Natural Resources Week gets started
Have you ever wanted to touch a wolf? Now you can.
The Quinney College of Natural Resources is bringing Damu the wolfdog back to campus during its fair on the TSC Patio Tuesday as part of NR week.
The QCNR started the week of events with a kick-off concert Monday night at the TSC International Lounge. The concert featured Cache Valley bands Cat Fever and Young Blood along with Provo bands The Moth and the Flame and The Fellows.
A photo contest is also part of the week’s activities. The contest is open to all students and will feature winners in three categories: Natural scenery, wildlife and people in nature. Submissions are on display in the TSC Juniper Lounge.
QNCR Sen. Liz Kirkham said the theme for the week is “Think beyond the limits.”
“That could be think beyond carbon limits, as far as carbon footprints and things,” Kirkham said. “It could also be ‘Think beyond city limits.'”
Kirkham said the committee planned the theme to involve all three departments in the college, including environment and society, watershed sciences and wildland resources.
“We just wanted a theme that could embrace all of our departments and everything they embrace individually,” Kirkham said.
Kirkham said the most important event this week is probably author Mark Lynus, who will speak on his book about sustainable agriculture Wednesday during common hour.
“He’s the author of a book called ‘The God Species,'” Kirkham said. “He’s really prestigious, he’s kind of our biggest deal of the week.”
“I’m most excited for the Logger’s Ball,” said freshman Patrick Adams. “It’s only $10 to go.”
The ball is held at Cafe Sabor on 600 West Center in Logan and includes an appetizer, dinner and dessert, according to Adams, who is on the NR student council.
“There’s a beard contest and people dress up like lumberjacks,” Adams said. “There’s music, dancing, great food. It’s just going to be super exciting.”
Kirkham said the Logger’s Ball is one of the oldest dances in the university and proceeds from the night go to next year’s college council fund and for future QCNR events.
A “Predator vs. Prey” 5K race is scheduled for Tuesday at 5:30 at the USU cross country course, along with multiple notable lectures throughout the week. The second annual “Empty Bowls” luncheon will be held Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. where students can get soup in a handcrafted bowl for $8. The bowl is to be a reminder of hunger-fighting community efforts. Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the Cache Community Food Pantry.
That night, the Science Unwrapped presentation will feature USU professor Jack Schmidt, chief of the USGS Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center. His lecture will be held in room 130 of the The Eccles Science Learning Center
“My overall goal is to just have everyone who can learn something new this week,” Kirkham said.
Adams said they wanted to get some good publicity for the college as well.
“We wanted to have a lot of events to get students involved and be interested in the Natural Resources college and just have them have a great time,” Adams said. “We like to encourage people to have outdoor events and spend time outdoors.”
Environmental studies major Sarah Woodbury, who also serves on the senate, said the week is aimed at new students.
“It’s especially directed toward freshman too, to try to get them to see about the College of Natural Resources, and just what it’s all about,” Woodbury said.
Kirkham said they are trying to educate people on what the college consists of.
“We have a lot of people who don’t even know that we have a College of Natural Resources,” Kirkham said. “If I can just tell people that we exist on this campus my job will be done and help people learn something new.”
A complete calendar of events can be found by visiting cnr.usu.edu.
– tmera.bradley@aggiemail.usu.edu