The festivities are divided into five categories for each day of Earth Week: “A Day of Celebration,” “A Day of Learning,” “A Day of Action,” “A Day of Appreciation” and “A Day of Service.” Each day’s focus ensures a comprehensive look at environmental issues and at FSU’s many groups involved in the University’s sustainability initiative, “Learning Green, Living Green,” and in supporting environmental education in general.

• “A Day of Celebration” on Monday, April 20, kicks off with a panel discussion from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Lane Center, room 201, featuring FSU faculty members who will discuss ideas about incorporating environmental sustainability into the FSU curriculum. Later that evening, keynote speaker Brian Tokar, a noted advocate, author and prominent voice on environmental issues since the 1970s, will give a presentation on “From Climate Awareness to Climate Justice” from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Lane University Center’s Alice R. Manicur Assembly Hall. Food, music and prizes are included in this event. Tokar is the author of “The Green Alternative” and “Earth for Sale” and editor of “Redesigning Life?,” an international collection on the politics and implications of biotechnology. His latest book is “Gene Traders: Biotechnology, World Trade and the Globalization of Hunger.” Tokar holds concurrent degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in biology and physics, and a master’s degree in biophysics from Harvard University. He is a faculty member and director of several activist projects at Vermont's Institute for Social Ecology.
• Tuesday, April 21, is “A Day of Learning” with Focus Frostburg 2009, a “Learn-in” for a Sustainable Future, featuring over 20 50-minute presentations by FSU faculty, staff, students and community partners on topics related to environmental sustainability and climate awareness. These sessions are open to the public and will be held throughout the day from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Lane Center and in surrounding buildings. Those interested in learning more details about the sessions can visit www.frostburg.edu/lglg for a full schedule. Tuesday also includes the President’s Earth Week Picnic from 4 to 7 p.m. in the lower quad near Chesapeake Dining Hall, a fun get-together featuring environmentally friendly dining options. FSU will also be offering tours of FSU’s Arboretum and a native plant sale from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tours are scheduled every half hour and proceeds of the plant sale will benefit the Savage River Watershed Association. Meet at the gazebo near FSU’s stadium lot to participate.
• Wednesday, April 22, is “A Day of Action” featuring a presentation by ethnobotanist Jim Duke and a variety of activities highlighting specific ways people can get involved in the earth’s future. Duke will present “A Tale of Four Gardens,” a discussion focusing on Maryland, Amazonian and Biblical ethnobotany, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Lane Center, room 201. Interested parties can also participate in the following four activities as ways of learning to take action:
  • “Tree Planting Activity”: 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Meet at gazebo near FSU’s stadium lot.
  • “Community Garden Activity”: 1 to 3 p.m. Braddock House.
  • “Write a Legislator”: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lane Center, room 207-208.
  • “Rain Barrel Workshop”: 10 a.m. to noon. Lane Center, room 202.
  Finally, “Procession of the Species,” an event featuring various species depicted in costume to raise awareness of the Earth’s many creatures and our connection to them, is scheduled from 4:30 to 5 p.m. at the FSU Clock Tower.
• Thursday, April 23, is “A Day of Appreciation” and includes a “CHILLing around campus” one-mile walk at noon at FSU’s Clock Tower. FSU students, faculty and staff are also invited to participate in guided trips to the area’s natural and scenic landmarks. Space is limited, so please RSVP. Sign up at the Lane Center information desk starting Monday, April 20, or call 301-687-4411 for more information on the various trips being offered. Thursday concludes with an Earth Week Concert at 4 p.m. in the Performing Art Center’s Pealer Recital Hall featuring earth-themed, vocal and instrumental pieces reflecting our shared stewardship of the Earth.
• Friday, April 24, is “A Day of Service” and features several activities, including a “Reduce, Recycle, Reuse” poster session and contest. FSU students, faculty and staff can vote on their favorite posters relating to the environment created by FSU visual arts students. These posters will be on view for voting from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the FSU Clock Tower (rain location is the Lane Center’s Derezinski Lounge). People can also vote on Facebook for their favorite poster by visiting FSU’s Earth Week 2009 Facebook Group (Search “Earth Week 2009, Frostburg State University” on Facebook). Additionally, FSU will have an electric car on exhibit all week parked between the Lane Center and the library for those interested in learning more about alternative vehicles. “A Day of Service” also includes FSU’s annual Relay for Life, which honors cancer survivors, pays tribute to lives lost and raises money to help fight cancer. Relay for Life begins at 6 p.m. at the Bobcat Stadium.

For more information on FSU’s Earth Week 2009, visit www.frostburg.edu/lglg or e-mail lglg@frostburg.edu. If you are on Facebook, you can also join the “Earth Week 2009, Frostburg State University” group for regular updates and information.

Situated in the mountains of Allegany County, Frostburg State University is one of the 13 institutions of the University System of Maryland. FSU is a comprehensive, residential regional university and serves as an educational and cultural center for Western Maryland. For more information, visit www.frostburg.edu.