Earth Day event promotes grow local, buy local philosophy

As part of the Four Realms of Discovery series sponsored by University Student Initiatives, ASU's Polytechnic campus is hosting an “Earth Day Feastival” April 18. This is the first major Earth Day event at the Polytechnic campus, and gives the community an opportunity to enjoy locally grown food, learn about sustainable endeavors, as well as provide local vendors and agencies the chance to share information. The event is free to vendors and attendees.

Local restaurants that prepare locally-grown food and have sustainable business practices as well as retail outlets will be at the event. They will be joined by city departments, government agencies, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and other groups promoting sustainability that will be providing educational materials.

“I sincerely hope people walk away with a profound sense of empowerment, that they can make a difference with their choices, attitudes and buying power,” says Jehnifer Niklas, a senior majoring in applied biological sciences/wildlife restoration. “All these things add up to a positive solution when it comes to things like the economy and climate change.”

Faculty and students from various university departments will display research and applied projects that promote sustainability, as well as provide live music.

“There will be lots of space to hang out and enjoy the good weather, and, of course, great networking opportunities with others who are also interested in sustainability,” says Niklas.

If you want to be involved, date palm expert Ali Salih and Ron Palmer need help on April 4 to pollinate the date palms, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., at ASU’s Polytechnic campus.

You can return again on April 18, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., to finish any palms that have flowered and then sell the product at the “Earth Day Feastival” at noon. Carpools from the Tempe campus will be arranged.

If you want to volunteer, contact Deborah Thirkhill, program coordinator for the ASU Arboretum Grounds Services, at (480) 268-4165. And for more information, visit https://sites.google.com/a/asu.edu/arboretum-date-palms/.

For more information about Feastival, visit http://students.asu.edu/discovery/feastival.

The event is sponsored by University Student Initiatives, ASU Community Supported Agriculture, ASU Poly Sustainability Research Group, Students Act Now for Sustainability (SANS) and Aramark.

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Feastival Earth Day Event Details
April 18, 2009, Noon – 4 p.m.
ASU's Polytechnic campus
Parade Grounds (West of the Administration Building by the flag pole)
Rain location -- Student Union Cooley Ballrooms

Volunteers needed for dates
April 4, 7:30 –10:30 a.m.
Pollinate the date palms

April 18
Finish any palms that have flowered, 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Sell 8 oz packaged dates at “Earth Day Feastival”, Noon – 4 p.m.

Chris Lambrakis, lambrakis@asu.edu
(480) 727-1173
Public Affairs at ASU Polytechnic campus