Research shows that the best way to make adults aware of the importance of helping our environment is to educate children. Youngsters have an uncanny ability to grasp the existing need to take care of our Earth, and they bring enthusiasm and energetic tenacity to the challenges they are exposed to. Explain to children how plastic bags harm our environment, and they immediately find all kinds of alternatives to taking a new bag each time we shop. Then they take this concern home and share it with their parents (sometimes unremittingly!), and soon the whole community reaps the benefits. A number of environmental education activities are unfolding in two of our local elementary schools.

At the Ohrenberger K–8 in West Roxbury, Jaimy George—a teacher naturalist from Mass Audubon Boston Nature Center—reports that she is working with the fourth graders there to extend what they learn in science class and apply it to real life. George says that with the Ohrenberger fourth grade teachers she co-teaches classes about energy and conservation that “challenge students to think about how they use energy every day, and how simple actions like changing a light bulb can help conserve energy and money.” Perhaps the best part is that the students take their learning home by keeping track of their home energy usage in journals and then assessing their home energy consumption. In upcoming weeks, the students will also be evaluating the energy efficiency of their school building. The simple act of teaching children to look around and notice how we use energy (and how much energy we use) can inspire attitudes and create habits that will last a lifetime.

In another green program, established at the Patrick Lyndon School in West Roxbury in 2009, activities to promote learning about the environment and the natural sciences take place in the school’s Outdoor Classroom. Built through a grant from the Boston Schoolyard Initiative, the Outdoor Classroom provides students from all grades a chance to participate in a myriad of planting, weather, and climate pursuits. Lyndon’s Science Specialist Judy McClure shares that the children have undertaken such challenges as recording temperature, wind direction, and rainfall data in order to better understand worldwide weather patterns and investigate climate change (sixth grade); using the stream table to observe models of water moving over landscapes so as to predict erosion and deposition effects, as well as designing various landscapes in order to note the effects on these landscapes as water moved over them (fourth and fifth grades); and for the younger grades, planting projects that included radish and lettuce seeds (kindergarten) and daffodils (first grade). The Outdoor Classroom provides hands-on nature experiences that bring the children closer to their environment.

In the meantime, the Boston Public Schools is one of only two school districts nationwide to be awarded a fellowship by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools. Boston resident Phoebe Beierle is the BPS Green Schools Fellow charged with bringing together all the various constituencies within the BPS to promote and advance sustainability initiatives throughout the system. Beierle tells WRSE that her current pursuits include improving recycling in the schools, bringing clean energy workforce development opportunities to high school students, and enhancing BPS green cleaning and green purchasing guidelines.

All of these school programs bring promise that our children will be able to grow up in a world where we are conscious of the environment and its needs, considering that our everyday actions truly affect the natural world. West Roxbury will benefit from these green initiatives in our schools. As Beierle puts it: “Schools are the center of our community, and by greening our schools, you green the community.”

The Outdoor Classroom at the Lyndon School.

A fourth grade student at the Ohrenberger views her energy experiment to understand the best form of insulation.

Saturday, March 10
2–4 pm
West Roxbury Library, 1961 Centre Street
Free and open to all

This engaging and provocative documentary illustrates why it is smart to be part of the new, low-carbon economy: it is good business, it emboldens national and energy security, and it improves health and the environment. Come see Carbon Nation, an optimistic discovery of what people are already doing, what we as a nation could be doing, and what the world needs to do to slow down the climate crisis. Carbon Nation celebrates solutions and inspires action.

To read more, visit the Web site for the movie.

Boston Public Library, Rabb Lecture Hall, 700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
Tuesday, February 28, 5:45-8:30 pm

5:45 pm Transportation community showcase: meet each other, & learn what
different groups are doing to make Boston a world-class bicycling city (Rabb lobby)
6:15 pm Presentation by Mayor Menino
6:30 pm Presentation by Nicole Freedman
7:30 pm Q&A/Discussion
8:45 pm Social hour @ Solas, 2nd floor, 710 Boylston Street (right next to the library)

Hosted by LivableStreets Alliance. Free and open to the public.

If you see the orange LivableStreets biker around town, take a pic and post to our Facebook wall & Twitter for chance to win prize before event!

