With substantially less people in attendance throughout the day than was originally anticipated, Tuesday’s seventh annual Earth Day at the U was still a success by other definitions, according to organizers from the student group Terra Firma and other participants.
“I really like what they put on,” said U biology senior Heather Johnson, who engaged in events from noon until near the end of the program.
The day included a variety of speakers, and non-profit organizations were tabled in front of the Union Ballroom most of the day to provide students information on environmental issues.
“I’m glad that all the non-profit [organizations] came out,” Johnson said.
Although the day’s activities were scheduled from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m., most speakers and tables were cleared by about 5 p.m., according to Amber Westenskow, an urban planning junior and secretary for Terra Firma.
Foot traffic was steady during the morning and noon-when most speakers and the day’s panel discussion took place-but there was a fairly large crowd on hand to watch the performance of the Salt Lake Alternative Jazz Orchestra, Westenskow said.
At 2 p.m., when SLAJO performed, about 200 U community members watched, passed by or stopped to talk with tabled groups.
According to Westenskow-who says she talked with many of the groups at the event-even though “it looked kind of slow,” many people signed up with the groups at the event.
Vaughn Lovejoy, director of Tree Utah, an organization which participates in tree plantings and other activities to restore the ecosystem, represented just one of the groups in attendance during his speech on Tuesday morning.
“It was really good…Utah has an interesting political climate. It’s the most urban state, but rural in tradition. To get things done, we have to have respect for everyone,” said Westenskow, after listening to the speeches of Lovejoy and others over the course of the day.
The U’s Earth Day celebration also served as a setting for those who supported the day’s motif, but didn’t necessarily engage in activities which pertained to any such agenda.
“I wouldn’t say that I’m predisposed to [such ideas],” said Somer Gardiner, a Salt Lake community member.
However, after the event, Gardiner says she is more aware and inclined on being conscious of ecological safety and concerns.
Colin Robison, also a community member, was on hand as one of the many musical guests invited by Terra Firma.
“I have some songs that are definitely geared toward the overall motif,” he said.
Robison, who also plays at the Coffee Break every Sunday night, says if the event had turned into a rally, he would have played those songs.
Even with a casual atmosphere all day, however, “Today has been a fun day,” he said.
Attendance was the only thing Johnson wishes was different.
“I wish students would take more of an interest in these things,” she said.