Service and Sustainability: Earth Days in the Bluegrass 2015

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 6, 2015) – As countries, organizations and individuals across the globe celebrate Earth Day on April 22, the University of Kentucky celebrates the occasion throughout the month of April with "Earth Days in the Bluegrass," promoting sustainability, responsible global citizenship and the power of local action.

This week, the UK community is invited to participate in one of many UK events celebrating environmental stewardship: the Campus Clean Sweep service event, presented by the Pick It Up campaign in partnership with Bluegrass Greensource. 

UK students, faculty and staff will take to the streets with gloves, trash bags and a mission to rid Limestone Ave., Woodland Ave. and surrounding areas of litter from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, April 7. Participants will meet at the UK Student Center patio, where supplies and free t-shirts will be provided while supplies last. 

“The clean sweep will be a fun way for all members of the campus community to pitch in for a litter-free campus," said Shane Tedder, UK sustainability coordinator. "Even if you can’t make it over to the student center, you can be a part of the clean sweep just by picking up litter as you walk the campus.”

Alex Miller, an environmental and sustainability studies and international studies junior who spearheaded the Pick It Up campaign, thinks the event is an easy way for students to get involved in UK's sustainability efforts. 

"The Campus Clean Sweep is a great opportunity to sweep the campus of litter, especially with the end of the semester coming," said Miller. "Students can do their part in keeping the campus clean and protecting the environment as Earth Day approaches."

In the event of inclement weather, the Campus Clean Sweep will be canceled, but members of the UK community will have another cleanup opportunity with the Downtown Trash Bash, from 12-4 p.m., Friday, April 17. Participants can sign-in at one of five locations, including the Kennedy's Wildcat Den cleanup location on S. Limestone Ave., sponsored by UK. For more information, visit http://www.downtownlex.com/downtown-trash-bash/. 

Following the Campus Clean Sweep, UK faculty, staff and students will pedal their way to a more sustainable campus with UK Bike Week 2015 presented by the UK Bicycle Advisory Committee, from April 13-17.

UK Bike Week includes:

DIY Fix-It Station Demonstrations

From 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on Monday, April 13, fix-it demonstrations will take place at the campus bicycle repair stations located on Patterson Drive, at the College of Nursing and at William T. Young Library. Wildcat Wheels Bicycle Library staff will join members of the UK Bicycle Advisory Committee in demonstrating how to use these resources.

Tour de Downtown Art

From 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, participants will depart from Wildcat Alumni Plaza and cycle throughout downtown Lexington to get a unique perspective on downtown murals. The tour will be led by a League of American Bicyclists-certified instructor, as well as an art guide familiar with the murals. The tour is expected to cover 2-3 miles and last approximately 90 minutes. Space is limited to 25 people; please sign up to attend this free tour via the Facebook event page.

3rd Annual Bike to Campus Day

On Thursday, April 16, the UK community is encouraged to bike to campus and show support by using the Bike to Campus avatar (below) as a profile picture on Twitter, Facebook and other social media outlets.

Car-Free Day

On Friday, April 17, members of the UK community can take the car–free pledge and enjoy a day of fresh air and exercise. Pledge on the UK Sustainability Facebook page for a chance to win a free Earth Days in the Bluegrass t-shirt or a bike bell. Additional car-free resources are available from UK Parking and Transportation Services and UK Wildcat Wheels.

A tire sweep on the Licking River from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, will end the second week of Earth Days in the Bluegrass. The event is sponsored by the Student Sustainability Council and transportation, canoe rental and lunch will be provided. To reserve a space or to find out more information, email shane.tedder@uky.edu.

On the 45th anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, a celebration on the UK Student Center patio will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with free Kentucky Proud samples, fun activities, prizes and a showcase of UK's sustainability efforts. Plus, Wildcat Wheels will have the famous "blender bike" spinning out free smoothies. That evening, UK Dining will celebrate Earth Day at Blazer Cafe.

Finally, the month of events celebrating the environment will culminate with the 24th annual celebration of Arbor Day at the Arboretum from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., on Saturday, April 25. The theme for this year’s event is "Leave a Legacy – Kentucky’s Past, Present & Future" and will highlight the natural history of Kentucky.

To find out more information about Earth Days in the Bluegrass, visit http://www.sustainability.uky.edu/edbg.

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Harder, 859-323-2396, whitney.harder@uky.edu