to celebrate Earth Month at events in April, including everything from a lecture on the intersection of business and nature to tips on gardening and a festival on April 19.
A highlight is the April 12 presentation of the 2013 Duke LEAF Award for Lifetime Environmental Achievement in the Fine Arts. This year's recipient is Alexander McCall Smith, bestselling author of the "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series and a sustainability advocate.
"While we ask the Duke community to take small actions to live a sustainable lifestyle year round, Earth Month is a special opportunity for students, faculty and staff to come together and have fun celebrating our planet," said Casey Roe, outreach coordinator for Sustainable Duke. "There's something for everyone this Earth Month."
Duke community members can visit the Sustainable Duke website for a full schedule of events and up-to-date information.
The lineup includes the annual Pine Cone Pacer 5K, which raises money for the Duke Forest Improvement Fund to support community outreach initiatives like including trail maintenance, public tours, K-12 class field trips and more. Registration is currently open online for $20 as well as the day of the race for $25.
"The funds raised have had a major impact on trail maintenance," said Sara Childs, program director for Duke Forest. "Many of these trails were developed years ago and haven't stood up well to increased foot traffic."
Campus-wide events will also take place April 19, as students and employees gather for a sustainability-themed photo walk that highlights an Earth Day event at the Duke Farmers Market and festival outside the Levine Science Research Center. Also that day, the Nicholas School of the Environment will host the annual Earth Day Festival.
On April 22, which is Earth Day, Duke will host its first Sustainability Awards. The ceremony will recognize the top student, faculty and staff sustainability leaders from across campus, the winning team from the Green Devil Smackdown and workplaces and labs that earned a Green Workplace Certification in the past year. Members of the Facilities Management Department will also present an annual donation to the Duke Children's Hospital from collected recyclables at football and basketball games.