By JULIA BIGGS
jbiggs@edwpub.net

Published: Friday, April 17, 2009 10:43 AM CDT

The campus of SIUE is joining together to celebrate it’s “greenness” through a series of events and activities dubbed “e = environment week” beginning April 18 and running all week long with the culmination of Arbor Day at the Gardens at SIUE on April 24.

The idea of joining the campus together to celebrate its commitment to environmental sustainability came to Doug Conley, director of the Gardens at SIUE and a member of the Sustainability Advisory Group, last year during The Garden’s Arbor Day celebrations.

“It occurred to me that folks all over campus are doing projects and research and activities that are related to sustainability and being environmentally friendly,” Conley said.

“Facilities management purchasing 10 percent of our power on campus through wind power, switching out light bulbs to use more energy efficient bulbs, the engineers and the department of biological sciences working on green roof projects which have implications on the heat island affect and storm runoff of roofs, and building a botanical garden for education and enjoyment.”

All these sustainable strategies, Conley noted, show the university’s commitment to “the triple bottom line,” which he said means “rather than just thinking about the bottom line – money – it takes into account the environment and people.”

In addition to the university establishing the Sustainability Group and The Gardens, departments across campus have adjusted purchases, revised planning processes and emphasized the triple bottom line including: the bookstore offering organic clothing and social justice purchases, University Housing building a "green" residence hall, Facilities Management purchasing wind power and the Department of Biological Sciences and School of Engineering Green Roof Projects.

“Each activity is a tribute to SIUE’s commitment to community and the environment, and ‘e = environment' week is an opportunity to promote these beneficial activities,” Conley said.

The week-long activities kick off at 11 a.m. on April 18 in the Meridian Ballroom of the Morris University Center (MUC) with the Illinois State Academy of Science annual meeting keynote address.

Dr. Richard Sparks, Director of Research, National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, will be speaking about “Living with Great Rivers: Birth of Civilizations, Contemporary Disasters, and New Approaches.”

The public is invited to attend the keynote address, but there is a fee for other portions of the conference.

The following Wednesday, April 22, is Earth Day when a full schedule of activities and events are planned.

An all faculty meeting will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with discussions focusing on “creating a sustainable SIUE.”

“Green Generation 09’” takes place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Goshen Lounge, MUC and Stratton Quadrangle. The Student Organization for Sustainability (SOS) has planned activities including green twister, Frisbee on the Quad and a cake refreshment. Students can also help clean up trash on campus and receive a free t-shirt. More information about “Green Generation 09’” can be found at www.siue.edu/STACTV/sos/

A town hall meeting to discuss “Climate Change” is scheduled to occur from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the Oak/Redbud Room at MUC. SIUE Professor Denise Degarmo will welcome guests and Mark Hildebrandt, an associate professor of meteorology, climatology, hazards, statistics, polar and alpine environments in the Department of Geography, will provide an overview of “Climate Change.”

SIUE student groups will host a panel discussion, Christine Favilla of the Sierra Club will discuss local efforts, and solutions to the problem will also be discussed.

Charles Jackson, Illinois Environmental Council, will speak about “Civic Engagement and Legislation” and Brian Granahan, Environment Illinois, will discuss “Current Legislation.”

The town hall will end with a question and answer session.

Then, on Friday, April 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Gardens at SIUE celebrates their 4th Annual Arbor Day Celebration in The Gardens.

The public is invited to attend this free event where they can visit The Gardens to enjoy its beauty, plant a tree or shrub, learn about educational programs, or help to enhance the gardens by getting their hands dirty and removing invasive species.

Further information about the event is available at http://www.siue.edu/gardens/discover.shtml