Spring cleaning is in full effect, and in that spirit, the University is hosting its 7th annual Spring Greening Day and Sustainability Expo on April 20. From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., students, faculty and community volunteers will take part in beautification, erosion and mulch control projects under the direction of LSU Landscape Services.
“Spring Greening Day is a unique opportunity for LSU students, faculty and staff to celebrate our commitment to sustainability,” Campus Sustainability Manager Sarah Temple said in a news release. “By planting more than 10,000 individual plants in a single day, we are enhancing the biodiversity as well as the natural beauty of our campus.”
Work sites will include the Greek Amphitheatre, Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex, the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Memorial Tower and the Life Sciences Building. Plants, mulch and supplies will be provided by sponsors BASF, LSU Student Government and Landscape Services. BASF is providing lunch for volunteers, and all volunteers will receive a t-shirt.
“Campus Sustainability is always looking for creative ways to green and beautify our campus while maximizing our financial and labor resources, so Spring Greening Day is a perfect opportunity,” executive director for Facility & Property Oversight Tammy Millican said. “It is such a wonderful experience for our student, staff and community volunteers to plant, mulch, and address erosion issues on campus together.”
In addition to Spring Greening activities, a Sustainability Expo will be held in Free Speech Plaza from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Organizations such as BREC Conservation, BASF, Bike Baton Rouge, Entergy, Republic Recycling, CACRC, Louisiana Green Schools, TULIPA, the LSU Sustainable Agriculture Club, the Hill Farm at LSU, and the Sierra Student Coalition will be on hand to present information relating to their programs and to offer tips on sustainable living.
LSU President F. King Alexander will speak at the event and plant a tree by the Greek Amphitheatre to celebrate the sixth year the University has been recognized with the Tree Campus USA award. This award was created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation to recognize and honor colleges and universities for effective forest management and engaging students and staff in conservation goals. The University is one of only 254 campuses in the country to win this recognition.
If you are interested in volunteering, you can register through TigerLink or at the volunteer tent on the Parade Ground the day of the event.