Wakefield Climate Action Project

Watch this short story-- The Story of Broke

2011-12-02T22:43:00.004-05:00

The (short) Story of Broke, by Annie Leonard from The Story of Stuff is a must see and is perfect timing for the Occupy Movement: http://www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-broke/

International Walk to School Day a Success!

2011-10-07T18:38:00.003-04:00

The Dolbeare Elementary School had a phenomenal turnout to celebrate International Walk to School Day on October 5. Approximately 293 students—77% of eligible walkers—joined the fun, along with special guest walkers Superintendent Joan Landers and School Committee Member Anne Danehy, MassRIDES representative Samantha Fonseca-Moreira, parents, babies, pet dogs and top supporter Nibbles the Guinea Pig.

Walkers held up colorfully decorated “Happy International Walk to School Day!” and “It’s Cool to Walk to School!” signs. Once at the school, students were given a big cheer and a wave of pom-poms by Principal Beth Yando and teachers Anne Corbett, Alyce Jordan, Kristin Collins and Paula Curley. Next, participants signed a poster with the help of teachers Andrea Cosentino, Suzie Harte and Leslie Roberto, and teacher Jennifer Gallant handed out blue “Safe Routes to School” shoe lace tags as a prize. The Golden Sneaker Award goes to Mrs. Livesey’s first grade class for having the most walkers, 22 total. Coming in second was Mrs. Cosentino’s third grade class with 20 walkers, and Mrs. Uva’s third grade class took third place with 19 total walkers.

Ahead of the event, PE teacher Maria Caruso encouraged students to participate and gave out “Stop. Look. Listen” bookmarks with safe walking tips. Art teacher Frank Marino assisted with promotion by giving the students pictures of sneakers to colorfully decorate and hang in the school entrance.

This event helped families experience the many benefits of walking to school, including the simple joy of walking, energizing the day, focusing better in school, socializing with friends and neighbors, saving money on gas, avoiding traffic jams and helping the environment. Visit www.iwalktoschool.org, www.walktoschool.org, www.saferoutesinfo.org, www.commute.com/schools and www.wakefieldcap.org for more information.

International Walk to School Day 2011

2011-09-28T16:52:00.003-04:00

Celebrate International Walk to School Day Oct. 5

Wakefield elementary schools will be joining schools around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 5. The Dolbeare, Greenwood, Walton and Woodville elementary schools—all partners with MassRIDES—will put their individual touches on the event, plus give out prizes to participating students.

International Walk to School Day is based on a simple idea—children and parents, school and local officials walking to school together on a designated day. It is an energizing event, reminding everyone of the simple joy of walking to school, the health benefits of regular daily activity, and the need for safe places to walk and bike. Schools focus on health, safety, physical activity and concern for the environment.

MassRIDES states in their website (www.commute.com/schools): “In 1969, roughly 48% of students bicycled or walked to school. Today only 13% of children do so. And, travel to school can account for up to 25% of all morning traffic. That's why we work with schools like yours, to teach and inspire children to start walking and bicycling more often—to and from school, improving their physical health, safety, and community.

“The Massachusetts Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program promotes healthy alternatives for children and parents in their travel to and from school. It educates students, parents and community members on the value of walking and bicycling for travel to and from school.”

The opportunity to receive free incentive prizes, guidance and numerous resources was made possible by partnering with MassRIDES to run a Safe Routes to School Program. The Dolbeare Elementary School partnered with MassRIDES, along with Wakefield Climate Action Project and Wakefield’s School Health Leadership Team to pilot a Safe Routes to School Walking School Bus program in fall 2008. The program proved quite successful—in 2009 it garnered media attention at the local and national levels, including the Boston Globe, Fox 25 News, and Good Morning America. In 2009 and 2010 the Greenwood, Woodville and Walton elementary schools joined the effort and partnered with MassRIDES to roll out programs at their schools.

Please join the International Walk to School Day celebration on October 5 by safely walking or biking to school that day. You may find you enjoy it so much you will want to walk and bike all year long.

For additional information, visit www.walktoschool.org; www.iwalktoschool.org; www.saferoutesinfo.org; and www.wakefieldcap.org .

2011/2012 Dolbeare Walking School Bus Flyer

2011-09-28T15:38:00.007-04:00

WHAT IS A “WALKING” SCHOOL BUS?

A walking school bus is a group of children walking to school with one or more adults, following a fixed route and stopping to pick up students at set times along the way. It is like a carpool—without the car.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A WALKING SCHOOL BUS?

Avoid traffic jams, save gas and help the environment

Increase safety at the school (less cars)

Safe and fun way to get exercise

Help kids focus better in school

Talk and connect with your child(ren) and neighbors

Great way to get you going in the morning!

DOES DOLBEARE CURRENTLY HAVE A WALKING SCHOOL BUS?

Yes, we do! The Wakefield Climate Action Project and School Health Leadership Team have partnered with MassRIDES for this effort. Ideally three parents lead the group, with one being an alternate in case one of the lead parents cannot make it. Currently there is one bus called the “Lowell St. Bus.”

Lowell Street Bus:

Streets currently included are Wharton Park, Thorndike Street, Heritage Lane and Lowell St. Contact Sherri Carlson, 781-246-2106; sjcarlson21@verizon.net or Linda Powers, 781-224-0403 if you would like to join the bus. Following are the Lowell Street bus stops and route:

8:12 a.m. – Start at 21 Wharton Park

8:20 a.m. – Thorndike and Lowell Street

8:25 a.m. – 2 Heritage Lane and Lowell Street

8:30 a.m. - End at Dolbeare School

Parents can walk or drive their children to one of the stops along the way and join the walk or hand off their child(ren) to the leaders. Leaders are CORI checked and parents must agree to Ground Rules and fill out permission slips (visit www.wakefield.k12.ma.us and click on Dolbeare’s “Walking School Bus” link). More stops can be added as people join.

MORE LEADERS NEEDED!

If you enjoy morning walks, good company and avoiding traffic jams, and are willing to lead a bus in your neighborhood, please contact Sherri Carlson at sjcarlson21@verizon.net or (781) 246-2106.

LINKS: www.walkingschoolbus.org; www.iwalktoschool.org; www.walktoschool.org; www.saferoutesinfo.org; www.commute.com/schools; www.wakefieldcap.org

Successful Mass. Walk & Bike to School Day Celebration at Dolbeare

2011-05-10T16:55:00.002-04:00

Successful Walk & Bike to School Day Celebration at Dolbeare

There was a wonderful turnout at the Dolbeare Elementary School for their Massachusetts Walk and Bicycle to School Day celebration on May 9, 2011. The weather was perfect after a postponement due to predicted rain (which never materialized), and hundreds of children, parents, dogs and even a hamster joined the celebration. Approximately 265 students turned out for the event.

Participating students were greeted at the Dolbeare by pom-pom waving teachers/cheerleaders and were handed Safe Routes to School stickers and bracelets. The students then signed a poster under their teacher’s name to win an award. The Golden Sneaker Award for most participants goes to Kathy Uva’s third grade class.

