YOUNGSTOWN YSU plans activities to mark Earth Day

Environmental organizations will set up displays outside Kilcawley Center.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Earth Day, the one day set aside each year to celebrate Earth's natural wonders and encourage their protection, will bring a series of activities to Youngstown State University.
The YSU Annual Earth Day Festival is slated for April 19 at Kilcawley Center. "We have a lot of events going on," said Dan Kuzma, manager of YSU Recycling.
Earth Day is sponsored by the YSU Recycling Program and will offer a fair with displays by various environmental organizations, a lecture on environmental issues and a press conference marking the partnerships among the university, Mahoning County and City of Youngstown aimed at a greener future.
The press conference, slated for 9:30 a.m. in Room 2069 in Kilcawley Center, will recognize the city's commitment toward a greener future as part of its 2010 rebuilding plan. It also will emphasize the strength of partnerships among the city, YSU and Mahoning County aimed at reaching community goals.
Who's participating
Participants will include the Mahoning County commissioners; YSU President Dr. David Sweet; Jim Petuch, director of the Mahoning County Green Team; Joe Scarnecchia, director of Support Services at YSU; and a representative from Mayor Jay Williams' office.
Local high school students have been invited to hear Dr. Alan Jacobs, chairman of YSU's geological & amp; environmental sciences department, give a talk on environmental issues that are at the forefront of concern and debate at 11 a.m. in Room 132 of DeBartolo Hall.
Earth Day also will offer an Organizational Fair outside Kilcawley from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring displays by several local environmentally active organizations.
Earth Day stated April 22, 1970 in San Francisco and has since grown to become an international event.
gwin@vindy.com