Have you taken a ride around town on a Hubway bike yet? Has there been a new bike lane installed in your neighborhood this past year? Have you heard about the Boston Bike Network Plan? If yes, then you know that 2011 has been a big year for bicycling in Boston.

For the fourth year in a row, LivableStreets Alliance will host the annual Boston Bike Update event. Nicole Freedman, Director of the Boston Bikes Program, will present her fourth report on past achievements, challenges, and future goals of the Mayor’s effort to create a “world class bicycling city.” Come hear details on the Hubway bike share, the Bike Network Plan, parking facilities, youth programs, festivals, and more.

Special guest, Mayor Menino, will speak about his “car is no longer king policy” for the city. Introduction will be by Steve Miller, LivableStreets Board Member.

Join us at this public forum on bicycle planning in Boston, and join us afterwards for a social hour.

> Invite friends on Facebook
> Tweet #BostonBikeUpdate @StreetsBoston
> Print a flyer to hang in your office, local shop or at your school
> More information: www.livablestreets.info / 617.621.1746 / kara@livablestreets.info
> To participate in community showcase, contact kara@livablestreets.info

For a complete schedule of public meetings, click here.

You can also send a comment in written form; comments can be
e-mailed to: fareproposal@mbta.com
mailed to: Fare Proposal, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 3810, Boston, MA 02116.

From the Mass.Gov Web site on January 3, 2012:

“MassDOT today released proposed fare increase and service reduction plans for the MBTA aimed at closing a projected $161 million budget gap for fiscal year 2013. [Editor's note: go to this link to see the proposed scenarios of increases and service eliminations.]

“Earlier estimates projected the gap would total approximately $185 million for FY13.  The MBTA has taken aggressive steps to reduce that deficit: reducing energy purchase costs, planned introduction of single person train operation on the Red Line, encouraging MBTA employees to enroll in more affordable health insurance plans and other operating and administrative efficiencies.  However, growing debt service costs associated with capital projects, significant increases in maintenance costs for an aging fleet and higher costs for the RIDE mean additional solutions are necessary.

“The proposed fare increases and service reductions released today are aimed at closing the FY13 deficit.”

From the MBTA Web site section “About the MBTA”:

“Today the MBTA is serving more people more efficiently than ever before—with customers taking more than 1.3 million trips every weekday. Despite this, the T faces one of the most serious financial crises in its history.

“In Fiscal Year 2013 (July 2012 to June 2013), available revenues are projected to be as much as $185 million below operating expenses. This structural deficit will continue to grow through Fiscal Year 2016 and beyond under current conditions. To maintain financial stability, the T will have to make decisions in the next few months that will significantly impact fares and service. This information describes in detail the options under consideration and how they will affect you.”

A couple of years ago a small group, led by West Roxbury resident Bill Tuttle, began noting how wonderful such a community farm would be in West Roxbury. This led to consideration of the local historical treasure Brook Farm and the appropriateness of siting a new farm on that land — resurrecting one of the original intents and uses of this erstwhile utopian agrarian community. The talking turned into research and more talking, and that in turn led to initial outreach efforts with West Roxbury constituencies and community groups. The talking, research, and outreach continue today through a recently formed community organization called New Brook Farm, Inc.

Inspired by the original Brook Farm community and by the natural beauty of the site, the New Brook Farm group aspires to launch a small-scale urban farm in the form of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) non-profit. New Brook Farm will also share information and raise awareness of the historical, social, archeological, and environmental significance of the Brook Farm site among adults and students in Greater Boston and beyond.

The vision includes the following elements: A diversified community farm growing a variety of organic vegetables and fruits that will return a portion of the Brook Farm site to its historic agricultural use; an educational and interpretive center for all ages focusing on the history of Brook Farm, food systems, urban home gardening, food preparation and preservation, and more; and an inspirational setting for hikers, community and cultural events, and respectful contemplation of visitors to area cemeteries.

With a board of directors, and a nascent Web site with additional content on its way, New Brook Farm is organizing for the new year.

We have formed five working groups: Education; Fund-Raising and Budget; Marketing; Permissions and Organization; and Farming/Site Planning.

