JCC’s annual Earth Day celebration on April 22 will be a virtual event this year.
Earthfest, organized by members of JCC’s Earth Awareness Club since the early 1990s, is a campus-based event open to the public. The temporary closure of JCC’s facilities due to COVID-19 restrictions, however, prompted Earthfest organizers to consider a new way to present the program.
Throughout the day on April 22, the community is encouraged to visit the websites and social media pages of the artists, vendors, and environmentally focused agencies and programs that would have participated in the on-campus event.
“The stay at home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic are helping ourselves and our planet,” said Jan Bowman, professor of biology and Earth Awareness Club advisor. “Since JCC’s Earthfest is based on community partnerships and our students’ desire to inform and educate others about environmental issues, we felt it was important to retool the program as a virtual experience this year.”
Earthfest is sponsored through funds from JCC’s Student Senate and college program committee. Proceeds from the event and other activities enable the Earth Awareness Club to contribute to local and global environmental programs.
“Club members are concerned about the impact of pollution on water sources and supply,” added Bowman. “Their efforts to help create a more sustainable world – particularly through advocacy – are critical.”
Earthfest participants include: musician Jamie Haight, Sun-Dance-Kids Farm, Wild Creatures with Chris Duckett, Alpacaville, Spider’s Herbs, Butch Poole's Camera Infusions, Mike’s Nursery and Hydroponic Growing Supplies, Lady of the Lake Gift Shop, Green Heron Growers, Jamestown Biodome Project, Royal Fern Nursery, Chautauqua County Humane Society, Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District, Chautauqua Lake Association, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Greystone Nature Preserve, and Grow Jamestown.
Roger Tory Peterson Institute is conducting a “30 Birds in 30 Days” program which features images from Roger Tory Peterson, RTPI staff, artists and friends. Images can be viewed at #30Birds30Days.
From now until April 22, Jamestown Audubon Community Nature Center is holding a “50 Years of Earth Day Challenge” on Facebook. Participants are invited to take a photo of themselves engaging in a challenge and post it on Facebook where it will be combined with others for an Earth Day video. Directions are outlined on ACNC's Facebook events page.
Bowman also noted that several fourth grade classes at C.C. Ring Elementary School in Jamestown and Panama Central School are participating in a poster contest coordinated by the Earth Awareness Club.