Meredith College will demonstrate its commitment to environmental awareness during an Earth Day Celebration picnic and tree planting on Sunday, April 22. The picnic, which will feature Prius Hybrid demo rides, face painting and entertainment from 88.1’s DJ Gray, will begin at noon in Belk Courtyard.

At 2 p.m. in McIver Amphitheater, just prior to the tree planting, Meredith President Maureen A. Hartford will sign the Talloires Declaration, a ten-point action plan committing institutions to sustainability and environmental literacy in teaching and in practice.

The Meredith community is celebrating Earth Day as the conclusion of a weeklong series on environmental action. Meredith’s Student Government Association has focused on a “Campaign for a Greener Meredith” throughout the 2006-07 academic year.

One of their accomplishments is recommending that Meredith hire its first sustainability coordinator. SGA leaders prepared an official proposal, along with a petition signed by 265 students, faculty and staff.

The sustainability coordinator position was approved by the Board of Trustees at their spring meeting March 29-30. This new position’s overall objective will be to promote sustainable practices in every aspect of college life. Some specific areas of focus will be education, energy efficiency, food sustainability and campus-wide involvement in environmental action.

Other events during the week include educational panel discussions and an “Emissions Free Service Event” on Saturday, during which students will walk from Meredith to Raulston Arboretum to participate in a volunteer service project.

Throughout the week, environmental awareness facts are being posted online by the Association for Meredith Commuters and SGA while Meredith’s residence halls are holding a recycling competition.

For more information, visit www.meredith.edu/mcnews/greener.htm.