Go green with york is U this week

York University Arbour Day 2006Tuesday, Oct. 2, marks the first day of york is U’s Green Week, which runs until Thursday, Oct. 4. This annual three-day exposition is one of the largest green events at York University. It gives everyone a chance to improve the environment and find out how much fun it is to be green.

Right: Students take part in 2006 Arbor Day plantings

York is U encourages everyone to take part in preserving and expanding green space on campus. The annual Arbour Day tree planting is back again. Two brand new additions for this year’s event are the Eco Food Fair and the Recycled Fashion Show. Get involved by tasting some eco-food, enjoying friendly recycled fashions and/or planting trees.

“Green Week is going to be the biggest green event of the year at York,” said Victoria Barnettt, a third-year international development studies student and campus life director for york is U. “We’ve been planning for months now and I can’t wait to see everyone there.”

The Eco-Food Fair will kick things off tomorrow in the East Bear Pit, Central Square. Everyone is invited to sample organic eco-friendly and vegetarian foods between 11am and 4pm. There will also be prizes, activities and lots of environmentally friendly fun to be had.

York’s annual Arbour Day tree planting will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Danby Woods (located south of the Physical Resources Building just east of the York Boulevard Parking Lot) from 1 to 4pm. Students will get a chance to plant their own trees, something that will live and grow on campus for years to come. Participants can either gather at Danby Woods or meet the organizers in the Fireside Lounge, 150 CFT, any time between noon and 1pm. Enjoy the eco-art show and delicious coffee house, generously supported by CASA (Creative Arts Student Association), then head down with us to the planting site.

Right: Model wearing a recycled sweater

Green Week will be topped off with a Recycled Eco-Fashion Show on Thursday at the Student Centre. Eco-friendly recycled fashions will be showcased around the centre from noon to 2:30pm. All fashions will be available to purchase as well. The Recycled Eco-Fashion Show will run from 3 to 4:30pm. Watch as the students strut their stuff on the runway. Models will be wearing things such as clothing made from organic cotton, fair trade clothing, as well as clothing made from recycled materials like recycled cans, bottles and paper.

For all three days of the event, everyone is encouraged to get a green ribbon and sport a green thumb, available at event locations in the Student Centre. So when you see someone wearing the green ribbon or with a green thumb, you’ll know that they love the environment.

Green ribbons will be given out before the start of Green Week, today from10am to 5pm, at the Green Week table in Vari Hall. Students can get their green thumbs during the three days of the event at the following locations:

  • Central Square, Tuesday, from 10am to 4pm
  • Fireside Lounge Coffee House, 150 CFT, Wednesday, from noon to 1pm
  • Student Centre Food Court, Thursday, from noon to 4:30pm

Leftover green ribbons will also be available during all three days of Green Week while quantities last.

For more information, and to view a special Green Week video, visit the york is U Web site.