The 7th annual Campus Sustainability Day, which took place on October 21, 2009, was very engaging and creative this year!  Campuses offered week-long events, scavenger hunts, bike-powered blenders, rooftop garden parties, free bike tune-ups, mini-grants for campus sustainability projects, an Art for the Sky project of a raven embracing the earth, and SCUP's annual webcast. Here are the details:

• Michigan State University's week long celebration included a tour of its new Surplus Store and Recycling Center and a campus sustainability day scavenger hunt, which worked like this:  participants were given clues that pointed them to a location where they would find the next clue.  The first clue was posted on on MSU's sustainability website, and participants had a total of 3 days to find 5 clue sheets.  Prizes for the scavenger hunt included a $50 gift certificate from MSU bikes and a year-long bike lease! 
• Boston University (MA) demonstrated how to power electronics with a bicycle.  They connected a bicycle to a blender and offered "bike-powered smoothies."
• Cleveland State University's (OH) events lasted from 11am to 10pm that night and included a rooftop garden party on the Recreation Center's green roof. 
• Willamette University (OR) announced mini-grants for campus sustainability projects.  This year's Sustainability Mini-Grants helped to create cold frames at a nearby community garden, an environmental justice equity project, additional bicycle racks, and a helment use campaign, among other projects.
• Iowa State University offered free bike tune-ups.
• Butte College (CA) hosted several teach-in panels with faculty members, students, and outside experts.  Topics included the biological and physical consequences of climate changes; the socio-economic, cultural, psychological, and philosophical aspects of climate change; and the importance of acquiring a well-rounded understanding of sustainability issues.  They also had Daniel Dancer, an internationally recognized conceptual eco-artist and environmental photographer, create an Art for the Sky project on the College's football field.  Using between 1,000 and 2,000 college students, faculty and community members, Dancer created an image of a giant black raven embracing the earth.
• During the Society for College and University Planning's webcast, "Sustainability Strategies for Vibrant Campus Communities," this year's panelist discussed their own experiences with green initiatives, cost control issues, and the effects of uncertain revenue. They also addressed the question, "Can higher education afford to not make sustainability its core strategy?"  If you couldn't attend the webcast, the archived version is now available.