4-17-12    sl    6a

It's Earth Week around the country.

Richland Community College is taking this week to raise awareness centered around environmentally friendly habits. Ben Newton is the Sustainability Coordinator at Richland, he feels things we can do may seem small to us but can have a great impact on the environment. He encourages people to remember the three R's of Earth Week: reduce, reuse, and recycle.

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RCC is offering two free classes this coming Thursday. The first class, Newton explains, they have arranged for a guest speaker to come in and discuss better ways better ways to heat and cool, insulate and measures to take to have more energy efficient homes. The class is recommended for home builders, remodelers, and general contractors. Realtors and energy consultants are also welcome to be a part of the class.

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The second opportunity is a night class and Newton notes this is an opportunity for home owners to learn how to make their homes more energy efficient.

Newton feels there is sometimes a misconception when it comes to quote-"going green". He says you do not have to always take extreme measures, it is simple and basic things that go a long ways in helping the environment.

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Throughout the week Richland will have activities to promote Earth Week. For a list of the activities or to learn more about their Thursday classes you can contact Ben Newton with a phone call to 217-875-7211 ext. 220 or by email at bnewton@richland.edu.