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Help HCC Celebrate Earth Week with Free Events!

Heartland Community College will join other environmentally conscious businesses and organizations celebrating Earth Day April 22 by offering a series free events and activities on campus April 16-20.

Prior to HCC’s Earth Week celebration, HCC invites the public to join them in an Earth Week kickoff Saturday, April 14 for “From Leaf to Fin.” Families can visit the Normal campus at 1500 W. Raab Rd. between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to participate in free outdoor activities, including planting a family tree in Heartland’s Green Space, fishing in Heartland’s Birky Pond (site fishing licenses will be provided), taking a guided hike in the prairie (beginning at 11 a.m.), and having a picnic lunch.  There are a limited number of shovels and fishing poles available for use, so participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment, shovels and blankets. Bait for fishing will be provided.

Also, to continue the celebration, a limited number of bare root red oak trees (one to three feet tall) are available to take home and plant.  To reserve a take-home-and-plant-tree (one per family), call (309) 268-8513. Parking and check-in will be located behind Heartland’s Astroth Community Education Center (ACEC).

HCC’s Earth Week is focused on promoting sustainability and the importance of local partnerships and resources, and will offer the following supportive events on campus the week of April 16:

Monday, April 16: Recycling Days

  • Recycling Days
    Morris Tick Recycling will drop off a trailer to collect any items that can be plugged in including: Computers and accessories, telephones, radios, answering machines, cameras, coffee pots, irons and small household appliances. Money raised will help sponsor future green events on campus.
  • How to Reuse Everyday Materials
    Free workshop from noon to 1 p.m. in the Workforce Development Center (WDC) 1400. Call (309) 268-8160 to register.

Tuesday, April 17: Local Food/Gardening Day

  • Fresh vegetable preparation demonstration and tasting
    Noon to 1 p.m. in the Student Commons Building (SCB) 1802 Demonstration Kitchen.
  • Seed Starting
    Free workshop from noon to 1 p.m. in the SCB 1802 Demonstration Kitchen. Call (309) 268-8160 to register.

Wednesday, April 18: Energy Efficiency Day

  • Dim Your Lights Campaign
    Faculty and staff are encouraged to reduce their room lighting if possible. 
  • Home Energy Efficiency Checklist
    Free workshop from noon to 1 p.m. in WDC 1400. Call (309) 268-8160 to register.

Thursday, April 19: Transportation Day

  • EV Car Demonstration
    The Town of Normal EV car will be in the Astroth Community Education Center (ACEC) parking lot from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to demonstrate how the charger works. Test drives around campus also will be available.
  • Green Transportation
    Free workshop from noon to 1 p.m. in ACEC 2204. Call (309) 268-8160 to register.

Friday, April 20: Get To Know Your Campus Day

  • Guided tours of campus will be offered to those interested in Heartland’s sustainability initiatives
    Tours at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.—meet outside the Library. Campus highlights include natural light areas, water bottle filling station, the recycling stations, the campus composter, the wind turbine construction site, the HCC solar shed, the WDC’s geothermal system, and the Pregracke Center.

All events will take place on the College’s Normal campus. For more information about Heartland Community College, visit www.heartland.edu.