Public invited to participate in Oakton Earth Week activities

Celebrate Earth Week, April 17-22, at Oakton Community College’s campuses in Des Plaines, 1600 E. Golf Road, and Skokie, 7701 N. Lincoln Avenue, with a variety of ecology, sustainability and environmental topics presented through lectures, restoration projects and recreational activities. All events are free and open to the public.

Throughout the week, the public is invited to increase their knowledge of ecological issues by attending various lectures about topics including oil spills, solar power and the wildlife of Cook County. Attend a panel discussion on the challenges of dealing with climate change or attend screenings of environmental films, including “Before the Flood.” United States Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is scheduled to present a lecture concerning politics and sustainability. Enjoy nature and bird walks along the Des Plaines River or volunteer in helping prepare the college’s community garden for the upcoming planting season.

“Oakton is committed to being ‘green’ all year, and the week-long celebration is designed to inspire and educate the community about how we can make every day Earth Day,” said Debra Kutska, Oakton’s sustainability specialist.

Highlights include the following events:

Monday, April 17:

• 9:30 - 11 a.m., “The Logic of Capitalism and Its Impact on Climate Change,” Room 1608, Des Plaines
• 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., “Women and Nature, Activism,” Room 1608, Des Plaines
• 1 - 2 p.m., “The Great Plastic Garbage Patch in the Pacific Ocean,” Room 1608, Des Plaines
• 2 - 4 p.m., “Before the Flood” (film screening), Room C211, Skokie
• 10:45 a.m. - 1 p.m., “Before the Flood” (film screening), Room 1604, Des Plaines
• 11 a.m. - noon, “Politics and Sustainability,” U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Room P103, Skokie
• 7 - 8 p.m., “Climate Change” panel discussion, Room 1604, Des Plaines
• 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., “Spark the Change: Standing Rock and Beyond,” Room 1604, Des Plaines
• 2 - 3:30 p.m., “Chicago’s True Nature: The Forest Preserves of Cook County” (film screening), Room C211, Skokie
• 3:15 - 4:15 p.m., Nature walk to Emily Oaks Nature Preserve (meet at main entrance), Skokie
• 7 - 8 a.m., Campus bird walk (meet at the Margaret Burke Lee Science and Health Careers Center lobby), Des Plaines
• 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., “The Wildlife of Cook County,” Room 1604, Des Plaines
• 1:45 - 3 p.m., “Chicago’s True Nature: The Forest Preserves of Cook County” (film screening), Room 1604, Des Plaines
• Noon - 2 p.m., Community Garden clean up and preparation (meet at entrance 31), Des Plaines
• 9 - 11 a.m., Campus nature walk (meet at main entrance lobby), Des Plaines
• 12:30 - 5 p.m., Creating Justice Symposium, TenHoeve Center, Des Plaines

Tuesday, April 18:

• 10:45 a.m. - 1 p.m., “Before the Flood” (film screening), Room 1604, Des Plaines
• 11 a.m. - noon, “Politics and Sustainability,” U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Room P103, Skokie
• 7 - 8 p.m., “Climate Change” panel discussion, Room 1604, Des Plaines

Wednesday, April 19:

• 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., “Spark the Change: Standing Rock and Beyond,” Room 1604, Des Plaines
• 2 - 3:30 p.m., “Chicago’s True Nature: The Forest Preserves of Cook County” (film screening), Room C211, Skokie
• 3:15 - 4:15 p.m., Nature walk to Emily Oaks Nature Preserve (meet at main entrance), Skokie

Thursday, April 20:

• 7 - 8 a.m., Campus bird walk (meet at the Margaret Burke Lee Science and Health Careers Center lobby), Des Plaines
• 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., “The Wildlife of Cook County,” Room 1604, Des Plaines
• 1:45 - 3 p.m., “Chicago’s True Nature: The Forest Preserves of Cook County” (film screening), Room 1604, Des Plaines

Friday, April 21:

• Noon - 2 p.m., Community Garden clean up and preparation (meet at entrance 31), Des Plaines

Saturday, April 22:

• 9 - 11 a.m., Campus nature walk (meet at main entrance lobby), Des Plaines
• 12:30 - 5 p.m., Creating Justice Symposium, TenHoeve Center, Des Plaines

For more information about Oakton sustainability initiatives, visit www.oakton.edu/sustainability or contact Debra Kutska at dkutska@oakton.edu.