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Santa Monica College (SMC) — considered one of the ‘greenest’ campuses in California — will celebrate Earth Week on April 21-24 with free events on the SMC Main Campus at 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica.
The current lineup of Earth Week events includes:
• Monday, April 21, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Cayton Student Lounge 2nd Floor: “Climate Action Planning”: SMC presents its plan to tackle the climate crisis and improve campus sustainability, and would like audience feedback to make the plan as strong as it can be. Topics include curriculum, workforce development, energy, buildings, water, biodiversity, waste, transportation, and more. Pizza will be served.
• Tuesday, April 22, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Science 140: William (“Bill”) Selby, Author of “The California Skywatcher”: Celebrating Earth Day, retired SMC Geography professor William (“Bill”) Selby will talk about his latest book, “The California Sky Watcher: Understanding Weather Patterns and What Comes Next,” which traces California weather patterns and processes across the several seasons of the year and the many regions of the state. While often idyllic, California weather also can be extremely hazardous, creating conditions for destructive wildfires, debris flows, and other calamities. Guided by the tools of atmospheric science and his lifelong fascination with the skies, Selby helps make sense of California climates in perpetual change. An author reception will be held from 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m. in SMC’s new Math and Science Building MSB 112.
• Wednesday, April 23, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., next to Bodega (near Cayton Center and the Science Building): “Clothing Swap”: Fast fashion is extremely detrimental to the environment and climate, but it is possible to freshen up what a closet has in it without spending a lot of money or hurting the environment. The community is invited to bring in lightly used clothing and take home their choice of something new (to them). It’s that simple.
• Thursday, April 24, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., SMC Quad: “Save the Monarch, Plant Milkweed”: Planting native milkweed can save the beautiful monarch butterfly. Local expert and City of Santa Monica Community Garden Program Coordinator Teague Weybright will talk about what has happened to endanger the monarch population, why it matters, and what can be done to help. Participants will be offered a free native milkweed plant to take home, add to the garden, and help provide habitat for monarchs.
Earth Week events may be cancelled or changed without notice, and additional events may be added. A current list is posted at smc.edu/earthweek. Earth Week events are sponsored by SMC Eco Action Club, Club Grow, Adelante Club, Earth Science Club, Bodega, Sustainability Department, Santa Monica College Global Citizenship, Earth Sciences Department, Associated Students of Santa Monica College, and SMC Associates.
More information and details about SMC’s Earth Week events and activities are posted at smc.edu/earthweek.
