Projects in and around Wayland  Wayland Green Team This vibrant Task Force promoting environmental stewardship in our schools. It is run entirely by volunteers and has the committed support of the Superintendent of the Wayland Schools (in fact, it is now a School Committee), as well as the encouragement of all the administrative and teaching staff. In the school year of 2009-2010 the GT launched the No-Idling campaign. In 2011 it established deep recycling at all schools and composting of organic waste at Claypit Hill School and Middle School. It helps out with the School Gardens at CHS and MS and helped establish a new vegetable garden at Happy Hollow. in 2012 it is working on getting all these system thoroughly established, and it is looking at the removal of Styrofoam from our school cafeteria and a stronger Green Purchasing commitment. The Green Team is also instrumental in the organization of the Wayland Earth Days. The team is made up of one or more representatives for each school and several other volunteers who are passionate about good manners toward the Earth. Help them raise a new culture of care for the earth and our future generations by volunteering both your head, heart and hands. Email christina.veal@verizon.net. The Pine Brook Association was created to encourage informed, thoughtful conservation and development. The affiliated LEES (Let’s Encourage Environmental Sustainability) Group is particularly focused on preserving the Lee Farm property and developing it as a community farm. This endeavor will preserve precious open space, farmed as early as 1830, and create a visible example of the unique spirit of Wayland: semi-rural, conservation and sustainability aware. Popular support for this project shows that the people of Wayland have a healthy appreciation for locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, and the will to teach children the ‘mystery,’ skills and importance of getting healthy food to the table. To support this project, contact Joan Blair at blair.joan@gmail.com.  In February of 2011, Wayland DPW Director Don Ouellette put the wheels in motion to reconfigure and rebuild the entire Hannah Williams Park and Playground. He is helped by Cliff Colovson of the Friends of Hannah Williams Playground and other enthusiast citizens. The project includes the replacement of the old wooden play structure as well as an edible park with annuals in raised beds and berry bushes and dwarf fruit trees, adult exercise stations, a small perimeter trail/path and a better situated, larger parking lot. The Selectmen and Finance Committee have been enthusiastic, but the project will have to pass at Town Meeting in April. Direct your queries and support to Cliff (cliff@pointed.com) and Don Ouellette (douellette@wayland.ma.us). For more information, also check here. From the letter of 9 March 2011, by Werner Gossels, to the Editor of the Wayland Town Crier: Wayland Beautification is a[n] effort by Wayland people who have for the last 13 years done their best to improve the appearance of public places around town. [...] If you are moved by a generous impulse to do something positive for your home town, and would like to make a difference, please join us. We could use your help, especially of the green thumb variety to carry on this work. Because everyone has many demands on their time, your commitment need not be overwhelming. Five or ten additional people spending a few hours during the weeks of the season would make a huge difference. We need your ideas, your skill with plants, sometimes your muscles, and always your goodwill and support. Wayland Beautification meets the first and third Wednesday morning of every month in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room at the Town Building. (We can change the time to accommodate the schedules of participants.) There is no membership requirement other than coming to join in the effort with us. It is that informal. Please do come.  This Council promotes a collaborative, community-based alliance that enhances and protects the environmental integrity of the Lake Cochituate Watershed in Massachusetts. They hope to educate the public about the "shed" part of watershed. Everything runs from the rooftops, lawns, streets and parking lots right into our waterways. Moreover, they want to explore and connect with other watershed organizations throughout New England by making visits, attending conferences, reaching out, and adopting successful educational and problem-solving strategies. Finally, they aspire to a comprehensive watershed approach - which includes public and municipal education; tributary restoration, water, habitat and wildlife monitoring. For more information, contact info@lcwcs.org. In April of 2011 the Council is organizing the Lake Cochituate Symposium. Big Heart, Little Feet This organization was founded by Patrick Conaway of Natick, MA. Its mission is to help others and leave small footprints on the earth. Pat has organized neighbors and volunteers to clean-up some of the local waterways and trails in the parklands of Natick and Wayland. He has established a Trail Work on Tuesdays and Thursdays mornings recruiting volunteers to help clean the plastic bottles for recycling, paper, glass and large items like rubber tires, couches, vacuum cleaners and large metal containers. Throughout Wayland and Natick he has installed trash barrels and recycle "buddy bins" plus walking stick "cribs" along roads, bridges, parks and trailheads. He is also working with high school environmental clubs at Wayland, Natick and Framingham High School to involve them in the clean-ups, storm drain markings and rain garden initiatives. Contact Pat to volunteer at bpconaway@gmail.com. Wayland Cleans Up! is a group in Wayland that conducts spring clean up programs. Organizers Cliff Kolovson and Chris DeVany are frequent road bike riders who see the volumes of roadside trash each and every time they spin around town.... and, it's truly enough to make one sick. But many have seen this... walkers, hikers, moutain bikers, skate boarders. It's the most visible in the early spring before any roadside vegetation gets going. After a few more weeks, the grasses and other growth literally cover much of it up! A shame... We can't wait for anyone else to clean it up... won't happen. Yes, once or twice a year a group of prisoners are brought to town to clean the roadsides. Other groups do a bit here and there. Some walkers take a bag with them every day they walk.... Anyway, here's an easy way to help.... in only a few hours you can clean up a street and earn money for the Town. Contact Cliff at cliff@pointed.com More Organizations in Wayland and Around Greening
Lincoln Weston
Climate Group Green Marlborough Hudson Can GreenUp
Framingham Greater
Newburyport Eco Collaborative |
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Wayland Projects |
