Ohio University’s Office of Sustainability and Voinovich Zero Waste Initiative will host their annual Earth Day Celebrations on April 18.

The celebrations showcase sustainability initiatives across OHIO’s campus and the surrounding Athens area. There is a series of activities planned for Earth Day:

Sustainability Awards Luncheon: McCracken Hall, noon-1 pm

The Sustainability Awards are given to individuals and organizations nominated by their peers. The awards are separated into five categories: Faculty Sustainability Award, Student Sustainability Leader(s) Award, Staff Sustainability Advocate Award, Exemplary Sustainable Department Award and Community Sustainability Recognition. Attendance is by invitation only, and lunch will be prepared and served by the Restaurant, Hotel and Tourism students from the Department of Human and Consumer Sciences, led by Professor Thom Stevenson.

OHIO Earth Day Parade: McCracken Hall to Walter Hall Rotunda, 1-1:30 pm

Put on a Passion Works Honey for the Heart costume, pick-up a noise maker, walk with Rufus, The Bag Monster, and Pawpaw as we parade through campus and Athens to show our excitement for Earth Day. The parade will meet at 12:30 p.m. on the McCracken Hall Lawn. We will start marching at 1 p.m. and will conclude at Walter Hall Rotunda where you can visit the Reuse and Repair Fair and other OHIO Earth Day Celebrations activities.

Reuse and Repair Fair: Walter Hall Rotunda 1:30-4:30 pm

The Reuse and Repair Fair features approximately 20 tables where attendees can get hands-on and learn clothing repair, partake in do-it-yourself projects and learn about sustainability initiatives. We invite everyone to stop by the Fair and meet our campus and community partners!

Arbor Day Celebration: Bicentennial Park and Walter Hall Rotunda 1:30-4:30 pm

Learn about trees on campus and answer questions to win a free tree sapling! There will be fruity snacks to try from the Blender Bicycle and get a chance to high-five a human-sized pawpaw.

Electric Vehicle Showcase: Peden Stadium Parking Lot 2-4 p.m.

Come meet members of the EV Cruisers Club and learn about electric-drive technologies, including electric automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles and skateboards. There will be various types of electric vehicles in the Peden Stadium parking lot for viewing, come check out a Tesla 3, Nissan Leaf, electric motorcycle and bicycles and other awesome vehicles.

ReBike Program: Walter Hall Rotunda Lawn 2:30-4:30 pm

Need an affordable used bicycle? ReBike is a great place to buy a salvaged “as-is” bike for $40. ReBike is held on the Walter Rotunda Lawn from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Bikes are sold first-come, first- serve. Arrive early, so you can have first pick. 

For more information visit our website or follow us on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) @OHIOsustainable