Activities include film screening, biodiesel car, music, sustainable products

KINGSTON, R.I. – April 15, 2008 – The University of Rhode Island student organization Student Action for Sustainability is sponsoring an Earth Day Festival on the quadrangle of the Kingston campus featuring a wide variety of educational exhibits, fun activities and sustainable products.

The event, on April 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., is free and open to the public.

“We’re hoping this event will raise awareness about the environment, the planet, climate change, and solutions for what can be done to create a greener, more environmentally sustainable community,” said Nick Russell, president of Student Action for Sustainability, whose vegetable oil powered Mercedes automobile will be on display.

Those in attendance will be able to participate in a waste audit of the Quad conducted by the URI Recycling Office; build a bird feeder with the URI chapter of the Wildlife Society; play ocean awareness games with the URI Marine Science Society; and purchase clothing made from sustainable materials from the URI Fashion Merchandising Society.

Other exhibits will include information about student organizations, state and local environmental groups, sustainable products, organic food, a make-your-own tie-dye table, and a rock wall for climbing. In addition, workshops on gardening, composting and bicycle repair will be offered between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.. Music will be provided by the URI Jazz Ensemble.

The event will conclude with the screening of the documentary film about global warming, Eleventh Hour, at 7 p.m. in Galanti Lounge in the URI Library.

On Saturday, April 19 at 11 a.m., Student Action for Sustainability will organize a campus cleanup followed by a tree-planting ceremony. Volunteers are encouraged to meet at the quadrangle to participate.

For more information about the Earth Day events, contact Russell at 401-595-6925 or nickr@mail.uri.edu or Hannah Morini at 603-490-9247 or hmorini@mail.uri.edu, or visit www.urisas.org.