After celebrating the 49th annual Earth Day Monday, both Miami University and Oxford are marking the anniversary with a collaborative Oxford Community EarthFest Saturday, April 27, in Uptown Memorial Park.

The Earth Fest, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., will discuss how natural environments function and how human beings can change their behavior to live sustainably.

Max Leveridge, president for Miami’s chapter of the National Association for Environmental Professionals, said the event has several objectives.

“My goals for the event are to celebrate all the environmental and sustainable efforts in the Oxford and Miami community, to spread the current knowledge of a variety of environmental subjects and to celebrate Earth in general,” Leveridge said.

According to Miami’s Sustainability  Commitments and Goals, In efforts to enhance sustainability, Miami is working on obtaining a LEED Silver certification for its new and renovated buildings. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), is a system of rating buildings according to how green and energy efficient they are. Additionally, the university is incorporating the use of geothermal power on different parts of campus and switching from coal to natural gas in their power plant.

The EarthFest will feature more than 25 organizations including the Butler County Soil & Water Conservation District, Miami University’s Green Oxford and Audubon Miami Valley.

Through music, games, hands-on demonstrations and interactive learning, EarthFest expects to highlight how the environment affects the community, and how our everyday work can make our community a better, safer and healthier place to live.

The fest will feature a special performance by singer/guitarist, John Kogge, and Jonathan Levy on the harmonica.

The event is sponsored by Miami University Institute for the Environment and Sustainability, GreenHawks Media and Miami University Sustainability Department.