Stop by the SIUC Student Center on Friday, April 22 and learn just how easy it is to be green. Earth Day 2011 will begin at 11:00 am in the Roman Room and Art Gallery with a Green Fair featuring informational tables hosted by the Student Center, Chartwells Dining, SalukiSpokes, and more. Enjoy your lunch in the sun on the West Patio, weather permitting, with the live music of The Black Fortys .

• 11:00 am – 1:00 pm | Green Fair @ Roman Room & Art Gallery
• 11:30 am - 1:00 pm | The Black Fortys @ West Patio
• 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Planting Herb Garden @ West Patio
• 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Trash to Treasure @ Craft Shop
• 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Student Video & Awards @ Roman Room
• 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm | “Facing the Storm….” @ Roman Room

The second annual planting of the herb and vegetable gardens on the West Patio will begin at 2pm. Produce from the gardens will be used by our Chef in food preparation. Last year’s garden was such a success that the plantings will be extended to the window beds as well.

Visit the Craft Shop from 3pm to 5pm as we reinvent the wheel by taking everyday objects from “Trash to Treasure”. Create your own one-of-a-kind wind chime using old forks and spoons, or recycle old banner materials to make a bag for your books and “stuff”. There’s always the opportunity to add to the recycled ceramic sculpture which has been an ongoing project for several years or get crafty as you build a sculpture from scrap wood.

This will be the second year for the Student Center sponsored “Reuse, Recycle, Reinvent” Art Show, a student show of videos, art, or photos. All art forms are created from either recycled or recyclable materials. Winners will be announced at 4pm in the Roman Room. Winning entries will be displayed in the Bookstore windows as well as here on the Student Center website.

The Morris Library has generously donated the video “Facing the Storm, The Story of the American Bison” for a 5pm showing in the Roman Room. The beautiful historical documentary follows the story of the American bison through archival film and photographs, featuring original footage and animated sequences as well as interviews. Originally numbered around 30 million in the mid 1800’s, in a 50 year time span buffalo numbers dropped to fewer than 300. Saved from extinction, today they are faced with ongoing challenges of land management, bureaucracy, and court trials as the fight continues to restore the herds to the Great Plains. The film takes a hard look at the history of the bison, their survival, as well as their ongoing relationship with the Plains Indians. The event is free and open to everyone.

Whether you are a poor college student or a busy faculty/staff member wanting to go green, Earth Day 2011 promises to help you become more environmentally friendly and entertain you at the same time. Join us at the SIUC Student Center on April 22!

FACING THE STORM: STORY OF THE AMERICAN BISON