A large amount of teachers and staff pitched in to help, including teachers Jennifer Gallant, Erica (Nigro) Bibo, JoAnne Kenny, Ann Corbett, Paula Curley, Suzie Harte, Andrea Cosentino, Deb Lacey, Perry Pappas, Denise Yasi and Carol Willet, nurse Susan Siebeking and custodian Ken Malonson. Art teacher Frank Marino helped make the poster, and PE teacher/facilitator Maria Caruso, parent/Walking School Bus Coordinator Sherri Carlson, Principal Beth Yando and MassRIDES School Outreach Coordinator Anna Isaacson helped plan and execute the event. The event potentially inspired people to walk or bike to school daily instead of driving.

Mass. Walk & Bike to School Day 2011

2011-04-26T14:03:00.005-04:00

Celebrate Massachusetts Walk & Bike to School Day

The Dolbeare and Walton Elementary Schools will be celebrating Massachusetts Walk and Bike to School Day on Tuesday, May 3 (Walton’s rain date is May 4; Dolbeare’s is May 9). The Woodville Elementary School put a unique twist on the event and will hold a series of “Woodville Walk to School Days” on April 29, May 20 and June 17. The events are in conjunction with the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School program.

Safe Routes to School is designed to address pressing transportation and public health issues. Many adults over the age of 30 remember enjoying walking and bicycling home from school: chatting with friends; taking a shortcut across a field; stopping at a friend’s house or the library; inspecting bugs; sloshing through puddles. But today it’s different.

In 1969, roughly 48% of students bicycled or walked to school. Today less than 15% of children walk or bicycle to classes. Nationally, 19% of children age 6-11 years are overweight, more than triple the percentages from 1969. In Massachusetts, almost one-third of high school and middle school students are overweight or obese. And in some communities, school-related traffic can contribute up to 25 percent of morning rush hour traffic volumes, as well as significant air pollution.

The Massachusetts Safe Routes to Schools program can help change this. It promotes walking and bicycling to school, which helps reduce air pollution, fuel consumption and traffic congestion, while increasing the health, safety, and physical activity of elementary and middle school students. It also helps build connections between families, schools and the broader community.

Massachusetts established the Commonwealth’s Walk and Bike to School Day in 2007. Since then, partner schools have conducted over 600 walking and bicycling events to celebrate Walk and Bike to School Day. Over 380 elementary and middle schools across the state collaborate with MassRIDES, the state’s travel options service under the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, on the Safe Routes to School program to organize activities and events which encourage students to walk and bicycle to school.

The Dolbeare Elementary School partnered with MassRIDES, along with Wakefield Climate Action Project and Wakefield’s School Health Leadership Team to pilot a Safe Routes to School Walking School Bus program in fall 2008. The program proved quite successful—in 2009 it garnered media attention at the local and national levels, including the Boston Globe, Fox 25 News, and Good Morning America. Last year the Greenwood, Woodville and Walton Elementary Schools joined the effort and have partnered with MassRIDES to roll out walking programs at their schools. (The Greenwood celebrates International Walk to School Day in the fall.)

Please join the Massachusetts Walk and Bike to School Day celebration by safely walking or biking to school. You may find you enjoy it so much you will want to walk and bike all year long.

For additional information, visit www.commute.com/saferoutes (view the Fox 25 News story at this site) and www.saferoutesinfo.org

Dolbeare Walking School Bus returns for Spring

2011-04-26T13:51:00.001-04:00

WALKING SCHOOL BUS BACK IN ACTION!

Finally, FINALLY winter is over, the weather is better and the Dolbeare Walking School Bus program is up and running again. We will walk rain or shine, unless the temperature is below 32F or the weather is severe.

Currently we have one formal bus, the “Lowell Street” bus. Come join us and enjoy the nice weather, chat with friends, get energized, save gas and help the environment—simply by walking to school! If you are interested in joining this bus or starting one in your neighborhood, please contact Sherri Carlson at sjcarlson21@verizon.net or 781-246-2106. For further information visit www.wakefield.k12.ma.us and click on the Dolbeare’s “Walking School Bus” link.

Reusable Produce Bags

2010-12-07T22:21:00.000-05:00

Here is a free pdf pattern to make fabric produce bags. The closure mechanism is pure genius and double as a storage method. One of the most abundant pieces of waste in our oceans besides plastic water bottles are plastic shopping bags. Give the gift of green: use some old clothing and make some produce bags for your friends.

http://daisyjanie.typepad.com/daisyjanie/2010/12/how-to-fabric-produce-bag-free-pdf-pattern.html

NASA Video: The Carbon Cycle

2010-10-12T15:31:00.004-04:00

An excellent explanation of the carbon cycle and how it affects climate change:

NASA Video: Climate Change and the Oceans

2010-10-12T15:13:00.005-04:00

While this video is a little simplistic, I'm a sucker for satellite images. It also contains some good information.

Reuseit.com

2010-09-01T13:57:00.002-04:00

Just found this very cool website to purchase items to replace plastic baggies, disposable cups, forks, spoons, etc. This week they are offering a 10% off coupon on all purchases. Stock up for school or work.

Earth-Friendly School Supplies

2010-09-01T13:45:00.000-04:00

Green America: Look for Earth-Friendly School Supplies

Give Away Month

2010-09-01T12:36:00.002-04:00

If you join Green America Today during September they are giving away all sorts of cool stuff.

Dirty Dozen Seafood of 2010

2010-08-31T19:30:00.003-04:00

Here is the 2010 dirty dozen seafoods. It is a list by Food and Water Watch, whose mission statement is as follows:
"Food & Water Watch works to ensure the food, water and fish we consume is safe, accessible and sustainable. So we can all enjoy and trust in what we eat and drink, we help people take charge of where their food comes from, keep clean, affordable, public tap water flowing freely to our homes, protect the environmental quality of oceans, force government to do its job protecting citizens, and educate about the importance of keeping shared resources under public control."

There web site contains all sorts of useful information regarding our seafood supply.

Changes to Come to UN Climate Change Panel?

2010-08-30T11:33:00.002-04:00

A study recomend changes at the UN Climate Change Panel. Read the BBC article

For fun

2010-08-29T16:59:00.000-04:00

Obesity and climate change: click here

Sustainable Food and Climate Change

2010-08-21T18:51:00.002-04:00

Read this interesting article by Anna Lappe (daughter of Diet for a Small Planet author) linking climate change to agribusiness.

Three Pillars of a Food Revolution

Mockumentary on the Life of Plastic Shopping Bags

2010-08-17T17:38:00.003-04:00

The Climate-Friendly Gardener

2010-04-28T17:56:00.000-04:00

The Climate-Friendly Gardener

A Guide to Combating Global Warming from the Ground Up

Download: The Climate-Friendly Gardener

The millions of Americans with a lawn or garden know that even small shifts in weather can affect their outdoor plans. Unchecked global warming, however, could force gardeners to deal with more droughts and floods, and a profusion of pests and weeds. The Climate-Friendly Gardener: A Guide to Combating Global Warming from the Ground Up, shows you how to reduce the impact of climate change in your own backyard.

Gardening practices alone won’t solve global warming, but gardeners can point the way to climate-friendly farm policies that will have a bigger impact. Sign our climate-friendly garden pledge today!

