Mayor Ed Malloy presents Fairfield’s Sustainability Plan
Vendors at the Eco-Fair
Students try out an electric vehicle
The student band “Conscious Collective” plays at the Pedestrian Mall
Student Sherman Merican (right) gives a biodiesel workshop
Mark Stimson (left) converts an ordinary bicycle into an electric one
|
MUM Eco-Fair Focuses on Green Transportation
Over 450 MUM students, administrators, community members, and out of town guests attended the 9th annual Eco-Fair at Maharishi University of Management. Established by students in 2001, the Eco-Fair educates people about all aspects of sustainability. The theme of this year’s event was “Green-Transportation: Sustainability is a Round-Trip Ticket.”
Major Ed Malloy (named by msn.com as one of the country’s 15 greenest mayors) opened the weekend by discussing Fairfield’s Sustainability Plan to establish the city as a model community for energy independence and sustainable living for Iowa.
Other speakers included Richard Harnish, Executive Director of the Midwest Hight-Speed Rail Association, Michael Richards, founder of Sustainable Ecological Economic Development (S.E.E.D.) - Iowa, and Mark Lakeman, founder of the City Repair Project.
In addition to the guest speakers, MUM sustainability coordinator Mark Stimson lead a workshop on electric bike conversion, Sustainable Living student Sherman Merican demonstrated biodiesel making, and Ken Daley, chairman of the Department of Exercise and Sport Science, explained the proper technique of walking and extolled the benefits of walking as an ideal exercise and mode of transportation.
To encourage walking and bicycling, Robert Keith Wallace Drive was closed to motorized vehicles during the weekend. This area will be permanently turned into a pedestrian-only area to reduce car traffic on campus.
Attendees could also enjoy various films on transportation, a pedestrian mall with eco-vendors, and live musical entertainment by student bands. The Eco-Jam eco-friendly fashion show featured organic and recycled clothing mostly designed by students.
“The past couple of years the Eco-Fair has become a bigger event as sustainable living has become more popular,” said organizer Marissa Markowitz. At the same time, the University has been integrating sustainability in every aspect of its operation to lead sustainable education with the highly successful Sustainable Living Program and green construction with the Sustainable Living Center. |
