DISCOVER GREEN

Matthew Evans is a college freshman who has integrated his aptitude for science, engineering, mathematics and art into a growing non-profit that focuses on saving the environment through local action. Matthew’s family has a strong commitment to philanthropy and each child is encouraged to undertake outreach projects that can create awareness and change.

For Matthew that philanthropic work began in 2005 when he joined 4-H and started a Kids Kare Club. Matthew is a trained Urban Forester, Citizen Scientist tracking invasive species, presenter for the Climate Project and the Inconvenient Youth as well as an ambassador for Green My Parents. For Matthew, 4-H provided an opportunity to combine his interests and talents with his commitment to family and global issues.

In 2007, an Austin area builder asked Matthew to design and install a xerioscape backyard as part of a Five-Star Energy Efficiency rating project. Involving his 4-H Club, Matthew and his team were able to create a wildlife habitat with native plants that attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and easily flourishes on minimal water.

As a result of the project and his mother’s involvement in the Green Building Council, Matthew began to focus his attention on green building. He saw the minimal changes that were required to make significant changes in water use, conservation and expansion of native planting, reducing “secondary” pollution of streams and the watershed. He wanted to inspire other young people to not only make the changes in their own families, but become “ambassadors” for environmental awareness.

This promoted the founding of his non-profit “Discover Green”. The organization is committed to inspiring young people, particularly those in middle and high school, to take on a community based project that change the environmental footprint of their community. Using the concept of “feed them and they will come”, Matthew created a combo pizza and birthday party with his cousin, calling it “Teen Green Party with a Purpose”. The party, with a green message, was fun enough to attract friends, and get them involved in the first stages of a green community focused project. The party became the template for involving other teens and expanded to include local conservation and environmental projects, city collaborations and multiple “satellite” groups throughout Central Texas. By August of 2011, Discover Green with have worked with 1204 youths, planted 6701 trees, marked 2165 storm drains, collected 55 tons of trash and done educational presentations to over 7264 elementary school children.

For Matthew this is just the first step in his environmental career. With plans to combine his interests in energy conservation, art, and the environment into a career in sustainable architecture, Matthew is currently attending a state university in Texas to major in architecture with an emphasis integrating green living practices locally and globally.