Calabasas honors Lupin Hill environmentalists




FORCE FOR CHANGE—Carolyn  Coradeschi,  left,  and  Robin Reilly  are  honored  for  the  environmental  programs  they  are implementing at Lupin Hill Elementary School in Agoura.

FORCE FOR CHANGE—Carolyn Coradeschi, left, and Robin Reilly are honored for the environmental programs they are implementing at Lupin Hill Elementary School in Agoura.


The Calabasas Environmental Commission recently gave recognition to a pair of women who led the Lupin Hill Elementary School conservation and recycling program for the past year.

Carolyn Coradeschi and Robin Reilly told commissioners how the school has focused on toner recycling and cutting back on paper usage. Instead of sending weekly fliers to parents, the school’s principal activated a phone calling service and one parent has put together a website.

And after noticing that there were many computers that needed to be recycled, the moms organized a computer and electronics recycling drive.

“We wanted to make it simple so the kids could be a part of it,” Coradeschi said. “They were there with us unloading and helping with drop offs. They can see that it’s something ongoing and that it’s a growing (event).”

During the past year the Lupin moms collected nearly 100 old monitors to recycle. Coradeschi said they’d like to continue doing the drives two to three times a year.

The first-graders at Lupin Hill also planted a petunia garden using mulch from the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District.

“The kids really have a sense of pride when they’re doing this stuff,” Reilly said. “Kids have an open mind, and they want to be a part of making (the world) better.”

In addition, there are yearly water conservation assemblies at Lupin and a recycling booth at the school’s annual health fair.

“It’s a slow process, but we’re making headway getting initiatives implemented into the school,” Coradeschi said. “It would be nice to see other schools in the area join forces so that we can grow green initiatives and recycling.

“It starts with parents getting their kids involved, but our principal is really backing us on these things.”

Ronit Levy, vice chair of the city’s environmental commission, encouraged the women to communicate with the Las Virgenes school district so their ideas could be shared with principals at all the local schools.

“We’re trying to pass the information down and get the moms below us to get passionate about this,” said Reilly, referring to the parents of younger kids. “We don’t want this stuff to go in the trash and the bottles to sit for 100 years in some dump.”

After hearing their presentation, Levy presented the two women with a certificate of appreciation for their commitment to protecting the environment.

“For the planet and for the longevity of the kids and us, this is a responsible way to be,” Reilly said. “It’s amazing what a slow process this is. . . . Somehow we have to make this simple for people, or they just won’t do it.”

Alex Farassati, Calabasas’ environmental services manager, has been supportive of the women’s efforts.

“It just takes a commitment— not much time,” Farassati said. “We are seeing it growing and the message getting to others.”

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