FHSU President Mirta M. Martin will help dig the first bed in the new garden.
The Earth Day celebration, sponsored by FHSU Sustainability, will feature activities and presentations that will provide an opportunity for the campus and wider community to celebrate the bounty of the earth and learn how to participate effectively in the stewardship of its resources.
One major highlight, beginning at 10 a.m. on the Quad, will be the construction of the “Earth Peace Mandala,” a circle installation of organic materials drawing from many cultures and traditions to create awareness of, and to honor, biological and cultural diversity and sustainability.
“Sustainability is only possible on a peaceful planet,” said Andree Brisson, FHSU Sustainability coordinator.
“On April 22, 2015, FHSU will commemorate Earth Day on its 45th anniversary,” she continued. “It is my hope to see students, faculty and staff celebrating our culturally rich and biodiverse planet. While celebrating, I want us to consider what unites us — Earth citizenry — rather than what divides us. Together, we will engage, unify and rally for a peaceful and sustainable Earth.”
The Victor E. Garden was first planted in 2011 as a service learning project by students in a politics and food class taught by Shala Mills, professor and chair of the Department of Political Science. It has been tended by student volunteers. The garden’s original site was by the marching band practice field behind the President’s House.
The new location in the northwest corner of the Robbins Center pit area will be an area of about 50 feet by 50 feet with 32 raised garden beds, said Mills. Next to it will be a garden shed and hoop house. The groundbreaking will begin at 5 p.m., with planting to begin immediately after the ceremony.