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Celebrate Sustainability In April

Duke hosts 23 events for students, faculty and staff during 'Earth Month'

Cameron McCallie, then a Duke junior, pedals a bike provided by the Fuqua School of Business and Nicholas School of the Environment Energy Club during the 2011 Earth Day Celebration on campus. This year's event takes place April 20. Photo by Bryan Roth.
Cameron McCallie, then a Duke junior, pedals a bike provided by the Fuqua School of Business and Nicholas School of the Environment Energy Club during the 2011 Earth Day Celebration on campus. This year's event takes place April 20. Photo by Bryan Roth.
By Bryan Roth

Duke community members have plenty of opportunities to join other sustainably conscious people around the world in celebration of Earth Month in April. Twenty-three events, hosted by Sustainable Duke and campus organizations - are planned between March 31 and April 29 to celebrate all things environmentally friendly.

The first campus-wide activity kicks off at 8 p.m. March 31 with a carbon neutral concert to celebrate an international Earth Hour, an annual event when nonessential lights are turned off in a show of sustainable solidarity. The show will feature bicycle-powered lighting and several student performances, including a capella group Rhythm and Blue, acoustic guitarist Zach Epstein and dance troupe Sabrosura. 

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Duke Chapel lights will be turned off from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. in partnership with Sustainable Duke and Facilities Management. 

"Earth Hour is an international event, so this is just a way to bring everyone together in a moment for awareness and celebration for this global movement," said Jina Kim, co-president of the student group Environmental Alliance, which helped to coordinate the concert. "It's important for Duke to be a part of that."

Here are some other highlights that take place at Duke during Earth Month:

10 a.m., April 6 - Tree planting

Join Facilities Management to celebrate Duke's fourth-straight year of being listed as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. Duke community members can help plant new trees on East Campus.

9:45 a.m., April 7 - Spring flora and fauna tour

Nicholas School of the Environment instructor Jeff Pippen and Duke Forest staff will lead a walk through Duke Forest to showcase plants and animals found along New Hope Creek and in the surrounding habitats.

11 a.m., April 18 - Clothing swap

Students, faculty and staff can swap and donate new or gently worn clothing on the Bryan Center Plaza. Any remaining clothing will be donated to local charities.

Noon, April 20 - Earth Day celebration

Join Duke community members for an afternoon of food, music, a showcase of Duke's environmental clubs, and a handful of local sponsors.

3 p.m., April 22 - Duke Campus Farm Festival

Visitors to the Duke Campus Farm can enjoy tours, lawn games, music and food made from Campus Farm produce by Duke Dining Services' vendor Bon Appetit. Participants are asked to RSVP and bring a food item to share.