Eighteen Massachusetts communities officially became Massachusetts Green Communities in December, joining the thirty-five communities receiving the designation in May, 2010. Included in this group were three more of Needham’s “comparable communities” – Dedham, Wayland and Winchester. That brings to six
It’s All Local – Energy Efficiency and Home Energy Audits
An energy audit is the first step to saving energy and money at home, and you are eligible for a free energy audit yearly. Michael Greis of Green Needham joined Gabe Shapiro of Next Step Living on The Needham Channel’s
Needham 1,000 Update
The Green Needham Collaborative is focused on helping residents cut their energy use. Our primary initiative in this regard is the 10% Energy Challenge. Over 500 families have taken the 10% Energy Challenge so far, which represents pledges of energy-saving
Green Kids and Cancun Climate Negotiators Take Action
This year’s Green Kids Needham theme is “Endangered Habitats.” Throughout the year, students at each elementary school will participate in a variety of activities intended to increase their knowledge about endangered habitats and encourage their involvement in solutions. Programs will
Dec 2010 meeting – partner project updates
December 2010 updates from some of the Green Needham partner organizations… Needham Community Farm The NCF recently submitted an NEF Large Grant application for $15,000 to fund farm-based curriculum development at the Nike site (assuming the NCF is awarded the license
Change Does Begin At Home | Conservation Magazine
Earlier this year, Conservation Magazine published a short article called Change Does Begin At Home, which referenced some research from a team centered at Michigan State University. The key takeaway of the article was this: The researchers found that, by
A big step closer to becoming a Green Community
Needham took a big step closer to becoming a Massachusetts Green Community when Green Needham Collaborative Chair Michael Greis met with the Selectmen on November 23rd. Over the last year and a half, Green Needham has been working with town
Green Communities funding opportunities – electric vehicle charging stations
There are many benefits to becoming a Massachusetts Green Community – cost savings for the municipality and its residents, economic development, environmental and quality of life improvements – but additional funding, even in modest amounts, is always appealing. In addition
What Works – Driving Demand for Home Energy Improvements
How do you motivate homeowners to invest in comprehensive home upgrades that eliminate energy waste, avoid high energy bills and spur the economy? The Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) just published a study of lessons learned from
Green Kids-What we are up to
Green Kids is off to a great start. Together we have chosen the theme endangered habitats to focus our efforts on this year. Each school will individually decide how to take the theme and make it most meaningful to the
Sept 2010 meeting – partner project updates
September 2010 updates from some of Green Needham’s partner organizations Bay Colony Rail Trail The Bay Colony Rail Trail project is an effort to convert seven miles of unused rail corridor between Needham Junction and Medfield to a shared use
Part 3: 10% Challenge Success Stories
Needham family begins with mouse problem, ends with big savings and a neighborhood garden. Read this and our other “10% Challenge Success Stories”.
Massachusetts Green Communities receive grants
Massachusetts Green Communities receive $8.1 million in grants
Green Kids Needham
Parent organization Green Kids Needham educates every Needham elementary student about the environment, acts as a model for other towns’ environmental education programs. Three years ago, a group of Needham parents joined together to create Green Kids Needham, hoping to
Part 2: 10% Challenge Success Stories
When Joanne Kneeland happened upon Green Needham Chairman Michael Greis talking about ways to save energy on the Needham Channel, she kept watching. The program sought to educate viewers about energy savings, rebates, and programs such as the HEAT Loan Program, which gives consumers a 0% loan to assist in the installation of qualified energy efficient home improvements. “That really piqued my interest,” Kneeland explained. “I found the show fascinating.”
Part 1: 10% Challenge Success Stories
Green Needham member takes 10% Challenge, finds new motivation and needed support to make dream of greener home a reality. As the first in this series of success stories, Bill Okerman’s experience resonates with those who have the firm desire
Letter to the Board of Selectmen on becoming a Green Community
Last summer, at the Selectmen’s Goals Summit, I urged the board to make becoming a Massachusetts Green Community one of its goals. I pointed out that many of the Selectmen’s existing goals – financial sustainability, energy savings, effective use of resources, increasing town revenue, economic development, improving health and welfare, instituting environmentally sound practices – are Green Community goals. Meeting the requirements to become a Green Community would in fact advance those goals.
Town Meeting approves zoning for Met Tower
Evaluation of the potential for wind power at Needham’s RTS took an important step forward when Town Meeting approved two zoning articles permitting the erection of a temporary Met Tower (“Meteorological Tower”) to measure the wind at the RTS. On
Home Energy Efficiency Improvement Seminars
Green Needham’s Home Energy Efficiency Improvement seminars are 1 1/2 hour sessions aimed at making it much easier for Needham residents to identify and implement high-value home energy efficiency improvements.
March 2010 Update on Renewable Energy Projects
Green Needham’s wind feasibility study to evaluate the possibility of generating wind power at the RTS took several steps forward this month while a companion project determined that the site could also support 1 MW (Megawatt) of solar photovoltaic energy