The Climate-Friendly Gardener includes these tips:

Tip #1: Choose low-emission garden products and practices
Gasoline-powered garden tools are major emitters of carbon dioxide (CO₂), the primary global warming gas. But emissions can also come from unexpected sources such as fossil fuel-based fertilizers and pesticides and peat-based potting mixes. Use electric or push mowers, rakes, and other low- or no-emission tools, compost, and natural pest-control methods.

Tip #2: Don’t leave garden soil naked
Stabilize, build, and add nutrients to garden soil that would otherwise remain bare by planting winter cover crops such as grasses, cereal grains, or legumes. In addition to preventing erosion and keeping weeds down, they add carbon to the soil when they are turned under in the spring. Peas, beans, clovers, and other legumes convert nitrogen from the atmosphere into natural fertilizer.

Tip #3: Plant trees and shrubsBecause of their size and long life span, trees and large shrubs remove more heat-trapping CO₂ from the atmosphere than other plants. As an added bonus, well-placed trees offer summer shade and protection from winter winds, reducing emissions associated with home heating and air conditioning.

Tip #4: Recycle yard and food waste
Organic waste decomposing in oxygen-poor landfills generates methane, a heat-trapping gas 23 times more potent than CO₂. By contrast, composting this waste in the presence of oxygen minimizes methane production. Composting also produces a nutrient-rich soil amendment that reduces the need for synthetic fertilizer while helping soil store more carbon.

Tip #5: Make your grass “greener”Lawns absorb carbon from the atmosphere, but some studies suggest that this climate benefit may be undercut by heat-trapping nitrous oxide emissions related to fertilizer use and generous watering. While there is no scientific consensus yet on the climate impact of lawns, you can make yours as climate-friendly as possible by choosing drought-tolerant species, mowing high, watering during the coolest part of the day, and leaving grass clippings to fertilize the soil (and add extra carbon) naturally.

(click to enlarge)

Carbon is constantly cycling from the air into plants and soil, and back into the air. Global warming is largely a result of an imbalance in this carbon cycle, due to the release of vast quantities of ancient carbon that have been burned as fossil fuel.

(adapted from www.farmingfutures.org.uk/)

Last Revised:

Food & Agriculture

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Electronics Recycling | Waste & Recycling | MassDEP

2010-04-27T09:11:00.002-04:00

Electronics Recycling

About Electronics Recycling

Donation & Reuse Options

Drop-Off & Mail-In Programs

Other Programs & Resources

Massachusetts Ban on Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Disposal

other great link
http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/index.htm
http://www.freecycle.org/

The Story of Bottled Water (2010)

2010-04-15T07:30:00.000-04:00

Sign the petition | Jamie's Food Revolution USA | Jamie Oliver

2010-04-04T07:53:00.000-04:00

Sign the petition | Jamie's Food Revolution USA | Jamie Oliver: "Sign Jamie's petition to save cooking skills and improve school food.
I support Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. America's kids need better food at school and better health prospects. We need to keep cooking skills alive.

Jamie would like to take his petition to the White House after the TV series airs, to show The President and First Lady how many people across the country really care about this and ask for their support."

Raised Bed Gardens

2010-03-22T20:45:00.003-04:00

A raised garden bed as big as 12 x 6

Fill it with locally produced compost

Some planting options that can be grown successfully in this area are:

1.Herb Garden: Cilantro, Basil, Chives, Thyme, Sage, Mint

2.Vegetable Garden: Tomatoes, Bell Peppers, Chili Peppers, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Lettuce, Radish

3.Pizza Garden: tomatoes, basil, oregano

4.A combination of all three

Kick the Disposable Battery Habit

2009-10-07T16:16:00.005-04:00

Here is a great article from the Union of Concerned Scientists on using rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones which typically end up in landfills. I find it is no problem to buy a spare rechargeable set and keep rotating the batteries.

~Sherri Carlson

Link:
http://www.ucsusa.org/publications/greentips/2009/greentips-kick-the.html

Kick the Disposable Battery Habit
Greentips: August 2009

Americans buy about three billion household batteries (about 10 per person) annually, according to the Environmental Protection Agency—and nearly all of them end up in landfills. The next time you need to power up your gadgets, choose rechargeable batteries instead. Unlike disposable alkaline batteries, rechargeable batteries can be reused hundreds of times, which not only saves money and resources, but also reduces global warming pollution associated with battery manufacturing and transport. An independent study conducted for battery manufacturer UNIROSS estimates that using a disposable battery to create 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity has a global warming impact equivalent to driving a car 283 miles; using a rechargeable battery is equivalent to driving 10 miles.

Rechargeable battery technology continues to evolve, but there are only a few types widely available today:

Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) is the most common rechargeable battery type. Like their nickel-cadmium predecessors (see below), NiMH batteries come in standard sizes (AAA, A, C, D, and 9V) but are considered less toxic and offer superior performance. New “low-self-drain” (or “hybrid”) NiMH batteries come fully charged, like alkaline batteries, and stay charged longer, making them good for slow-drain gadgets like remote controls.

Nickel-cadmium (NiCad or NiCd) batteries have fallen from favor in recent years because they contain cadmium, a carcinogen. However, older handheld tools may still run on NiCads, and they are still sold in stores.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are mostly used in high-end electronics like laptops and cell phones, as the battery’s light weight and high storage capacity help improve gadgets’ portability. They are more expensive than other rechargeable batteries, however, due to their advanced circuitry, and are currently unavailable in standard sizes.

No matter which type of rechargeable batteries you use, you can make them even greener using these strategies:

Choose an energy-efficient charger. Energy Star-rated models use 35 percent less energy than standard chargers, while solar-powered battery chargers use no electricity at all. For further energy savings, look for a “smart” charger that shuts off when the batteries are fully charged (overcharging shortens battery life). Regardless of charger type, unplug it when it is not being used as it will continue to draw electricity even when not charging.

Care for idle batteries. Do not leave batteries uncharged or unused for long periods, which can shorten their life. Remove batteries from infrequently used devices and store away from heat and moisture.

Dispose of batteries properly. Rechargeable batteries contain toxic materials and should not be thrown out with regular trash. When purchasing batteries, ask the retailer whether it takes them back for recycling; if it does not, you may be able to bring them to your municipal hazardous waste facility or a local recycling center (see the Related Resources).

Related Resources (Note: go to original link listed above to access the below resources)

Bio Intelligence Service—Ditch the Disposable Lifestyle (pdf)

California Integrated Waste Management Board—Rechargeable Batteries and Chargers

Energy Star—Battery charging systems

Earth 911—Battery Recycling Locations

International Walk to School Day 2009

2009-10-07T14:51:00.002-04:00

Celebration of Walking

The Dolbeare Elementary School’s celebration of International Walk to School day on Wednesday, October 7 was a resounding success! About a hundred children and their parents took to the rainy streets to celebrate the day. Walkers joined the Dolbeare Walking School Bus and made their way to school where they were cheered on by pom pom waving teachers Anne Corbett, Jen Gallant, Suzie Harte and Andrea Cosentino and rewarded with Safe Routes to School pencils, ‘Livestrong’ bracelets and sneaker shapes to hang on the ‘Walking Wall’ in the gym.

Superintendent Joan Landers stopped by to express her support. Principal Phyllis Dubina, PE teacher/ facilitator Maria Caruso, Art teacher Meg Klee, custodian Ken Malonson and Walking Bus leaders Linda Powers and Sherri Carlson are among the many staff, parents and community members who collaborated to help improve student health and the environment.

