Education News: Top Stories

EcoFairfield this weekend: Tree planting, workshops, eco-products, EcoJam event

Maharishi University of Management, USA - The Review Translate This Article
20 April 2012

Planting approximately 300 trees will be a major focus during the EcoFairfield/Earth Day weekend, April 20-22, hosted by Maharishi University of Management and its home city, Fairfield, Iowa. The weekend will be packed with activities and events, from a fashion show and green jobs fair to workshops and vendors of eco-friendly products.

The weekend's events, organized by MUM students, are unfolding from the opening, Friday morning 20 April, of the University's new Sustainable Living Center, with a press conference and celebration. Tours of the innovative new building are being given Friday and Saturday afternoons, and the newly-inaugurated building is also hosting several EcoFairfield events.

Organizers have made service to the community the heart of this year's EcoFairfield, with ambitious plans to plant at least 300 six-foot shade and nut trees at locations such as Chautauqua Park, Maharishi School, and Singing Cedars School.

Initially the organizers imagined a day of service involving area students, but the project snowballed into a major initiative involving many organizations, over 250 volunteers, and a grant from Alliant Energy. (Click here for a description of the project and listing of volunteer jobs.)

The project has already entailed a tree-planting workshop on Wednesday, April 18, at 7:15 p.m. . . . . Next is site preparation on Saturday, April 21, and a day of planting on Sunday—Earth Day—including a public orchard at Chautauqua Park. The day will culminate with a picnic at 4:30 p.m. catered by Hy-Vee at Chautauqua Park and music by the Jefferson County Green Band.

The ever-popular annual EcoJam Fashion Show will be held Saturday night. Models will present fashions by 12 designers made from recycled, vintage, or organically and sustainably manufactured materials. It will begin at 7 p.m. at the former St. Mary's School located on 3rd street a few blocks south of campus.

The Green Vendors Sale and Green Careers Jobs Fair will be held in the Expo Hall at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center on Saturday, April 21, from 9:00-4:00 p.m. Over 50 local vendors will be on hand to exhibit their all-green, all-natural products.

Workshops, presentations, and documentaries will be offered all day Saturday and on Sunday afternoon at venues such as the Argiro Student Center cafe, the new Sustainable Living Center, and the Fairfield Public Library.

Speakers and workshop hosts include Fred Kirschenmann from the Leopold Center; Stuart Valentine, expert on green asset management; Christian Renaud from StartupCity Des Moines; Michael Cook, a former organizer of the Village Building Convergence in Portland, Oregon; Francis Thicke, author, sustainable agriculture expert, and founder of Radiance Dairy; Maryan Hesse, an Amazon forest ambassador; Scott Morris, Founder of myLocal Cooperative; and Nick Campney from One-Hundred Trees.

Most presentations will be free; a few workshops may require $2-10 donations to help cover costs. See a schedule online at .

© Copyright 2012 Maharishi University of Management

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