With the weather turning fairer and students coming out of a study-filled hibernation, the Augie Green club continues to plan its annual Greenfest slated for April 19. Though in the past the event has been an all-day Saturday affair, the group opted for a Tuesday afternoon and evening in hopes of a relaxed environment.

"When we were freshmen, the club became bigger on campus and it was an all-day thing," secretary Tonya Olson said. "We decided to do a Tuesday to keep attendance up and do more stuff in a come-and go-environment."

At 2 p.m., the festival begins with yard games and activities organized by the Augustana Outdoor Club. Following will be the planting of the first seeds of the year in the locally-sustained and environmentally-friendly campus garden.

Later, at 4 p.m., there will be a group bike ride and bike-maintenance seminar focused on the campus green bikes that will also be available for check-out. Capping off the evening is trayless supper including dirt-cup pudding (with Oreos) alongside a professor panel with Professors David O'Hara, Bill Swart and Dan Howard.

"We always have a quick celebration for Earth day, but it doesn't usually end up on Earth day. It's to make people on campus conscious of things that are going on and to get involved with Augie Green," Olson said. "It's a fun thing to do, usually it's a little bit nicer out than it is now."

In coordination with local Earth Day events, the club is also supporting the Downtown Lights Out event during which various streetlamps and lights in businesses will be turned off in support of sustainable energy.

"Augie Green is making lanterns to hand out and donate," Olson said. "It's on Earth Day eve and symbolizes energy conservation and a commitment to the environment."

Various businesses are providing informational sessions about local, sustainable products in downtown Sioux Falls. Augie Green invites students to not only attend such events, but also commit to the lifestyle changes to help the environment.