FARMINGTON — In concert with its 150th Anniversary commemoration, the University of Maine at Farmington celebrates its long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship with a series of events highlighting contemporary sustainability issues, April 21-22.
This engaging, two-day series features events that explore the challenging topics of climate change and UMF’s energy future. It also invites the community to tour UMF’s green facilities and participate in a festive Earth Day celebration. The events are free and open to the public.
“For nearly 15 years, UMF’s Sustainable Campus Coalition has played a pivotal role in understanding and addressing the complex environmental challenges we face as a community and a planet,” said Luke Kellett, UMF sustainability coordinator. “We have the unique opportunity to begin UMF’s next 150 years with a new understanding of our environment and a new dedication to promoting the sustainable use of the Earth’s resources.”
Monday, April 21
Talk: “Finding Higher Ground: Adaptation in the Age of Warming”
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Lincoln Auditorium, Roberts Learning Center
Amy Seidl, author of two popular books on climate change, takes the uniquely positive, yet realistic, position that we can adapt and persist despite the inevitable effects of climate change. Seidl is an ecologist and author of “Finding Higher Ground: Adaptation in the Age of Warming” and “Early Spring: An Ecologist and Her Children Wake to a Warming World.” She teaches at the University of Vermont.
Monday, April 21
Panel Discussion: UMF’s Energy Future – Natural Gas?
7-8:30 p.m., North Dining Hall, Olsen Student Center
UMF recently announced the decision to largely replace the use of heating oil with natural gas. The panel will discuss the background, the costs and benefits, and the likely results for carbon emissions and energy savings of this decision. Panel: Richard Davis, Farmington town manager; Tom Saviello, State Senator; Mike Duguay, Summit Natural Gas; Kate Foster, UMF president; Laurie Gardner, UMF executive director for finance and administration; Doug Reusch, UMF associate professor of geology; Drew Barton, UMF professor of biology and co-coordinator of Sustainable Campus Coalition. Moderator: Luke Kellett, UMF sustainability coordinator.
Tuesday, April 22
Tours of UMF’s Green Facilities
3-5 p.m., Meet in Education Center lobby
Explore UMF’s green buildings with a tour guide, who will point out and discuss their many features that promote sustainability. Tours approximately one hour long, but stay as long as you’d like.
Tuesday, April 22
Earth Day Celebration
5-7:30 p.m., UMF Amphitheater
Come celebrate sustainability at UMF with students, faculty, staff, and community members. Enjoy food, music, games, and other activities.
This Sustainability Series is sponsored by the UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition, Division of Natural Sciences, and UMF 150th Anniversary Committee. More information can be seen at http://150.umf.maine.edu/.
