(From Missouri Southern State University)The annual Earth Day Sustainability Conference will be held Friday, April 24, in the third-floor ballroom of Billingsly Student Center at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU).
This event will bring together partners and stakeholders in the community related to environmental issues and education. It is free, open to all ages, and welcoming of participants from the community. The conference features a series of educational presentations addressing local and global environmental issues, in addition to educational booths hosted by campus and community partners.
“Held in the spirit of Earth Day, our conference creates a space for meaningful conversations about sustainability, innovation, and responsible stewardship of natural resources for MSSU and the surrounding community,” said Dr. Teresa Boman, MSSU’s Program Director of Environmental Health and Safety. “By connecting people with different areas of expertise, the conference helps spark collaboration beyond campus into the surrounding community. It not only raises awareness about environmental challenges but also empowers attendees to take action in order to make a lasting, positive impact.”
Presentations will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Scheduled speakers include Waylon Kinder of Noble Earth Recovery, discussing e-waste solutions; Jerry Harman of H2Ozarks, presenting water quality initiatives; Anna Swearengen of the Truman Environmental Task Force, speaking on collaborative environmental planning; MSSU EHS Club members, presenting sustainable lifestyle alternatives; Emily Young of Stream Teams United, addressing plastic pollution and community organizing; Dr. Teresa Boman and Melissah Perkins of Missouri Southern’s Environmental Health & Safety program, sharing results from the university’s sustainability survey and updates to the recycling program; and finally, Rebecca Collins of the Joplin Sustainable Technology Alliance, who will discuss a community benefits agreement (CBA) for sustainable data center development in Joplin.
Educational booths will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., featuring organizations such as the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma’s Environmental Department, Friends of Cardinal Valley, Lake O’ The Cherokees Subwatershed Association, Jasper County Public Health Department, Natural Grocers, La-Z-Boy, Noble Earth Recovery, Prairie State Park, Wildcat Glades, and more.
Winners of the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle competition will be announced at 12 p.m. This annual competition is for middle and high school students who compete with an informational poster, art project, or product with a focus on the theme of reduce, reuse, recycle.
For more information related to the conference, visit the event webpage.
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