Drake University and the city of Des Moines are partnering to
present the inaugural Drake Sustainability Fair on Sunday, Feb. 28, to
raise awareness among community members about how to live a sustainable
life.
The event is the first of its kind in the area to feature a day of
environmental information and education. The fair, which is free and
open to the public, will take place from 1-5 p.m. in Drake’s Olmsted
Center, 2875 University Ave.
Representatives from non-profit organizations, government agencies
and private companies, among others, will teach Des Moines-area
residents about how living more sustainably can improve their quality of
life, save money and help the environment.
“Drake University has a powerful commitment to serving as a resource
to our community,” said University President David Maxwell. “I am very
proud of the fact that our students are so passionate in carrying out
that commitment.”
“The students of the Drake Environmental Action League are valued
partners in our campus efforts related to sustainability, and we are
very pleased that they are taking the initiative to serve the greater
community as well. In addition, organizing the Sustainability Fair is a
valuable educational experience for the students that enables them to
take what they are learning in the classrooms and laboratories and apply
it to real world issues.”
Fair attendees will have the opportunity to meet with
representatives from organizations such as the Center for Sustainable
Communities, Barker Lamar Engineering Consultants, DART, Green Goods for
the Home and many more. Energy auditors and other green-industry
professionals also will share their expertise and information.
“What a great opportunity,” said Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie. “I
enjoy being a part of this event, bringing our citizens and our
businesses together with Drake University as we work together to make
Des Moines and all our communities more energy efficient and
environmentally conscious for ourselves and for future generations.”
Mayor Cownie and President Maxwell first proposed the Drake
Sustainability Fair during a joint meeting last fall with the Drake
Environmental Action League (DEAL).
“When the mayor and President Maxwell introduced the idea of the
Sustainability Fair, DEAL members were just excited to be part of the
discussion,” said Laura Ippen, a senior writing and environmental
science major from Rockford, Ill. who is coordinating the fair. “We all
thought – ‘This is it — a chance to reach out to our community.’ We are
thrilled, to say the least.”
Students have organized the event with generous support from
President Maxwell and other members of the Drake community, as well as
Mayor Cownie, Assistant City Manager Randy Wetmore and other city staff
members.
For more information about the fair, contact Danny Akright at
daniel.akright@drake.edu or 913-449-9550.