Meet this month’s “Sustainability Snapshot,” Lisa Dewil, and learn more about her efforts to live sustainably:
What inspired you to adopt more sustainable practices in your life?
Living in Colorado, my family and I ski, hike, bike, camp and play in the great outdoors, making every day feel like a vacation day. It’s this love for the outdoors and the desire to preserve it that has inspired me to adopt more sustainable practices in my life. Through this desire I have created a student-led sustainability program called “The Green Team Superheroes” at Wilmot Elementary. This is an award-winning leadership program where elementary age students conduct sustainability audits and deliver presentations with their message that “together we can make a difference.”
Can you give some examples of how you practice a sustainable lifestyle at home (either related to zero waste, renewable energy, or conservation)?
Because my own son is a Green Team Superhero, we have implemented a lot of the sustainability practices we adopted at Wilmot Elementary right in my own home. We switched all of our light bulbs to LEDs while consciously turning our lights off more and unplugging unnecessary electronic devices. We recycle even more and consume less. Our recycle bin is fuller than our trash bin each week! When going out in the community, we are very aware of which companies are making smart, sustainable choices. It is the awareness that we have brought to our children that impacts our decisions daily.
What do you think is the biggest roadblock for people trying to practice a sustainable lifestyle?
The biggest roadblock for people trying to practice a sustainable lifestyle is not believing that one small action can make a difference. I truly believe that an action, no matter how big or small, can make an impact and may even inspire others around you.
What have you done over the years to support the Evergreen Sustainability Alliance and sustainability in the community?
Over the years, I have turned to the Evergreen Sustainability Alliance as the local sustainability experts that support the Green Team Superheroes program. The Evergreen Sustainability Alliance helped us at Wilmot Elementary lay the foundation for the program while offering the team outside school opportunities to showcase their achievements. The Green Team Superheroes have had their own booth at community earth day events, handed out reusable grocery bags at King Soopers and delivered the opening remarks at a Zero Waste event! None of those opportunities would have been possible without the Evergreen Sustainability Alliance. It’s this partnership with the Evergreen Sustainability Alliance that has allowed the Green Team Superheroes to shine in Evergreen, Colorado. The Green Team Superheroes’ hard work was rewarded by winning the Presidential Environmental Youth Award which they received in person in Washington DC.
What inspires you on a daily basis to continue practicing sustainability?
What inspires me on a daily basis to continue to practice sustainability is watching the Green Team Superheroes of Wilmot Elementary thrive. Their knowledge is contagious, and the way they take ownership of making changes at their school has inspired me to make changes in my own home.
What words of wisdom do you have for people just getting started on their journey toward a sustainable lifestyle?
The words of wisdom I have for people just getting started on their journey toward a sustainable lifestyle is “together we can make a difference.” This is the tagline of the Green Team Superheroes. We live it and believe it in my household and at Wilmot Elementary.
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