Earth Day is April 22 however, Boise State has created a week full of exciting activities to promote preservation and educational opportunities to learn more about sustainability efforts.
Earth Week workshops will be held from April 15-18, and cover a variety of sustainable activities from recycled paper making and mini terrariums to outdoor gear repair and creating DIY solar batteries. Each of these events is drop-in based so stop by the MakerLab, located on the first floor of the Albertsons Library, any time from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sustainability is a key area of focus for Boise State’s celebration of Earth Week as two of the week’s activities provide attendees with education on preservation efforts and ways to implement daily practices that promote sustainability.
A sustainability showcase will be held on April 16 at 8:30 pm in the Bishop Barnwell Room in the SUB. This event provides students with the chance to present projects that detail the importance of sustainability. A sustainability tour will be held on April 18 from 12 .- 1:30 p.m. at the Bishop Barnwell Room in the Student Union Building (SUB) and will allow students to witness ways Boise State is implementing sustainability efforts around campus.
Mia Hoetker, a junior at Boise State majoring in English literature will be the student keynote speaker for the event. Hoetker shared why she thinks her research regarding intersectionality between literature and the environment is meaningful.
“When we get bogged down by data, a lot of the time we forget about the reason we’re doing the research and work that we are. Though a lot of contemporary literature focuses on the negatives, it’s also important to remember what we’re seeking to preserve,” Hoetker said. “A big part of my address is recognizing that, like nature, we as humans will continue to adapt, and the stories we tell will reflect the changes around us. I hope attendees will be able to take that away from my speech and continue through life reminded of the hope for our future that we can find in literature.”
Boise State is committed to its Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) which was established in 2020 by the efforts of Marlene Tromp and the Sustainability Governance Council. The program utilized a tool to measure sustainability metrics called AASHE STARS in order to determine where the council should focus its efforts most. The university identified six key areas of sustainability on campus to target: academics and research, landscapes, campus engagement, funding, transportation and event opportunities for waste management.
Boise State currently holds a silver rating on the STARS system rating scale (bronze, silver, gold) and within the next two reporting cycles is projected to obtain gold status. One of the main goals of the SAP is to have Boise State achieve carbon neutrality alongside the City of Boise by 2050.
If your favorite way to give back to the planet is by being outside and connecting with nature, Boise State has you covered with its campus tree planting ceremony, on April 18 from 2- 3 p.m.
In 2022 and 2024 Boise State was declared a “tree campus” by the Arbor Day Foundation; this event will aid Boise State in continuing this legacy and promote the quality of campus.
And finally, the Earth Day Fair, which will be held in the quad on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will allow students to enjoy music and activities while speaking to local environmental organizations. The event will also feature student artwork, as well as a showcase of the work done by environmental clubs at Boise State.
Boise State’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainability is celebrated through various events highlighting the university’s efforts; however, students have the opportunity to do their part to support and get involved with campus and local environmental programs and opportunities.