Laura and Paul Barrows
Rochester, NY
Laura and Paul Barrows of Rochester, NY are spreading the POP mission in western, NY through outreach, community clean sweeps, and setting up OFE’s. In their hometown and beyond, they look to work with local communities, schools, and businesses to raise awareness of plastics and trash found in the freshwater of Lake Ontario, tributary waterways, and the finger lakes regions. The oceans are not the only places where plastic is found. All freshwater flows, in some way, to the oceans. Laura has a B.S. degree in Marine Biology with concentrations in Computer Science, Horticulture, and Customer Service. She has worked on green initiative projects in several local businesses, is an advocate for color your community green, established an OFE at her current employer, has been part of eXXpedition seamester program, and sponsored a local senior internship for POP. Laura loves to ski, travel, garden, photography, and learn about birds, pollinators, and animals. Paul has an A.S. degree in Environmental Science/Photography and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. He has also worked on green initiatives, is involved in the Rochester youth climate coalition, and set up a program where bicycles were recycled-reused and sold to low-income families. Paul also likes to ski, travel, photography, and participate in triathlons.