Leading Up to Earth Day

With Earth Day just around the corner (next Wednesday!), we at the University of Maryland are scrambling to be ready. Unfortunately for us, Earth Day almost inevitably falls within the same week as Maryland Day (by far our largest event of the year). Therefore, Maryland Day receives all the attention and funding that Earth Day lacks.

We've all been putting in hard work and I certainly hope this Earth Day turns out magnificently (I'm a big believer in jinxes so I can only hope). Earth Day at Maryland is open to everyone, students and general public alike, but, because it falls during the day in the middle of the week, pretty much only students attend. 

Not that that's a bad thing.

These students are (again hopefully) the leaders of tomorrow. If we can't change their minds, however are we going to change the world?

Earth Day began in April, 1970 and has gradually become a nationally celebrated important event. As long as I have been at Maryland, we have hosted some sort of Earth Day celebration. This year's theme is "Earth to College Park". The Office of Sustainability will be administering carbon footprint quizzes for on and off campus residents (there's a chance to win a solar backpack or a free organic T-shirt!), providing temporary logo tattoos for those who want them (don't worry, I'll be sporting one), and giving you the chance to reach your hand in the mystery bag and discuss the environment.

So even if you don't attend our Earth Day, go out and do something!

Celebrate your right to be outdoors.