As local citizens volunteering our time and efforts to launch a New Brook Farm, we have the utmost respect for the land and the land’s history. While more expertise and energy will be needed to see this project come to fruition, our hope is that this endeavor will support sustainable farming and education in our community.

For more information as the journey unfolds, visit the New Brook Farm Web site at newbrookfarm.org. To get involved or learn more, send an e-mail to wrse@westroxburysavesenergy or to Bill Tuttle at wdtuttle3@alum.mit.edu and let us know your thoughts.

Editor’s Note: On January 30, 2012,  the Boston Redevelopment Authority is holding a citywide meeting at Suffolk University on urban agriculture — an opportunity for the community to take a fresh look at zoning and how it reflects on how people want their land to be used. For more details about this program and how to attend, click here.

Ray Porfilio is a member of WRSE’s Steering Committee and vice president of the New Brook Farm board of directors.

By Rickie Harvey
As published on westroxburypatch.com
December 2011

You can save energy (and money) this holiday season! Many possibilities exist, and for most people it is just a matter of making a few simple changes to the traditional holiday routine. Each year at this time, WRSE offers some suggestions to incorporate into your holiday plans that will help you save energy, money, and the environment. But first, let’s put things in perspective by considering some numbers.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in the five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, waste produced by American households increases by more than 25 percent compared to any similar period the rest of the year; this means we produce one million tons of “extra” waste during the holiday season. Analysts predict that number will be even higher this year, in spite of the down economy, as buying trends so far indicate we have been making purchases at an unprecedented rate. Consider that most of these purchases come in packaging that will be disposed of and they also will ultimately be wrapped in paper and bows that will also make their way to the landfills.

Want a few more holiday numbers? Research completed by GreenProfit Solutions predicts that more than two billion holiday cards will be printed and mailed in 2011, more than 38,000 miles of ribbon will find its way onto gifts (and into the trash afterward), more than 50,000 square miles of wrapping paper will meet the same fate, and millions of Christmas trees will be put out for trash pickup, also ending up in the landfills. (Do you ever wonder if our landfills might be our most prolific contribution to the world?)

Lights, gifts, wrapping paper, bows, cards, and trees all make the holidays special. Few people want to give any of these up. But you don’t have to! Just be thoughtful about your choices, and you will be able to “green” your holidays and save money, too.

1) Lights: Hang LEDs. Switching to light-emitting diodes allows you to brighten your home this holiday season and be energy efficient (saving money) at the same time. LEDs use 90 percent less electricity and last up to ten times longer than typical holiday bulbs. They also are safer because LEDs don’t heat up. LEDs continue to go down in price and are easy to find; in West Roxbury you can purchase LED strands at Atlas True Value, Walgreens, CVS, and Home Depot. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes as well as in vivid colors that don’t fade over time. But don’t throw your old bulbs in the trash! Recycle them at holidayleds.com

and receive a coupon for 25 percent off new lights.

2) Gifts: For starters, remember that when you buy items that come in lots of packaging, you are paying for all that cardboard or plastic wrap, as well as the creating, shipping, and disposing of it — all of which also require energy and harm the environment. Consider purchasing gifts without packaging: for example, a service or tickets to a concert or movie. Give baked goods, a plant, or a tree. You can also share the gift of yourself, with the promise of babysitting, snow shoveling, or leaf raking. Specifically green gifts might also be appreciated and can come in the form of carbon offsets for a friend who travels a lot or a ZipCar membership for someone who frequently uses taxis. Be creative! You will probably find that your thoughtful gift, which typically will cost you less than a store-bought one, will also mean more to the person who receives it.

3) Wrapping paper: Again, the key to saving money here is to use your creativity. Most wrapping paper bought in stores is not made from recycled products and will cost you a bundle. Why spend money when you can use and reuse household items you already have? Examples of creative solutions for wrapping include old maps, outdated calendar pages, the comics section of a newspaper, crossword puzzles, children’s artwork, magazine pages, and attractive junk mail from the recycling bin. You might have cloth items around the house to use as wrap that could become part of the gift, such as bandanas, scarves or never – or little-used dish towels. With a bit more work, you could consider sewing together leftover fabric pieces you might have to make gift-holding purses, soaking labels off glass jars, or decorating clay pots (after you put your gift in the pot, use the drainage dish as the lid and tie the two together with reused ribbon or fabric strips). The possibilities are endless, and most won’t cost you a penny. According to the Sierra Club, if every family wrapped just three gifts in one of these ways, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.

