EcoFest 2014
Green Action Fund Proposal
To:
Green Action Fund Committee
From:
K-State Chapter Engineers without Borders
Subject: EcoFest 2014
Date:
December 6, 2013
1. Project Description
EcoFest will be a two day festival that celebrates Earth Day by promoting sustainability and
environmental awareness. There will be two all-day events starting Friday morning, April 25th,
and ending Saturday afternoon, April 26th.
Friday will mainly be focused on educational awareness by bringing in speakers,
environmental organizations, and companies that will attract environmental enthusiasts and
musicians from all over Kansas to come and be a part of the first annual EcoFestival. We want to
capture the educational and inspirational part of sustainability experienced in everyday life in the
city, on the farm, and on campus. Many of our speakers will represent a sustainable life in one of
these aspects, and will have an opportunity to converse with students during lunch. This lunch
will be free for students and speakers, and will allow interested students to talk more deeply in
ideas. There will be an RSVP and a cap to amount of 35 students who can attend, but will be free
and advertised. In the afternoon, there will be several workshops, hands on games, and social
events that attract and stimulate conversations. We will have sustainable workshops and ecofriendly displays that will interest people and allow children, adults, and students to learn more
about sustainability and how they can apply it to their everyday lives.
Saturday will be an all-day event that will be more family oriented. The whole
community will be able to come and enjoy our first annual EcoFestival and take part in
sustainable workshops, social events, and activities that will help families and students spark
interest in sustainable activities. Student involvement will be very important to the success of
Eco- Fest. We are relying on different clubs and organizations on campus to contribute to the
festival in the form of displays, games, speakers, workshops, and events. By including other
organizations and clubs on campus, we will receive the help needed to pull off the desired, large
event and we can display to the public the idea that Kansas State University is sustainable and
wants to continue improving as a whole university.
The entire festival will occur in Bosco Plaza and the Student Union. For this festival,
there will be student committees contacting companies and outside sources to bring in ideas and
resources, but there are other committees in charge of contacting student organizations,
developing engaging activities, and organizing the event.
2. Environmental Benefits
Most of the resources used for EcoFest will be used from recycled and used materials. Every
display will be devoted to green technology, sustainable practices, or green initiatives by
students, faculty, and/or outside organizations.Everything that can be recycled will be recycled
for the whole event. There will be speakers specifically talking about the environment and
different concepts of sustainability. Throughout the event there will be workshops and activities
to help students change wasteful habits and become more conscious of their lifestyles. We hope
to educate students at K-State and people in the community to be more sustainable in their
everyday lives.
3. Forms and amount of student involvement
For this event to be successful we are asking dozens of student organizations to come help and
participate during the entirety of the Festival. We are asking organizations to come and lead
workshops, help host activities and games, and participate themselves. Student leadership
involvement can be around 50 students with over 100 working on details throughout the event.
4. Benefits to KSU students
This whole festival is free and can be very beneficial for anyone that is willing to participate and
have fun. This festival has an overall goal of creating life changes and awareness, and students
can learn more in depth from other students, faculty, and companies. This is an open event that
will help students become increasingly aware of the environment and sustainability as we
approach the goals of sustainability at K-State. This event will tailor to different ideas of
sustainability, while also focusing on attracting students who have not normally been interested
in such topics.
5. KSU department willing to administer funds
The BAE Department will host the funds for the EcoFestival.
6. Detailed Budget
The EcoFest Committee is seeking funding from the Kansas Natural Resource Council, Consortium
for Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability (CESAS), in kind contributions from local
restaurants, and an application for free beverages from the OSAS office has been received and
waiting for response. For advertising, we have students in marketing that are involved and we
only need to pay for materials for their work.
Costs
Amount
Promotional advertisement
Includes a banner ($50) that students will create and is able to be reused each year.
Also includes marketing and advertising materials that will promote the event
throughout the community.
200
Supplies for workshops
Workshops and stations include sustainable crafts, and teaching workshops such as
repurposing and reusing furniture and ways to reuse basic household items to help
initiate the idea of sustainability throughout community households.
400
Student prize money and incentive
Includes a drawing for $75 worth of free coffee for those interested in in the lectures
given by our speakers and 3 prizes for most involved organizations ($100 for most
involved, $75, and $50)
300
Speakers & Travel Expenses
Includes the cost of travel and hospitality expenses of any of our speakers coming
from other areas. We have also included the expenses for a thank you luncheon for
our speakers and other guests.
Total Project Costs
1,150
$2,050
This is the first Annual EcoFestival, so predictions of cost may be over limit, and if so will be
sourced to more workshops.
7. Timeline of Activities
Jan.-April- plan and finalize details
April 24th- Set up displays and last minute details
April 25th- Conference and major student involvement day
April 26th- Open to community and students