On Wednesday, May 31, one day before the president announced that the United States would withdraw from the Paris climate accord, the Bromfield Green Team and the Harvard Energy Advisory Committee co-hosted an environmental forum at the Bromfield School library attended by approximately 50 people, mostly Harvard residents. The meeting featured presentations by town environmental boards and committees, as well as several private organizations and local residents. It followed a meeting in Acton a week earlier, sponsored by the Activist Alliance, a regional citizens’ organization, that addressed environmental risks nationally, regionally, and locally and was represented by the national Environmental Voter Project, State Rep. Jen Benson, and Harvard resident Eric Broadbent. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIyKFPiGNTY)
The mission of the Harvard meeting was to address the challenges and risks to the local environment, what each organization is doing to address them, and what residents can do to help protect the town’s natural resources and reduce its carbon footprint. The event was filmed by students from the cable television station for viewing by those who could not attend.
The evening included presentations by the following groups:
The Harvard Energy Advisory Committee (HEAC) is responsible for Harvard’s Green Community Grant (which designated Harvard as meeting state requirements to be a green community) and the committee’s work on making town buildings more energy efficient, which so far has saved the town considerable money (close to $200,000, according to HEAC’s calculations). The committee is researching plans for increasing the percentage of renewable energy in electricity supplied to town residents in lieu of current providers. Volunteer needs: To help with the research, communication, and implementation of renewable energy. (www.harvard.ma.us/energy-advisory-committee)
The Bare Hill Pond Watershed Management Committee monitors the quality of the water in the pond and the impact the drawdowns have on eradicating invasive species while protecting wildlife. Volunteer needs: To participate in summer frog counts and education, particularly to property owners around the pond on the use of lawn products that have consequences for the pond’s health. (www.harvard.ma.us/bare-hill-pond-watershed-management)
The Harvard Board of Health is responsible for ensuring safe water, preventing disease, issuing permits, and protecting the overall environment. Volunteer needs: Residents to maintain their septic systems, recycle and compost, eliminate phosphate-laden products, and remove standing water for pest control. (https://www.harvard.ma.us/board-health)
The Harvard Conservation Commission administers the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and acts as land stewards to protect and manage town-owned properties. According to the Conservation Commission, climate change has already stressed wildlife and the land. Volunteer needs: Assistance in invasive plant species removal and public land maintenance on the 2,000-plus acres owned by the town. (www.harvard.ma.us/conservation-commission)
The Harvard Conservation Trust is a private entity that has the ability to purchase and maintain important habitats and looks to purchase those that create a more expansive, but connective, environment for wildlife. Ninety percent of its members are Harvard residents. Volunteer needs: To provide input on purchase decisions and perform land management, such as invasive species removal and trail maintenance. (www.harvardconservationtrust.org)
The Bromfield Green Team is focused on the school’s energy consumption and waste. Team members recycle paper and plastic and have a composting program in the lunchroom in which a local farmer collects the compost for farming. Team members want to see the school use renewable energy by adding solar panels to the school’s roof. Volunteer needs: More student participation and a desire to work more closely with the community.
Several individuals and representatives of local organizations spoke of their additional efforts on behalf of Harvard:
Carlson Orchards is reducing emissions by chipping instead of burning tree prunings. Carlson’s solar panels are supplying all their operational needs, and the owners are looking for ways to share their extra energy resources.
Old Frog Pond Farm is promoting organic farming and educating residents on ways to support local growers who maintain biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.
The Nashua River Watershed Association has programs to protect regional watersheds, efforts such as water-quality monitoring, weed control, and other important management programs in which residents can participate. (www.nashuariverwatershed.org)
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection supports a regional recycling program called MassToss, which collects many items residents may not realize can be reused, with collection days throughout the year. (http://masstoss.com)
Transfer Station personnel are investigating ways to reduce the amount and cost of trash Harvard sends to landfills, and are working with MassToss and other organizations to encourage sustainable waste collection, composting, and recycling.
Townwide Cleanup conducts an annual cleanup of trash left along Harvard’s roadsides. This year volunteers also pulled invasive garlic mustard along their assigned stretches of road.
Concern for the environment and Harvard’s open space tops every Harvard community survey. At the meeting, attendees learned how much volunteer energy is put into protecting the town’s natural resources, including town water, Harvard’s forests and waterways, town building energy use, and local sources of food. The evening’s presenters asked that residents consider helping their organizations and noted their needs for volunteers. As many stated, it takes a lot of hands to do the work they do, and it shouldn’t be left to a few committed residents but made the gift of many.
Ellen Sachs Leicher is a resident of Warren Avenue.
