Annual U of M green awareness day set for Oct. 5

Want to learn about the University’s green initiatives, including student projects? The third annual sustainable technologies awareness day, Tiger Blue Goes Green, is scheduled for Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Student Plaza (near the fountain). Rain location is the Rose Theatre.

Tiger Blue Goes Green is a free, campus-wide event designed to encourage environmental awareness, inquiry and activism among students, faculty and staff. Dozens of educational and fun exhibits will be on display including recycling, faculty and student environmental research, the campus garden initiative, the U of M’s biofuel micro-refinery as well as several interactive exhibits.

This year’s focus is on University and student initiatives, as well as “green jobs.”

Corporate exhibitors will be on hand to feature their eco-job opportunities. Physical Plant will have a display of its cost-saving building improvements, and the Department of Architecture will display “bioplastic lights” and other clever architectural efforts. The School of Public Health will provide an interactive educational exhibit.

U of M President Shirley Raines will kick off the event at 10 a.m.

Tiger Blue Goes Green is one of the University’s largest green events, as evidenced by its many partners. Student group co-sponsors include: Public Health Student Association; American Society of Mechanical Engineers (U of M Student Section); the Environmental Action Club; and the Student Government Association.

Campus partners include the School of Public Health; Herff College of Engineering; Marketing and Supply Chain Management; Ecological Research Center; Architecture; Ground Water Institute; Physical Plant; Residence Life; Tiger Dining Services; Center for Multimedia Arts; Marketing; Student Life; Campus Sustainability Committee; Higher and Adult Education; TIGuRS Urban Garden; Religious Life Organizations; and the Student Health Center.

The community is involved as well with partners that include Sharp Manufacturing; HARC; Memphis and Shelby County Health Department; West Tennessee Clean Cities Coalition; MATA; University Business District Alliance; MLGW; 5R Processors Ltd; Green Fork; Shelby Farms Park Conservancy; the Sierra Club; and Sustainable Shelby.

The event is organized by the Center for Biofuel Energy & Sustainable Technologies (BEST). BEST includes faculty in Engineering, Public Health, Marketing and Supply Chain Management and the Environmental Research Center who want to promote causes that will improve the quality of life for future generations through sustainable energy systems and practices.