The Dolbeare Walking School Bus successfully piloted in fall 2008 and during spring 2009 received a great deal of publicity from the Boston Globe, Fox 25 News and Good Morning America. This year the program has thus far expanded to the Woodville and Greenwood elementary schools who have formally partnered with MassRIDES to roll out walking programs. Next potential partners are the Walton Elementary School and Galvin Middle School. See past WCAP Walking School Bus blog posts for further information and news links.

Walking Bus News Links 2009

2009-10-07T12:18:00.005-04:00

The Dolbeare Walking School Bus successfully piloted in fall 2008 and during spring 2009 received a great deal of publicity from the Boston Globe, Fox 25 News and Good Morning America.

Here are the links:

Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/yourtown/medford/articles/2009/05/28/wakefield_elementary_students_take_the_walking_bus_to_get_to_school_lose_weight/?page=1

Fox 25 news:
http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/special_reports/Walking_School_Bus_061709

Good Morning America:
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7985207

Stewart Brand's ideas on climate change

2009-07-21T11:09:00.003-04:00

This is a TED talk on the environment by a famous environmentalist. He discusses climate change effects on the larger world population rather than the local developed countries and what solutions make the most sense for the population as a whole rather than just the developed nations.

click on this blog entry title to go to the talk: best viewed on a PC

Festival by the Lake 2009

2009-06-12T14:25:00.008-04:00

For the 3rd year in a row, Wakefield Climate Action Project had a display at the Festival by the Lake on the Lower Common in Wakefield MA, this year on June 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Along with our trademark WCAP Poster, we had a display showing what can and cannot be recycled via our town's recycling program, with actual sample items. In addition, there was information about our Library Lecture Series, the Walking Bus program, and actions/petitions you can sign to help combat climate change. Our sister project, the new Wakefield Famer's Market, was also featured at the Festival. They ran out of the 400 fliers they had printed up!

Many folks interested in signing up for the DPW rain barrel lottery approached the WCAP display seeking information. Along with directing them to the DPW display, we let folks know that our website will soon have contact info to purchase similarly priced rain barrels for those who didn’t get one of the 24 that our town has available for sale. (Rain Barrel Info Coming Soon - after July 4th weekend!)

The following organizations were publicized at our display and links to all are listed on our website: 350.org, Strengtheniup.org, 1Sky, Food and Water Watch, MassRecycle, MassRides, Walking School Bus, Mass Anti-Idling, and Mass Climate Action Project.

Eat Local / CSA Meats & Poultry

2009-05-17T10:31:00.008-04:00

Conscientiously Raised, Grass Fed & Pastured Meat & Poultry

CSA Meats & Poultry

http://stillmansfarm.com/meatcsa.html

Rainwater Barrel

2009-04-10T09:48:00.001-04:00

* Classic Rainwater Barrel - $50/each
58 gallon sealed-top barrel with brass valve, leaf guard and screen.

* Classic Rainwater Barrel with overflow - $60/each
58 gallon sealed barrel with brass valve, overflow port, leaf guard and screen.

* Expandable Rainwater Barrel - $75/each

58 gallon barrel removable-top barrel with brass valve, dual overflow ports, leaf guard and screen.

Classic barrels are a sealed-top blue barrel with features comparable to other, more expensive barrels sold online or through programs in different cities and towns.

Expandable barrels have ports on the sides that allow them to be connected to an overflow pipe or interconnected with other Expandable barrels for greater storage. Expandable barrels can be made in blue or black. They have a top that can be removed which helps if storing the barrel inside for the winter. If you know from the start that you want to interconnect several barrels at one location, you can order an Expanded Set for $125 (set of two) and if you want a third (three barrels interconnected) we can add it for an additional $50.

275-gallon containers are also available. At $125 these can be a cost-effective option for do-it-yourselfers with the space for a larger system. These containers feature a translucent polyethylene tank inside a metal frame that measures 47" wide by 40" deep by 46" tall.

feel free to mail me if you have other questions

westfordwaterworks@yahoo.com

978-239-2407

Join Earth Hour 2009

2009-03-18T17:50:00.009-04:00

Join Earth Hour 2009 for Largest Climate Event in History
Sat. March 28 at 8:30 p.m.

The Wakefield Climate Action Project (WCAP) invites all individuals, schools, businesses and organizations in Wakefield to join millions of people around the world to switch off lights for one hour—Earth Hour—at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 and send a powerful global message that we care enough about climate change to take action. The Earth Hour event is hosted by World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

From Amman to Warsaw, city skylines will go dark for one hour as individuals, businesses, government buildings, schools and major landmarks turn off non-essential lighting in what will be the largest climate event in history. The list of participating cities in the US includes Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami and Nashville with more signing up every day.

“As lights go out in cities around the U.S. and the world on March 28th, Earth Hour will provide world leaders with an unmistakable mandate to negotiate a new international climate change agreement,” said WWF President and CEO Carter Roberts. “The climate crisis threatens the ability of our planet to support its inhabitants, and it has never been more urgent that the voice of the people be heard on this issue. Earth Hour not only focuses global attention on the need to find solutions to climate change, but demonstrates the power that each of us has to make a difference in the future of our planet.”

During Earth Hour 2008, more than 50 million people in 400 cities on all seven continents turned off their lights as major icons also went dark, including the Sydney Opera House, the Coliseum in Rome, Stockholm’s Royal Castle, the Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Google turned its homepage black for an entire day in tribute.

WWF says per capita emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels in the U.S. are more than four times the world average and are increasing steadily. WWF says “Earth Hour may be just an hour, but it’s also an opportunity to make resolutions to reduce your carbon footprint—and put them into action. Every action you take to lower your emissions helps.”

WWF gives these action tips to save energy and help prevent climate change: 1) Turn down the thermostat on your water heater and central heating. 2) Conduct an audit. Look around your home for opportunities to insulate spaces and eliminate drafts. 3) Plant native deciduous trees on the south side of your house to shade it and reduce air conditioning use. 3) Replace incandescent with fluorescent bulbs. Remember to turn off when not in use! 4) Unplug electronics such as TVs, computers, stereos and even cell phone chargers when not in use. They still use energy if they are plugged in when turned off. 5) Contact your utility company and sign up for “green power”—electricity generated by sources with low or no routine CO2 emissions. 6) Replace old appliances with high-efficiency models. 7) Install low-flow showerheads—less hot water means less energy use. 8) Drive less. Resolve to use public transportation, join a car pool, ride your bike or walk.

What will your family do for one hour in the dark? This is a chance to shut off the TV and computer and do something different. Some ideas are to have a “lights-out” party, take the dog for a night walk, have a treasure hunt, tell stories, read or play games by candlelight, or check out the night sky. Take photos and share what you did at www.earthhourus.org .

Be flexible to make Earth Hour work for you. Families with young children should feel free to turn their lights off earlier than 8:30 p.m. and for those having too much fun in the dark during the hour, don’t feel you have to limit yourself to one hour and switch back on at 9:30 p.m. If you are already committed to another worthwhile event that night such as Blossoms at the Beebe, pick a different night to enjoy ‘lights out’ with friends and family.

