Earth Days 2025

10–10:50 a.m. | Neidig-Garber 312

This event is part of the Student Success Expo. The Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) mission is to protect Pennsylvania’s air, land, and water resources while ensuring the health and safety of all residents and visitors to the commonwealth. Learn more about this organization by attending this workshop.

2–3 p.m. | Leedy Theater

The Falconry Experience acquaints participants with the history of man’s relationship with raptors and the evolution of falconry. It includes free-flight demonstrations, a simulated hunt demonstration, and an opportunity for participants to call a hawk to their gloved hand. 

Jack Hubley ‘73 has been a multimedia advocate for the natural world for more than 25 years. A lifelong resident of Lancaster County in southeastern Pennsylvania, he served as outdoors editor for the Lancaster Sunday News for 18 years and editor of Pennsylvania Wildlife magazine for 10 years. 

As WGAL’s naturalist, he produces and hosts Wild Moment vignettes every Friday on the evening newscast. He also makes live appearances with lively subjects on the midday newscast. When he is not on air, he visits schools with his traveling zoo that includes small mammals, reptiles and birds of prey. 

A master falconer, he is one of only about 25 falconers nationwide who are licensed to hunt with golden eagles. Jack lives in Lititz, Pennsylvania, with his wife Tina, two daughters, two English setters and a host of critters with eight legs, six legs, four legs, two legs and no legs. It’s true: some of us never outgrow our fascination with wildlife! 

12–12:50 p.m. | Chapel 106

The Lebanon County Conservation District works to protect and promote stewardship and conservation of the natural resources of Lebanon County. Come hear LCCD staff talk about the important work they do. 

11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. | Zimmerman Recital Hall

Join the environmental club for the annual sustainability luncheon. Environmental Club will be serving pizza while listening to speakers from the college as well as Abigail Harvey, who runs her own refill business. Hope to see you there! 

10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Join the Plant Diversity class on their field trip to Longwood Gardens. The bus ride down and back is free, but you would be responsible for your own lunch, and paying the entrance fee ($28 for students, $32 non-students). The bus will be leaving LVC at 10 a.m., and should be back on campus by 5:30 p.m. There are a limited number of seats, please contact Dr. Urban (urban@lvc.edu) to reserve a spot.

12–1 p.m. | Chapel 106

• Ryan Berner – Coastal Marine Education and Research Academy’s Shark and Ray Research Project 
• Kat Shiffer – DCNR Little Buffalo State Park 
• Emma Heister & Charles Katona – Ocean Connections 
• Bryce Schofield – Research at LVC 
• Hannah Horengic – Lebanon County Conservation District

Various times throughout the week in Mund Dining Hall

Ever wonder where your food comes from? Throughout the week, our local vendors that supply our dining hall will be visiting to share their stories, offer samples, and talk about the benefits of supporting local, sustainable agriculture. Don’t miss the chance to connect with the people behind your food!

During lunch service in Mund Dining Hall

Celebrate Earth Day with a delicious and sustainable plant-forward menu featuring foods that are good for both your health and the planet! Enjoy flavorful, plant-based dishes that highlight local and seasonal ingredients, showing that sustainable eating can be both nutritious and delicious.

1–4 p.m. | Trailside Organic Farm

This field trip is sponsored by LVC’s Breen Center. Join Dr. Urban to visit Trailside Organic Farm. Trailside Organic Farm is a collaboration between the Rodale Institute and Cornwall Manor. The farm is a certified organic farm on Cornwall Manor’s campus that provides residents with organic, nutritious, hyperlocal food. Learn about this farm and be prepared to help out with some farm work! Limited spots available. Reach out to Dr. Urban (urban@lvc.edu to sign up.

3:30 p.m. | Academic Quad

Plant Club is asking folks to stop by their table with any sort of container and get a free plant to put in it! Some ideas to use as a “pot” include plastic bottles, empty Starbucks cups, cans, or mugs! 

1–3 p.m. | Social Quad

Get creative and show off your Earth Day spirit with a tie-dye event!  Bring your own item to dye or grab one at the event for $5.

12–1 p.m. | Chapel 106

Speaker: Rita Stima-Steif. Wildlife-in-Need Capture and Transport Permittee who specializes in raptors. She is involved in the Quittapahilla Audubon Society, the Pennsylvania Bird Atlas Survey and the Hershey Area Raptor Program. 

Rita will discuss her work rescuing sick, injured and orphaned raptors and other wild birds using real case scenarios. She will also discuss what we all can do to help wild birds in our area. Lastly, she will discuss the unique opportunities for birding for raptors and other wild birds here on the LVC campus. 

1–3 p.m.

Interested participants will meet at the cow statue in front of facilities to join Dr. Becker and Dr. Urban for a nature walk and tour of LVC’s Wood Thrush Research Preserve. This preserve is an approximately 20-acre oak-hickory forest located on the north side of campus, just behind Facilities Services. Environmental science and Biology students often walk to this field site to conduct research and learn how to identify common plants and animals of Pennsylvania. Research students have used the preserve to conduct projects that tested the effect of soil nutrients on the invasive garlic mustard, the impact of spotted lanternflies on insect communities, and the impact of deer on the forest plant community. Researchers from the USDA and West Virginia University have also used our preserve for data collection. 

9 a.m.–12 p.m. | Quittie Creek Nature Park

Volunteers will meet at the Swingholm Pedestrian Bridge in Quittie Creek Nature Park in Annville at the southern end of Bachman Rd.—a short walk from the LVC campus—and be divided into work crews to spread mulch, clear trails, remove invasive species, pick up trash, and in general spruce up the Nature Park for the coming summer. Work tools and work gloves will be provided. Please bring your own water, and, if desired, snacks. Long pants and sturdy footwear are recommended. Join us!