Cody Thurkill, 9, looks at litter that has been collected from the University of Mississippi campus Monday. (DM Photo | Cady Herring)
Ole Miss’ annual Green Week begins this week with a schedule of events to educate the community on the benefits of sustainability.
Greek Week intern Ellen Olack said this week-long event opens the discussion of current issues and how individuals can make small, personal changes that strongly impact our environment.
“Green Week is important to the campus because it celebrates and highlights efforts that are already in place to reduce the carbon footprint of the university that people may otherwise be unaware of,” Olack said.
This year’s events include a tree appreciation walk 10 a.m. at the flagpole in the Circle, the Sustainability Fair at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, an Earth Day keynote speaker at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in the Overby Center Auditorium, a community bike ride followed by luncheon 11 a.m. Thursday in front of the Lyceum, an EcoGala at 7 p.m. Thursday in Bryant Hall and an Arbor Day celebration 11 a.m. on Friday at Carrier Hall.
“The goal of Green Week is to engage university students, faculty, staff and Oxford community members in a variety of events and programs centered around sustainable living,” Olack said. “It aims to educate people on the sustainability efforts that are already in place on campus, to inspire others to forge new commitments to a more resource-conscious lifestyle, and to strengthen the overall presence of sustainability at the University of Mississippi.”
Freshman marketing major Josh Caron commented on the importance of sustainability at the university and promoting involvement at the individual level.
“I really like Green Week because it promotes a healthy campus,” Caron said. “With all the ways we affect our campus on a daily basis, it is good to perform simple tasks to promote a healthy environment.”
University arborist and grounds supervisor Nathan Lazinsky will lead the tree appreciation walk.
“I plan to use Landscape Services’ tree trail, which can be found on our website and on the campus interactive map,” said Lazinsky. “I also plan on talking about the university’s three champion trees and what makes a champion tree.”
Paige West, an anthropology professor at Columbia University, will help celebrate Earth Day with a keynote address. West studied the indigenous peoples of New Ireland, a marine province of New Guinea, and their struggle to adapt to the present day effects of climate change.
“She was chosen as the Earth Day keynote speaker to provide students, faculty, staff and Oxford community members insight into current manifestations of climate change,” Olack said. “She will also discuss the actions humans are taking to mitigate those effects.”
