Sustainapalooza

The Green Umbrella has been working very hard these past few months to put together a fabulous event, Sustainapalooza. It showcases and celebrates the great sustainable efforts and projects around Iowa State University; presents a lecture and symposium sessions on how concern for the environment is world wide; and finally offers hands-on, interactive Green It Yourself Centers that have tangible, take-home ways to protect the planet we live on.

Sustainapalooza will let you relax and enjoy yourself amongst great food, friendly people, and some information you may have not known before. It will teach you something you didn’t know you found interesting. But most importantly, it will leave you with a lasting idea of “I have the power to improve my home, my planet, and me”.

Take some time today to explore what our event is all about. It will leave you with a feeling of empowerment, and a zest for protecting the ground upon which you and your neighbor walk.  

-Alex Gustafson, The Green Umbrella Co-President 

Why You Should Attend the 2013 Symposium on Sustainability and Sustainapalooza- Guest Post!

Events you can’t miss!!!  - Sustainapalooza and the Symposium on Sustainability.  Mark your calendars, register, and attend whatever you can.  You won’t be sorry!!!

My freshman year at Iowa State I attended the Symposium on Sustainability and learned all about sustainability efforts on and off campus, and also learned about the missions and outreach of different green oriented ISU student organizations. One of the reasons I attended the event was to obtain extra credit for a class on globalization and sustainability, and after taking this class and learning about the new ISU minor program in sustainability, I looked for different ways to become involved. I joined the Green Umbrella at the beginning of my sophomore year and had the opportunity to help plan and volunteer at Sustainapalooza in 2012.

Sustainapalooza is in its second year as an annual spring event hosted by the Iowa State University Live Green initiative and The Green Umbrella student organization. The highlights from last year’s event included opening remarks by President Steven Leath, Empowerment Centers, and a Live Green! carpet (made by The Green Umbrella from reused Astroturf discarded from renovations of the indoor football practice facility). The event was fantastic with over 300 students attending.  Walking down the green carpet at Sustainapalooza was something I will remember for a long time… not just the walk itself, but all that it symbolized… students committed to a sustainable future and making a difference and knowing I had helped make such a successful and memorable campus event happen.

This year’s events are sure to prove no different; the Symposium on Sustainability has combined with Sustainapalooza to offer several key events throughout two days, February 25^th and February 26^th.

Sustainapalooza (February 25^th) features the opportunity to walk down the green carpet for the second year in a row, as well as student research poster presentations, and “Green it Yourself” centers (to learn about Urban Gardening, Green Cleaning, Slow Fashion, and Food Labels).  All this is followed by an evening lecture from award-winning journalist, Charles Fishman - The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water.

The Symposium on Sustainability (February 26^th) features a keynote panel presentation from sustainability leaders from Iowa-based corporations including Becker Underwood/BASF, Kum and Go, Hy-Vee, and WebFilings. The symposium also includes additional presentations from university leaders on sustainable energy initiatives on campus, sustainability in curriculum as well as the presentation of the Live Green Awards for Excellence in Sustainability.

I would encourage everyone to attend this event… learn from students, faculty, business leaders and the community about specific projects, events, and initiatives that are taking place to make Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, and the world a better and more sustainable place to live and take your walk down the green carpet.

Check out the Live Green! website for more information about both Sustainapalooza and the Symposium on Sustainability www.livegreen.iastate.edu.

See you next week!!

Dylan Gaudineer

Junior, Technical Communication, Minor Sustainability

American Packaging Corporation Intern

Green Your Valentine's Day!

Valentine’s Day is a holiday that elicits dread in some, happiness in others, anger in a few, and panic in many.  With all of this worrying about what you’ll do on the most lovey-dovey holiday of the year, it can be easy to forget about keeping your celebration sustainable!

Send a Paperless Card!

Don’t waste paper by sending a paper Valentine that will get lost in the shuffle, send an e-card! You can brighten your loved one’s day by dropping them an unexpected note online. There are also some e-cards, like the ones from the National Resources Defense Council that donate money to charities as well!  Or pick a unique card that will keep on giving by selecting a card that can be planted!

Think Before You Buy Your Flowers

While it is tempting to go the traditional Valentine’s Day route of buying flowers, think sustainably! Make sure you look at where you are purchasing your flowers if you do buy them. If you receive a glorious bouquet, don’t toss it in the garbage! Try drying your flowers as a memento that will last much longer!

Escape the Crowds

Valentine’s Day is a busy day for dates at restaurants. Escape the crowd by making dinner at your own home. Put a little local love in your meal by incorporating local and seasonal produce! Use this link to find local restaurants and where to buy local foods!

Make Sure Your Sweet Tooth Keeps Sweet

Keep your feelings of love flowing by thinking about where the chocolate comes from that you want to buy. Many large companies focus on cocoa sustainability in the products they sell, so look to buy locally and see if any Ames’ stores have products that support cocoa sustainability!

Think Green and Save Some Green!

Remember to be economically sustainable when making your Valentine’s Day plans. Be financially responsible and don’t stretch your budget on gifts that will be forgotten in a month. Plan an experience around campus or participate in any of Iowa State’s activities to spend time together without spending a lot of money.

Consider giving a gift that keeps on giving! You and your significant other could volunteer together. Whether it’s at a food pantry or animal shelter, demonstrate social sustainability and share the love!

Remember there are many ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day by being socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable! A sustainable Valentine’s Day is sure to be one that is long lasting in memories!

For more Valentine’s Day ideas, be sure to check out our latest newsletter!