“There’s a ton of stuff happening on campus,” Battle said. “MSU has always been involved in sustainability. There’s definitely a lot of support and resources. It continues to be something that the university cares very much about.”

From campus cleanups to educational seminars, class projects and award ceremonies, students will be engaged campuswide in “green” activities this week.

MSUECO, a student group that focuses on environmental education and outreach, has organized a number of events for students. Students worked at the rock on Farm Lane on Monday to gather about 1,200 petition signatures to get The Gallery in Snyder-Phillips Hall to go trayless. Tuesday, students worked to pick up trash around campus, and Thursday, they plan to engage in environmental learning activities at Reo Elementary School, 1221 Reo Road, in Lansing, by planting flowers, having recycling relays and teaching students about composting.

“We have a ton of problems, even if you don’t believe in global warming, that we can fix every day,” said Greg Daniel, president of MSUECO and international relations and comparative cultures and politics senior. “We can all see pollution. We need to focus on the simple things before all of the complex problems.”

Battle said MSU has been addressing some of those smaller problems by encouraging students to engage in “dim downs” this month, turning off their lights for a few hours Friday afternoons. More than 212 students and offices on campus will be recognized with Green Certification on Thursday, she said. “This program highlights and celebrates sustainability champions,” Battle said. “There are units on campus or students who have done a lot personally to be green.”

Campus offices receiving their Green Certification this year include the Office of the President, Office of the Provost and the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Operations. Battle said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon has been very supportive of the measure, which was initiated last fall, by hand signing each certification.

The Main Library also will be supporting Earth Day by showcasing an exhibit focusing on MSU’s newly expanded recycling program, including the recycling of more plastics than before, as well as showing environmental movie clips and co-sponsoring tours with the Beal Botanical Garden on Thursday, said Heidi Schroeder, a member of the library environmental committee.

“Earth Day is really about having fun and getting outside,” Daniel said. “When we talk about the environment, it’s always ‘don’t do this’ or ‘don’t do that.’ This isn’t a time to feel guilty about the way we live. It’s about celebrating the wonderful earth we have.”