We had the good fortune of connecting with Madhalasa Iyer and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Madhalasa, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I used to roll down the windows in my uncle’s old car and rest my chin gently on the edge. I watched in awe as lush green agricultural fields covered the sides of the road. I recall as my 5 year old hands toiled with my family to help construct our own greenhouse in our backyard. I also vividly remember digging through mud to plant trees, plucking carrots from the ground, and carefully moving through tangled vines on the sides of our own conservatory. As an individual who has always been near and around the environment, I feel attached to agriculture and sustainability. This passion led me to pursue numerous nature related projects and initiatives to help create and cultivate an environment that doesn’t need protecting.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m an extremely passionate environmentalist and I strongly believe in the use of sustainable resources and practices! I aim to preserve, protect and help cultivate a healthier environment for us & our future generations.
I’m grateful to have received an award (PEYA) from the EPA at the beginning of my freshman year of high school for my environmental work. I had the opportunity to present my research at the EPA building in Washington DC and meet luminaries in their field! This event inspired me to work harder and continue my passion for protecting the environment. Since then I’ve researched biodegradable pesticides and received recognition from the International Youth Eco Hero Award and the National John Muir Conservation Award.
Additionally, I’ve been an ambassador for the Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) organization where I’ve worked with my team to organize a youth summit. This year I partnered with the Plano City’s sustainable management program, KTB, Plano East NHS, Liberty HS Key Club and other PSHS organizations to host a cleanup with over 40 youth and adult volunteers who selflessly helped clean a creek and its surroundings in our city. These motivated, hard-working and dedicated volunteers helped collect more than 14 bags of litter within an hour of our work in the hot Texas summer for a cleaner community!
The most important lesson I learned is that although change starts with you, without the help of a dedicated team and teamwork, sustainable change is not possible. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the people who helped me one way or the other navigate through my journey. I wouldn’t have been where I am without the help and support of those volunteers, friends and family.
With their encouragement and help, I’m currently pursuing research about biofuels and sustainability. I truly hope that this research could work as a stepping stone to increase and provide environmental stabilization.
We hope to host many cleanups throughout the year with our team of passionate environmental changemakers. If your community or any area near you has a lot of litter, please fill out https://tinyurl.com/cleanReq and we will work to help clean the location!
We strongly believe that with teamwork and passion, we can all work towards a more sustainable city!
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First, I’d take them to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. My next stop would be White Rock Lake which is definitely one of the most beautiful places near Dallas. If the visit was during September or October, I’d take them to a Shakespeare in the Park performance (they’re running Hamlet this season). Otherwise, as an eternal science nerd, I’d take them to a new exhibit in the Perot Museum. If it was a hot summer day (like it usually is in Texas) I’d probably buy gelato from Bazaria Sweets and Cafe (Middle Eastern cafe with kunafa and other great items). If the sugar rush isn’t enough, I’d also take them to get an ice cream donut from Milky Treats Ice Cream! After grabbing food, I’d walk through the trails at Klyde Warren Park and then probably take them to TopGolf as well!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First I’d like to begin by thanking parents and my family for their unwavering encouragement and help. I’d also like to dedicate the shout out to PSHS Environmental club and Nina Cairo, Sara Hayes, Anjali Iyer, Matthew Moore and Valerie Duan for their full involvement and inspiring leadership!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/planoenvc/
Other: Cleanup Request Form: https://tinyurl.com/cleanReq
Image Credits
Plano Environmental Club