I'm Michelle, the publisher and editor of Macaroni KID Winter Garden-Ocoee. I love meeting and getting to know people. This is how I get to learn about amazing people and how they are impacting our community in positive ways. In our third Community Spotlight, we get to meet Donna, the Sustainability Coordinator for Winter Garden. I first met Donna at the Back to School Winter Garden Bash. She gave my daughter and nieces some tips about saving water at home and then I asked for more tips. As she talked, I knew I wanted to interview her and share her wealth of knowledge with our community. Hear what she says about taking care of our environment, how families can do so together and ways to learn more!
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How did you come to live in Winter Garden?
My husband and I moved from Virginia to Florida 5 years ago. Our daughter and her husband had moved to Central Florida for her husband’s job. She is our only child and I wanted to be closer. My husband was retired and I hoped to get a job once we settled. Within a couple of months of moving here, Winter Garden had an opening for a Sustainability Coordinator and I applied. I was so very excited when they offered me the job! I began work here in January 2019. I love this job and the people of Winter Garden!
What kind of training/preparation did you complete to have this career?
I have a BS in Communication from Old Dominion University.
My previous work experience:
- Public Services Coordinator- City of Norfolk, Virginia- I was liaison with the residents of Ocean View, a beachfront community, and all City Departments during the revitalization process.
- Environmental Inspector – City of Portsmouth, Virginia
- Recycling and Environmental Programs Manager- City of Portsmouth, Virginia
- Commercial Recycling Analyst- Frederick County Maryland
I have been concerned about environmental issues since childhood. In elementary school, we had a phone book drive every year. I always collected the most in my classroom. If the school reached a certain goal, a tree would be planted in our school’s name. I also always disliked political signs, especially after an election. I once wrote a letter to the editor of our local paper about them. I wished that all those running would have their signs removed the day after the election. This still bothers me. Those signs become litter on our roadways!
In 4th Grade, I was in a play about the environment; I don’t remember a lot about the play except that I was the wise owl in the forest. I learned two things from this little play. Number one, I wanted to do my part to always care for the environment, and number two, I love acting! (I am still performing in theatre, even since moving to Florida).
What advice do you have for others who might want to become involved in environmental issues, and advice for those considering it as a career?
Volunteer in your community. Look for ways to help, whether it is litter cleanups, food drives, or waterways cleanup. Start at home, conserve water and energy, recycle right, buy local. Don’t be wasteful. Donate used clothing and toys. Participate in school events concerning the environment, even if you are shy. I was a very shy child, but took a chance and did a classroom play. I did not realize it then, but that environmental play set the course for my future career.
If students are considering an environmental career, many colleges offer degrees in environmental programs such as:
- Environmental architecture and environmental design.
- Environmental engineering.
- Environmental health sciences.
- Environmental Law.
- Environmental science and sustainability.
- Horticulture.
- Marine Sciences.
- Energy.
What does your job entail?
In my role as Sustainability Coordinator, I coordinate and promote the City of Winter Garden’s environmental initiatives. I am responsible for education and outreach for the following: Recycling, Waste Reduction, Water Conservation, Energy Conservation, Water Quality to include Stormwater and Wastewater education.
I write articles for our newsletters and E-News, I plan and coordinate special environmental events and programs such as our Annual Document Shredding Event to commemorate America Recycles Day, and our Water Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant Tours. I also conduct water audits to make sure our residents are not wasting water. If people put the wrong items in the recycling cart, I talk to them about it or I send them a letter. I go to schools, businesses, and homes to talk about environmental issues.
Another aspect of my job is that I am also the Art in Public Places Coordinator. I work with three art galleries to schedule art that is displayed in our City Hall gallery. The gallery is open to the public during City Hall business hours and it is free.
What are ways we can help sustain our community?
Here are just a few ways:
- Eat locally and support local businesses
- Walk or ride your bike when you can.
- Take public transportation.
- Carpool
- Plant a tree.
How does eating locally help sustain our community?
Eating locally helps our community in several ways. First, it helps the environment because there is less travel and transportation on our roadways to deliver food. That means less gasoline/energy use and fewer emissions. By using local farmers and producers there is less need for trucks, airplanes, even refrigeration. Buying local foods means the food is fresh and may not sit on shelves for days. Buying locally also means you are helping the economy by patronizing local stores and restaurants and helping support the local workforce. Buying locally allows you to get to know the people who make or grow the products you are buying. All these contribute to creating a sustainable community.
What can kids do at home and maybe at school to help?
Kids can help at home by cleaning their rooms, recycling the right items, donating used clothing, taking short showers and by not leaving the water on while they are brushing their teeth.
Kids can help at school by using a reusable lunch box that holds a reusable water bottle, reusable containers for sandwiches and snacks and a cloth napkin. All these items can be washed and used again. At home and school, kids can unplug electronics when they are not in use.
What are some family activities that can be done to support these efforts?
- The night before recycling collection, the family can gather to make sure the correct items are in the recycling cart/bin.
- Take a walk as a family. Once a week bring a bag and gloves and pick up litter along the way. Don’t pick up broken glass, needles, or anything sharp. When you get back home, pull out the recyclables, put those in the recycling container, and throw the bag in the trash can.
- Plan meals for the week, so food is not wasted.
Is there a site that tells us about what to recycle and what’s not recyclable?
https://www.cwgdn.com/315/Garbage-Recycling Click Recycling. We have information and a cute video by some Winter Garden Girl Scouts to help. Another site is http://centralfloridarecycles.org/
You mentioned the newsletters. Where can we sign up for those?
https://www.cwgdn.com/list.aspx
Are there any upcoming events you have planned?
We have a Recycling 101 Class coming up on Friday, November 3, 2023 10am – 12pm at City Hall. We are also offering Water Plant Tours on Friday, February 2 and Saturday, February 3, 2024. Several Tours will be offered each day.
How would someone book a tour?
The class and tours are free, but advanced registration is required because space is limited. Register by calling 407-877-5193 or by email dcorbus@cwgdn.com
How can teachers/businesses ask you to be a speaker?
They can call 407-877-5193 or email dcorbus@cwgdn.com
Very interesting about the art gallery part! For the young artists out there, how can they get their art in City Hall?
We try to hold an annual Call to Artists with a theme. This is open to children and adults. The next one is scheduled for June/July 2024. The call will go out in April with a deadline of May 15, 2024. The Theme is Summertime. Up to 25 pieces of Art will be chosen for this exhibit. For more information on how to enter contact dcorbus@cwgdn.com or 407-877-5193.
For Fun!
Favorite theme park ride The shows!
Favorite sports team Tampa Bay Rays
Favorite hobby Theatre (Acting)
Favorite FL weekend getaway The beach with my family
Dream vacation? I went on my dream vacation a few years ago. It was a reenactment of the Oregon Trail in Bayard, Nebraska. It was a four-day, three-night adventure in a covered wagon learning about the daily lives of the pioneers that settled the West in the mid-1800s. I even got to climb Chimney Rock. I would love to go to Australia one day!
What are your favorite local spots to eat out? For dessert? For fun? Thai Blossom and The Deli Downtown. For Dessert and fun, it’s all the same to me. I love to explore new desserts, particularly ice cream!
Thank you, Donna, for your time! I was truly fascinated by your answers, your life and your career! I hope inspiring environmentalists learned some new ideas!
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Here's a fun craft to do, related to recycling!
