Town officials, environmental experts and community partners share recycling, composting and native gardening solutions with residents.

LINDENHURST, NY — The Town of Babylon recently hosted Green Horizons 2.0, its second annual Sustainability Fair, bringing together residents, environmental advocates, and community partners for an afternoon of education, engagement, and collaboration focused on sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Organized by Sustainability Director Jassi Anand, the event featured presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities centered on waste reduction, recycling, composting, and native gardening. Attendees learned practical strategies to reduce their environmental footprint at home while connecting with local and regional experts.

“Green Horizons 2.0 demonstrates our Town’s strong commitment to protecting the environment and empowering our residents with the knowledge and tools they need to live more sustainably,” said Councilman DuWayne Gregory. “By working together with our partners and sponsors, we are helping to build a healthier and more resilient future for Babylon.”

Also among the guest speakers was Suffolk County Legislature Minority Leader Jason Richberg, who joined Town officials and community partners in supporting the event’s mission.

Supervisor Rich Schaffer and members of the Town Board were recognized for their continued leadership in advancing environmentally responsible initiatives and policies throughout the Town.

Daniel Ricci of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation opened the event with an overview of Babylon’s waste stream, explaining what happens to trash after it is collected from the curb, along with impacts and action steps residents can take to dispose of waste more mindfully.

Marjorie Spitz, co-founder of the LI Organics Initiative, spoke about the role residents can play in reducing food waste and keeping organics out of the waste stream through prevention and supportive backyard composting programs.

The Green Homes backyard composting and rain barrel program was also showcased ahead of the Town’s annual Earth Day event on May 2 at Geiger Park in Deer Park.

“What if we didn’t throw our food away?” Spitz said. “Food scraps are a resource — and with tools like backyard composters and Compost Coaches, it’s easier than people think to take action at home by purchasing discounted equipment for only $65 and doing your part.”

“You can then take the compost you’ve created and feed it to your yards to grow vegetables and native plants,” Anand added. “This will further support local pollinators, conserve water and help restore Long Island’s endangered ecosystems.”

Attendees also took home free native plant seeds from ReWild to begin growing indoors and received custom landscape design recommendations for their yards.

“Winters Bros., A WM Company was proud to sponsor this year’s Green Horizons sustainability fair,” said Dan Schaefer, public affairs manager for Winters Bros. Waste Systems. “Each day, we are responsible for the collection and proper disposal of all commercial waste in the Town of Babylon in addition to offering recycling services. We thank Supervisor Rich Schaffer, the Town Board and their hardworking employees for their partnership in protecting our local environment.”

Sponsor Reworld highlighted the importance of community engagement.

“Events like Green Horizons 2.0 bring sustainability out of the abstract and into everyday life,” said Maureen Early, lead community relations specialist for Reworld. “We’re proud to partner with the Town of Babylon to help residents better understand how waste is responsibly managed at our local Reworld facility, while also empowering families with simple tools to reduce waste and support a cleaner Long Island.”

In addition to Winters Bros. and Reworld, the town thanked participating sponsors, presenters, and stakeholder partners for their ongoing support, including Green Homes, LI Clean Energy Hub, Island Harvest, LI Organics Council, CCE-Suffolk Horticulture, Earth Law Center, Drive Electric Long Island, Plant Up, and Creating Healthy Schools & Communities. Healthy food for the event was catered by The Green Fork in Babylon Village using organic and fresh ingredients.

Green Horizons 2.0 reflects the Town of Babylon’s continued commitment to environmental education, conservation, and community engagement. Through events like this, Town officials say they remain focused on promoting sustainable practices and protecting Long Island’s natural resources for future generations.

Scott Moar was recognized for leadership and creative use of technology to enhance student learning at Lindenhurst Middle School.

LINDENHURST, NY — A Lindenhurst Middle School mathematics teacher has been recognized for bringing innovation and leadership into the classroom through the meaningful use of technology.

Scott Moar recently received the ASSET Bright Light Award, an honor given to educators who demonstrate creativity, leadership, and a strong commitment to improving instruction through technology integration. The recognition highlights both his work with students and his support of fellow teachers throughout the school community.

Trecia Wong, the district’s coordinator of mathematics, nominated Moar for the award and praised his impact inside and outside the classroom. She described him as an educator who consistently brings value to students, colleagues, and the broader school environment. According to Wong, technology is seamlessly woven into Moar’s daily instruction, allowing students to extend their learning using modern digital tools.

In his classroom, students regularly work with Google Chromebooks, Google Classroom, Canva, and a variety of interactive digital learning platforms designed to deepen engagement and understanding. His approach focuses on making technology a natural extension of the lesson rather than an added feature.

Moar is also widely recognized among staff as a reliable resource for technical support and instructional ideas. Colleagues frequently turn to him for assistance with classroom technology challenges or demonstrations of new tools that can enhance lessons. Wong noted that his willingness to share knowledge with patience, clarity, and enthusiasm benefits the entire teaching staff.

He received the ASSET Bright Light Award during a luncheon ceremony held at the end of January.

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