This content was published: April 11, 2012. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC offers something for everyone at 2012 Earth Week
Photos and story by James Hill
From interactive workshops to keynote speakers to hands on planet-friendly events, PCC’s Earth Week will shine on all campuses April 16-22.
Last year, Rock Creek went bananas for herbs, face painting and Earthen oven cookies.
Below are summaries of what’s happening at a campus near you.
Cascade Campus
Cascade’s Earth Week festivities kick off Monday, April 16 with Winona LaDuke speaking at 6 p.m. in the Moriarty auditorium. This event is sponsored by ASPCC Native Nations.
Throughout Earth Week there will be tabling in the Free Speech Hallway by local conservation groups, non-profit environmental organizations as well as workshops, speakers and live music.
All day on Earth Day itself (Sunday, April 22): More than 70 local organizations making the earth a better place; Valet bike parking; Native plant creation station by Expeditious Earthscapes; A battery recycling station; Main stage of live music and entertainment by Abstract Earth; Acoustic stage with local talent by Camp Cascadia; Circus Cascadia – engagement for kids of all ages; Food and beverage vendors; Interactive workshops and classes; and Participation in the billion acts of green challenge.
Rock Creek Campus
At noon, Monday, April 16 there will be a kick off luncheon with LaDuke in the Events Center, Building 9.
Noon, Tuesday, April 17 – Recycleman and the Dumpster Divers along with campus staff roll out their new Pedal Power system – a speaker system powered by a bicycle. Plus, a sidewalk chalk contest.
Tuesday through Thursday, April 19 – “Seeds of Change Club Fair” in the Building 3 Mall features a competition between campus student clubs to develop the greenest displays related to their organizations.
At noon, Wednesday, April 18 the Green Carpet Fashion Show in the mall will promote fashion created by Rock Creek students; all made out of recycled material. At 6 p.m. there will be a showing and discussion in the Student Center on the documentary “American Harvest.”
From 2-4 p.m., Thursday, April 19 – Art Gladiators due battle in the Building 3 Mall.
Friday, April 20 – At 9 a.m. there will be an invasive species removal and from noon to 4 p.m., a community garden clean up and celebration service project.
Sylvania Campus
On Monday, April 16, the PCC Habitat Restoration Team invites you to celebrate Earth Week with a day of activities: 9-11 a.m. “How to Pull Weeds Workshop,” (meet at Parking Lot 10), 1-2 p.m., “How to Grow Herbs Indoors,” (Pine Room, CC Building) and 2-4 p.m. a screening of “Bag It” – an eye-opening documentary about plastics.
PCC celebrates Earth Day districtwide at the Cascade Campus on April 22.
Tuesday April 17 – At 1 p.m. a composting workshop with the Sylvania Organic Gardening Club (Room TBA) and from 3-5 p.m. (Room TBA) organizers are hosting a film screening of “Beyond the Spill,” which is a documentary about the Gulf Oil spill.
Wednesday, April 18 – From 1-3 p.m., in Room 101, ST Building, there will be another screening of “Bag It.”
Thursday April 19 – A 12:30 p.m. tour of the Sylvania Learning Garden. Designed to function as a therapeutic garden, a children’s garden, a science lab, a muse for artistic inspiration, a natural building showcase, a source of organic produce and flowers, a social hub, and an integration of permaculture principles, the Sylvania Learning Garden has many features that are just beginning to take form. The tour starts in the Upper Mall, CC Building.
Friday, April 20 – At 6 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center there will be an evening fund raiser for the Earth and Spirit Council. Entrance is $5 for PCC students. Speakers include Grandmother Agnes Pilgrim, oldest living member of the Takelma Indians of Southern Oregon and world-renowned spiritual leader. Also, Duane Elgin, internationally recognized visionary speaker and author of Voluntary Simplicity, the Living Universe, Promise Ahead, and Awakening Earth, and many more.
Saturday, April 21 – From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. it’s the Sylvania Campus Earth Day Conference. Free for students, the conference features 24 workshops and speakers including Kim Smith, environmental sociologist. Other presenters include: John Kallas, North American authority on edible plants; Peter Michael Bauer, founder of ReWild Portland; and Sean Cruz, co-founder of Friends of Celilo Falls.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »