Students potted free native plants at last year's Earth Day.

Collin College will host an Earth Day Celebration Tuesday-Wednesday, April 15-16 at its Preston Ridge Campus, 9700 Wade Blvd., in Frisco. The celebration is presented in coordination with the city of Frisco.

Events will focus around the theme of “It Is Easy To Be Green! Recycle – Reuse -- Renew Our Planet.” 

Through various activities and lectures, attendees will learn how to make choices that will improve quality of life and benefit the environment. All events are free and open to the public.

Attendees can get a henna tattoo, view hybrid vehicles, take a trip on a Segway, see a “found art” installation, listen to Native American music and learn about green building and cleaning, rain barrels and hybrid cars. Community members are encouraged to bring old eye glasses, old cell phones, gently used pairs of shoes and clothing, old telephone books, old printers and computer components to recycle.

The following special events are scheduled:

Rock Concert and “The 11^th Hour” – 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 15 (Quad)

A rock concert will be followed by pizza and the movie “The 11^th Hour,” which explores the state of the global environment including visionary and practical solutions for restoring the planet's ecosystems.

Fun Run-Walk and Bike Cruise – 9:45 a.m., Wednesday, April 16 (Quad)

The Fun Run-Walk and Bike Cruise will emphasize foot-power and pedal-power as alternative modes of transportation that improve quality of life.

Official Proclamation and Welcoming Ceremony – 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 16 (Quad)

The Collin College Board of Trustees and mayor of Frisco will kick off the festivities with the reading of the Earth Day Proclamation.

Recycled Fashion Show – noon, Wednesday, April 16 (Quad)

Theatre costume design students along with local vendors will showcase renewable fashion.

Special Lectures – 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesday, April 16 (Event Center)

Jeremy Starritt, Environmental Educational Coordinator for the city of Frisco, will present “Peace Corps Experiences” at noon.

Faculty-Student Panel – 1-2 p.m., Tuesday, April 15 (Event Center)

“Who Gets the Fuel – US or Them?,” will focus on the impacts of inexpensive cars being made available and purchased by the masses in developing countries like India.

Visit the Earth Day website here.  

For more information, contact E.J. Hanford, Earth Day committee chair, at ehanford@ccccd.edu or 972.377.1589.