At a glance
Alfred State, in partnership with Alfred University and Alfred residents, has announced a week-long series of events planned in celebration of Earth Day. The events, which begin on Sunday, April 21 and run through Sunday, April 28, include movie showings, service opportunities, outdoor activities, and social functions.
Alfred State, in partnership with Alfred University and Alfred residents, has announced a week-long series of events planned in celebration of Earth Day. The events, which begin on Sunday, April 21 and run through Sunday, April 28, include movie showings, service opportunities, outdoor activities, and social functions.
“Thanks to strong commitments by the two colleges and strong support from the village and local businesses, Alfred is beginning to emerge as a hot-bed for sustainability,” said Julian Dautremont-Smith, Chief Sustainability Officer at Alfred State. “This extensive series of events is indicative of increasing interest in environmental protection in the area.”
The schedule of events is as follows:
Sunday, April 21
Pollywogg Holler Clean Up
10 a.m.-1 p.m., Pollywogg Holler (6240 South Rd., Belmont, NY)
Help with spring cleaning around the Pollywogg Holler property. Tasks will include cleaning up downed trees and branches, trail maintenance, debris removal, freshening up gardens & more. Wear weather-appropriate clothes, boots, and work gloves. All volunteers will receive a free pizza. Please RSPV at goo.gl/MX4D7.
Hike and Picnic under Wind Turbines
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Join a hike on the Finger Lakes Trail to see the Howard wind turbines up close! Hikers will bring their own food and picnic under the turbines. Meet at Alfred State’s Huntington Administration Building parking lot OR AU’s Ade Hall at 10:30 a.m. to offer or find a ride. RSVP to stantoca@alfredstate.edu or adm2@alfred.edu.
Showing of the film My Name is Allegany County
7-8:30 p.m., Cappadonia Auditorium in Alfred State’s Orvis Activities Center
Alfred State’s Sustainability Club will show My Name is Allegany County, the inspiring story of how county residents successfully stopped the construction of a nuclear waste facility in Allegany County.
Monday, April 22 (Earth Day)
ACES Celebrates Earth Day
All day
Alfred State’s Auxiliary Campus Enterprises and Services, Inc. (ACES) is celebrating Earth Day all day. It will be serving up a variety of meatless treats at their Grill Station and will introduce a new locally produced pizza crust. ACES will help minimize waste by distributing reusable water bottles at lunch and providing plastic to-go bags only upon request at Friendly’s, Taco Bell, 10 Elm, and Exit West.
Showing of the film Living Downstream
7 p.m., Alfred Village Hall
This event is a screening of the film "Living Downstream." This poetic documentary follows ecologist and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber as she travels and tries to bring attention to the environmental links of cancer.
Tuesday, April 23
Water taste test
11 a.m.-2 p.m., outside Alfred State’s Central Dining Hall
Alfred State’s Sustainability Club will be promoting tap water with a fun challenge that asks students to see if they can tell the difference between bottled water and tap water.
Stuff swap
3-6 p.m., Alfred University’s Davis Gym
Come and trade items you no longer need for items owned by your peers! Excess stuff will be donated to Opp Shop (located in Alfred Seventh Day Baptist Parish House) afterward.
Showing of the film Thin Ice: the Inside Story of Climate Science
7-8:30 p.m., Cappadonia Auditorium in Alfred State’s Orvis Activities Center
Alfred State’s Sustainability Club will show Thin Ice: the Inside Story of Climate Science, a new movie that introduces the global community of climate scientists and examines popular critiques of their work.
Wednesday, April 24
Creek Clean-up
4-5:30 p.m., footbridge behind Community Bank on Main Street
Join Alfred State’s Outdoor Recreation Club to clean up the small creek that goes through Alfred. Wear waterproof boots and clothes that are okay to get dirty. Club will provide gloves and garbage bags.
Alfred State Sustainability Club Meeting
5-6 p.m., Physical & Health Sciences Building conference room (Rm 102)
Get involved in sustainability on campus by attending this regularly scheduled meeting of Alfred State’s student Sustainability Club.
Allegany sustainability networking at Pollywogg Holler Eco-Resort
6:30 p.m., Pollywogg Holler (6240 South Rd., Belmont, NY)
Join other sustainability-minded people in and around Allegany County for live music and delicious pizza from a wood-fired oven. The goal of this event is to strengthen the sustainability community in Allegany County and create opportunities for area sustainability advocates to collaborate. Bring a friend! Carpools from Alfred will leave at 6 p.m. from Alfred State’s Huntington Administration Building. There is a $5 entrance fee.
Thursday, April 25
Mountain Biking
4-7 p.m., meet at the gazebo in front of Alfred State’s Orvis Activities Center
Join Alfred State’s Outdoor Recreation Club on a mountain biking trip on the Finger Lakes Trails. Participants must bring their own bike, helmet, and safety equipment. Phone (607) 587-4329 with questions.
The Green Party: Time for Something Entirely Different
5-5:50 p.m., Alfred Village Hall
Virginia Rasmussen will introduce the Green Party and lead a discussion.
Friday, April 26
Tour of Sustainability Innovations at Alfred State’s Wellsville Campus
11 a.m., Zero Energy Home (2530 River Road, Wellsville)
Take a guided tour of the sustainability projects at Alfred State’s School of Applied Technology, including a Zero Energy Home, multiple renewable energy installations, and a constructed wetland that filters contaminants out of water.
Saturday, April 27
Tree Planting in Andover
8:45 a.m., meet at Andover Central School
Join the Upper Genesee chapter of Trout Unlimited to plant trees around Dyke Creek in Andover. Bring gloves and boots.
Hot Dog Day Fair
Noon-5 p.m., Main Street in Alfred
Several Earth Week activities are happening in conjunction with Hot Dog Day. Alfred Community Garden will host a table to recruit new gardeners and provide some hands-on seed planting activities for the kids. In addition, tofu dogs will be sold at the Hillel Club stand by the bus stop. Volunteers are also needed to help collect recyclables generated by Hot Dog Day. Please sign-up to help with recycling collection at goo.gl/u2tWv.
Sunday, April 28
Hot Dog Day Clean-up, Shift 1
8 a.m., meet in the parking lot of Community Bank on Main Street
Help clean up any litter left over from Hot Dog Day. Alfred State will provide materials. Wear clothing that can get dirty. Please sign-up in advance at goo.gl/U415C.
Hot Dog Day Clean-up, Shift 2
12:30 p.m., meet in front of Alfred University's Kanakadea Hall
Garbage bags and plastic gloves will be provided. Wear clothing that can get dirty.