The 40th anniversary Earth Day celebration at California State University, Fresno presents discussions of key regional environmental issues and a Sustainability Fair presenting information, resources and demonstrations from campus and community exhibitors.

This year’s Earth Day is scheduled 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, April 22. The Sustainability Fair will take place in the Fresno State Peace Garden, just north of the Henry Madden Library, where four panel discussions are planned.

All events are free and open to the campus and general community. Parking on campus costs $3, with one-day permits available from dispensers around campus. Event organizers recommend making an Earth Day statement by taking a bus, riding a bus or walking to campus.

Because Earth Day is intended as a teaching moment, Fresno State students are able to obtain extra credit for attending the fair’s exhibits and the discussions.

Panels of university and community experts will discuss issues and each session will provide an opportunity for audience questions and answers. All will be held in the library’s Room 2206 on the second floor.

The first panel at 11 a.m. will consider “Jesse Morrow Mountain: Which Priorities Should Prevail?” Peter McDonald, dean of Library Services at Fresno State will moderate a panel including Audrey Osborne of the Traditional Choinumni Tribal Council and Robert Takacs of Friends of Jesse Morrow Mountain will be on the panel.

The noon discussion will focus on “Urban Planning and Transportation: Managing Change.” Dr. Andrew Jones, an assistant professor of sociology will moderate the discussion. Panelists are

Kristine Cai of the Fresno County Council of Governments; Dr. Derya Ozgoc-Caglar, an assistant professor of geography; Eric Fredericks of the California High Speed Rail Authority; John Dugan, Fresno director of planning and development; and Rollie Smith of the Sustainable Communities program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation for Fresno” will be the 1 p.m. panel moderated by

Dr. Peter Van de Water, a professor of earth and environmental science. Panelists are Dr. Donald Hunsaker, director of Fresno State’s Institute of Climate, Change Oceans and Atmosphere; Tom Cotter, co-founder of Fresno Green; and Joseph Oldham, the city of Fresno’s sustainability manager.

A 2 p.m. panel will discuss “Water: The Lifeblood of the Community.” Lanny Larson, editor of University Communications at Fresno State, will moderate a panel including Martin Querin, the city of Fresno’s assistant director of public utilities; Calliope Correia, a Fresno State horticulture nursery technician; and Dr. John Suen, a professor in Fresno State’s Department of Earth and Environmental Science who has done extensive research on hydrogeology.

The Sustainability Fair will include booths staffed by the city of Fresno’s Water Conservation and Recycling programs, the Clark Construction Group, Coalition for Clean Air, Fresno Bird Count, Fresno Bike Coalition and the San Joaquin Valley Air District.

Fresno State organizations participating are the Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Chemistry Club, Commuter Services, Fashion Merchandising Club, METRO Center, Geology Club, Green Issue, Kennel Bookstore, student-operated organic farm and Department of Risk Management and Sustainability.