My first environmental endeavor was in the fifth grade. I created a club called People Stopping Pollution and engaged the school librarian as a mentor. Our first event was cleaning up a local park complete with volunteers and media coverage. Looking back I realize that I am a hands on person. Meetings don't excite me unless it's with people who are getting organized to do a specific project or event. The programs I am involved with or have created suit all types of people. From an environmental standpoint, waste reduction and reuse are basic. Use less and become less of a burden on our world. But the economics of it appeals to a much broader base. This "green thing", as it was referred to by a regional snack food distributor, really increases the bottom line financially. Less waste, less cost, more positive community impacts. The hurdle is to appeal to the other two-thirds of the community on what a great home grown, get-to-know-your-neighbor, cool homemade, cost saving way of living this "green thing" is.