U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) announced her September Constituent Spotlight, Matthew Landers, who serves as an educator at Pleasant Glade Elementary in Lacey. He is recognized for his many environment-minded contributions to his school and community.
“It is an honor to celebrate Matthew’s deep commitment to the environment and students at Pleasant Glade Elementary,” said U.S. Rep. Strickland. “Matthew’s dedication towards educating the next generation on how to reduce their footprint is truly making a difference.”
The composting program Landers started at Pleasant Glade has saved 35,000 pounds of food waste from landfills. Additionally, he has overseen the redistribution of 1,500 pounds of food to students, encouraged them to be mindful of waste, and to eat more fresh foods that normally would have been thrown out. Along with the composting initiative, Landers started a recycling program to encourage saving paper bags from ending up in the landfill. He also persuaded the school to transition from plastic utensils to biodegradable ones.
“Many of our children are worried about the changing environment and want to do something about it,” said Landers. “Empowering children to make a difference in their lives with activities that effect the broader community is centering to students. They leave my class believing that together we can make a difference.”
Landers has also encouraged his students to participate in advocating for long term change and present their ideas for environmental conservation to the school board with the hope that the district would adopt their simple and effective green programs.
Congresswoman Strickland’s Constituent Spotlight program recognizes exemplary South Sound residents. To nominate a resident of Washington’s 10th Congressional District fill out this nomination form.
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