Earth Day is Friday. To celebrate the value of the Earth and bring awareness to matters within sustainability discourse, such as biodiversity, native planting, and toxic algae blooms, Oakton College is hosting a variety of Earth Week events.

Biology Professor Bill Strond held a morning workshop on Monday focused on the biodiversity of the Des Plaines campus and surrounding area, detailing the many animal and fungi species that can be found around campus and in Lake Oakton. He provided the following tips to maximize wildlife viewing experiences on and off campus:

1. Know the appearance of differing species.
2. Determine where to look and when to look. What locations are they most commonly found in? What seasons and times of day are they most commonly found in?
3. Ensure to walk slowly and quietly, as to not scare them away.
4. Be patient and wait. Oftentimes, with territorial species, waiting for 5-10 minutes after first spotting a creature will allow you to spot them again.
5. Survey your surroundings well.
6. Dress appropriately, which is only necessary when surveying species more seriously. Avoid wearing bright colors, and instead wear camo, black, brown, or green to best blend into the background.

Professor Strond’s workshop aimed to inspire participants to see the value of not just human life, but of all life forms in their complexity.

In the afternoon, Naturalist, Amanda Krause, held a “Plant Native Seeds on Campus” event and, STEM and Health Careers Lecturer, David Arieti, gave a presentation titled “Low Methane Cows”.

Additionally, the following events were planned for throughout this week:

Tuesday:

“Toxic Algae Blooms” presentation by David Arieti from 12 – 1:30 p.m.

Room A167 – Skokie

Wednesday:

“Plant Native Seeds on Campus” hosted by Amanda Krause from 12 – 12:45 p.m.

“Capitalism & the Environment” presentation by David Arieti from 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Door 21

Room P103 – Skokie 

Thursday:

“Environmental and Public Health Impacts of Factory Farming” with Iris Woosley, Factory Farming Awareness Coalition from 12 – 1:30 p.m.

Room P103/P104 – Skokie

Friday:

“Factory Farming, Human Population and the Environment” webinar with Iris Woosley, Factory Farming Awareness Coalition, and Hannah Evans, Population Connection from 12 – 2 p.m.