Category Archives: Events

Bird Walk at Ewing Park I

Bird Walk at Ewing Park I with Dr. Given Harper, IWU Professor and Chair of Biology
Saturday, Sept. 29
9-11am
Ewing Park I (off Towanda Ave), Normal, Ill.

Join Dr. Harper for an informative morning of discovery as you look and listen for birds in nearby Ewing Park I. Bring binoculars. Meet at 8:30a at IWU’s Hansen Student Center to walk/bike/carpool from campus. This event is part of a cluster of campus actions for SHOUT OUT: Celebrating 50 years of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring! co-sponsored by IWU’s Sierra Student Coalition and the Environmental Studies Program

Film: “Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring”

Thursday, Sept. 27
7-8:30 p.m.
Beckman Auditorium, The Ames Library

Fifty years ago, on September 27, 1962, Rachel Carson’s groundbreaking book Silent Spring was published, launching an environmental movement in this country. Come watch a PBS film about Carson and her work. The film will be introduced by IWU’s English Professor Dr. Alison Sainsbury, and will be followed by a short discussion facilitated by students in IWU’s Sierra Student Coalition. This event is part of a cluster of campus actions for SHOUT OUT: Celebrating 50 years of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring! co-sponsored by IWU’s Sierra Student Coalition and the Environmental Studies Program.

Talk: “Bridging Science and Policy to Advocate for Healthy River Systems”

Monday, Sept.17
7 p.m.
CNS C101

Traci Barkley, water resources scientist for Prairie Rivers Network, will discuss how Prairie Rivers Network has used scientific findings to advocate for state and federal policy reform in areas including water quality standards, agricultural and industrial pollution and habitat protection.

Prairie Rivers Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring rivers and streams throughout Illinois.

This talk is co-sponsored by the IWU Environmental Studies Program and John Wesley Powell Audubon.

Join the Yard Smart Walk on Saturday, June 23

The 10th annual Yard Smart Walk is Saturday, June 23, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (including lunch and an educational program).

This free tour highlights beautiful and functional yards in Bloomington/Normal that incorporate native plants, provide “edibles,” benefit wildlife and use few or no synthetic chemicals to help protect our local environment and water supplies.

Participants will caravan to four different local yards. Lunch will be provided following the tour. Bill Davison, former owner of the Blue Schoolhouse Organic Farm, Cathy Bilow of Kid-Conscious Lawns with Grieder’s, and Sharon Welch of Wild Ones will be on hand to answer questions about sustainable garden practices.

A Freecycle exchange of live plants and garden tools will also be available — so bring your extra and unwanted plants for exchange with other participants.

The event is free and open to the public with a $5 suggested donation for lunch. Event registration is required and is requested by Wednesday, June 20.

To register and receive more information call (309) 454-3169 or go to www.ecologyactioncenter.org. Individuals should bring their own lawn chairs and reusable water bottles for the lunch and presentation.

Dig in the Dirt

The campus community is invited to help prepare the new IWU Peace Garden for its first planting season on Wednesday, May 16 from 4-7 p.m.

The Peace Garden is located straight north of IWU’s practice fields and directly east of Advocate BroMenn Hospital.

Commuter Challenge

Can you walk, bike, find a carpool buddy, or take the bus to work for a week?

The Good to Go Commuter Challenge is a fun, free, friendly competition among organizations (workplaces, groups and teams) and individuals to commute sustainably.

Everything counts, except driving alone. Registration is now open at gltgoodtogo.com/challenge; the challenge takes place next week (May 12-18).

All participants are eligible to win a $200 Visa gift card.

Spring Migration Walk with Given Harper

Saturday, April 28
8 -10 a.m.
Ewing Park in Bloomington

Join us on Saturday, April 28 at 8 a.m. as Professor Given Harper leads us on a bird watching walk in Bloomington’s Ewing Park. We will meet in the parking lot of Ewing Park off Towanda Avenue. The walk will last approximately 2 hours. Bring your field glasses and get ready to enjoy the great outdoors without leaving town!

If you would like to attend, please RSVP to the Wellness office at ext. 3334 or email jspence2@iwu.edu.

Peace Garden Groundbreaking

A groundbreaking ceremony for a new Peace Garden is scheduled on Tuesday, April 17 at 5 p.m. at the corner of Francis Street and Prospect Avenue (across from the practice football field near BroMenn Hospital.)

The garden will provide a local food source for the community and be available as a supplemental instruction tool.

The Illinois Sustainable Living & Wellness Expo

Saturday, April 14, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Shirk Center

Highlights include:

• A variety of exhibitors focused on personal health and the environment

• Mega Recycling Event: electronics, cfl’s, batteries, plastic garden pots, textiles, shoes, & confidential paper shredding

• Kid’s activity zone

• Cooking classes with Chef Shamon Bell

• Live music & renewable fashion show

• Free bike tune-up & valet bike parking

• Electric cars & energy efficiency

• 11 workshops * 10 a.m. -2 p.m.

• The premiere of Think Before You Pink * 11 a.m.

• Expo selected film: Living Downstream 3 p.m.

Everyone is welcome — admission is free.

For more information, visit www.islwe.org or contact Wellness at ext. 3334.