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Inside Furman is published monthly during the school year by the Furman University Department of Marketing and Public Relations. For story ideas, e-mail John Roberts, editor.
Coming to Furman: Earth Month
How big is your environmental footprint? What can you do to make it smaller?
You can learn the answer to these questions and more next month when Furman expands Earth Day into "Earth Month." Earth Day activities have been expanded this year to encourage university departments and student groups to sponsor an environmentally friendly activity for one day during the month.
"It's like engaged learning. You learn more if you get involved," says biology professor Wade Worthen, who is helping to coordinate the events. "Our goal was to get people involved."
Mission accomplished.
As of late February, nearly 20 university departments and student groups had planned activities to support Earth Month. There will be speakers, bake sales, lunch group discussions, a roadside clean-up, even a poetry reading.
More than 20 lectures on the environment and related topics are planned during April. One major speaker will be Diane Eldridge, associate director of Upstate Forever, who will speak on development and regional planning in the Upstate. Her lecture, to be held 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, is being sponsored by the Sociology and Environmental Studies departments.
Formed in 1999 by Greenville attorney Brad Wyche, Upstate Forever has grown to 1,000 members, and the group has worked to protect more then 2,000 acres through its "conservation easement" program. Upstate Forever has also hosted several environmental conferences, worked with the School District of Greenville County to promote "green schools," and helped make problems associated with urban sprawl a top-drawer issue with county planners and elected officials.
Another highlight of Earth Month will be Furman's annual "Earthfest on the Mall," scheduled for Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The focus of the event will be on "sustainable living," or ways to preserve the earth and meet our present living needs without compromising those of future generations.
The event will include music, food, lectures, environmental theme displays, and a variety of interactive activities. Gayle Warth, special events coordinator, says this year's event will feature more children's activities, including sidewalk chalk drawing and finger painting contests.
In addition, Earthfest will feature two hybrid (gas/electric) vehicles, the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius. The mall will be closed to traffic for the event, and walking and bicycle riding will be encouraged.
-- by Aynoka Bender
Start saving your newspapers
The Furman Public Safety Department, Staff Advisory Committee and Regency Hyatt of Greenville are sponsoring a newspaper recycling drop-off April 23 at Furman.
Designed to promote recycling, Furman employees are encouraged to drop off their newspapers in front of McAlister Auditorium on their way to work.
A university public safety officer will monitor the station in the morning and mid afternoon to pass out numbered "tickets" to each participant.
At the end of the day, a drawing will be held. The owner of the ticket selected will receive a $350 gift certificate that can be used at any Hyatt worldwide.