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EcoWeek 2024
Welcome Spring and Earth Day!
EcoFest is a time of learning, volunteering, and celebrating. There are town-wide events, most are free, and most are open to the public. Some schools have special events just for their school community.
Events are listed in the EcoFest Calendar and include park cleanups and plantings, student-led projects, participatory public art, a puppet show, workshops, and fairs.
Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by Earthday.org (formerly Earth Day Network) including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. The official theme for 2024 is "Planet vs. Plastics." 2025 will be the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. (Thanks, Wikipedia!)
Events to look forward to:
Urban Ecology on Sunday, April 21, 3 PM
Puppets and Planting on April 27, 3:30 PM
Electrify Arlington Fair on May 2, 6:30 PM
Film and Panel on Saturday, May 4, 6:30 PM, RSVP
EcoFair on Tuesday, May 14, starts at 2:30PM, free and open to the public
EcoWeek 2022
April 22 to May 10, 2022
Do everything you can (or even just one new thing) to care for and protect our Earth—the beautiful home we all share.
Arlington EcoWeek is a time of learning, reflection, and action. Community and student groups and Town Departments offer presentations, tours, and interactive events to inspire connection to and celebration of our natural world.
Activities are still being planned- if you have an idea, contact Charlotte at cmilan@town.arlington.ma.us
All Week:
- Opt Up to 100% Renewable Electricity
- BioBlitz! Help locate and map local plants and wildlife- be a citizen Scientist with City Nature Challenge, video explanation of how the program works, download the iNaturalist app here
- Recycle Your Textiles- worn and torn, donate them all
April 22- Earth Day
- Fire in the Garden- Choral music about climate change, by Cantilena, on ACMi, details here
- Earth Day litter cleanup hosted by Ellenhorn for their staff and residents
April 23 Litter Cleanups, various locations
- April 22- Earth Day litter cleanup hosted by Ellenhorn for their staff and residents
- April 23- Bikeway litter cleanups are canceled/postponed because the path is looking so good right now, thanks to the public for your efforts!
- April 23 - Robbins Farm Park Cleanup 9 AM - 12 PM, Sign Up Here
- April 23 - Crusher Lot Woodland Cleanup 2-4PM. Meet at 2PM in the central clearing. Visit friendsofthecrusher.org for more information.
- Plan your own neighborhood litter cleanup and tell us about it!
April 26 (Tuesday) Arlington BioDiversity Summit, online
- Come learn what is happening in our community and at the state level to protect the biodiversity we all depend on. Topics include pollinator and native habitat protection, as well as invasive plant removal.
- Keynote by Rep. Dave Roger, Panel hosted by David Morgan, DPCD, more information
April 30 (Saturday)
Reuse & Recycle Center, 33 Ryder Street
- Secure Document Shredding 9 AM- 12 PM (Arlington residents only)
- Bike Donation Bonanza- 12-4 PM
- Arlington Community Safety Bike Unit- visit and demo
- Full Circle Compost (student group) fundraising event
- Arlington Scouts collecting Bikes for the Lowell Bike Connector
- Know an Arlington kid who could use a bike? Let them know about The Bike Connector, it's open to all!
April 30 (Saturday)
Arlington High School, 869 Massachusetts Avenue
- Public Tours of the new wings of Arlington High School with information about the building's sustainability features, 10AM-2PM. Tour details and sign up here.
April 30 (Saturday)
- Food Collection and Textile Recycling Drive, Spy Pond Playground, 10 AM to 12 PM, More here
May 1 (Sunday) Zero Waste Day, Thompson School, 87 Everett Street
- Clothing Swap hosted by Everything Is Free In Arlington,1-4 PM
- Fixit-it Clinic hosted by Zero Waste Arlington & Sustainable Arlington, 11AM-3 PM- More here
- Spring Forward climate change/climate justice workshops for youth- 1-3 PM Sign Up Here
May 5 (Thursday)
- Swap Shed Spring Grand Opening 5-7 PM at 33 Ryder Street (drive in or walk over the bike path from the Ed Burns Skating Rink parking lot)
- Panel: Housing Policy is Climate Policy, 7 PM, Zoom Webinar, More Here
May 6 (Friday)
- Walk Like Water - A Green Infrastructure Tour by the Arlington Engineering Department, 10 AM, Read More
May 7 (Saturday)
- Reuse & Recycling Center Open 9 AM-12 PM- Arlington residents only, signup here
- Swap Shed Open 12-2 PM- Open to all, find out more here
- Arlington High School Sustainability Club fundraising event 12-2pm at the Swap Shed
- Spring Pollinators Window Painting, Arlington Heights Business District
- See Arts Arlington/Gibbs Green Team video about why planting native plants and protecting pollinators is important
- Invasive Plant Removal (locations and more info here) No experience necessary, come and learn!
