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February is coming in with a nor’easter, which is a great time to cozy up and learn about town-wide initiatives and events for this month and beyond. Read on for information on special events and new books and local food. Keep up with your community and take steps to green your home and habits. We are already looking forward to the annual “Sustainable Middlesex” presentation coming in March!
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In This Issue – February 2021:
- Lexington Sustainability Director: New "Green Business" Program
- Lexington Conservation Department: Welcomes a New Coordinator
- Clean Heat for Lexington: "Clean Heat" Event February 9th
- Lexington Field and Garden Club: "Watershed" Event February 10th
- Lex GWAC & Cary Library: Local Author Rae André March 2nd
- LPS Green Teams: Spotlight on Terracycle Programs
- Lexington Community Farm: LexFarm Is Hiring
- Lexington Farmers' Market: Directory for LFM Farmers and Vendors
- Sustainable Middlesex: "Carbon Countdown Summit" March 13th
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Coming: “Green Business Program” for Lexington
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Town of Lexington Sustainability Director and Economic Development staff are working on creating a Green Business Program for the Town’s business community. This program will be modeled after similar ones in cities and towns across the country.
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The goal of this program will be to invite the locally owned or operated commercial industries in town, both large and small, to take part in helping the Town achieve its sustainability goals. It will offer information and resources to understand where your business currently is, and where it could be - running in a greener, more sustainable way.
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Participating businesses would receive recognition, through earning different levels of achievement, and can use this as a way to model their values and help brand themselves in a green way. More details are in development. If you're interested in helping shape this program, town staff are looking for business owners to volunteer to be the pilot group, beginning with taking a survey to learn more.
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If you are interested or want to know more, please email, [email protected], with "Green Business" in the subject line.
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Amber is a trained ecologist specializing in land management for targeted wildlife species. She has over 12 years of experience working for federal, state, and non-profit agencies throughout New England. Her background in wildlife biology encompasses observation and management for a wide variety of coastal and inland species including birds, herps (reptiles and amphibians) and mammals. She also has a strong background in management of plant ecosystems with an emphasis on invasive species.
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What’s the Buzz? The People, Plant, Pollinator Connection with Dr. Robert J. Gegear.
Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 7:00PM
Link to join webinar
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This spring, Town Meeting will vote on the Home Rule for Clean Heat Article 29 that petitions the State to allow Lexington to regulate fossil fuel infrastructure in new construction and gut rehab renovations. This is an important step toward the Town’s goal of ending greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.
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Please join us on February 9 for a panel discussion with local experts in building, architectural engineering, and real estate to learn about Article 29 and the benefits of building electrification. An interactive Q&A will follow brief presentations. See below for additional details.
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Check out this month’s issue of Lexington’s Colonial Times Magazine page 38, for an informative article on Clean Heat for Lexington.
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Want to Know About Lexington's Watersheds and Storm Runoff?
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Michael Sprague and John Livsey, LDPW may look familiar as they are frequently found about town doing their work for the Lexington Engineering Department! At the Lexington Field & Garden Club’s February program on February 10, they will provide an overview of Lexington’s watersheds and the storm water collection system within the town.
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A deeper look into the ongoing work on the storm water system will follow. This will include information on day lighting, stream stabilization, asset management, flood mitigation, the MS4 program and the award-winning Stream Team.
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Due to Covid-19 Pandemic concerns, programs will be held on Zoom. The session will start at 1/2 hour before program to give time for everyone to connect. If you wish to join, please request the Zoom connection information via an email to [email protected]. There are multiple seats available.
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Local Author Rae André Speaks About Her New Book: Lead for the Planet
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Join us for an interactive session on creating global climate solutions.
Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 7:00-8:30PM
Zoom sign up here
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In her new book Lead for the Planet: Five Practices for Confronting Climate Change, organizational psychologist Rae André examines how Team Humanity can organize to save the planet. She argues that to move forward effectively, humanity must first look inward, and she shares what social science research tells us about who we really are as decision makers. Join the discussion about how this knowledge should shape climate change policy.
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Dr. André consults internationally on teaching climate leadership. She is Professor Emeritus of Leadership and Sustainability in the D'Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University.