Join this global effort to make an impact on climate change. Visit www.earthhour.org to register and see the difference you can make. Turn off your lights, celebrate the planet, enjoy the moment and cast your vote for Earth. For a fun challenge, check out www.carbonrally.com .

Energy Saving Tips

2009-03-15T19:20:00.001-04:00

Here are some more resources to help you find ways to reduce your energy use.

Heating and Cooling:

Weatherstrip and caulk your windows and doors
Seal and insulate your home
Consider installing a Geothermal Heat Pump to heat and cool your home, save up to 70% on your heating and cooling costs.
Clean your furnace's filter monthly
Consider buying an ENERGY STAR furnace or air conditioner, insulating and sealing ducts and relocating heating and air conditioning vents.
Cover your hot water heater with an insulation blanket
Consider installing energy efficient windows or storm windows

Saving Water:

Reduce the temperature of your hot water heater to 120F or less (or until using little to no cold water in the bath/shower)
Install a low flow shower head (there are some nice ones out now-a-days)
Solar hot water heaters can reduce your hot water heating bill
Wash clothes in cold water
Run full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher
If available, use the energy savings settings on your dishwasher and washing machine
Consider air drying your clothes. saves energy, money and keeps your clothes lasting longer.
Take a shorter shower

Computing Equipment:

Learn how to set power management on your computer
Download the Google Desktop Power Management Gadget
Buy a Climate Savers certified energy efficient computer
Plug your computer peripherals (printer, scanner, speakers, fax machine) into a powerstrip and power down when not in use.

Electronics and Home Appliances:

Turn down the brightness on your TV and computer monitor
Look for and purchase ENERGY STAR appliances and electronics
Consider replacing that old, second refrigerator in the basement - This calculator determines how much energy your refrigerator is using
Plug home electronics into a powerstrip and turn off when not in use. Or unplug appliances that you rarely use - when was the last time you used that VCR?
Don't keep your refrigerator and freezer too cold. Set temperature between 36-38 degrees F and freezers at 0-5 degrees.

Other Energy-saving Tips:

Grist: 7 ways to cut your energy use
Alliance to Save Energy: No-Cost Low-Cost Tips for Saving Money & Energy
Department of Energy: Additional No-Cost / Low Cost Tips to Save Energy
Carbon footprint calculator
ACEEE: Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings
Home Energy Savers: Calculate your home's energy footprint
Get a home energy audit

Government Programs:

Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program
Map of government and utility programs that provide incentives for energy efficiency investments

Pesticide Free Links

2009-03-11T14:43:00.002-04:00

Organic Lawn Care
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/pesticidefreelawns/index.htm
Beyond Pesticides Group
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/index.html
PAN North America Pesticide Action Network
http://www.panna.org/
Center for Food Safety; trying to eliminate unsafe food production practices
http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/
True Food Network
http://ga3.org/cfs/advocacy.html
Pesticide Database
http://www.pesticideinfo.org/
Pesticide Alternatives
http://www.grassrootsinfo.org/alt2pest.html
Pesticide Free Dandelion Eradication
http://www.pesticide.org/dandelions.pdf
Northwest Coalition for Alternative to Pesticides
http://www.pesticide.org/
Toxics Action Center of Massachusetts
http://www.toxicsaction.org/

Wind Week @ MIT

2009-03-10T16:13:00.004-04:00

March 30-April 4 2009

An intensive week of immersion in wind energy:

technology, development, policy supports, environmental impact, and financing alternatives

Go to web site to register.

http://windweek.mit.edu/

Meeting @ MIT on Battery Tech

2009-03-10T16:09:00.002-04:00

The State of Energy Storage
Innovations, Development and Investments
in (trans) Portable Applications

New energy storage technologies, entrepreneurship and investing will be the focus of the next MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge Innovation Series program on Tuesday, March 17th.

Join us for this exciting program featuring Disruptive Energy Storage (trans) Portable Applications— innovations which are essential to meeting the needs of new, power-intensive applications in hand-held electronics, electric vehicles and other types of transportable energy consuming devices. This program will focus on the rapid evolution of new battery, ultracapacitor and other storage technologies that are enabling new applications and devices while thrusting the doors open to new markets.

This Innovation Series has assembled an expert panel of entrepreneurs, corporate innovators and investors who are ready to share, explore, and reveal the opportunities, drivers and obstacles to development and scaling of new energy storage technologies.

click on blog title for web site and more information

The event will take place at MIT’s Kirsch Auditorium in the Stata Center, 32-123, Cambridge, MA, on Tuesday, March 17th, at 6:15pm

Introduction: Peter Rothstein, Executive in Residence, Flagship Ventures

Moderator: Douglas Banks, Editor, Mass High Tech

Panel:
Mouli Ramani, Vice President of Business Development, Lilliputian
Nick Sugimoto, Principal, Honda Strategic Venturing
Kef Kasdin, General Partners, Battelle Ventures; co-founder, Planar Energy Devices
Jeff Chamberlain, Argonne Labs

Electric car charging stations

2009-03-09T11:01:00.004-04:00

If there’s one thing auto companies and electric-car advocates agree on, it’s the need for urban networks of recharging stations. Without that, no automaker is likely to commit to producing fleets of battery-powered electric cars or plug-in hybrids. But it appears that the charging infrastructure is finally in the pick-and-shovel stage.

Click on title to go to NYT article....

Parade info:

2009-03-06T10:36:00.004-05:00

note prize for best environmental float!

Floats information and general rules:

*Non-profit: Groups or committees classified as "non-profit " by state and federal government.

*No Floats will advertise for any political Candidate

There is no fee for a float entry from a non-profit group.

The float coordinator reserves the right to remove any float that the Committee considers inappropriate or a danger to spectators.

No food, water, candy or any other item may be thrown off any float...for safety reasons. No alcoholic beverages will be allowed on any float or in any other vehicle on the parade route.

Please No Throwing Candy from Floats, No Passing out of any flyers or Advertising materials,

No Fundraising -

No fundraising or political soliciting by any organization will be allowed

All floats must assemble at 3:00 pm SHARP at Quannapowitt Parkway and North Avenue, judging of eligible floats will be conducted at this time. All persons, decorations and equipment that are part of the float must be ready for judging at this time. Due to the overall Parade schedule, floats must be on time. Any float not ready at 3:00 pm will absolutely not be judged.

Float drivers must be in float driving vehicles 30 minutes before the start of the parade. Please be ready promptly at 4:30 pm.

Floats will be assigned a place in the Parade’s line of march by a Parade Coordinator.

Two sponsor signs, naming non-profit group entering float will be displayed, one on each side of float (supplied by float builders)

Theme competition for float decorating

Only non-profit groups are eligible for awarding of prizes.

There are two float divisions: Large: 20 feet or more. Small: under 20 feet.

Prizes to be announced before parade so that floats may travel in Parade with award recognition.

****FLOAT PRIZES****

Small float division: 1st $600.00

2nd $300.00

3rd $150.00

Large float division: 1st $600.00

2nd $300.00

3rd $150.00

Best use of theme prize: $300.00

Judges prize: $100.00

The Spaulding Award: Commemorative plaque…. given for the float that best depicts environmental or conservation awareness.

