Earth Day 2016 Celebration

Earth Club is requesting $999 from the CSF Small Projects Fund for the Earth Day 2016 Celebration. The purpose of Earth Day Celebration is to come together and celebrate the 46th Earth Day here on the University of Washington Seattle campus. It will create an opportunity for people throughout the entire campus including undergraduate, graduate and professional environmental active UW students to meet and network with local sustainability focused businesses and vendors, present their original work and come together to connect with campus environmental and sustainability groups, therefore contributing to a more sustainable campus. On April 22nd 2016, there will be an exhibitors fair for various environmental groups, the Husky Green Awards from the College of Environment and live music from Rainy Dawg Radio- all on Red Square from 10-3. 
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Brief explanation of how the project will meet the requirements and preferences of the CSF:

Environmental Impact


On Earth Day, the exhibitors fair and stage performances plan to attract more than 10,000 students and community members on campus who will find the opportunity to explore the environmental stewardship on campus and learn what they could do to contribute to reduce the school’s environmental impact. The groups tabling at our booths focus on specific environmental issues including reducing carbon emissions, effective usage of solar power, reducing pollutants and so on. Visitors will be able to help with signature gathering for certain groups as well as learn how to create a sustainable campus through small actions daily.


Student Leadership & Involvement

The Earth Day 2016 Celebration is primarily organized by student-oriented Earth Day planning committee and facilitated by UW Sustainability staff members. Coordinated by Earth Club members Lauren Rowe, James Bao, and Sierra Kross, the planning committee consists of around 8 student leaders from various environmental groups on campus, including Earth Club, SEED, and CSF. The leadership of the planning committee and generous help from UW Sustainability have played a crucial role in determining the trajectory of the Earth Day 2016 celebration.


Education, Outreach, & Behavior Change


Since the celebration is projected to attract more than 10,000 visitors, the exhibitors’ fair would essentially be an environmental educational outreach for the entire campus community. Visitors will be able to connect with various campus sustainability groups and thus increasing their awareness of the environment.


Feasibility, Accountability, & Sustainability

The UW Sustainability staff members who have experiences of Earth Day celebrations planning are facilitating the planning process. They have helped our committee connect with the College of Environment, UW Recycling, HFS and other on-campus departments, as well as with acquiring permits and general logistics. Moreover, the students in the committee have already worked various environmental groups, which makes them equipped with leadership and project management skills that can contribute to the successful completion of the celebration. We have already obtained approval for using Red Square for April 22nd, permits for outside sustainable vendors giving out food on campus and so on. Our planning team is equipped with skills that will enable us to plan the celebration successfully.