North Carolina Department of the State Treasurer Collaborates for Agency Health and Environment Efforts

RALEIGH – Brown bag lunches and pesticides aren’t a usual pairing. But it was just one of many activities Department of State Treasurer (DST) employees engaged in last year to learn more about the confluence of health and the environment.

Representatives from Toxic Free North Carolina traveled to DST’s three office sites to discuss the impact of pesticides on the environment and public health.

The event was part of Earth Share of North Carolina’s Brown Bag Lunch program, where companies host presentations on environmental issues during the lunch hour.

Classroom learning became an outdoor adventure in October when DST employees participated in North Carolina Big Sweep, an annual statewide watershed cleanup. Several DST employees partnered with volunteers from Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space and other citizens to clean up the wetlands around Walnut Creek.

These efforts are part of the state’s Worksite Health and Wellness Initiative begun last year. It encourages state employees to volunteer by giving them 24 hours to use as community service in lieu of regular working hours.

“Our goal is provide worksite benefits to state agencies while bringing everyone together,” said Sandra Johnson, DST Administrative Deputy and the department’s liaison to the Wellness Initiative. "We can all help one another by using our specialties to achieve health and help the environment."

The Committee’s Be Active North Carolina campaign, which encouraged employees to walk more frequently, and Habitat for Humanity events were other activities that promoted physical and environmental health.

“We’re hoping to plan and organize one to two annual events employees can look forward to and be excited about, along with other various appreciation efforts we have in the agency," Johnson said. "We’re really hoping to collaborate with other state departments and work alongside each other."