Whether he is camping in the cold, educating his students about the environment, or helping make Wayland greener, Pat Conaway is the definition of a local hero. While many people see the outcome of Conaway’s dedication to education and the environment, this man behind thescenes does more than our community gives him credit for, and that’s the way he likes it.

Pat Conaway has always been passionate about nature, enjoying everything it has to offer, protecting it, and living his life by the “two S’s”: simplify and serve. As a former special education teacher at Wayland Middle School, Conaway, known as “Mr.Con” to most, worked with kids every day. He believes that, as developing adults, they will be the ones who decide the future decisions about the environment and our society will one day be in their hands.

“Things like trash are metaphors for the problems we are having in relationships to each other and the Earth,” said Conaway. “We need to repair these relationships using the way we live and treat others and our environment.”

Conaway wants to share his love for the environment with students, teach them about the importance of keeping it clean, and give them a broader education during the ups and downs of adolescence.

“Teenagers are under a lot of pressure and we, parents, teachers, and adults, try to understand, but we really can’t,” said Conaway. “People are inclined to misunderstand young adults because growing up is tremendously complicated. There are so many things coming at you in different directions.”

Conaway began to invite Wayland Middle School students and teachers on weekend outdoor adventure trips, eventually called “Con Trips.” This unique program grew as more community members got involved, sharing their positive experiences and learning about how to protect the environment.

From hiking 5,000 foot mountains on the Appalachian Trail, to camping in handmade igloos at Hale Reservation in January, to picking up trash along local woodland paths, “Con Trips” continue to bring something new and exciting for members of the Wayland community.

After 25 years, not even Conaway’s retirement has stopped him from organizing these outdoor programs. Kids of all ages and social groups have become regulars on these monthly trips, a safe haven away from the pressures and distractions of teenage life.

“I’m eager to continue to get young people involved,” said Conaway. “Teenagers are right on the doorstep of big parts of life like college, moving out, and getting a job. They are emerging adults in a trying time of life. I look upon them as hope for the future, and if they are mobilized in the right direction, then things will get better.”

Two years ago, Conaway started another project, “Buddy Bins.”

During his walks on local trails in the Natick area, Conaway became frustrated with the increasing amount of litter. In addition to picking up the trash that he found, Conaway decided to contribute a more permanent means of keeping the trails clean. He wanted to help change the way people acted towards their Earth.

“We can’t live like this, it’s just wrong,” said Conaway. “There had to be somewhere for people to put their trash, to give them the opportunity to do the right thing.”

Large plastic recycling bins cost hundreds of dollars, which is why many towns don’t have public recycling containers. This financial setback didn’t stop Conaway, who came up with his own, significantly less expensive way to recycle.

Instead of purchasing large plastic containers, Conaway bought some chicken wire and began to make his own bins for about $1.50 apiece. These recycling containers, handmade by Conaway, are his own way of giving back to the environment.

Con began placing these bins around “litter hot spots” and quickly saw positive results. The Buddy Bins were often full or overflowing, and what had originally started out as an idea became something of a full-time job for Conaway.

He decided to make the project bigger, expand it into neighboring towns, and get more people to help with the constant emptying of the bins. He talked to Wayland’s Department of Public Welfare (DPW) and got permission to start spreading them around the town of Wayland.

Attached to each bin is a sign saying, “We love our community. Let’s keep it clean.”

Conaway focuses on issues that are closer to home rather then worldwide. “You can fight for endangered species and raise money to save the rainforest, but my philosophy is that the best way to begin understanding our Earth is to do more for the community and lean local,” he said.

Recently, Conaway has been working to get MassCorr recycling bins for Wayland ball fields and playgrounds. These containers are stronger, larger, and more durable than the Buddy Bins and would be paid for and managed by the town of Wayland.

With much of the work and responsibility of recycling in Wayland off Conaway’s shoulders, he would be able to put more time into his other projects, such as improving signs and maps on local trails. Conaway also plans to work with Massachusetts state legislators to expand their bottle deposit law and to reduce the overgrown invasive plant species that are “literally tearing down the woods”, as he puts it, in local areas.

Conaway has set the standard for a greener Wayland community by investing countless hours doing all that he can to help preserve the Earth and encouraging others to do the same.

“We can’t teach young people that this is the right way to live,” he said. “We have to lead by example.”

Check out an audio slideshow of Mr. Con making salsa and sandwiches during Winter Week.