Reinhardt College is "Going Green" for Earth Day and Every Day

"It's important for the College to help educate its students about protecting the earth's natural resources," said John Young, executive director of physical plant. "Earth Day is a way for the College to promote what we are doing, not just on this day but throughout the year, to help protect the environment."

Recycling More Than 1200 Tons of Paper

The Reinhardt Recycles program was one of the College's first steps in "going green." Reinhardt partnered with the Cherokee County Recycling Center in February 2005 to develop a paper and cardboard recycling program at the College -- Reinhardt Recycles. Mary Laing, Reinhardt's support services coordinator, spearheaded the project and currently chairs the program. "Recycling is not just something we want to do; it is something we need to do," Laing said. "We have more than 20 bins for paper recycling and a 16ft trailer for cardboard recycling. The program has been very successful in its three years, and we have increased our efforts to include donating our shredded paper to the Cherokee County Animal Shelter for their use as bedding for the animals."

The College was commended by the Cherokee County Government in spring 2006 on its recycling efforts. "Reinhardt College is a shining example to the community of how great things can happen when dedicated people work together to help protect the earth," said Stan Hall, former environmental coordinator for the County. In 2006, Cherokee County recycled more than 1200 tons of paper which resulted in saving 31,425 trees, 5,028,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, and 8,799,000 gallons of water.

Xeriscaping to Educate the Community

The Funk Heritage Center at Reinhardt is encouraging the community to learn about water conservation. The Xeriscape at the Funk Center is being developed as an outside learning environment that shows landscapers, gardeners and the community how to create a landscape that is drought-resistant and requires little watering.

"We share a common commitment with the Upper Etowah River Alliance to provide educational opportunities for children and adults to learn about water conservation and how to address water-related environmental concerns," said Dr. Joseph Kitchens, executive director of the Funk Heritage Center. "Our landscape, when completed, will include native plants and systems to filter and retain water on site. Last year's drought influenced our decision to make dry-conditions gardening the focus of our gardening seminar this year."

The community is invited to attend Gardening in Northwest Georgia, a seminar that will provide solutions for dealing with the drought and will feature the Xeriscape, on April 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Funk Heritage Center. Visit www.reinhardt.edu/funkheritage/gardenevent.htm for more information. Registration is not required and seating is limited.

"At Reinhardt, we celebrate Earth Day every day," said Zach White, Reinhardt's horticulturist. "Dr. James R. Burgess, Jr. [Reinhardt's President from 1944-73] said that we should strive every day to make Reinhardt a better place when we leave the campus than when we arrived. I believe that we are accomplishing this and more as we seek to better the Reinhardt campus by educating our community and investing our time to protect the environment."

Reinhardt's Earth Day Events

Earth Day is April 22, and the Reinhardt community is hosting a full day of events to educate students, faculty and staff about protecting the environment and "going green."

Reinhardt's Earth Day events include:

 From 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• The Recycled Art Contest in the Jewell Wyatt Bannister (40) Glasshouse. Students can showcase their recyclables in any art form.
• A Voter Registration station for all Cherokee County residents in the Glasshouse. The power of the vote can save the environment!
• The Flower Planting event on the Hasty Lawn. Students can plant drought-resistant flowers into pots.
• A "Go Organic" taste test in the Glasshouse. Participants will get the chance to compare organic and non-organic foods.
• An Energy and Water Conservation display in the Glasshouse. Information in handouts and brochures will be available.

From 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

• College nature trail clean-up. Dr. Steven Powers, assistant professor of biology, and members of the College's biology honor society, Beta Beta Beta, will clean the nature trail on the College campus.

For more information

Office of Marketing and Communications, top floor of Burgess Administration Building

media relations Lauren Thomas (770) 720-5514 LHT@reinhardt.edu
marketing Marsha White (770) 720-5512  MSW@reinhardt.edu
graphic design Amanda Brown (770) 720-5907 ALB@reinhardt.edu