Contact:  Rick Peterson, Manager of News Services, 920/832-6590
For Immediate Release	                      April 1, 1999	

Lawrence University Hosting Educational, Interactive, Earth Day Extravaganza

          APPLETON, WIS. -- A mass tree planting, environmentally-focused
presentations and interactive activities and education booths geared
specifically for children are planned for Lawrence University's first
"Reduce Use Earth Festival" Saturday April 24, a day-long, ecological
extravaganza commemorating Earth Day.
     Highlighting the day's activities will be a swap meet/reusable
marketplace, where gently used goods such as books, clothing, toys, dishes,
decorations and tools will be available for trade or sale from 10 a.m.-2
p.m. in Lawrence's Buchanan Kiewit Recreation Center.  Anyone interested in
displaying items can reserve swap space by calling 920/832-7121. 
     "We want to raise public awareness on how we can reduce the impact of
consumerism on the environment," said Jamie St. Ledger, president of PRIDE,
one of several student organizations coordinating the Reduce Use Earth
Festival.  "By reducing what we purchase, reusing what we already own and
exchanging goods we no longer need we can lead more environmentally
friendly, sustainable lives." 	   
     Interested volunteers are invited to join members of Greenfire, a
student environmental organization, in a 9 a.m. trash pickup and mass tree
planting on the Fox River bank near the Lawrence campus.  Nearly 350 native
evergreen and hardwood saplings will be planted.
     Presentations led by area experts on recycling, animal
rescue/rehabilitation, low-impact camping, mercury contamination, organic
farming as well as interactive programs for children will be conducted
throughout the afternoon in the Wriston Art Center amphitheatre (weather
permitting) or in the Wriston auditorium.  All activities are free and open
to the public.