KU Earth Day event to include rain barrel benefit auction

LAWRENCE– This year’s University of Kansas Earth Day celebration, Our Campus, Our Community, Our Environment, will include panel discussions, live performances and an opportunity for community members to help reduce stormwater runoff while supporting environmental initiatives at KU. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, April 23, in the Kansas Union Ballroom.

Our Campus, Our Community, Our Environment will feature a keynote presentation by Kelly Kindscher, University of Kansas professor and senior scientist at the Kansas Biological Survey, followed by environmental panel discussions on solid waste management, preservation, land use, environmental law and policy, and history of environmentalism, moderated by Environs coordinators.

Throughout the evening, KU Rain Barrels on Parade, a partnership between Coca-Cola and University of Kansas departments and organizations, will auction off rain barrels designed and decorated by students, faculty, staff and community members. The barrels were donated by Coca-Cola as a way to reuse and repurpose syrup containers.

Rain barrels will be available for purchase by silent bid starting at 5:15, with bidding ending at 7:15. Six of the rain barrels, selected by online voting, will be sold during a live auction starting at 7:15. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the KU Student Rain Garden, a native garden at the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center that is maintained by student volunteers. Photos of some of the decorated barrels are posted on the KU Rain Barrels on Parade Facebook page.

Rain barrels are used to capture rain water from household rooftops by connecting to downspouts. This not only reduces stormwater runoff, which can lead to localized flooding, but provides a free and natural source of water for irrigating gardens between rains.

The evening will also include performances by Kirsten Bosnak of the Kansas Biological Survey, students from Haskell Indian Nations University, and the band Heartscape Landbreak. KU Dining Services will provide light refreshments featuring locally produced selections.