Appalachian State University is gearing up to host events this week to commemorate Earth Day 2010.

The events are sponsored by Appalachian & the Community Together (ACT), Appalachian’s clearinghouse for community service, service-learning and community-based research opportunities.

Appalachian’s department of theatre and dance will host an “Express Yourself Parade” Tuesday from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. for 12 students of Watauga High School to participate in a peace performance around campus.

“The express yourself program is an expressive arts program for people with special needs that was started by Kate Brinko,” event spokesperson Ana Ward said. “This year at [Watauga High School] we are creating cardboard and paper mache animals for the Earth Day events on campus that will be used in a parade.”

Appalachian’s Student Government Association (SGA) will host a “Rock Your World” concert Wednesday on Duck Pond field from 4 to 10 p.m.

“We are excited to be helping out with Earth Day and giving students the ability to enjoy themselves with good music,” SGA President–elect P.A. Rowe said.

On Earth Day, The College of Fine and Applied Arts will host a lecture called “Challenges and Advantages of Community-Based Conservation” from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the Table Rock Room of Plemmons Student Union.

The department of geography and planning will also host a lecture called “Mountaintop Removal Mining” in the Linville Falls Room of student union from 4 to 5 p.m. with Larry Gibson, an activist whose and efforts have been covered by The New York Times, National Geographic magazine and CNN.

Chris A. Badurek is an associate professor in the department of geography and planning.

“Our department thinks it is important to present environmental issues like mountain top removal to ASU,” Badurek said. “This is a topic many ASU students are interested in and having an individual like

Larry Gibson who has experience and expertise in the issue is the best way for the Appalachian community to learn about it.”

The Appalachian Sustainability Film Series and the Appalachian Popular Programming Society will screen “Age of Stupid” Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in I.G. Greer Auditorium.

Story: LAURENCE HENRIQUEZ, Intern News Reporter