The Town of Arlington is excited to announce its EcoFest Summit, a vibrant in-person event dedicated to fostering sustainability and resilience within our community. This free event will take place on April 26, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Town Hall Auditorium and is open to all residents and community members.
This year’s EcoFest Summit will center around the theme, “Growing Our Sustainable and Resilient Community,” exploring actionable strategies for enhancing sustainability at home and in public through collaboration and community engagement. Participants will learn how to implement eco-friendly landscaping practices that promote biodiversity, conserve water, and reduce carbon footprints. Additionally, discussions will center on the Town’s commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, providing insights into how residents can contribute to this ambitious goal through energy-efficient practices and sustainable living.
The EcoFest Summit Agenda
10:00 AM
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Event begins in Town Hall Auditorium
- Tables by more than two dozen organizations (see participant list below)
- Hallway Cafe opens
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Activities in Town Hall Parking Lot
- Cargo bike demo with CargoB
- EV Touch-a-Truck with Intelligent Movers
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10:30 AM
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Workshop in Lyons Hearing Room (Town Hall, second floor)
- Arlington's Sustainable Landscape Handbook, presented by Environmental Planner David Morgan
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| 11:00 AM |
Workshop in Lyons Hearing Room (Town Hall, second floor)
- Electrify Arlington, presented by Energy Advocate Lori Kenschaft
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| 11:30 AM |
Workshop in Robbins Memorial Garden
- Using iNaturalist to Identify Plants and Critters, led by Elaine Crowder (Download the app for your phone on the App Store or Google Play)
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| 12:00 PM |
Keynote Speaker in Lyons Hearing Room (Town Hall, second floor)
- Rewilding the Human Story, presented by Jo Almond
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| 12:30 PM |
Keynote Speaker in Lyons Hearing Room (Town Hall, second floor)
- Resilient Landscapes for a Changing Climate, presented by Trevor Smith
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| 1:30 PM |
Workshop in Lyons Hearing Room (Town Hall, second floor)
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Participants in the 2025 EcoFest Summit include AmpUp! (Arlington's Comprehensive Plan Update Advisory Committee), Arlington MA Invasives, Arlington Community Swap Shed, Arlington Land Trust, Arlington's Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program, Arts Arlington, Autumn Light Design, Conservation Commission, Electrify Arlington, Environmental Planning, FoodLink, Full Circle Compost, HomeWorks/Mass Save, Mass. Pollinator Network, Massachusetts Student Climate Action Network, Mothers Out Front, Mystic River Watershed Association, Open Space Committee, Project Zero, Reservoir Committee, SAVE Club, Spy Pond Committee, Sustainable Arlington, Tufts Nature Futures, Tree Committee, Zero Waste Arlington, Save Arlington Wildlife.
The EcoFest Summit is part of a month-long series of events aimed at promoting environmental awareness and action throughout Arlington. This initiative reflects the Town’s commitment to sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change. Join us for a day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration as we work together to grow a sustainable and resilient Arlington. EcoFest events will take place between April 22-May 21. For more information, please visit arlingtonma.gov/ecofest.
