U of M Earth Day festivities set for April 19; free lunch served

By John Stevenson

Students and faculty are invited to sprout a green thumb and celebrate the planet at the University of Memphis' Earth Day celebration Thursday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festivities will take place at the TIGUrS Urban Garden, which is located directly behind the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.

Alisha Chism, a University of Memphis green intern working for Karyl Buddington, director of Animal Care Facilities and co-founder of the garden project, says students should attend because the event will give them an "up close and personal perspective of the garden."

Chism says the event will also introduce the TIGUrS garden to students and faculty who may be unaware of its existence.

"They will be able to see, first hand, what is grown in the garden and how it could be used," she said. The urban garden is free and open to all students and faculty.

Those attending the Earth Day event will have the chance to browse information tables featuring sustainability initiatives from locations both on and off campus.

"Our goal is to shine the light on the importance of sustainability and how it truly affects the world around us," said Chism.

Other events at the Earth Day event include Zumba and yoga demonstrations, giveaway prizes and live musical entertainment from local artists. Free lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the garden. Campus School students will also be touring the garden throughout the day as well as making paper pots.

Contact Chism at aflggchs@memphis.edu for more information on Earth Day events and the garden project. Also visit http://www.memphis.edu/bluegoesgreen/ for additional details.

Rain location will be the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.