Top 6 organizations to join this year

Joining a group of environmental and social activists on or off campus is one way to connect with the environment. If you want to get involved in work that impacts the Muncie community, and may even extend to national and international scales, start here.

The Energy Planning Team works on creating promotional materials March 29, 2015. (From right Mallory Thatch, Casey Middleton, Craig Maschmeyer, Michelle Schubert, Mikaela Pieri, Kaitlyn Etzkorn, and Kylie Leonard.)PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MIKAELA PIERI

Ball State Energy Action Team (B.E.A.T.)

The Ball State Energy Action Team (B.E.A.T.) is a student-led organization that works to reduce energy consumption and promote sustainability through events like the campus-wide Energy Challenge. During the event, residence halls and academic buildings compete to have the lowest energy use. Their biannual event, Dinner in the Dark, serves as a way to kick-start the Energy Challenge as residence hall eateries dim the lights. B.E.A.T. meets Monday nights at 8 p.m. in Bracken Library. Email President Mikaela Pieri at mapieri@bsu.edu for more information.

Ball State’s Council on the Environment are involved in planning and executing Greening of the Campus conferences, where representatives from university departments can speak about environmental initiatives and concerns.PHOTO PROVIDED BY BOB KOESTER

Council on the Environment (C.O.T.E.)

The Council on the Environment (C.O.T.E.) gathers representatives from each academic college and vice presidential office, students and members of the Muncie community to discuss environmental issues and to promote the sustainable use of natural resources on campus and in the surrounding community. Their monthly meetings are held Monday nights at 5:30 p.m. in the Alumni Center boardroom and are open to the public. For more information, contact Bob Koester at rkoester@bsu. edu.

Ball State Environmental Brigade poses for a photo while planting Cocobolo trees in Panama.PHOTO PROVIDED BY BRIANNA LISAK

Global Brigades

Global Brigades at Ball State recruits volunteers to improve the health and economic state of rural communities in Central America and Africa. Throughout the year, Global Brigades fundraises for their trips by selling fair trade products such as Pulsera bracelets, Buena Vida Coffee and grilled cheese in the Village. In 2016, the Medical Brigade, Dental Brigade and Environmental Brigade will travel to Panama. The Water Brigade and Architecture Brigade will travel to Nicaragua for seven to 10 days. For meeting times and additional information, contact Campus Chairperson of Global Brigades at Ball State, Kasey Burchett, at kmburchett@bsu.edu or 262-308-6872.

Red-tail Land Conservancy

Red-tail Land Conservancy protects nearly 2,000 acres of farm and natural land in East Central Indiana. Volunteers are needed to maintain hiking trails, eradicate plants unnatural to the area and assist at events. Red-Tail Conservancy staff members train volunteers on how to maintain the land. People can decide how often they want to volunteer. Community members and students can participate in the annual Bird-a-Thon, when groups spend a weekend identifying as many bird species as possible to raise money. Students also can make financial donations online. People interested in volunteering can contact Red-Tail at www.fortheland.org or 765-288-2587.

Permaculture Initiative

The Permaculture Initiative develops self-reliant agricultural ecosystems by creating projects such as community gardens. The group, comprised of Ball State students and faculty and Muncie community members, has planted gardens at Minnetrista Cultural Center and Be Here Now. For more information contact Megan Sharp at mesharp@bsu. edu or 765-285-5782. Check The Permaculture Initiative Facebook page for future meeting times.

Timmy Global Health

Timmy Global Health is an Indianapolis-based nonprofit that partners with medical professionals abroad to create better access to healthcare. Members of the Ball State chapter travel to Ecuador every spring break to set up mobile clinics and distribute medical necessities to those in need. For more information visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ BSUTimmy.

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This article is part of the Campus Green Guide, a free custom publication of Ball State Unified Media.

Top 6 organizations to join this year

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