2008 Woodie Awards
Leave It Green festival voice for evironmental protection, education
By David Rueda
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Focus
A grassroots student festival will be taking place on April 5 in order to make the world a greener place through music, camping and some good old-fashioned pedaling.
The Leave It Green Bike and Music Festival is a weeklong event centered on creating a more environmentally conscious community.
It all started last year when the university's plans to turn Slippery Rock's little-known campground into a parking lot, reached the ears of a few concerned students. The students sprung into action, creating Leave It Green, a, "voice for environmental protection, education, and awareness," reads the organization's Web site, leaveitgreen.org.
After gaining support and winning their battle last year, members of the Leave It Green initiative have turned their sights to making sure that the progress they have made continues. This year's festival marks their second effort to do just that.
"We're trying to keep it going every year and get people interested in the great resources on campus," said Allie Bernstein, a 20-year-old junior environmental studies major.
This year, the festival has been primarily organized and paid for by Outdoor Adventures, the Outing Club and the Cycling Club, among others. The week's events are being sponsored by the Pennsylvania Film Institute. The students have also received a lot of help from Steven Roberts, coordinator of Outdoor Adventures, and Laurel Dagnon, festival coordinator.
"Everything just seems to be coming together really nicely," Roberts said. "It's been such a great experience working with these students that are so passionate about taking an active role in their community."
One of the main focuses of the festival is promoting cycling, which will be done through activities like a bike ride through the campus and town, a bicycle give-away and a workshop on bike maintenance. And, as part of the Green Bike Initiative, there will be eight new Sun Cruzer bicycles let loose on campus for anyone one to use.
The Leave It Green Bike and Music Festival is a weeklong event centered on creating a more environmentally conscious community.
It all started last year when the university's plans to turn Slippery Rock's little-known campground into a parking lot, reached the ears of a few concerned students. The students sprung into action, creating Leave It Green, a, "voice for environmental protection, education, and awareness," reads the organization's Web site, leaveitgreen.org.
After gaining support and winning their battle last year, members of the Leave It Green initiative have turned their sights to making sure that the progress they have made continues. This year's festival marks their second effort to do just that.
"We're trying to keep it going every year and get people interested in the great resources on campus," said Allie Bernstein, a 20-year-old junior environmental studies major.
This year, the festival has been primarily organized and paid for by Outdoor Adventures, the Outing Club and the Cycling Club, among others. The week's events are being sponsored by the Pennsylvania Film Institute. The students have also received a lot of help from Steven Roberts, coordinator of Outdoor Adventures, and Laurel Dagnon, festival coordinator.
"Everything just seems to be coming together really nicely," Roberts said. "It's been such a great experience working with these students that are so passionate about taking an active role in their community."
One of the main focuses of the festival is promoting cycling, which will be done through activities like a bike ride through the campus and town, a bicycle give-away and a workshop on bike maintenance. And, as part of the Green Bike Initiative, there will be eight new Sun Cruzer bicycles let loose on campus for anyone one to use.
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