A member of staff from Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ruthin has been recognised for her extraordinary efforts in promoting environmental issues.
Liz Straiton, an ICT manager at Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ruthin was one of 52 people recognised at an event held at the Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen when individuals that had shown commitment to green issues succeeded in getting onto Wales’ Green List.
The Assembly’s Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson said: “The Green List is all about recognising the people who are leading the way on sustainable development and inspiring others to do the same.
“This might involve developing a community initiative, pushing for sustainable change within the workplace or simply living as sustainably as possible.
“The people recognised on the Green List are living proof that one person really can make a difference. They are providing real and tangible examples of how we can all live much more sustainable lives.”
Helen Burkhalter, Denbighshire’s Portfolio Officer for Climate Change, who nominated Liz for the honour, said: “Liz is unique and inspirational in her commitment to encouraging pro-environmental behaviour within her school and the wider council community.
“I first met Liz when she joined the Council’s ‘green team’ but her passion for a more eco-friendly way of life must have begun at an early age. Liz does not wait to be told to do things and always goes above and beyond the call of duty, making the computer network at Ysgol Brynhyfryd as energy efficient and low carbon as possible. Liz led the way for overnight power down on all her school machines which inspired other schools to do the same.
“Liz has been anarchic in her green champion role, campaigning for green issues within her school and successfully rallying the support of pupils. Her most recent campaign was in the lead up to the summer holidays when she encouraged pupils and staff at Ysgol Brynhyfryd to consider low carbon travel plans.
“Her enthusiasm for this agenda is infectious, and this was a key factor in the success of the ‘Go Green’ notepads initiative at Ysgol Brynhyfryd. Pupils were tasked with making 100% recycled notepads using discarded cardboard, paper and treasury tags within the school. The demand for these books has been phenomenal and they are a familiar sight in the school. They even sold the notepads at this year’s school summer fair, creating the foundations for a potential pupil-run green enterprise”.
