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Earth Week 2024

Mark your calendars for April 22 to April 26 as we celebrate Earth Week At KSU!

Join us for campus fairs highlighting sustainability efforts, partners and projects. Take a much-needed wellness break with our friendly goat visitors or immerse yourself in nature with outdoor tours and activities at KSU’s Arboretum and Field Station.

Sustainability Survey

This Earth Month, we’re kicking off our Sustainability Master Plan and your input is vital! 

Starting April 15, please take a moment to complete our Sustainability Survey by May 3! It covers topics ranging from energy usage to waste management, and aims to capture a comprehensive view of our community's thoughts and ideas. All responses will be kept confidential.

We estimate the survey will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Participants will be eligible to win a $25 gift card from a random drawing.

Take the Survey!

KSU Sneakers Drive

Got old sneakers lying around? Don't toss them, recycle them! You can drop them off in designated bins near the Owl Swap closets and in both student centers between April 15-April 30th or bring them to Earth Week Fairs (April 22 in Kennesaw, April 25 in Marietta) in exchange for some sweet Vintage KSU Swag!

Schedule of Events 

Drum Making

Environmental Drum-Making Workshop

Thursday, April 18 2024
12:00 – 2:00 PM

Do you love music? Join the Office of Sustainability in crafting your very own drums and shakers from recycled material! Experiment with making different sounds using seeds, bottles, and old containers. Hold onto your finished drums and be sure to bring them to our Earth Week Drum Circle on Tuesday, April 23rd!

RSVP on Owl Life
Invasive Plant

Invasive Plant Removal Party

Saturday, April 20 2024
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Join the Office of Sustainability in removing honeysuckle, privet, kudzu, and other invasive plants from campus! The invasive plants collected at this event will be feed to goats at the Earth Week Fairs on campus. Please bring clothes toed shoes, a water bottle, and gloves if you have them. Any experience level is welcome to learn about invasives species management and help serve the ecosystems we have on campus!

RSVP on Owl Life
KennesawFair

Kennesaw Earth Week Fair

Monday, April 22 2024
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Come for the goats and stay for the community! We're celebrating Earth Week with different student clubs, departments, and community organizations. Come help feed invasive plant species to a family of goats and grab a free t-shirt!

RSVP on Owl Life
Marietta Tour

Marietta Campus Sustainability Tour

Tuesday, April 23 2024
11:00 AM  – 12:00 PM

Want to learn more about some of the sustainability initiatives at KSU? Join The office of Sustainability on a campus tour to learn about how to get free clothes, where to find our favorite outdoor sites, how to recycle right, and more!

Meet us at the Globe in Marietta to come along!

RSVP on Owl Life

Earth Week Drum Circle: Mental Health and Sustainability

Tuesday, April 23 2024
1:00 – 3:00 PM

Mindful Drumming is an experiential workshop based on the healing power of meditative drumming and mindfulness practices. Both traditions have been used by cultures around the world to help people better attune to themselves and others. Join us in the arboretum to experience how drumming and mindfulness can help you relax, feel more alive, and even reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

We will be building simple drums out of recycled and environmentally friendly materials. No musical experience is required, though if you have your own percussion instruments, please feel free to bring them! Grab a friend, a blanket or camping chair, and prepare to engage with the meditative power of music in nature.

It will be led by Greg Stevens, a Licensed Psychologist and the Associate Director of Clinical Services at the Kennesaw State University Counseling and Psychological Services. Before training as a psychologist, Greg performed as a musician for over a decade. During his doctoral training, he had the unique opportunity to learn about meditative drumming and develop an ongoing therapy group with a colleague that incorporated this with mindfulness. He has since continued leading Mindful Drumming therapy groups and workshops for the past ten years.

RSVP on Owl Life

OwlSwap Sustainability Initiative

RSVP on Owl Life
Nature Walk

Campus Nature Walk

 

Wednesday, April 24 2024
11:00 AM  – 12:00 PM

Join us for a stroll through the heart of our campus Arboretum, guided by none other than EcoAddendum’s Executive Director, Kathryn Kolb. Prepare to be captivated as we meander amidst the towering majesty of ancient beech trees, black oak, and Pignut Hickories. Kathryn will be our knowledgeable companion on this immersive journey, unveiling the intricate tapestry of Georgia's remarkable ecosystems and the diverse array of indicator species that call our forests home. Step into a world where history intertwines with nature and where every leaf tells a story. Join us for an hour of exploration, learning, and celebration of the natural wonders that surround us.

