Join this drum circle to kick off Earth Month at ETSU! Students from the ETSU Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO) will host the event to raise awareness about the harmful impacts of fossil fuel use and the growing need to switch to more sustainable sources of energy. BYOD (Bring your own drum)! Other acoustic instruments are also welcome.

Come by the Buc Bikes table in The Cave to test your bicycle safety knowledge for a chance to win a free weekly rental or $5 off a monthly bicycle rental.

Erin Savage, a representative from Appalachian Voices, will speak on some of the group's latest environmental projects involving water quality testing.

Spring is here, and so is the Farmers Market! If you have been craving fresh produce and homemade baked goods all winter, now is the time to indulge! The ETSU Farmers Market will operate on Thursdays beginning on April 4th and will run until May 2nd. The market will offer an even greater selection of foods this year, ranging from lettuces, chili powders, and homemade mustards to donuts, homemade pot pies, and chocolates.

The City of Johnson City has been busy collecting unwanted waste that is not normally accepted in weekly pick-ups. If you're spring cleaning and discover household items you want to dispose of, bring them to the clean-up! The ETSU Recycling Center is located at the west end of parking lot 19 - beside the Basler Center for Physical Activity. Items that will NOT be accepted include: pharmaceuticals, over the counter medications, air conditioners, hazardous materials, paint, televisions, and tires. Loads larger than pick-up trucks will not be allowed. For more information call 423-975-2792.

Take a hike! This is the perfect time of year for a walk on the mountain. Trees are a delightful shade of bright green, wildflowers are popping up, and the temperature is (hopefully) pleasant. Reserve your spot on the trip with Campus Recreation's Outdoor Adventures program. There is a $5 fee for the hike.

Brush Creek is located in Johnson City and runs along the railroad track by the VA and into the downtown area. The creek often goes unnoticed until hard rains cause it to flood; this has been a problem since the early days of the town, and is due in part to the fact that Johnson City's downtown was built practically on top of the creek.

Not only is the flooding of Brush Creek potentially hazardous for residents, but it also pulls litter and waste of all sorts into the creek where it tends to become stuck in rocks, tree limbs, and brush on the banks and in the stream. The creek faces problems during more calm periods as well; run-off from farmland and industrial sites contaminates the water as fertilizers, farm waste, and pollutants flow into it.

Many organizations at ETSU and in the community are making great efforts to clean Brush Creek. Service Learning groups and other partners (Boone Watershed Partnership, the Washington County Economic Development Council, and the ETSU Department of Sustainability) are involved in this ongoing effort.

The Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO) will hold University Woods Appreciation Week. Participate in a variety of University Woods service projects to show your support for this beautiful green space.

Members of the Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO) will host this exciting block party filled with a variety of fun activities, food, and information about their group and their current initiatives on and off campus. If you want to find out how to become more involved in environmental efforts, or if you just want to chill out and celebrate Earth Month, you are welcome to hang out at the party!

Eric Blevins has been active in bringing awareness to the hazardous practice of mountaintop removal for many years. In a new presentation, he reveals the parallels between this issue and other forms of harmful energy sources (namely nuclear and coal) and goes even further to talk about how this all relates to global climate change.

"I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees!" Disney's "The Lorax" will be screened at the ETSU amphitheater. Bring a blanket and come see the swomee swans, the humming fish, and the truffula trees, if you please! Kids are welcome to attend. The film is free and open to the public.

Mudstrawlove is a green building company based in Asheville, NC. Their builders are skilled in alternative techniques such as cob, straw bale, and straw-clay construction. These building strategies have been used extensively in the past but are now being revived in many locations in order to provide more sustainable, healthy, and environmentally friendly structures. Mudstrawlove builders are also well versed in the implementation of energy and water saving installments such as solar hot water heaters, composting toilets, greywater re-use, and various renewable energies.

ETSU's annual beautification day will once again help to make our campus beautiful. Join in the effort to plant flowers and participate in litter pick-up. If you would like to be involved, email serve@etsu.edu to sign up.

This event will also kick off the campus STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System) committees. These committees are comprised of students, faculty, and staff who are hard at work looking at ways to implement new policies and procedures to make ETSU more sustainable. This rating system was designed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). ETSU is a member of AASHE and submitted a baseline report in 2011 which received a bronze rating. After the committees have implemented new initiatives, the university will resubmit a report to AASHE in order to achieve a higher rating.

Dr. Noland will recognize the efforts of the STARS working committees at the conclusion of the service day at the amphitheater at 3 pm.

