Earth Day 2013 events roundup

Earth Day is Monday, April 22, but Central New York has started the party for our planet a week early.

Nearly 5,000 volunteers picked up trash last Friday and Saturday in Onondaga County as part of the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency’s Earth Day cleanup. In those two days, they collected over 8,400 pounds of garbage. Cleanups are planned through this week and into the weekend around the county, if you’re looking to help out.

When you need a break from picking up trash (or scrambling to finish up those end-of-semester projects), don’t miss some of these other fun Earth-loving events that are planned in the next few days. We’ve picked a few of our favorites.

Wednesday, April 17

• “Captain Planet” marathon. If you’ve got a moment, don’t miss your chance to catch up on some episodes from the hit kids’ TV show from the ’90s, “Captain Planet.” 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nifkin Lounge, SUNY-ESF.
• Recycled Crafts. Learn how to make jewelry, origami and terrariums from recycled materials. 3 – 7 p.m., Nifkin Lounge, SUNY-ESF.
• Ice Cream Social. Grab some free ice cream. Cones provided, but bring your own mug for this waste-free event. 5 – 8 p.m., Quad, SUNY-ESF.
• “Fern Gully” outdoor screening. Come watch this environmental classic outside on the SUNY-ESF Quad. 7:30 – 10 p.m., Quad, SUNY-ESF. Rain location: Moon 110.

Lectures

• “What Should We Really Do About the Environmental Crisis?” by Bill Shields, SUNY-ESF. 3 – 4 p.m., 313 Bray, SUNY-ESF.
• “Water for a Crowded Planet: Lessons from the Northeastern US” by Dr. Vorosmarty, CUNY. 4 – 5 p.m., 5 Illick, SUNY-ESF.

Thursday, April 18

• Falcon trainer demonstration. 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Quad, SUNY-ESF.
• Andrew Simmons Wildlife Show. Since 1971, wildlife expert Simmons has studied and raised wild animals. He specializes in predators and travels with big cats, bear cubs, carnivorous reptiles and birds of prey. 2 – 3 p.m., Quad, SUNY-ESF. Rain time/location: 5 – 8 p.m., Marshall Auditorium.
• Third Annual Quadstock. A showcase of SUNY-ESF students’ poetry, music and other talents, plus free food, including s’mores. 7 – 11 p.m., Quad, SUNY-ESF.

Lectures

• “Multicultural Commentary on Hydrofracking: Protecting Our Common Ground and Water.” 5 – 6:30 p.m., Moon 110, SUNY-ESF.
• “Millimeters Matter: Measuring Subtle Motions of the Earth” by Eric Calais, Ecole Normale Superieur. 7 p.m., Heroy Auditorium.

Friday April 19

• Conservation Biology Symposium: Art Show and Music. Bid on student artwork and enjoy music by the Ecotones, the Vanderbilts and the Woodworks starting at 5 p.m. 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Nifkin Lounge, SUNY-ESF.

Lectures

• “Different Cultures, Different Perspectives” by Dr. Robin Kimmerer, SUNY-ESF. A lecture about how people of other cultures view Earth Week. 10 – 11 a.m., Moon 110, SUNY-ESF.
• “Bioaccumulation and the Planetary Mine: Toward a Minor Political Economy of Extraction” by Mazen Labben, Rutgers University. 7 p.m., Eggers 018.

Saturday, April 20

• Beaver Lake Nature Center Earth Day celebration. Fun interactive exhibits with crafts and demonstrations for adults and kids, plus an opportunity to buy organic seedlings from a local farmer and a live raptor demonstration. Some events start at 9 a.m. See more information here.
• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County Earth Day 2013. Visit Onondaga Lake Park to learn how to properly plant trees and assist in planting 10 trees near the Salt Museum and Bloody Brook. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. See more information here.
• Party for the Planet. Join Rosamond Gifford Zoo in celebrating Earth Day by learning about endangered animals, enjoying demonstrations and keeper talks and touring the zoo’s green building and Flora for Fauna garden. 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. See more information here.

Sunday, April 21

• Alleycat: Bike Tour/Scavenger Hunt. This fun event will take you around Syracuse and reward you with free samples from local restaurants as you hunt for clues. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., start at Moon Library, SUNY-ESF.
• Earth Day Festival. Enjoy bands including Black Light Dahlias and Earth Jam, and speakers from several environmental groups. 12 – 5 p.m., Thornden Park Amphitheater. See more information here.

Monday, April 22

• Recycled Shelter Contest. Grab up to four other friends and build a snug shelter on the Quad using recycled materials. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Quad, SUNY-ESF.
• “Chasing Ice” documentary screening. A panel discussion will follow with meteorologist Dave Eichorn, Chris Carrick of CNY Regional Planning and Development Board and Yvonne Rothernberg of Citizens Climate Lobby. 7 p.m., 2384 James St. Admission costs $7 in advance, $10 at the door; $5 for seniors and students and children under 12 are free.

Lectures

• “Dirty Jobs: Exoelectrogenic Conversion of Wastewater to Energy Using Microbial Electrochemical Technologies” by Douglas Call, Syracuse University. 12 – 1 p.m., 106 Life Sciences Complex.