Some of the projects that Green Needham and collaborating organizations are working on:
  • 10% Energy Challenge - This Green Needham flagship project supports Needham residents in reducing their energy use and carbon footprint by 10%.

  • Wind Power Feasibility Study - This project will install a meteorological tower at the RTS to gather wind data over a one year period. The data will be analyzed to generate a business case for the installation of a wind turbine that would generate power for the Newman School.

  • Generating Solar Electricity at the RTS - Pursuing the opportunity to install up to 1 MW of solar PV panels at the Needham RTS to generate electricity.

  • Home Energy Efficiency Improvements - This project aims to make it much easier for Needham residents to identify and implement high-value home energy efficiency improvements. It targets the key barriers preventing people from taking advantage of opportunities that would reduce their energy use, save money and increase their comfort and the value of their homes.

  • Green Community - Enabling Needham to qualify as a Massachusetts Green Community. Qualifying as a Green Community would mean energy and dollar savings for the Town, would qualify the Town to receive grants funds from the Green Communities Program, and could be used to attract residents and businesses to locate in Needham.

  • LWV Fall Forum - Over the last several years, Green Needham has been a co-sponsor of the Needham League of Women fall forum, a community event that has focused on sustainability by hosting prominent, thought-provoking speakers paired with workshops and related local organizations.
    • 2009 Fall Forum - Paul Lukez, author of Suburban Transformations
    • 2008 Fall Forum - Frances Moore Lappe, international food activist
    • 2007 Fall Forum - Global Warming: How you can make a difference

  • Needham Community Solar Challenge - This successful project earned Needham a 2kW solar array now being installed at the new High Rock School and accumulated, through donations to the New England Wind Fund, over $21,000 in community matching funds toward alternative energy and education projects.

  • Outreach and education

  • Transportation - Collaborations to build a more sustainable transportation infrastructure in and around Needham, including

  • Needham Community Farm - A center for environmental education for the Needham community, with a focus on farm-based learning as a tool to reconnect with the source of our food, and promote sustainable living practices.

  • Needham Public Schools initiatives
    • Schools-based groups:
      • Green Kids (Elementary PTCs)
      • PEAT - Pollard Environmental Action Team
      • High School Environmental Club
    • NEF/Green Needham/NPS Collaborative Initiative
    • Needham RTS & Needham Public Schools - Expanded Recycling Program

  • Municipal projects and collaborations
    • EPA Community Energy Challenge
    • Town of Needham's Xeriscape Landscaping
    • Needham RTS & Needham Public Schools - Expanded Recycling Program
    • Needham RTS Pilot Food Waste Composting Program
Green needham meeting 2010 01-21
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