For more than a decade, Earth Day volunteers from Rutgers University-Newark have donated “green” service to their campus’s home city while creating bird- and butterfly-friendly habitats on campus and a green oasis in Newark’s concrete canyons. That tradition continues when volunteers from the RU-N community will first help beautify Norman Samuel Plaza on their campus on April 20. Then on April 22 volunteers will head to Newark’s historic Krueger-Scott Mansion to prepare the gardens at the mansion’s Urban Farm.

                          

WHAT/WHEN/WHO:

MONDAY, APRIL 20 (RAIN DATE APRIL 27), 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Volunteer students, faculty and staff will work with Greater Newark Conservancy experts to improve the existing sustainable gardens at RU-N, created during past Earth Day programs.  Conservancy staff will provide materials and hands-on instructions. LOCATION: Norman Samuels Plaza (entrance from the Rutgers Arch on University Avenue between Bleeker Street and Warren Street)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 (RAIN DATE APRIL 29),11:30 -1 p.m. and 2:30 -4 p.m.: Volunteers will pitch in to plant, weed, rake, and mulch at the Krueger-Scott Mansion Urban Farm, Court Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Newark. (Shuttles available from the Golden Dome Athletic Center.)

 

BACKGROUND: Earth Day is yet another way that Rutgers gives back to the community, this time by making Newark more “green.”  In past years RU-N volunteers have prepared the gardens at the Greater Newark Conservancy, and planted sustainable gardens, a native grasses garden and a bird pond at RU-N, all to create bird- and butterfly-friendly habitats on campus and a green oasis in Newark’s concrete canyons.  Students also learn how to become environmental stewards. Information: http://www.newark.rutgers.edu/earthday/

MEDIA CONTACT: Carla Capizzi, 973 353 5263.