By Susan Manning

Staff writer

Amelia Landau has hit the ground running in her new position as Sustainability Coordinator.

The Wellesley College graduate, said she developed a love for the profession while studying with Natick’s sustainability coordinator, Jillian Wilson Martin.

“I fell in love with the profession studying with Natick’s Sustainability Coordinator, Jillian Wilson Martin, who’s a total rockstar in the field,” she said.

Prior to this position, Landon worked as an assistant with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources’ Green Communities division and participated in the process for funding statewide decarbonization.

She also designed lesson plans and educational materials for the EPA’s Environmental Education program. 

So what brought her to Holliston?

“After working at all 3 levels of US government, I found I loved municipalities the most, as I felt I had the most opportunities to liaise directly with residents and make a tangible impact on my community,” said Landau.

And she already has ideas for how to make tangible impacts on the town.

“For years, residents have advocated for sustainability measures that I now have the privilege to implement. Some of these initiatives I’m excited to pursue are creating a Swap Shop where residents can give away and pick up secondhand household items for free, installing electric HVAC and solar panels at Placentino Elementary and Adams Middle School, and combatting pollution and invasive species in Lake Winthrop,” she said.

Part of her position, which is a shared one with the town of Sherborn, involves engaging residents. 

“Not only do I consider reaching out to residents one of the most valuable, important, and fulfilling parts of my role, but my job would not be effective without public interest and support.

“Residents can follow the sustainability best practices highlighted on the town webpage, take our survey to give their input on the development of the town’s new Climate Action Plan, and encourage their neighbors to participate in sustainable programs such as composting, recycling, Community Choice Power, and Mass Save home energy efficiency upgrades,” she said.

For those who want to volunteer, but feel like they’re not going to make a difference, she has a message for you.

“If you are worried about human impact on the environment, but don’t feel as though your actions can make a difference, I once felt the same. But through education and community, I’ve learned just how much we can do to protect the environment in our own backyard! Send me your questions, stay in the loop on what’s going on in town, and show up when you have the opportunity to make an impact yourself, and together we can create a more sustainable Holliston than we ever could alone,” said the coordinator.

Landau, who has been in the position since June, said she’s very happy she landed where she did.

“Doing this work full time has been a dream job, and Holliston is a great community for it,” said Landau.