Meet us by the Arboretum Sign directly behind the Science Building to come along!

RSVP on Owl Life
Invasive Plant Removal

Invasive Plant Removal Party

Wednesday, April 24 2024
1:00 – 3:00 PM

Join the Office of Sustainability in removing honeysuckle, privet, kudzu, and other invasive plants from campus! The invasive plants collected at this event will be feed to goats at the Earth Week Fairs on campus. Please bring clothes toed shoes, a water bottle, and gloves if you have them. Any experience level is welcome to learn about invasives species management and help serve the ecosystems we have on campus!

RSVP on Owl Life
Marietta Fair

Marietta Earth Week Fair

Thursday, April 25 2024
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Come for the goats and stay for the community! We're celebrating Earth Week with different student clubs, departments, and community organizations. Come help feed invasive plant species to a family of goats and grab a free t-shirt!

RSVP on Owl Life
Food Forest

Food Forest Volunteer Day

Friday, April 26 2024
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Learn about and volunteer at the KSU Food Forest and Field Station. We are looking for help with a number of tasks at the KSU Field Station and Food Forest.
You must dress appropriately to work outdoors, including wearing closed toe shoes. Please bring water bottle and something to snack on if needed. 
Please dress appropriately for the weather since we will be outside during this volunteer event. Please check the weather forecast to determine the most appropriate way to dress.


You must wear closed-toe shoes that you do not mind if they get a bit muddy.
We encourage you to walk with a full water bottle to stay hydrated during your time with us.


The address for the KSU Field Station is 1875 Hickory Grove Rd NW, Acworth, GA 30102. There are several ways to get from the Kennesaw campus to the Field Station. Taking Busbee Parkway is usually the fastest. Please look for the sign for the KSU Field Station at the entrance off Hickory Grove Rd. 

RSVP on Owl Life
Kennesaw Tour

Kennesaw Campus Sustainability Tour

Friday, April 26 2024
2:00 – 3:00 PM

RSVP on Owl Life

 

 

Sustainability Advisory Council

The Sustainability Advisory Council, formerly known as the Presidential Commission on Sustainability from 2013-2022, is comprised of faculty, staff and students. They serve as advisors to the KSU Office of Sustainability. This council encourages the growth of sustainability at KSU by supporting and developing policies and practices that foster social, economic and environmental sustainability in various aspects of campus life, including operations, facilities planning, academia, student life and community engagement.

The SAC meets monthly during the fall and spring semesters. If you’re interested in participating, please contact the Chair of the SAC, Daniel Hoffman (dhoffma5@kennesaw.edu). Your contributions are most welcome! 

Events 

Sustainable KSU Student Organizations

Organization Website
Adopt a Stream at KSU Website
Animal Justice Association  
Association of Energy Engineers Website
EcoOwls: Students for Environmental Sustainability Website
Electric Vehicle Team Website
ENACTUS Website
Geography Club Website
Pollinator Conservation Club  
Solar Vehicle Team Website
Wildlife Animal Conservation Association Website
Young Democratic Socialists of America at KSU Website
ASCE Concrete Canoe Team Website
ASCE Steel Bridge Team  
AIAS Website
NOMAS Website
KSU Cycling Team  
Close-Knit Website
Bird Club  

Green Office Certification Program

The Office of Sustainability is thrilled to announce our upcoming Green Office Certification Program. Are you ready to make your office more environmentally friendly? 

The Green Office Certification Program is a voluntary, self-guided initiative aimed at promoting sustainable practices within Kennesaw State University. This program places a strong emphasis on conserving energy and water, reducing waste through recycling, hosting sustainable events, and fostering a healthier work environment.

By participating in this program, KSU workplaces can not only reduce waste but also enjoy significant cost savings through practical sustainability measures. Collaborating with the Office of Sustainability (OOS), offices all across the University are encouraged to assess their current practices and establish a timeline and action plan for achieving Green Office certification. Throughout this journey, the Office of Sustainability will be there to offer tools, support and guidance every step of the way. 

If you have any questions about this program, please email us at sustainableKSU@kennesaw.edu

View the Green Office Guide & Checklist

 

Past Events and News

Year IN Review

2022-2023 Year In Review

The Office of Sustainability has been hard at work, collaborating with students, faculty, and staff to promote sustainability on campus and reduce our carbon footprint. Here are some event highlights from the past year. 

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