By Ryan Breen
Starting her green initiatives as a young toddler in kindergarten, VWC sophomore, Taylor Boyd, continues to make it her mission to help both the environment and others around her.
Boyd has contributed to many efforts in trying to make the campus better, in terms of recycling. Marlins Go Green, of which Boyd is a member, is a very important part of the Wesleyan community. Boyd’s mission is to enlighten faculty, students, and the world on how important taking care of the environment really is.
“Since I was young, I always enjoyed helping people” said Boyd, “I was taught at a very early age that it was important to give back to the community. I started volunteering when I was in kindergarten at my Church and my love continued to grow until I was an adult”. Boyd loves helping the world continue to be a beautiful place. She try’s everyday to maintain its beauty. Boyd acknowledges how important the world is for its inhabitants and future generations.
Boyd said: “I feel that everyone should care more about recycling because you do really make a difference with each conscious decision you make. The commonality between all people is the world we live in, and we must keep it clean and encourage others to do the same.”
Boyd works very closely with many individuals in order to maintain a green campus. Some of the community members include: Zach Drake, president of Marlins Go Green, Tim Mellon, graduate of Old Dominion University, Seth Antozzi, treasurer of Marlins Go Green and Diane Hotaling, director of Community Service. Boyd said: “That the goals of myself and these individuals included: creating a uniform, branded and highly utilized recycling program.”
The efforts of these individuals allow the Marlins Go Green initiative to strive.
There is an extensive course of action to accomplish this initiative. Recycling bins for public spaces, offices, classrooms and outdoor areas need to be purchased. Once the recycling bins are strategically placed next to each waste receptacle, signage will be added to educate the community on acceptable recycling material.
As the Environmental Awareness Director, Boyd’s responsibilities include but are not limited to: creating a survey, conducting focus groups about recycling and conversations about energy use, gardening, helping people understand the facts versus the myths, and changing behaviors. She is also in charge of making recommendations to change climate and to move forward with initiatives Boyd also thinks of new and innovative ways to better environmental methods that are already present at the school. Boyd also works close with Mrs. Fanny Greer, President William Greer’s wife.
Diane Hotaling said: “Taylor was instrumental in the inaugural Marlin Community Youth Garden Club created by Mrs. Greer. I anticipate that Taylor will play a significant role in the continuation of the club when Mrs. Greer retires after the spring program.”
There is a community garden at the Good Samaritan Episcopal Church on Baker Road, across the street from campus. Boyd said: “This community garden was made to teach youth the importance of sustainability and taking care of the environment, as well as connect the community together.” Boyd is the leader of the environmental leader at Wesleyan and does so with diligence and heart.
Boyd truly inspires many people on and off campus. Hotaling said: “Taylor was selected to be the Environmental awareness director. She has a passion for improving the environment. Boyd does a tremendous amount of research and makes an effort to address how the students feel about recycling. Boyd also did alot of research in the fall to see what the school does about recycling.
The school’s recycling methods aren’t the best but Boyd is working this semester to improve them.”
It is crucial that the world has people like Boyd to help make the world a better place.