Annual Mike LeDoux Memorial Award: Commemorative plaque

Parade will take place RAIN OR SHINE

Water Efficiency

2009-03-02T21:41:00.004-05:00

Water Efficiency for Athletic Facilities,

Schools and Colleges

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

The MWRA's Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) Water Management program was developed to help businesses, industries and institutions improve their water efficiency. Since its formation in 1989, the ICI program has helped various facilities in the MWRA service area reduce their water consumption, thereby reducing operational costs.

The ICI program has produced surveys and water efficiency plans for almost a dozen schools and athletic facilities, including high schools, vocational-technical schools, colleges, universities and YMCAs.

The facilities studied had annual water usage ranging from 2 million gallons to over 17 million gallons. Each facility studied had at least one area where Water Efficiency Measures (WEMs) could be employed to achieve significant water reductions

see more @

http://www.mwra.com/comsupport/ici/schools_athletics.htm

Be A Trash Terminator

2009-03-02T21:22:00.007-05:00

1. RECYCLE MORE! Find out about the items you can recycle at 1-800-CLEANUP or www.earth911.org

2. Choose products with minimal packaging and buy in bulk. Avoid individual-wrapped items. A jumbo box of cereal uses less packaging than several single serving-sized boxes.

3. Choose durable, reusable products over single-use, disposable items. Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones. Get your coffee in a refillable mug. Use canvas bags for shopping.

4. Reduce junk mail. Find out how to get your name removed from unwanted mailing lists at www.junkmailstopper.com

5. Reuse bags, containers, packaging materials and other items. Bags, cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts and padded envelopes can be used many times. Be creative!

6. Compost. Recycle leaves, grass, food scraps, paper towels, coffee grounds and tea bags into great garden soil. Black gold!

7. Donate unwanted items to charities or have a yard sale.

8. Choose items with a recycled-content label. This saves precious resources and is the key to making recycling work!!

9. Keep toxic home and garden products out of the trash. Learn about non-toxic alternatives at www.turi.org/community

10. Reduce your use of paper. Use e-mail, get bank statements and newsletters on-line and use the library.

Home Composting

2009-03-02T21:11:00.009-05:00

A Guide to Composting Yard & Food Waste

Printer-Friendly Version: PDF 479 KB
What is composting?

Composting is a controlled process of decomposition of organic material. Naturally occurring soil organisms recycle nitrogen, potash, phosphorus, and other plant nutrients as they convert the material into humus.
Benefits of composting

Composting is a convenient, beneficial and inexpensive way to handle your organic waste and help the environment. Composting:

reduces the volume of garbage requiring disposal;
saves money for you and your community in reduced soil purchases and reduced local disposal costs; and
enriches the soil. Using compost adds essential nutrients, improves soil structure, which allows better root growth, and increases moisture and nutrient retention in the soil. Plants love compost!

What you should compost?

Yard wastes such as leaves, grass clippings and weeds make excellent compost. Fruit and vegetable scraps, plus food wastes such as coffee grounds, tea bags, and eggs shells, can be composted. To keep animals and odors out of your pile, do not add meat, bones, fatty food wastes (such as cheese, grease and oils), dog and cat litter, and diseased plants. Do not add invasive weeds and weeds that have gone to seed to the pile. Elements of a good compost pile With these principles in mind, you can convert your organic wastes into resources by turning your spoils to soil.
The Biodegraders

Nature has provided an army of workers who specialize in decomposing organic material. These "critters" - bacteria, fungi, molds, earthworms, insects and other soil organisms - eat all types of organic material and in the process convert nutrients into a form plants can utilize. Without those compost critters, we would be surrounded by mountains of leaves and the soil would be barren. The process of composting is simply a matter of providing the soil organisms with food, water and oxygen. They do the rest.
Organic Material

Organic material contains varying amounts of carbon and nitrogen which nourish the organisms naturally present in your compost pile. (Billions of bacteria inhabit the surface of every leaf and blade of grass in your yard.) The critters need both carbon and nitrogen. An easy way to provide both of these is to remember that brown, woody materials, such as autumn leaves, are high in carbon while green, moist materials, such as grass clippings, are high in nitrogen (refer to "How to Make a Compost Pile" below).
Use approximately three parts "brown" material to one part "green" material to optimize the composting process and prevent odors from developing. This recipe will yield finished composting in three to eight months. Leaves alone break down in six to 15 months. Grass clippings or food scraps composted alone result in unpleasant odors because they contain more nitrogen than the compost organisms can use. Mix leaves, straw or shredded newspaper with green material, or let it dry until it turns brown before composting it alone.
Air

The compost critters need oxygen, just as we do. Lack of oxygen will slow down the composting process and cause odors. Turn your pile, fluff it with a hoe or compost turning tool, or build air passages into the pile with cornstalks to provide oxygen to the organisms.
Moisture

Compost organisms need a moist environment. The pile should be as damp as a wrung-out sponge, but not dripping wet. Make sure leaves are damp when you add them to the compost pile because they will not break down if they are dry. Since moisture evaporates as the pile heats up (a sign of active composting), let rain and snow replace it, or add water during dry spells. A cover helps retain moisture in hot weather.

How to Make a Compost Pile

There are as many different ways to make compost as there are people who do it. The following guidelines will get you started, but soon your own experience will help you tailor a method that best fits your needs.

Build or purchase a compost bin. Check to see if your community has a composting bin distribution program, or order from a garden catalogue, nursery or hardware store. Enclosed compost piles keep out pests, hold heat and moisture in, and have a neat appearance. Or, bins can be simply made of wire, wood, pallets, concrete blocks, even garbage cans with drainage holes drilled in them. In urban areas, rodent-resistant compost bins - having a secure cover and floor and openings no wider than one-half inch - must be used.
Set up the bin in a convenient, shady area with good drainage. A pile that is about three feet square and three feet high will help maintain the heat generated by the composting organisms throughout the winter. Although a smaller pile may not retain heat, it will compost.
Start the pile with a layer of coarse material such as corn stalks to build in air passages. Add alternating layers of "brown" and "green" materials with a shovelful of soil on top of each layer. Shredding leaves or running over them with a lawn mower will shorten the composting time. Be sure to bury food scraps in the center of the pile.

High Nitrogen "Green" Ingredients	High Carbon "Brown" Ingredients
grass clippings	autumn leaves
weeds	straw
food wastes: fruit & vegetables, coffee grounds, tea bags, egg shells	paper towels, napkins, bags, plates, coffee filters, tissue and newspaper
manure (cow, horse, chicken, rabbit)	cornstalks
seaweed	wood chips
alfalfa hay/meal	saw dust
blood meal	pine needles

Add water as you build the pile if the materials are dry.
As time goes on, keep oxygen available to the compost critters by fluffing the pile with a hoe or compost turning tool each time you add material. A complete turning of the pile - so the top becomes the bottom - in spring and fall should result in finished compost within a year. More frequent turning will shorten the composting time.

How to use compost

When the composted materials look like rich, brown soil, it is ready to use. Apply one-half to three inches of finished compost and mix it in with the top four inches of soil about one month before planting. Compost can be applied as a top dressing in the garden throughout the summer. Compost is excellent for reseeding lawns, and it can be spread one-quarter inch deep over the entire lawn to rejuvenate the turf. To make potting soil, mix equal parts compost, sand and loam. You may put the compost through a sieve to remove large particles - these can go back into the pile.

