Amy Sandling Crawford

Looking for a way to "get green?"

The City of Plano Live Green in Plano volunteering program might be just right for you. The program is a local training opportunity for volunteers to work in partnership with the staff of the city's Sustainability and Environmental Services Department and share information throughout the community. Volunteers pledge to take individual actions toward greener living and help others do the same.

"Sustainability is often defined as 'to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.' The City of Plano offers a broad spectrum of programs and educational opportunities to residents interested in living green," said Deb Bliss, City of Plano Sustainability Volunteer Coordinator.

Anyone interested in learning how to "green up" their lifestyle and willing to return 24 hours of volunteer service to the City of Plano is eligible to join the program.

Completing the initial training class and participating in the required volunteer service hours makes participants full-fledged Live Green in Plano volunteers. Volunteers have opportunities to continue to build knowledge by attending environmental classes or training programs every other month.

Since 2007, 260 volunteers have completed the 12-hours training program. The initial program covers topics such as waste diversion, water quality and conservation, landscape management, energy, air quality, transportation, green building and retrofits, and "getting the word out" about green living.

"We have adults, college students and teens, retirees and those employed full time attending the class," said Bliss. "Often spouses or a parent and teen will take the class together."

Volunteers, in return, serve the community in a variety of ways. Volunteers run the city's chemical reuse center, maintain the Plano Community Gardens, the Texas SmartScape Garden and the Nature Explore classroom, staff an information booth at events like the upcoming Learn 2 Live Green event, host a backyard talk for their neighbors, organize community cleanups or green teams at their church, school or office, write articles for the newsletter, make blog posts, promote zero waste events, and evaluate the city for litter.

About six percent of program volunteers are teens. Some participate alone, some with a parent.

"We have an additional teen internship program called ECO Teens," explained Bliss. "Some of our teens have participated in both the Live Green in Plano and ECO Teens programs. This year, the ECO Teens program has 35 teens enrolled."

"The Live Green in Plano volunteer training program is a great way to get involved with making Plano greener and cleaner, and to meet some fascinating folks," added Bliss. "You'll learn how to make your lifestyle environmentally friendly and save money, too."

Plano resident Greg Sidon has been volunteering with the Live Green in Plano program for more than five years, volunteering at least 100 hours per year. He mans the city reuse center, the Live Green in Plano classes, and the annual Live Green expo event.

"I believe when you volunteer and help others, you are really helping yourself," he said. "Plano is a great place to live, and we should all be giving back to the community."

Now-retired teacher Tanis Roelofs met Bliss when the two worked together to serve Wilson Middle School's environmental club. Soon after retirement, Roelofs took the Live Green in Plano class and became a certified volunteer.

"I love the fact that I'm still connected to Plano ISD as I teach environmental lessons in many Plano schools. Learning to 'reduce, reuse, recycle' and taking care of our earth is a topic of great importance to me. I also organize community cleanups, help with the recycling at community events, label storm drains all over the city, and began a "Green Team" at my church."

Roelofs volunteers between 10 and 20 hours per month, depending on events that she is involved with.

"The best thing about volunteering is knowing that in a small way, I'm helping to protect the environment. Children are the future, and it's very rewarding to help instill the need for everyone to do their part to protect our precious earth."

Jinx Smith of Lucas volunteers weekly at the reuse center, and is known as "Mr. Fixit" around the community garden. He teaches composting classes and has received his "master composter" designation from the city.

"I have done many special projects for Live Green in Plano," he said. "I built Adirondack chairs out of shipping pallets. (Keeping with reuse is the best form of recycle and sustainability.) I have refurbished shelving for the Environmental Education Center for storage of supplies for the different Live Green in Plano Programs. I designed and built a shed to house a refrigerator to store product for the food banks to pick up at their convenience during the seasons. I led the team that built the greenhouse for the community garden. I have spent many hours setting up and tearing down displays for the Live Green expo event, and doing whatever else is needed."

"I have attended and helped at all kinds of events and really enjoy the time I spend volunteering," he added. "Now that I have retired, the people contact is what keeps me coming back and the fact that the program gives really great recognition for its volunteers. It is also a good feeling to know that you are making a difference in the environment. There are a lot of great people doing volunteer work, and there are a lot of great people coming out there looking for help in how to Live Green in Plano. Get up and participate in the process. You can make a difference!"



Interested in teen volunteer opportunities?

The ECO Teens is a yearlong internship program with the City of Plano's Sustainability and Environmental Services department open to all high school students. ECO Teens participants learn about current environmental issues, work as a team at various events, and complete an environmentally important service-based community project. For more information, email Kim Soto at kims@plano.gov or call 972.769.4343.

For information about Live Green in Plano initiatives, visit plano.gov. Click on the tab "City Departments" and scroll down to find Live Green in Plano.

Also, mark your calendars for Learn 2 Live Green Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at The Shops at Legacy. It is a free, fun, family event featuring exhibits, presentations on a variety of environmental topics, workshops, demonstrations, entertainment, green art and children's activities. Visit learn2livegreen.com to learn more.