Olive Students Visit Mayor at EPA Office

By Fran Rozoff

Six Olive School fifth-graders rencetly spent the day with Pat Eklund, Novato Mayor and senior policy manager for the Environmental Protection Agency office in San Francisco. It was a special treat because it was just a few days before Eklund retired after nearly 40 years with the EPA.

The students — Matthew Jones, Matthew Roos, Andrew Roos, Rebecca Fretz, Karolina Spinelli and Nikita Park — learned about the reason and purpose for the EPA.  Common pollutants, climate change, pesticides, asbestos and U.S. Superfund cleanup sites were among the topics discussed during the visit. 

These student leaders had planned for their trip to San Francisco by researching public bus routes.  Accompanied by their teacher and parent chaperones, Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Roos, the students caught the 56 bus at the Rowland Park-a-Ride and rode into San Francisco where they were met at 8th and Folsom streets by the mayor.

At the EPA, the Olive students had a brief intro by Eklund and also an opportunity to meet with wetlands office manager Jason Brush, librarian Deborra Cohen and waste reduction manager Timonie Hood.  

The day was highlighted by a trip to South Park, an urban oasis within walking distance from the EPA’s headquarters on Hawthorne Street. Eklund was instrumental in preserving these several square blocks as a park setting. South Park has areas designated for children to play, as well as a grassy area that provides businessmen and women an opportunity to sample various charming restaurants bordering the park and enjoy a restful lunch among the trees.

The Olive group  had a delicious lunch at ChaAm Thai restaurant, a favorite of EPA employees.

Calling themselves the Olive Waste-Free-Warriors, these students will take the information they learned and create a Waste-Free Lunch Program at Olive School. They have already introduced the project during Olive School’s Student Council’s bi-monthly live broadcast.  Additionally, these student leaders will spearhead a class project at the Hamilton Native Plant Nursery this spring, working with Christine McWhorter, Army Corps of Engineer project manager, to help propagate native seedlings to plant in the Hamilton wetlands. 

We wish to extend our thanks to the mayor for allowing these Olive students the opportunity to have such an enriching school experience. She dedicated her career to protecting our environment. Her concern for others and single-minded determination to make a change for the better is an example of how one person can make a difference.  Our trip to the EPA, has inspired these Olive students, the next generation of conservationists.