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Often summer is a time to wind down and enjoy the warm weather and the bounties of nature. That is true this year as we enjoy the Farmers' Market and the LexFarm farmstand’s beautiful produce and local food offerings. This summer also needs to be a time of action as there are many environmental issues at stake. Check out the Lexington Climate Action Network and the LPS Green Teams for ideas on how you can make a difference.
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Also in this issue, check out the new newsletter being offered by Lexington’s Sustainability and Resilience Officer, Maggie Peard that begins this July! Sign up to have this town resource in your inbox every month.
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We are combining July and August for this issue. However, we will have an “update” in August as new events and ideas come our way. Stay cool and get out there to learn, explore and make a difference!
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In This Issue – July/August 2022:
- Help Urge Legislators to Act on Climate Legislation, 7/6
- Sign On to Support Town-wide Compost Pickup
- Summer Picnic (7/12) and Music (8/3, 8/31) at LexFarm
- Lots of Summer Happenings at Lex Farmers' Market
- Sign Up for Lexington's New Sustainability Newsletter
- Four Fun Biking Events from Lexington Transportation
- First Parish's "11th Hour Calling" Gatherings, 7/11, 8/11
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Invites You to LexCAN's Monthly Community Meeting: Taking Action for Pending & Future Massachusetts Climate Legislation
Wednesday, July 6, 2022, 7:00-8:45PM
Virtual Event: Zoom Link HERE
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Given the urgency of passing a state climate bill that will provide strong, effective and bold leadership on climate in Massachusetts, we will use an “Actionar” format at our meeting (the term Actionar is "borrowed" from Mothers Out Front). During this Actionar, there will be time to learn and take action to influence our legislators to create strong, effective, and bold leadership on climate.
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The Supreme Court's decision on Friday gutted the EPA's ability to regulate power plant emissions. It is now up to Massachusetts to show leadership!
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Fran Ludwig and Jeanne Krieger (co-chairs of LexCAN Advocacy Committee) will update us on the status of climate legislation on Beacon Hill and offer concrete suggestions for reaching the legislators on the conference committee that is debating the provisions of the bill.
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The state Climate Conference Committee is meeting now to shape the climate bill. At the end of Bill McKibben's Cary Library presentation on Tuesday, Senator Mike Barrett, chair of the conference committee, referred to the conference committee's work. He implied that some members did not feel the urgency of the climate crisis that we do. The conference committee must come out with a bill next week in order to have time to pass both the House and Senate and be signed by the Governor.
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This coming week is key in pushing for a significant bill. We have only days to let our legislators know that we expect a comprehensive climate bill before the session ends in a few weeks. Even if you have written before, another message will help.
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Please join our discussion this Wednesday (the 6th) and learn how you can advocate for a consequential climate action bill. This is extremely time-sensitive and must be done before the committee dissolves.
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Take Action! Sign On and Show Your Support for Town-Wide Curbside Compost Pickup
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The LPS Green Teams invites you to show your support for Lexington to move to town-wide curbside compost pick up services. To learn more, go to our website! And please share with your household and Lexington friends and neighbors!
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Here's the top reason to compost food waste:
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Food scraps make up 25-40% of household trash: Every year ~2,600 of Lexington's 8,500 tons of trash is food waste. Separating it out significantly reduces trash.
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To learn about the many other compelling reasons for, and benefits of, composting, check out the LPS Green Teams website.
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Lots of Fun Summer Events at LexFarm - Come Join Us!
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Summer is a wonderful time at Lexington Community Farm at 52 Lowell St. The fields are planted, and the harvest is filling CSA boxes and the shelves of the farm store.
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A typical day at the farm is filled with activity - farmers going about the business of running the farm, volunteers weeding the fields, young children attending educational classes at the
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Learning Garden, families visiting the animals at Silk farm, and walkers and birders enjoying the wildlife that calls LexFarm home.
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Upcoming Events
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Please plan to attend one or more free events happening on the farm this summer!
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Summer Picnic - Tuesday, July 12 at 6 pm!
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Bring a picnic dinner, pull up a chair at our communal table and meet new and old friends at LexFarm for an evening of food and fun.
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No registration necessary.
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Sunset concerts return to LexFarm in 2022! Free! Bring your chairs/blankets and picnics and celebrate music’s magic in our fields. No registration necessary.
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Wednesday, August 3, 6-7 pm
Evelyn Blush, vocalist and guitarist, folk music
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Wednesday, August 31, 6-7 pm
Epic Trio, trombone, violin, bass, funk, soul, afrobeat music
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Lots of News and Happenings in July/August at the Farmers' Market!
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Along with blueberries, summer squash and fresh greens, July and August will bring the full bounty of the summer. We'll also see some notable events and offerings you won't want to miss at the LFM:
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- Join us on July 19th to learn about food equity: the LFM will be hosting the Human Services Department of Lexington!
- You won’t want to miss the LFM’s National Farmers’ Market Week celebration on August 2nd. There will be activities for all members of the family in celebration of local food, farmers, and food producers.
- Our "Bike to Market" program is back with the opportunity to get a $2 gift certificate for biking to the market on July 12th and August 9th!
- The market is welcoming a new farm, Giant Gorilla Greens, an indoor vertical farm in Boston that will be bringing to the LFM Microgreens every other week.
- Knife sharpening will begin on July 19th - bring your knives to market to get them sharpened up to cut up your favorite ingredients from the LFM.
- The LFM is excited to introduce Mass Hole Donuts to the market in July, starting up as a guest vendor this month.
- Find our biweekly food truck - and vendors preparing other ready to eat food items - at the LFM providing the community with hummus-based healthy options, meal bowls, spreads, pastries, and refreshing drinks!
- And of course stop by and discover local artisans, community organizations and musicians every week!
Throughout the months of July and August the LFM will be bringing the community fresh fruits, veggies, meats, seafood, and a great selection of locally prepared food and drink options.
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Learn more about our farmers and vendors, activities, and sign up for the LFM's weekly newsletter at www.lexingtonfarmersmarket.org; you can also follow us on Facebook (The Lexington Farmers' Market) and Instagram for the most recent updates.
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It's going to be a great summer, so head on down to the Worthen Road Practice Field from 2-6:30 pm every Tuesday! See you at the market!
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Sign Up for Lexington's Sustainability Newsletter
The Town’s Sustainability & Resilience Officer, Maggie Peard, is starting a monthly Sustainability Newsletter that will launch in July. The newsletter will include updates on Town initiatives, information about community events, and resources to help make Lexington a more sustainable place to live, work, and play. Stay in the know by signing up for the newsletter today at https://www.lexingtonma.gov/SustainabilityNewsletter.
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The content of the newsletter will prioritize Town initiatives and programs, but as possible, Maggie will also use it to publicize community events and initiatives, so please reach out if you have something you would like to be considered for inclusion in the newsletter. Thank you for your help! And in the meantime, please sign up yourself and tell your friends, family, and neighbors.
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In July and August, the Town of Lexington Transportation Services department will host fun and educational events about biking.
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"11th Hour Calling" Bell Ringing and Talk
Monday, July 11, 2022, 11:00AM
Thursday, August 11, 2022, 11:00AM
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The Climate Action Team of First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Lexington is again answering the 11th Hour Calling, an interfaith movement calling for people of all faiths to call attention to the urgency of climate justice action.
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We invite you to join us on Monday July 11th with Jeanne Krieger at 11 am, and again on Thursday August 11th at 11:00am in front of First Parish Church on the Green in Lexington. After we ring out an 11th hour climate emergency warning we will feature music by First Parish singers, another inspiring poem, and brief comments.
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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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