April 22, 2023, marks the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day, and Kent State University is celebrating the whole Earth Month with the theme “Invest in Our Planet.”
The Kent State Earth Month Committee has a plethora of events planned all over campus, all centered on celebrating our planet. Check out a list of all the events here.
April 3-21: Draining the Swamp Art Gallery
This art gallery, hosted by the Center of Ecology and Natural Resources Sustainability (CENRS), presents students with an environmental history of the wetlands on the Kent Campus. The exhibit is located in the second floor gallery of the Design Innovation (DI) Hub through April 21.
Monday, April 10: Earth Month Book Club
Calling, all book lovers! The Earth Month Planning Committee and the Office of Sustainability are hosting an online discussion of the book "Tree Story: The History of the World Written in Rings." The book is available at Kent State’s library, or a free audiobook version is available on Hoopla. This online discussion will take place at 4 p.m. and individuals can register here.
Tuesday, April 11: Earth Month Speaker Panel
The Earth Month Planning Committee and Office of Sustainability are hosting a speaker panel and Q&A on “Investing in a Clean Energy Future.” The panel will begin at 5 p.m. in DI Hub Room 219 and will feature speakers like Yanhai Du, Ph.D., Christopher Blackwood, Ph.D., and more.
Tuesday, April 11: Electric Vehicle Education Event
Are you interested in electric vehicles? If so, this event is perfect for you! Learn all about electric vehicle awareness, education and use at Kent State. This event will take place on the Lefton Esplanade, outside of the DI Hub from 6:30-8 p.m.
Wednesday, April 12: An Evening with Madeline Sayet Hosted by Jessica Vallejo, Lake Erie Native American Council
Madeline Sayet, a theater producer, believes that every story we put into this world has the power to do real harm or healing. Sayet’s newest piece, “Where We Belong,” is about her journey as an Indigenous theatre-maker across geographical and metaphorical borders. Come spend an evening with Sayet on April 12 from 7-8:15 p.m.
Friday, April 14: Meet the Author of 'Tree Story,' Valerie Trouet
Relax, enjoy lunch or join a breakout session with Valerie Trouet, professor at Laboratory of Tree Ring Research and author of "Tree Story." This event will be held at the Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center from noon-1 p.m. Guests should register here before April 5.
Thursday, April 13 and Friday, April 14: 8th Annual Environmental Science and Design Research Institute (ESDRI) Symposium
This two-day symposium’s theme is Environmental Justice, Ecology and Race. It will feature Kent State experts and renowned guests as well as workshops and poster presentations. Guests should register via the Environmental Science and Design Research Institute website.
Monday, April 17: Kent State University Undergraduate Research Symposium
Kent State's annual Undergraduate Symposium on Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors will take place at the Kent Student Center. For more information, contact Ann Gosky at agosky@kent.edu.
Tuesday, April 18: Kent State University's Earth Fest
Join on- and off-campus organizations on Risman Plaza for music, student activities, information, giveaways and prize drawings. This event will increase awareness of sustainability, engage students and inspire students' actions in the sustainability movement. This fest will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on April 18.
Wednesday, April 19 and Thursday, April 20: Make Reusable Beeswax Food Wrap
Stop by the DI Hub’s Reactor any time from noon-1 p.m. to make a reusable cloth and beeswax food wrap. Support the environment and keep your food fresher longer with this simple, sustainable approach to daily life; no special skills are needed. This process takes around 10-15 minutes and costs $8. Contact Sarah McMahon at smcmaho8@kent.edu for more information.
Thursday, April 20: Celebrate Earth Day!
Drop by the Belden Brick Materials Library/Architecture Library between 1 and 3 p.m. to browse the extensive materials collection and uncover sustainable materials to help the planet. Even take a free book home to your personal library. Refreshments will be available and items are available while supplies last.
Thursday, April 20: Green Chemistry Speaker
Join the Student Affiliates for the American Chemical Society (SAACS) and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in welcoming green chemist Michael Young, Ph.D, for a wine and cheese colloquium. Young will be joining from 5- 6:30 p.m. to discuss how he uses green chemistry principles in his research at the University of Toledo. For more information, contact Kara Bennett at kminton4@kent.edu.
Thursday, April 20: Honoring Earth Day Give and Glow Ride
Come celebrate Earth Day with an indoor cycling class that features high-intensity cardio set to an upbeat playlist, called a glow spin ride. Kent State’s Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center is hosting a glow spin ride between 8:45-9 p.m. with some amazing instructors. Register here.
Thursday, April 20: Observing the Night Sky Clinic
The Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center is celebrating Earth Day by relaxing outdoors and enjoying the night sky. Attendees will be able to see stars and constellations while learning some astronomy facts between 8:30 and 10 p.m. Register here.
Friday, April 21: BioBlitz
Come work with an expert and get into the field to use citizen science to inventory and identify a variety of living things on Kent State’s lesser known properties. This event will take place from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. and is hosted by the Environmental Science and Design Research Institute (ESDRI) and the Center for Ecology and Natural Resource Sustainability (CENRS). This event is appropriate for all ages and audiences, however, the property is not ADA-accessible. For more information, visit here.
Friday, April 21: Park Volunteer Cleanup
Clean up the trails and give back to nature! Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park with RecWell Adventure Center and celebrate Earth Day between 12 and 5 p.m. Transportation is provided. For more information contact Chris Lukas at clukas@kent.edu and register here.
Sunday, April 23: Earth Day Celebration at Kent State Stark
A free Earth Day-themed event will be hosted by Kent State Stark Events between 1 and 4 p.m. There will be interactive displays, activities, live music, a scavenger hunt and much more! For more information, contact StarkEvents@kent.edu.
April 24- April 28: Annual Fundraising Plant Sale
Stop by the Herrick Conservatory Greenhouse from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. to purchase some plants grown in the greenhouse! Hosted by Biological Sciences' Herrick Conservatory, the Herrick Conservatory and Sustainability Club and the Kent State Garden Club.
Tuesday, April 25: Kent State Farmers’ Market
Kent State has partnered with Haymaker Farmers’ Market to bring a farmers’ market to campus. This gives students opportunities to learn about local farming, purchase fresh produce and connect with the Kent community. Stop by the Student Green in Risman Plaza from 4-7 p.m. to get your favorite locally sourced products. Read here for more information.
Friday, April 28: Hike & (SPIN) Bike
Go on a relaxing and educational bike trip with RecWell Adventure Center from 3-6 p.m. Guests will learn about basic local flora and fauna, the environment, history and more. The trip costs $20 and guests must register in advance.
Saturday, April 29: Mindful Hike
Do you love nature and relaxation? If so, go on this Hike and Meditation Trip, hosted by RecWell Adventure Center and Kent State of Well-being. The event takes place from 2- 4:30 p.m. and costs $10. Guests must register in advance.
For more information and to see all events, visit the Kent State University Earth Month 2023 calendar.
WRITTEN BY: CASSIDY GRENTZ, FLASH COMMUNICATIONS