Mulching

Grass clippings, leaves and woody yard wastes can be used as mulch in gardens and around shrubs to keep the soil moist, control weed growth and add nutrients. Woody materials should be chipped or shredded. Use a mulch of pine needles around acid-loving plants. Leaves will work first as mulch, then as a soil enricher as they decompose. Grass clippings should be dried before using as mulch. Do not mulch with grass clippings which have been treated with herbicides; composting them first, however, will break down the herbicides.

Composting without a yard

Composting can be done indoors using an earthworm farm. Not only can you recycle your food scraps, you can also have a steady supply of fishing bait! See MassDEP's vermicomposting page.
Printer-Friendly Version: PDF 479 KB

http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/reduce/composti.htm

Stop Junk Mail

2009-03-02T19:02:00.005-05:00

www.junkmailstopper.com

1-888-567-8688 or 1-888-5OPTOUT. This will remove you from junk mail sent by Trans Union, Equifax, innovis, Experian and. The individual contact information is:

Go green, donate an old car

2009-03-02T18:23:00.002-05:00

Cars4Charities is a truly unique, not-for-profit, car donation center. When you donate car, truck, van or SUV to our car donation center, we'll send the entire net proceeds to the charity you select from our extensive list.

Cell phone recycling program at Galvin Middle School

2009-03-02T15:53:00.000-05:00

he Galvin Middle School PTO is collecting cell phones in a recycling effort to raise money for the school. They are working with the Race to Recycle Program by Motorola. This is a simple program that works on a couple of levels. First, community members can get rid of all the old cell phones they have. Second, cell phones contain mercury, lead and cadmium, and must be disposed of properly. Community residents can drop off cell phones in the collection boxes at the Galvin Middle School office or at Town Hall. Third, the school will be rewarded every time someone donates an intact cell phone that is sent to Motorola.

The Galvin PTO is funded primarily through dues and the magazine drive, as well as the paper recycling effort. The PTO consists of parents and faculty who volunteer their time to plan social events for each grade, end of year activities, the student-faculty basketball game and faculty welcome back breakfast. The PTO also supports the school by funding advisors for clubs, organizing volunteers, granting funds for technology, contributing to the parent lecture series, and providing mini grants to faculty for special projects.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/wakefield/archive/x1621247196/Cell-phone-recycling-program-at-Galvin-Middle-School

Keeping green at the Greenwood School

2009-03-02T15:48:00.002-05:00

Reduce ... reuse ... recycle! That's the message students at the Greenwood School heard during the Wakefield Department of Public Works (DPW) recycling education program. During the classroom presentation, the students received materials to share at home with their families.

Greenwood School third graders also sang about the clean up of Boston Harbor during the recycling education program. The annual program teaches children about recycling at an early age and the importance of recycling on the environment.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/wakefield/archive/x1817178756

Reducing and reusing can save money and the environment

2009-03-02T15:39:00.005-05:00

WAKEFIELD - Reducing the amount of trash sent to landfills doesn't just involve recycling, according to Richard Stinson, director of the Wakefield Department of Public Works. It also involves reusing products like glass containers and lunch bags, buying in bulk to reduce trash volume, and returning deposit beverage cans and bottles to the store or recycling center.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/wakefield/archive/x1817179200

Carbon footprint

2009-03-01T09:36:00.003-05:00

Your tree pledge will help to support local disadvantaged communities in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya, in addition to offsetting your carbon emission

Wakefield Rail to Trail Committee

2009-03-01T09:23:00.002-05:00

Wakefield has an abandoned rail line that runs through the center of town. The Committee is appointed by the Wakefield Board of Selectmen to transform this former rail road into a Rail-Trail. Browse our latest Committee Update to find out what we've been up to over the past year. To find out more about who we are and our mission, click here...

http://www.wakefield.ma.us/Public_Documents/WakefieldMA_RailTrail/index.html

Plant Sale 2010

2009-03-01T09:13:00.005-05:00

PLANT SALE 2010
OPEN WHEN PLANTS START TO EMERGE IN MAR/APR TO WHEN I CAN'T DIG ANYMORE

FREE advice when purchasing plants, other times by appointment
SEEDS AVAILABLE: Purple cone flowers, Black eye Susans, Anise Hyssop, Angelica, Garlic Chives, and more that can be put in early spring $2 per (snack baggie size) seed pkg.

Help the DPW increase recycling

2009-03-01T08:55:00.004-05:00

WAKEFIELD DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

For information contact:

Wakefield Department of Public Works

(781) 246-6301

If every resident Wakefield recycled one can, bottle, newspaper and plastic container each day, the Department of Public Works (DPW) would save thousands of dollars in trash disposal fees in one year. That means extra money for town programs and services for Wakefield residents.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/wakefield/archive/x1817178438

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Recycle empty cartridges and cell phones today

2009-03-01T08:50:00.002-05:00

We pay schools and other nonprofit organizations to recycle their inkjet and laser cartridges as well as cell phones and PDA devices. We provide prepaid shipping materials and all other marketing materials free of charge.

Wakefield Climate Action Project is now registered

Carbon Carbon Footprint

2009-03-01T08:46:00.004-05:00

Save energy and reduce global warming by taking simple challenges.

Compete with others in your area and around the world

Town Climate Action Plans

2009-03-01T08:41:00.000-05:00

http://www.wakefieldcap.org/ Wakefield, MA
http://www.amherstma.gov/departments/Conservation/CAP_9-27-05_FINAL-cover1.pdf Amherst, MA
http://www.ci.worcester.ma.us/reports/ClimateActionPlan.pdf Worcester, MA
http://wakefieldcrf.wdfiles.com/local--files/online-resources/brooklineSustainabilityInventory.pdf Brookline, MA
http://www.cambridgema.gov/cdd/et/climate/clim_plan/clim_plan_full.pdf Cambridge, MA
http://wakefieldcrf.wdfiles.com/local--files/online-resources/medfordcap.pdf Medford, MA
http://wakefieldcrf.wdfiles.com/local--files/online-resources/newton.pdf Newton, MA
http://wakefieldcrf.wdfiles.com/local--files/online-resources/SomervilleActionPlan.pdf Somerville, MA
http://www.burlingtonelectric.com/SpecialTopics/Reportmain.htm Burlington, VT
http://www.ci.wellesley.ma.us/Pages/WellesleyMA_DPW/rdf/index Wellesely, MA

Town Resources

2009-03-01T08:36:00.002-05:00

Town Site
Town of Wakefield
http://www.wakefield.ma.us/Public_Documents/index

Wakefield Public Schools
http://www.wakefield.k12.ma.us

Wakefield Police Department
http://www.wakefieldpd.org/Pages/index

Wakefield Fire Department
http://www.wakefieldfire.org

Wakefield Public Library
http://www.noblenet.org/wakefield

Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department
http://www.wakefield.ma.us/Public_Documents/WakefieldMA_MGLD/index.html

