EarthFest 2018 was celebrated on April 18th, 2018 at Penn State Berks. Through a variety of stations with interactive activities, students, faculty and staff were able to learn about Sustainability and how they can do their part for the environment.
Sustainability Team
The Sustainability Team set up their booth for students to visit and learn about about Sustainability at Berks, receive a stamp card & raffle ticket, and more! (Dr. Kazempour and Students)
The following stations were represented at the event :
Save the Bees : Wildflower Stand
A fascinating presentation on how to help our pollinators by making seed bombs that you can toss onto ground that is in need of beauty and color, like a vacant filed or abandoned lot. (Barb Lessig & Paula Plageman)
‘Students for Sustainability’ Club
Educated students on taking a deeper look into new on-campus composting and food waste reduction measures, through the use on an interactive booth.
The Berks International Conservation Internship
Team showcased new internship program in environmental conservation.
How to avoid endocrine disruptors in personal care products
(Berks Cares & Jayne Park-Marinez)
Schuylkill River Trail
Information about the Schuylkill River Greenways, trail maps, outdoor events, volunteer opportunities and a lot more fun stuff to encourage students and faculty to get involved with their community and take the first step toward sustainability! (Schuylkill River Greenways)
Berks IT
The Berks IT department setup their stall to educate visitors on the different ways to reduce paper waste and help the environment.
Center for the Agricultural Sciences and Sustainable Environment
The PSU Berks Peiffer Farm houses a variety of projects based on Agricultural Sciences, which were displayed at this stall. Interactive activities involved planting basil to take home. (John Rost)
Biogas at Berks
The micro-digester display made this stall a fun education stop on how bio digestion can reduce food waste and encourage energy independence. (Jamie Cameron)
Plastic Bottle Greenhouse
A hands-on activity showed visitors how to build a greenhouse from recycled plastic bottles, bamboo (harvested on campus) and a simple wooden frame. Participants built a wall which will become part of an eco-friendly greenhouse. (Mary Ann Mengel & Maureen Carr)
Save the Rain
This fun exhibit educated visitors on ways to conserve water on their property, through a learning of rain gardens, rain barrels, downspout planters and more. (Penn State Extension, Berks County Master Watershed Stewards)
Planting Flower Pots
An interactive booth with visitors engaging in a seed planting station. (PESA & Education Department)
Pledge Pictures
A fun station where visitors made a pledge to help their environment and had a photo take with their pledge.(BiSC3 Students)
Spotted Lantern Fly : How you can help manage this invasive species
A great information stall on educating visitors about the Spotted Lanternfly. Spotted first in Berks Country in 2014, the Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive insect. This stall educated visitors on how to identify this insect in all life stages. (Thun Library & Sarah Hartman-Cavelry)
League of Women Voters – Berks County
Discussing the issue of ethics, sustainability, and the environment, three things that touch all areas of our lives! The stall voiced the fact that “Your Voice is your Vote! Constituents express their needs and opinions by choosing their leaders and holding them accountable”. The nonpartisan League of Women voters of Berks County encouraged visitors to register to vote.