It looks as though the days of blizzards and class cancellations are over. Just as students thought spring would never come, it seems to have arrived just in time for Earth Day. Although Tuesday, April 22 is the official Earth Day, senior Amber Masters, social chair for the Environmental Science Organization (ESO), said instead of just focusing on that one day, her group and others have planned nearly a month’s worth of activities.

Already this month, the Sustainable Agriculture Club showed documentarian Howard Lyman’s film “Mad Cowboy” on campus, which explores the horrors of the cattle industry.

Many key events are left on the schedule that students can get involved with, including:

Spring Needs Drive
Starting on Monday, April 21, the Volunteer Center will hold its Spring Needs Drive until the last day of the semester. Students are encouraged to donate clothing, household items and non-perishable food as they start spring cleaning. Boxes will be placed around campus for donations, including the PEIF, the LRC, the bookstore and the lobbies of most residence halls.

Organics on a Budget
On Friday, April 18, the ESO will collaborate with the Marquette Food Co-op for a special presentation about organic foods at 7 p.m. in the Marquette Room of the University Center. Junior biology major Mallory Mahoney will give the presentation, which focuses on teaching students how eating organic doesn’t always have to be expensive.

Natasha Gill, the educational outreach director for the co-op, said students will have a chance to not only ask questions and learn about organic foods, but will also be able to try a variety of free samples.

“People have a perception that shopping at the co-op is very expensive and that eating organic foods is out of reach for college students,” Gill said. “[Mahoney] is going to show how healthy, natural and organic foods can be affordable for college students.”

Bike and Walk to Class Day
Thursday, April 24 will be a “Bike and Walk to Class Day.” There will even be a special event for those who choose to pedal to class that day. From 10-3 p.m. in the academic mall, the ESO will also host a bike upkeep workshop with help from both Public Safety, who will be registering bikes, and a local bike shop. Representatives from the bike shop will be on hand to teach students how to keep their bicycles in tip-top shape.

Campus Cleanup
On Friday, April 25, the NMU Volunteer Center and the ESO will celebrate a belated Earth Day with a campus cleanup from noon to 4 p.m. Students are encouraged to come out and help pick up trash around campus, starting in the academic mall. Trash bags will be provided on site, and as a reward for the good deed, volunteers will be treated to free ice cream.