Media Advisory: UB's "A Greener Shade of Blue & You Expo" to Highlight Green Products and Services in WNY

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Sustainability at home and on campus is the theme of the University at Buffalo's second annual "A Greener Shade of Blue & You" to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 21 in the Student Union, on UB's North Campus.

The event is free and open to the public.

Good visuals! Great 'green consumer' story!

More than 40 local businesses and nonprofit organizations are participating to help attendees learn how to "green" their homes and lives with environmentally responsible, energy-efficient products and lifestyle choices.

Products and services that will be exhibited include community garden clubs, green cleaning products, energy-efficient furnaces and "upcycled" jewelry, as well as a rubber products made from recycled tires by a local manufacturer.

At noon, interested participants are invited to explore the ecosystem of Lake LaSalle on an interpretive walk with UB environmental studies faculty members.

A series of lectures by UB experts on green topics is being held during the expo as well. Attendees can learn about UB's new environmental geosciences major, hear from UB faculty conducting environmental research in Western New York wetlands, Costa Rica's cloud forests and on undersea coral reefs, and find out about how "Groundwork Buffalo" is reclaiming the city's underutilized and neglected open spaces.

Campus Dining and Shops will host local and statewide food vendors in a Pride of New York Showcase, with free samples.

The event, organized by faculty, staff and students, underscores UB's commitment to green initiatives and campus sustainability, a primary institutional priority that was formalized when UB President John B. Simpson signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, pledging the university to achieving "climate-neutrality," reducing or offsetting all of its greenhouse gas emissions.

Sponsors are UB Green, the Professional Staff Senate, Campus Dining and Shops and the Student Association's Department of Environmental Affairs.

Press arrangements: Ellen Goldbaum in the UB Office of University Communications, at 645-4605 and Jim Simon of UB Green onsite at 440-8483.