EconLynx host Earth Day Fair

 

[April 30, 2019] 

LINCOLN 

On Saturday the EcoLynx Environmental Club at Lincoln College hosted an Earth Day Fair. The environmental themed event was held at the Davidson-Sheffer Gymnasium on the campus of Lincoln College.

The EcoLynx Club mission statement reads: “EcoLynx’s purpose shall be to identify, implement, and educate the Lincoln College community on emerging technology and collaborations to mitigate the campuses carbon footprint on the environment. Students will be empowered to become leaders in the community creating educational events and programs, which will in turn provide students with marketable job skills in a variety of jobs (in and out of conservation biology).”

According to club president Maddy Christenson one project the club is currently working on is a campus beautification project that will introduce pollinator gardens into the landscape. To that end, two of the tables set up in the gymnasium were part of a fundraiser the EcoLynx was hosting to raise money for the project.

The first table was a large bake sale with tons of really tasty looking treats. Guests could purchase a treat and enjoy a free cup of coffee. Also at that table, they could purchase raffle tickets for a variety of gift baskets set up on a second table. The tickets could be purchased at the bake sale table then deposited into the container near the item the guest was hoping to win.

In addition to the fundraiser, the EcoLynx had a couple of tables set up to address local environmental issues. The first table was manned by Lincoln College sophomore Alex Anderson and freshman Tanner Poppe. Both students are majoring in Conservation Biology at LC.

At their table the guys had a variety of craft activities for the youngsters. Kids could make butterflies from coffee filters or create a bag clip with fuzzy caterpillars on it.

Another fun and practical activity the guys were leading was making shopping bags out of used t-shirts. Alex explained that the sleeves and neck were cut out of the shirt to make the bag opening and handles. Then the bottom edge of the shirt was cut into strips and tied into knots all across the bottom. When completed, the shirt was a bag. Creating this type of bag is an environmentally responsible task because first it saves an old shirt that might otherwise go to a landfill. Secondly, it helps reduce the need for plastic bags when going shopping. Again saving space in our landfills. Another nice aspect of these particular bags is that they are washable.

Another table put together by the club was a conservation table. A portion of the table was put together in partnership with the city of Lincoln. Lincoln is an official Tree City. The table contained information about trees and also guests were invited to take a free tree to plant at home.

Kelli Allison was working at that table. She was spending her time talking with guests about protecting the environment and also conservation. She had on display some of the fresh water shells that have been collected at Creekside and shared information about what the shells represent.

Allison said she is a full time student, a full time mom, and works a full time job. But she’s always willing to help find ways to encourage the public to be environmentally aware. She added that currently she is working on another campus project – to do away with the use of Styrofoam.

Also at Allison’s tables were examples of how we can recycle and ‘up-cycle’ items around the home and in our daily lives in order to reduce waste and save space in area landfills.

Other booths set up at the fair included one by Erin Soloman owner of Giggles and Gab. Soloman had a wide variety of gift baskets prepared with individual offers that would satisfy any age or gender.

Georgia Allison was on hand with her Advocare products. Advocare products focus on health and wellness and include dietary supplements and much more.

Shelly Hackett, Emily Hackett, Angela Miller and Jennifer Steel were working together at their Paparazzi jewelry and accessories. Paparazzi is a great solution for gals on a budget. The bling jewelry offers a wide variety of styles as well as products including necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets, all for only $5 per piece.

Saturday was a busy day at Lincoln College. There were Earth Day activities at Creekside and also a new student orientation going on at the Lincoln Center. Members of the EcoLynx were hopeful that the other two events would help feed attendance on their event as the day progressed.

Christenson did note that this is the first year the club has held the event in recognition of Earth Day and Arbor Day. Last year the club hosted its first fair during Easter time. Christenson said they wanted to move the fair to the Earth Day and Arbor Day week to help draw attention to their mission and purpose.

Though it was early in the day, the group was enjoying some light attendance on Saturday morning and those who were coming in were certainly enjoying learning more about the club as well as conservation and environmental issues.

[Nila Smith]