Sustainable MetroWest Gathering 2013

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Jen Boudrie, 508-481-0569
DATE:  June 17, 2013

In the heart of the MetroWest where Sudbury, Maynard, Marlborough and Stow meet, stands the Assabet River Wildlife Refuge visitor center building, an appropriate site for a recent 2013 Sustainable MetroWest gathering.

The event was attended by 32 MetroWest environmental leaders and representatives to initiate, renew, and strengthen cross-community relations.  After an optional walk to Crystal Lake, presenters from 18 MetroWest communities delivered summaries of successful initiatives, best practices, lessons learned, future plans, and cross-community collaboration ideas.

Presenters represented a respectable cross section of MetroWest communities:  Acton, Ashland, Ayer, Bolton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Framingham, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Littleton, Marlborough, Maynard, Stow, Sudbury, Wayland, and Westford.

Lunch was followed by group discussions centering on:  energy including incentivized solar projects and other cost saving energy technologies, local land and aquifer protection, local food availability via farmer’s markets, community farming, youth programs, and future community events.

Jen Boudrie, the event organizer, noted that the work of each environmental organization contributes significantly to its community’s sustainability.  “This event is an opportunity learn from and inspire each other, and collaborate in the MetroWest region.”

Presentations

Acton
Ashland
Ayer
Bolton
Boxborough
Carlisle
Concord
Framingham
Groton
Harvard
Hudson
Littleton
Marlborough
Maynard
Stow
Sudbury
Wayland
Westford

Community Sustainability and Collaboration Ideas

ENERGY

• Street light conversions to LED
• Joint purchases to save money
• Work together to understand and complete required steps
• Joint multi-town application for Solarize Program
• Municipal Light Department Incentives – RGGI, Legislature
• Promote Local Renewables
• Town wide solar energy initiative
• Solarize Mass
• Expand energy awareness

FOOD

• Community Gardens
• Community Farms
• Farmers Markets

EVENTS

• Festivals
• Fairs
• Author/Speaker Series
• Sustainability Film Festival

WATER

• Water quality
• Storm water
• Water conservation
• Regional Water Awareness
• Regional Grant
• Watershed and aquifer protection

CLIMATE

• Advocacy, Resilience and Adaptation
• Citizens Emergency Response Team – CERT

COMMUTING

• Local Transportation Systems
• Safe bike initiatives

COMMUNING

• Monthly mutual support groups for town environmental group leaders
• Leverage our spheres of influence
• Pool information and promote ideas, events, support materials
• Working effectively with town government

COMMUNING RESOURCES

• Share PR and marketing resources, cross-promote and participate in events
• Promote and implement green initiatives at work, worship, and schools
• Inventory resources, assess needs, and connect them
• Resources:  What, Who, How
• Organizational management

EDUCATION

• Organizational: Leadership, Facilitation, Group Development, Website/Graphics, Grant/Fund Raising, Accounting, Legalities
• Community:  Website, TV, Events, Media

FINANCES

• Grant Collaborations
• Fundraising

YOUTH

• Youth Programs
• Annual Youth Event

Group Discussion Notes

• MetroWest Region: geography, watershed, foodshed 
• Training/Authors/Speakers/Films/Experts Series
• Partnerships that share responsibility
• Community farm organizational ideas
• Regional aquifer and land protection
• Municipal Light Department initiatives
• Youth & HS environmental programs
• Next MetroWest Gathering event
• Google docs, websites, expanding knowledge & communication
• Solar and energy efficiency – many more buildings to audit and improve
• Post presentations & press release