Leaders of the Next Generation’s Green Guardians Event at Audubon Greenwich Emphasizes Recycling

The local non-profit Leaders of the Next Generation recently hosted an event at Greenwich Audubon Center to teach kids about the importance of recycling.

Co-founded by Sameera Madan, 16, and Jacklyn Pizzella, 17, Leaders of the Next Generation is a youth-led non-profit committed to environmental awareness and providing access to education.

The two high school juniors partnered with the Greenwich Audubon to host the family oriented event emphasizing fun, creative ways to repurpose. Sameera and Jackie reached out to the Audubon last November to plan their first large-scale event.

Over 100 people attended.

The event featured nine stations, seven of which were organized by Leaders of the Next Generation, including:

• Magazine collages – using recycled magazines, kids made cards to donate to underprivileged children

• Mini plants – with recycled jars and plastic containers, kids made and took home indoor plants

• Bird beak simulation – plastic utensils were used to show natural selection regarding bird beads

• Bird Feeders – collected plastic water bottles were used to make bird feeders that the kids took home

Waste Free Greenwich and Pollinator Pathways also had tables at the event, contributing to the event’s overall theme of teaching children creative ways to repurpose.

This summer, Sameera and Jackie are working fellow GHS students Miller Fishback and Ryan Wadhwa to create more programs that are accessible to everyone.

Leaders of the Next Generation also aims to provide leadership opportunities for high-schoolers that might not otherwise be available to them. Two ambassadors for the non-profit are Jillian Jinete and Jeremy Buss. Others involved include GHS junior Jeremy Buss who is Co-President of the school’s Environmental Action Club, and Jillian Jinete who is handling advertising and marketing for the non-profit.

More information on Leaders of the Next Generation is available online.

Follow them on Instagram, @leadersofthenextgeneration