yourdailylocal
JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — SUNY Jamestown Community College brings earth awareness back to campus with Earthfest 2022 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on April 20. Weather permitting, the event will utilize the central walkways of the Jamestown Campus near the pond, and in the Student Union of the Hamilton Collegiate Center. This year’s theme is “Protect Our Pollinators.”
“Earthfest has quickly become a popular event for students and local vendors alike,” shares Janis Bowman, professor and biology coordinator of environmental science at JCC. “This year’s celebration will feature educational displays and exhibits from a host of local environmental organizations, student groups, and public agencies. Eco-friendly businesses like Royal Fern Nursery will also have plants, seeds, and earth-friendly products available for sale.”
Earthfest kicks off with Jamie Haight, acoustic musician, who will play hour-long sets at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The featured presenter, scheduled from noon-1 p.m. is Jeff Musial of Nickel City Reptiles and Exotics. He will display a variety of exotic animals during his interactive program. Musial and his animal ambassadors have appeared on NBC, CBS, and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. The lineup also includes a live-animal exhibit from Mike Morton of Sundance Kids Farm, and Royal Fern Nursery will have information on the importance of native plantings.
The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Chautauqua Lake Association, Chautauqua -Conewango Consortium, Chautauqua Soap Co., Stillwater Valley Farm, Spider’s Herbs, Greystone Nature Preserve, and Chautauqua County Beekeepers Association among others will also be on hand to participate in the festivities.
“The good folks at the Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District have made it possible for our Earth Awareness Club to conduct a tree seedling adoption effort,” Bowman says. “The seedlings are anywhere from one-to-two feet in height, and bare root. We hope we can support the community’s environmental efforts, and educate each other, as we celebrate our amazing planet.”
Since the 1990s, students in JCC’s Earth Awareness Club have sponsored Earthfest each April. They are supported in their efforts by the JCC Student Senate. All proceeds from Earthfest 2022 will benefit the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and The Bee Conservancy. More information can be found at sunyjcc.edu/event/earthfest-2022.
