RADFORD – Celebrate the impact each individual can make on the well being of the planet with Radford University Earth Day 2009.

Observed globally each April 22, Earth Day began in 1970 as a response to widespread environmental ruin. That year, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson called for an environmental teach-in on April 22, with more than 20 million participants involved. Today, more than 500 million people in 164 countries participate in Earth Day activities.

Sponsored by the CPC and coordinated by RU’s student-based Green Team, the following activities, which are free and open to the public, will be held during RU Earth Day 2009. To learn more, contact Brittany Christian at bchristia2@radford.edu. To learn more about RU Sustainability, visit http://www.radford.edu/rugreen/.

Sunday, April 19
Litter Pick-Up on Campus
3 p.m.
Volunteers are invited to meet at the Heth clock. Gloves and trash bags will be provided.

Wednesday, April 22
Earth Day Presentation
3-6 p.m.
Heth Lawn (rain location: Peters Hall Gymnasium)
Julio Stephens, RU’s sustainability coordinator, will present information about a variety of environmentally friendly initiatives on campus, including a move-out recycling program, the presentation of a National Wildlife certification for Wildlife Habitat and Energy Star plaques for Floyd and Norwood halls, and a composting program announcement.

RU Greenhouse and Planetarium Tours
3-6 p.m.
Tours of the RU Greenhouse and Planetarium will be offered every half hour; the last tour will begin at 5:30 p.m. The Greenhouse, located on the east side of Reed Hall, supports the educational and research needs of the Department of Biology. The RU Planetarium is located on the ground floor of Curie Hall, room 43. The Planetarium features a Spitz/Goto Planetarium SG-8 Projector from Tokyo, Japan.

Museum of the Earth Sciences Open House
3-6 p.m.
Participants are invited to visit RU’s Museum of the Earth Sciences, a component of the Department of Geology and the College of Science and Technology that serves as an educational resource for earth science related themes for the university.

Tree Planting
3 p.m.
Russell Hall
Volunteers will plant saplings in celebration of Earth Day.

Club Fair
3-6 p.m.
Heth Lawn (rain location: Peters Hall Gymnasium)
University-based clubs will be available to provide information about their organizations. The Wildlife Society, Chemistry Club, the National Society for Collegiate Scholars, the American Society for Interior Designers, Sigma Kappa, La Sociedad Hispanica, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., The Fashion Society, Apples, Friends of the NRV, the Pre-Med Club and the RU environmental class will be represented.

Outdoor Movie: “The 11th Hour”
7 p.m.
Heth Lawn (rain location: McGuffey Hall, room 203)
This critically acclaimed documentary, narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, explores the perilous state of our planet and the ways in which its inhabitants can change their course. Contributing to this crucial film are noted politicians, scientists and other ambassadors for the importance of a universal ecological consciousness.