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Please register to get the Zoom link and password, which will be sent to you via email immediately upon registering and again the day before the event. Both messages will come from [email protected]. Please check your Spam and Junk folders if you do not see the messages in your Inbox.
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Sponsored by the Cary Library Foundation and GWAC (Global Warming Action Committee).
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Spotlight on Terracycle Programs
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Many of you might be familiar with Terracycle, a company dedicated to "Eliminating the Idea of Waste". They collect typically non-recyclable items through national, first-of-their-kind recycling platforms.
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LPS Green Teams participates in two Terracycle programs to promote recycling material rather than burning it in the incinerator.
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If you have or intend to collect some of the materials listed, please email us at [email protected] and we will pick them up at your home and get them to Terracycle.
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- Plastic Storage containers: Any containers and YES, this includes the black take-out containers you get from local restaurants. These are NOT recycled via the blue curbside bin because recycling facilities sort plastics by bouncing a beam of light off them. Since black plastic absorbs light, it can't be sorted and goes straight through the system and off to landfill or incineration (You can put the clear lids in the blue bin, though). HOWEVER, if you give the black containers to us, we'll re-direct them to Terracycle and they will be recycled. To schedule a pick-up, please have 10 or more containers and make sure they are clean and dry.
- Writing instruments and packaging: All brands of empty writing instruments, glue sticks, watercolor dispensers, paint sets, and flexible packaging.
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LexFarm Is Hiring for the 2021 Growing Season
LexFarm is looking for an assistant grower for the 2021 growing season. View the job description on our website: https://lexfarm.org.
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LexFarm Thanks the Community Endowment of Lexington
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LexFarm is pleased to announce that it received a generous grant of $3600 from the Community Endowment of Lexington (CEL) from their Capacity Building Grant Program. The capacity grant will help strengthen the LexFarm organization, improve operational efficiency and expand farm programs. LexFarm is extremely grateful to the CEL organization and their donors.
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LexFarm is using the grant to send our farm managers back to school! Over the winter season, farm managers Allison Ostrowski and Emmy Smela will acquire critical skills in management, leadership and finance. We are thankful for CEL’s continued support of LexFarm and our mission.
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The Community Endowment of Lexington enhances the quality of life for Lexington citizens. CEL, an endowed fund of the Foundation for MetroWest, awards grants to nonprofits and town agencies working in the areas of health and human services, arts and culture, the environment, and community building.
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Shop Locally for Healthy Food...
... and support your favorite LFM farmers and vendors by visiting https://www.lexingtonfarmersmarket.org/find-local-food/. You'll find ways to stay connected with LFM farmers and vendors in the coming months, including direct links and information for home delivery, shipping, and alternate pickup locations. The LFM will be doing our best to update this online list of farmers and vendors as we are notified of changes.
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The Lexington Farmers' Market Is Hiring!
We are looking for a dedicated individual to serve as the Market Manager for the LFM's seasonal markets held throughout the year.
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A valued community institution entering its 17th year, the LFM is seeking an energetic, welcoming and professional individual who can work both independently and as part of a team committed to providing access to local, healthy food. This is a year round, paid part-time position; see job description for more details.
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Please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]; we look forward to hearing from you!
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Sustainable Middlesex: Save the Date!
Middlesex County-wide Carbon Countdown Summit
Featuring State Senator Mike Barrett and State Rep. Tami Gouvela
Saturday, March 13, 2021, 9:30-11:30AM
Sign up on Eventbrite
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Massachusetts climate groups and key legislators will share successful climate actions and discuss how to advance critical climate legislation.
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Hear from Massachusetts leaders, Senator Mike Barrett and Rep. Tami Gouveia, about the status and future of climate legislation.
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Learn about local initiatives to combat climate change as revealed by the 2021 community climate action survey.
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Share in discussions about powerful local solutions and successes.
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Breakout sessions on Tools for Tackling Climate Change:
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- Electrify Everything
- Geothermal Micro-grids
- Net Zero Local Plan
- Soil, climate, biodiversity and human health
- The Gas Story: health aspects of cooking with gas
- The Future of Mass Save
- Environmental/Energy Justice
- Heat Smart Alliance
- Tools for Community Organizers
- High School Environmental Groups
- Introduction to the Drawdown Project
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Would you like to submit an environmental event or activity?
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Please forward to your network!
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