Holy Cross to Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Earth Day

sustainability efforts from the Princeton Review.

Holy Cross is included in “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 286 Green Colleges,” for demonstrating “an above average commitment to sustainability in terms of campus infrastructure, activities and initiatives.”

In developing the guide, which is published in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and based on a survey of hundreds of colleges nationwide, the Princeton Review looked at an institution’s commitment to building certification using USGBC’s LEED green building certification program; environmental literacy programs; formal sustainability committees; use of renewable energy resources; recycling and conservation programs, among others. To see the full report, click here.

Events Events and activities scheduled at Holy Cross follows:

* Holy Cross “celebs” appear in a video designed to encourage community members to “go green.” The video will also be displayed in a continuous loop on the first floor of the Hogan Campus Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 22. * All members of the Holy Cross community are encouraged to wear green on April 22. * From April 19 to 23, all clothing in the Holy Cross Bookstore containing the colors purple or green will be marked 20 percent off. Applies to in-store purchases only. * On April 22, free recycled pads will be available to students in Dinand Library. The College’s Graphic Arts department made the pads from recycled paper. * On May 1, Dining Services will serve the annual spring picnic barbecue on Frisbees to help reduce waste from the event.

Student-Led Efforts Eco-Action, a student organization dedicated to the promotion of environmental awareness through education and local action, is holding an info session on Summer of Solutions Worcester in the Loyola First Floor Study Room from 6 to 7 p.m. on April 22.

Summer of Solutions Worcester is a two-month cooperative summer learning experience focusing on holistic, community-based solutions to environmental, social, and economic justice issues by generating practical projects that have a tangible impact in the city of Worcester and beyond.

“We’re hoping by hosting an info session on campus we can get more Holy Cross students involved this summer,” says Eco-Action co-chair Maria de la Motte.

In addition, Eco-Action members who are also members of the Worcester Energy Barn-Raisers have been helping organize a barn-raising on April 24 from 10 am.-3 p.m. at the Oak Hill Community Development Corporation. A barn-raising is a one-day community event where people come together to weatherize a community center, learn important energy-saving skills, make new friends, and celebrate our accomplishments with music food and fun.

“In the spirit of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, many local community groups will be tabling to educate us about their work and further action we can take,” says de la Motte.

Earth Day in Worcester Kelsey Shields ’10, from Wallingford, Conn., will help beautify dozens of areas in Worcester.

As a work study/intern at the Regional Environmental Council, a non-profit focused on building sustainable communities, the biology major has been helping organize the 21st annual Earth Day Cleanups program. On May 1, groups of volunteers will fan across the city picking up trash in more than 40 registered sites.

“My interest in the environment has grown exponentially during my time at Holy Cross,” she says. “I’ve always had an interest but I’ve become more and more focused over the past four years. The more I learn, the more I want to know.”

Following graduation, Shields plans to work in environmental education or protection. “I really want to educate the public about the environment and our role in it,” she says.

April 21, 2010|nm