Wakefield Recycling Calendar

MBTA
http://mbta.com/

Town News

2009-03-01T08:23:00.002-05:00

http://www.wickedlocal.com/wakefield/news/x2043515706/Municipal-electric-companies-buy-into-wind-farm-project

http://www.wickedlocal.com/wakefield/news/x390632447/Ready-set-action-teams

Video

2009-03-01T08:20:00.001-05:00

Wakefield CAP Calendar

2009-02-28T08:10:00.006-05:00

This Calendar has all Wakefield Recycling Dates:

Blue & Red Recycling weeks

The Nahant Street Yard Waste opening hours

Curside collection of yardwaste

CRT / TV Drop-Off Dates

Mercury Collection Dates

Household Hazardous Waste days

Lighting in Wakefield

2009-02-26T11:41:00.004-05:00

Light Around Wakefield that doing nothing or need better controls

Send us your pictures

wakefieldcap.pictures@picasaweb.com

EPA Earth day

2009-02-26T09:13:00.002-05:00

On April 22, 1970, 20 million people across America celebrated the first Earth Day. It was a time when cities were buried under their own smog and polluted rivers caught fire. Now Earth Day is celebrated annually around the globe. Through the combined efforts of the U.S. government, grassroots organizations, and citizens like you, what started as a day of national environmental recognition has evolved into a world-wide campaign to protect our global environment. Learn about

http://www.epa.gov/EarthDay/

Join us

2009-02-16T10:57:00.002-05:00

Recycling Drop of points

2009-02-02T23:13:00.001-05:00

View Larger Map

Wakefield Inauguaral Celebration

2009-02-02T10:40:00.002-05:00

Facebook

2009-02-02T10:28:00.003-05:00

Friend
Me on Facebook

Farmer's Market

2009-02-02T09:53:00.007-05:00

The Wakefield Farmers Market

The Wakefield Initiative, in cooperation with the Wakefield Climate Action Project, is planning a weekly farmer’s market at Hall Park on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm, beginning July 11th through October 17th 2009. A successful farmers market would be a valuable asset to Wakefield, enhancing the local sense of community and the local economy as well as creating an opportunity for residents of other towns to discover Wakefield. Farmer’s markets are not only a great way to buy locally grown products and produce from Massachusetts, but are also used by towns and cites to draw attention and activity to a particular area and/or business.

We plan to have a diverse selection of products brought to you by a wonderful group of reputable vendors from Massachusetts. A few of our potential vendors include:

Farmer Dave’s at Brox Farm, high-quality produce (Dracut)
Giovanna Gelato (Newton) amazing gelato
Petsi’s Pies (Somerville and Cambridge), sweet and savory pies
Swiss Bakers (Reading) unbelievable pastries and coffee
Gone to the Dogs (Wakefield) our own unique dog boutique on Albion
Flowers by Melinda (Wakefield), also on Albion, creative flowers by (talented) Melinda
Silver Clay (Wakefield) Main St. gem, unique gifts that are never boring!
Jamspot (Wakefield) Robert Wass will be joining us for part of the season to provide the market with live music. His recording/practice studio is located on Teal Rd.
Coutts Specialty Foods (Boxborough) “Mothers” jams and jellies

You can access more information at our website (still a work in progress) at www.wakefieldfarmersmarket.com. If you have any questions or wish to sponsor the market, please contact Kelli Stromski, Market Manager, at 781-246-9449. We hope to see you in July 2009!

http://www.wakefieldfarmersmarket.com/

Spring Renewables Forum

2009-02-02T09:48:00.003-05:00

Energy Saving and Environmental Resources

2009-02-02T09:36:00.003-05:00

For Wakefield MA Residents:
Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (WMGLD)
Check out their Energy Tips, Light Program, and RCS Program links to learn how to save money and energy

For Massachusetts Residents:
Division of Energy Resources (DOER)
This site has MANY resources for individuals and municipalities, from home and driving energy-saving tips, to in-depth reports on state energy activities and policies.

For Everyone:
Compact Florescent Light Bulbs: Change a Light Bulb and Change the World
This is a great site from About.com. It provides basic info and links to everything, from a how-to site from the Environmental Defense Fund that helps you pick the type of CFL you need for specific applications, to wide-ranging globalization issues.

Energy Star Lights (for New England Residents)
Discount prices for bulbs and fixtures.
WMGLD, NSTAR, and other New England residents are eligible!

Energy Star
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

CFL Bulb Sources
Energy Star Lights
http://www.goodmart.com/
www.lightbulbsdirect.com
www.1000bulbs.com

Also, Home Depot and Lowe's often have "in-store" specials.

Mercury Recycling

2009-02-02T09:25:00.003-05:00

Covanta Energy Mercury Facility/Haverhill

IMPORTANT!

All fluorescent bulbs contain at least a small amount of mercury. They are safe to use, but must be disposed of properly.

For Wakefield Residents: Covanta Haverhill, Inc. sponsors FREE mercury recycling drop-offs at the Nahant Pit. All Recycle data are on the WakefieldCAP Google calendar

This Calendar has all Wakefield Recycling Dates:

Blue & Red Recycling weeks

The Nahant Street Yard Waste opening hours

Curside collection of yardwaste

CRT / TV Drop-Off Dates

Mercury Collection Dates

Household Hazardous Waste days

Freecycle.org

2009-02-02T09:24:00.000-05:00

Freecycle.org's mission is to build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources & eases the burden on our landfills while enabling our members to benefit from the strength of a larger community. Just go to the main site to find and sign up with a local group. You post items you'd like to give away or search for items you need. It's all free! The closest group for Wakefield residents is:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Freecycle_WoburnMA/

Meetings

2009-02-02T09:20:00.003-05:00

Battery Recycling

2009-02-02T09:15:00.001-05:00

Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC)

Through their national program, Call2Recycle™, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) can help you recycle your used portable rechargeable batteries and old cell phones. Click HERE to find local merchants who accept rechargeable batteries for recycling. Hint, use the zip code and "within miles" search option. For Wakefield residents: Hart's Hardware in Wakefield, Radio Shack in Stoneham, and Home Depot all accept rechargeable batteries.

Walking School Bus

2009-02-02T09:12:00.005-05:00

What if there was a way to energize your day, get fit and combat childhood obesity, talk and connect with your child and neighbors, save money on gas, avoid traffic jams and help the environment—all at the same time? The simple act of walking your child to school can accomplish that and more. Many people remember a time when walking or biking to school was the norm rather than the exception. Factors such as concern for safety and lack of time have caused a steady decline to a current low of about 10 percent.

The innovative concept of a walking school bus addresses such issues. A walking school bus is a group of children accompanied by one or more adults on the walk to or from school. The group may meet at one place and walk together or children may be “picked up” at their homes or at spots along the way.

Wakefield Climate Action Project (WCAP) Transportation Action Team will meet on Tuesday, August 26 at 7pm in the downstairs Lecture Hall of the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library to plan a pilot elementary level walking program, possibly at the Dolbeare beginning this fall. Parents, caregivers and concerned citizens are welcome to attend. Contact Sherri Carlson at sjcarlson21@verizon.net or (781) 246-2106 with any questions or if you cannot attend the meeting but would like to help.

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For more Infomation Visit

www.walkingschoolbus.org

www.saferoutesinfo.org

www.iwalktoschool.org

www.walktoschool.org

Recycling

2009-02-02T08:02:00.003-05:00

Idears for recycling around town

http://eco-media.ca/index.php