Do you need to get away for a few days? Come for a relaxing get-away in the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area in Virginia. Hike through rhododendron thickets and open, rocky terrain. You might even catch a glimpse of the area's wild ponies. Reserve your spot on the trip with Campus Recreation's Outdoor Adventures program. Your $40 fee covers all the necessary equipment and food.

During this week, ETSU Dining Services will minimize the environmental impacts of campus food consumption by offering environmentally responsible food choices and reducing food waste on certain days.

This documentary explains where our electricity comes from, why it is important to decrease energy use, and practical steps individuals can take to reduce energy consumption. A panel discussion will follow the film. It is free and open to the public.

Do you ever notice the large amount of Styrofoam and plastic that are thrown away? Many materials take hundreds of years to decay in a landfill, and Styrofoam never breaks down! Come by the table in the Atrium to discover ways to reduce your consumption of these items and to see how you can help push for alternative materials (such as biodegradable and reusable options) on campus.

This will be the second bike parade held at ETSU. Ride with members of the ETSU Buc Bikes program to show your support for alternative transportation! Grab some reusable materials, decorate your bike to perfection, and make some catchy signage. The parade will start at Borchuck Plaza and end at the Yellow Bike Shed beside the Basler Center for Physical Activity.

View the nationwide screening of this inspiring documentary which reveals the efforts of the then-Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed to pursue the issue of climate change. This issue is very close to the people of this region, “as one of the most low-lying countries in the world, a rise of three feet in sea level would submerge the 1200 islands of the Maldives enough to make them uninhabitable.” The film connects the struggle for democracy and human rights to the fight to stabilize the global climate.

The film will be followed by a live webinar with the Director, Jon Shenk, Former UN Deputy Permanent Representative to the Maldives, Thilmeeza Hussain, and Executive Director and Co-Founder of 350.org, May Boeve. The film is free and open to the public.

Sow True Seed is based in Asheville, NC. The group was founded by a lifelong gardener and is dedicated to providing open-pollinated, non-hybrid, and non-GMO seed. A representative will speak on the importance of planting non-GMO seeds and their gardening philosophy.

This documentary explores how special interest groups have influenced public opinion on climate change. Free and open to the public.

Cruise down the New River and camp under the stars. Reserve your spot on the trip with Campus Recreation's Outdoor Adventures program. Your $40 fee covers all necessary equipment and food.

Sigma Kappa Sorority hosts the annual Downtown Dash for the Trash. ETSU students team up and compete to see who can collect the most trash within the time frame. All recyclable items are weighed and recycled--an excellent opportunity to beautify the city, help the environment, and have some fun!

It's that time again! Environmental groups from the campus community will come together on Earth Day to share their knowledge and experiences regarding environmental/sustainability issues in our area. The Earth Day celebration will include a variety of fun activities and music!

It's Earth Day, and the best way to celebrate is to lessen our impact on the old planet, even if it's just for a short while. Lighting is the largest energy user in buildings, often accounting for as much as 35% of energy use. Not only does the simple act of turning off the lights greatly reduce energy use and consumption costs, but it can also lead to a more healthy classroom and office environment as natural lighting has been linked to improved mood and overall health of occupants. Cutting off the lights is also an easy way to reduce fossil fuel use; coal and natural gas extraction and consumption are extremely detrimental to environmental and human health. Even hydroelectric power has major consequences as dams alter river ecosystems, displace people living near the site, and contribute to global warming as built-up plant matter decays and releases methane behind the dam.

Think twice before you flip on the lights today! Unless they are absolutely necessary for your task, keep them off and participate in the Campus Blackout!

The ETSU Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO) will hold a benefit concert for Mountain Justice, a group based in West Virginia that provides a variety of workshops and ways to get involved in the effort to end mountaintop removal (an extremely harmful coal extraction process). Mountain Justice works to impart their knowledge on community and group organizing, sustainable living, and many other topics. Come on out and enjoy the music while you support this important effort! There will be a $3 cover charge.

Are you stressing out before finals? Get away from it all for an afternoon and go for a hike! Springtime on Buffalo Mountain is sure to help your troubles melt away. Reserve your spot on the trip with Campus Recreation's Outdoor Adventures program. There is a $5 fee for the hike.

Buctainment invites all campus explorers, treasure hunters, and riddle solvers on an eco-friendly adventure! Clues will be posted throughout the day leading eco-hunters to various campus locations--some you may have never known existed! Prizes will be awarded to the individuals who find each item.