The northern Nevada community can celebrate and learn about the earth at the University of Nevada, Reno campus Tuesday, April 17 through Friday, April 20. Educational programs and demonstrations will focus on sustainability efforts and examples of green campus and community resources.

"This is a great way to open our campus and provide our community the opportunity to see and learn about some of our great green projects," said Glenn Miller, professor of natural resources and environmental science at the University.

The University's Earth Week events will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gateway Plaza in front of the Joe Crowley Student Union each of the first three days, with a similarly themed film playing each of those days at 6 p.m. in the Student Union. Friday's GREENevada Student Sustainability Summit is in the Davidson Mathematics and Sciences Center.

Tuesday, April 17: Alternative Transportation

11 a.m.-2 p.m.:

• Joe Crowley Student Union Plaza, highlighted activities
• Regional Transportation Commission Bus with Bike Rack
• Eco-Friendly Vehicles: All-electric Nissan Leaf, University's Parking and Transportation Service's Hertz on Demand, Electric MG and Electric Bicycles
• Campus Cycling Coalitions Bike Clinic

6 p.m.: Joe Crowley Student Union, Room 402,

• Evening Feature Film: "Tapped"
• All Week: Joe Crowley Student Union's Third-Floor Theatre Lobby
• "The Story of Stuff," environmentally themed movies

Wednesday, April 18: Waste, Recycling and Local Foods

All Day: Joe Crowley Student Union's Third-Floor Theatre

• Nevada Undergraduate Research Symposium Presentations

11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Joe Crowley Student Union Plaza, highlighted activities

• Dumpster Dive with Trash from the William J. Raggio Education Building
• Cardboard Bale and Plastic Bottle Recycling Displays
• Master Gardener Demonstrations

6 p.m.: Joe Crowley Student Union, Room 402

• Evening Feature Film: "Fresh"

Thursday, April 19: Alternative Energy and Water

9-11 a.m.: Joe Crowley Student Union's Fourth-Floor Ballrooms

• Nevada Undergraduate Research Symposium Presentations

11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Joe Crowley Student Union Plaza, highlighted activities

• NV Energy Trailer: Solar and Wind Power Demonstration
• Energy-Generating Bicycle
• Water Tasting

2-4 p.m.: Joe Crowley Student Union's Fourth-Floor Ballrooms

• Nevada Undergraduate Research Symposium Poster Session

6 p.m.: Joe Crowley Student Union, Room 423

• Evening Feature Film: "Patagonia Rising"

Friday, April 20: 2nd Annual GREENevada Student Sustainability Summit

1-4 p.m.: Davidson Mathematics and Sciences Center, Room 110

• Growing Resources for Environmental Education in Nevada - a coalition of seven non-profits in Reno - offers Washoe County School District students an opportunity to share their ideas for improving their schools' environmental standing. Student groups from 14 local high schools present their sustainability plans.

"I'm very excited to see the University and community coming together to recognize and celebrate Earth Day," said Genine Wright, a graduate student in the Environmental Science Program. "There will be many learning opportunities from every-day solutions about being more green at home, to potential career paths for young scientists looking for a way to make an impact."

University partners and organizers of the weeks' activities include the Joe Crowley Student Union, the University's Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Department, Environmental Health and Safety, Academy for the Environment, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, University Arboretum Board, and Associated Student of the University of Nevada student organizations: Students Association for International Water Issues, the Campus Cycling Coalition and Engineers without Boarders. Additional campus and community groups will be present at the Student Union Plaza.

Self-paid parking is available in the metered lot south of Lawlor Event Center or on the top floor of the Brian J. Whalen Parking Complex.

The University's Earth Week will help kick-off additional community Earth Day celebrations such as the Earth Day Picnic for the Planet event on Saturday, April 21, sponsored by the Nature Conservancy and Caesars Entertainment, and Earth Day 2012 at Idlewild Park on Sunday, April 22.