The University of North Georgia’s Department of Biology partners with Students for Environmental Awareness (SEA) each year to put together an Earth Day celebration on the Gainesville campus.

This year’s event will be held on April 17 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on the quad in front of the student center. The celebration showcases animals such as tortoises and snakes, tree climbing, educational presentations and a free lunch.

This free lunch is also entirely vegan. Selma Music, an officer of the SEA, said that the group was “excited” to be partnered with the Latino Student Association and Haydee’s Café for catering this year.

“They will cater [for] our Earth Day event with a taco bar, sopes, tostadas, and even lemonade will be available to cool off during each activity,” she said.

The SEA invites everyone from students to organizations and departments to put on an activity, demonstration or research presentation. Those interested in doing so can sign up here.

According to Music, several organizations have already signed on to participate in the event, such as the Elachee Nature Center, Georgia Forest Watch and Keep Hall County Beautiful.

In addition to outside groups, Music expressed SEA’s gratitude for the many UNG organizations that make a showing each year at the event.

“I am thrilled to acknowledge that many of our UNG organizations will be presenting at the event… These organizations include the Geospatial Alliance, Chemistry club, Agriculture Science and Business club and many more amazing groups that continue to join us each year. This event provides an excellent opportunity for the community to come together, engage in discussions with peers and center experiences around environmental awareness.” – Selma Music, SEA Officer

In addition to putting on an activity, Music stated that environmentally-minded students are welcome to fill out SEA’s volunteer form if they would like to help with the event in a different capacity.

The presentations at the event are typically educational in nature and describe the types of environmental issues organizations deal with.

Last year, the event saw a turnout of approximately 500 attendees between students, faculty and staff on campus, with Music saying they attended “to learn about important environmental and health issues impacting our lives.”

This year the SEA is hoping for a similar outcome and all students, faculty, staff and members of the community are encouraged to attend to learn more about their environment.