4) Ribbons and bows: Do you really need these? They are costly, and the purpose they serve is cosmetic and fleeting. Just say no.

5) Cards: If you are not ready to switch to e-cards (we aren’t), which are the most economical and the most environmentally friendly, then purchase holiday cards made out of recycled paper and put a little note inside to your friends reminding them to recycle the card after they’ve enjoyed it. You won’t be saving any money on this holiday item, but you will help the earth. You can save money on next year’s gift tags by keeping the cards you receive this year and cutting them into squares to reuse as labels.

6) Trees: WRSE can’t recommend organic farms near enough to West Roxbury to make it sensible to go out and purchase or cut down your own tree, unfortunately. So you have to live with the pesticides that infuse all cut trees and wreaths. To save money, buy a smaller tree this year than you have in the past. And the City of Boston makes it easy for you to be green after the holidays, because it recycles the tree you leave on the sidewalk. Public Works will collect Christmas trees for composting from January 3 to January 13 on your recycling day — don’t miss it!

Quick tips: Take your own reusable bags for all holiday shopping. Use a timer for your external lighting decorations; this is a huge electricity saver. If you like using (or giving) candles during the holidays, consider the soy or beeswax types; typical candles are made from paraffin, which is a petroleum-based product. And finally, use the real stuff (your own or rented) for your holiday party and avoid wasting plastic and paper by buying expensive paper goods that just end up in our landfills.

“Ditto” photo: Andrew Greiner

Pickup runs until December 2 on your recycling day

The Boston Public Works Department will take your leaves and yard waste for composting if you don’t have anywhere to compost it yourself.

Here’s what to do:

—Place leaves and yard debris in large paper leaf bags or open barrels labeled “yard waste.” (Request labels here.) Please do NOT use plastic bags for leaves and yard debris!

—Tie branches with string in a maximum length of 3 feet.

—Do not put branches in barrels.

—Put branches, paper bags, and barrels on the curb by 7 am on the morning of your recycling day.

For more details, visit the Boston recycling Web site.

With the temperature falling (albeit slowly) and the winter months soon also to descend upon us, we like to figure out ways to conserve on our heating bill as much as possible.

Here are five things we can do that will save money — and energy.

Lower Your Heat. Turn your thermostat down at night and when you are out of your home. For each degree you lower your thermostat, you will save 3 percent on your monthly heating bill. According to the US Department of Energy, you can save an additional 10 percent a year by adjusting your thermostat by 10 to 15 percent for eight hours at night. This is easiest to do with a programmable or automatic “setback” thermostat (ranging in price from $40 to $100).

Storms. Make sure your storm windows and storm doors are in place and working properly. If the storm windows fit well and stop cold air from seeping into the house, these are more cost effective than replacing your windows. Invest in good storms if you don’t already have them.

Other Air Sealing. The cold winter air can penetrate your house at many points, and taking measures to stop the flow will save you money on your heating bill. Weather stripping at windows and doors reduces air infiltration around the edges of the openings. Caulk at the sill of the house, and insulate and seal ductwork so that heat is not lost as it is distributed through the house.

Insulation. Add insulation to areas that separate non-living spaces from living spaces (like basements and attics). The insulation will help keep warm air in — and cold air out — of your living spaces.

Replace Your Burner or Furnace.  If your oil burner or furnace is 10-years-old or older, you can see dramatic reductions in your heating bills by investing in a new, high-efficiency unit. While this is expensive up front, the savings in your heating bills will be immediate, and the equipment can pay for itself within two to three years — and keeps on paying in energy savings.

And if you sign up for a free energy assessment  through the Renew Boston program by December 31, you will receive help with numbers 1, 3, and 4 by getting a programmable thermostat, air sealing, and insulation up to $3500 at no cost to you. For more information about this unique Boston initiative as well as additional tips on how to save money and save energy, visit WestRoxburySavesEnergy.org.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS