Students enjoy four days of fun activities to celebrate Earth Day.

With Earth Day approaching, the Students for Environmental Awareness are hosting EcoFest. There will be four days consisting of four events with the popular GreenFest finishing out the fun.

EcoFest is back. Hosted by UMBC’s Students for Environmental Awareness, this multi-day Earth day celebration begins this week with four great events. On and off campus organizations, as well as students, will come together and demonstrate how they help the environment.

As an organization, SEA works to improve the environment in and around UMBC. Formed in the 1970’s, SEA also spreads awareness about how students can make a positive impact on the environment. EcoFest is held every year on or near Earth Day for the UMBC community and beyond.

EcoFest began on April 16 with screenings of the movie “Wall-E” and TED Talks, both of which shared an environmental theme. Attendees enjoyed free popcorn. The movie featured in 2014 was “The Lorax,” and students posed for photos with paper Lorax moustaches.

On April 17, students gathered around The Commons’ Main Street to create their own Eco crafts. The following day, there was a hike through UMBCs conservation and environmental research area. During the trek, students cleaned the area in order to help maintain the campus’ beautiful green spaces.

Last year’s signature EcoFest event saw hundreds in attendance. Live music filled the air during free hour from some of UMBCs acapella groups, steel drums and acoustic guitars. DIY crafts and representatives of local businesses were made available to students. Environmental organizations also taught sustainability to those attending the event.

The main event, the newly named GreenFest, will be held just before Earth Day on April 20 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. This year, live music will return to the Quad. There will also be free food, Earth Day related activities and service opportunities available.

Despite positive attendance over the years, some students have not attended GreenFest in the past. However, many recognized the event by name. The event takes place near the end of the semester and many students may be too busy with final projects to attend.

Along with SEA, other campus organizations are celebrating UMBC’s Earth Week. The 5k for Earth Day race returns April 22. A climate symposium will be held April 20, in which a panel of experts, including two doctors from NASA, will discuss Earth’s climate and answer questions prompted by the UMBC community.

To help make UMBC sustainable year round, all are welcome to attend the SEA meetings. The group meets on Mondays at noon in Math Psych 102.

Read more stories from: The Retriever Weekly