Inside UW-Green Bay News

The official site for UW-Green Bay News and Features

Earth Day Memories

by · April 3, 2009

A photo gallery of 1970s activism at Eco U
With universities near and far jumping on the Sustainability bandwagon, UW-Green Bay rates special mention as one of the places the movement first rolled more than 40 years ago. Described as America’s first environmental university, where every day was Earth Day, UW-Green Bay claimed national attention almost from the day it opened in 1968.

This April 22 marks the 40th celebration of Earth Day, and UW-Green Bay will observe the occasion with a major on-campus event, Green Innovations 2009.

1970 – The First Earth Day Photo Gallery

Click thumbnail images to enter slideshow view
Earth BallEarth Day March 1970Earth Day March 1970First Earth Day RallyFirst Earth Day RallyEarth Day StormEarth Day Panel of ExpertsEarth Day pioneers Victor Yannacone and M. King Hubbert visited campusEarly Earth Day activity: canoeing from St. Norbert College to UWGBEnvironmental Action MonthEnvironmental Action MonthNancy Jochman

Eco-U Photo Gallery

Click thumbnail images to enter slideshow view
A 1970s ‘Eco U’ graphicMay 1971 Commencement ProgramEarth BallEarth BallMarty Schaefer ’72 ‘Eco U’ fieldworkwater-quality testingAt the time, field research for undergrads was rare, nationwidelearning in the 1970sCampus waters and Green Bay wetlands were outdoor labsEarly UWGB students aided pioneering wetlands researchProfessors studied thermal discharge from local power plantSea Grant Founders – Prof. Bud Harris, Paul Sager – in a 1995 shotA trip to monitor spring runoff at Green Bay’s Duck CreekField research near campusBiology Prof. Harry Guilford; field experiences for undergrads was an Eco U specialtyChance for field work with faculty was a UWGB selling point1970s students demanded more than rote classroom learningThe largely undeveloped Shorewood site was a favorite of birdersEcosystem research by students made UWGB distinctiveBicycle riding was promoted as energy-efficient transportationUWGB students tapped nearby “cow power” for an early anaerobic digesterUWGB student Jerry Eucke built a geodesic dome home in 1972, near ManitowocBack indoors, examining plant specimensStudent and teacher discuss environmental issuesField notes reflect students’ out-of-the-classroom workOpen dump sites were not an uncommon scene, pre-Earth Day 1970After the first day Earth Day (1970), the new UWGB swiftly embraced recyclingWhen paper recycling was revolutionary: 1973, at UWGBEnvironmental awareness after the 1979 Three Mile Island incident

1970s – Contemporary Scenes on Campus

Click thumbnail images to enter slideshow view
1970s Campus EntranceFounder Edward Weidner leads officials on late 1960s tour of future campus siteMid-1970s view of Circle Drive dropoffThe eight-story Cofrin Library was completed in 1972early 1970s campus aerial photoUWGB celebrated its first year on the Shorewood site, 1969-70An informal 1970s student gatheringMayor Don Tilleman addressed peaceful protesters at a 1970 anti-war rallyUWGB students were behind the 1970s birth of a regional history troupeFounding Chancellor Edward Weidner hosted ‘rap sessions’ at his homeWeidner sought input from 1970s students, faculty and staffHomecoming activities (undated photo)Father and son outside the Laboratory Sciences Building, the first on campusProf. David Galaty and others led numerous travel tours to Mexico’s Mayan countryA view overlooking the dock (formerly the Bayshore Center on campus waterfront)1970s, between Lab Sciences and Environmental Sciences1970 Construction of Bay Appartments1970 Construction of Bay Appartments1970 Construction of Bay Appartments

Do you recognize anyone in these photos? Do you have any fun memories? We invite you to share your thoughts about these photos in the comments section below.

Tags:

You may also like...