- Spy Pond Trails Day 9 AM - 1 PM Improve the Rt. 2 path by Spy Pond. Open to all. Info Facebook (rain date 5/8)
May 10 (Tuesday) - Regent Theatre and streaming at home
- Plastic Bag Store: Festive Film Screening Celebrating Public Art & Plastic Activism
A whimsical puppet show (now a lyrical film) that reveals another aspect of throw-away plastic: it lasts forever. Follows a plastic bottle into a dystopian future “after the robot wars”, where it is carefully uncovered and exhibited as a trace of a vanished civilization. Followed by a virtual Q& A with Robin Frohardt and Michelle Lougee on art, activism, and plastic. Free tickets here
EcoWeek 2021
Monday, May 3
Clean Transportation presentation at Mothers Out Front monthly meeting. Anna Vanderspek of Green Energy Consumers Alliance will talk about Electric Vehicles and answer questions. This meeting is open to the public.
More about Mothers Out Front
Wednesday, May 5
Hot Topics in Recycling/Q&A, with Charlotte Milan, Recycling Coordinator, 12-1 PM
Got a Green Ride? Video Submissions sought through May
Sustainable Arlington, ACMI and EcoWeek are sponsoring a video contest. From now to May 15th, send us a video that’s 30 seconds to one minute long, telling us what you love about your favorite green ride: a bicycle, an electric car, scooter, e-motorcycle, e-bike, or a walk, or something we haven’t thought of!
The first 50 entries will be reviewed for inclusion on the ACMI YouTube channel, website and an ACMI T.V. Broadcast!
Watch the finished videos
Thursday, May 6
Reducing Trash in the Mystic- Share your ideas! 9 AM - 12 PM, Online
Join MyRWA and the EPA to learn how reducing the sources of trash in our communities—and capturing escaped trash before it enters rivers—can lead to cleaner water far beyond the Mystic River watershed. In this working session, participants will identify shared priorities and brainstorm ideas for reducing trash across the watershed. Join us to share your goals and ideas!
Floating Wetlands Tour, 4-5 PM, McClennen Park, in person
Join us to learn about the Eagle Scout project that installed floating wetlands at McClennen Park and Menotomy Rocks Park. Attendees will learn what a floating wetland is, how they were constructed, and what benefits they provide.
Meet at the McClennen Park Detention Basins (pond). Please park in the parking lot off of Summer Street, and follow the park pathway to the detention basins.
Friday, May 7
Ken Pruitt, Energy Manager, talking about Arlington Community Electricity - drop in Q&A, with a 10 min intro presentation, 12-1 PM
Microplastic Madness 76-minute film screening (viewed in two segments with an intermission) with Zero Waste Arlington panel, great for families with 3rd graders or older, 7:00 PM
Discover the depths of out plastic pollution problem from young citizen Scientists in Brooklyn, NY and then hear about ways you can help reduce plastic waste locally from Zero Waste Arlington.
Saturday, May 8
Litter clean up with Emily Sullivan, Environmental Planner/Conservation Agent - Symmes Woods, 11am-12pm
Help clean-up one of Arlington's wooded treasures! Symmes Woods is located off of Summer St, and is part of the Arlington 360 site. Guest parking is available at Nora Brown Park and Hattie Symmes Park. Please meet at Nora Brown Park (the park halfway up Symmes Rd). Trash bags, gloves, and trash pickers will be provided.
Climate Playgroup- Join Arlington Mothers Out Front for its climate playgroup! Plant some seeds, decorate a recycled planter, and learn more about how to get involved with climate action in Arlington. North Union Park/Thompson School, 60 North Union Street, Arlington. 3-5 PM, More about Mothers Out Front
Sunday, May 9
Online Presentation, 4-5pm
Native plants and pollinators presentation by Brucie Moulton of Sustainable Arlington and Mystic-Charles Pollinator Pathways Group. You don't have to go far to find nature. It's all around us right where we live. Learn about the native pollinators that rely on our yards, gardens and parks. Find out how to make pollinator-friendly habitat (it's not hard!). Learn about linking pollinator habitat through pollinator pathways and a local mapping project. Discover how to identify plants and pollinators with iNaturalist.
Monday, May 10
Ken Pruitt, Energy Manager, talking about Arlington Community Electricity - drop in Q&A, with a 10 min intro presentation, 12-1 PM
Wellington Park Tour- Wellington Park, Grove Street, 4-5pm
Join us to learn about the Wellington Park Renovation Project and how climate change resilience was incorporated into the park design. Attendees will learn about how climate change is impacting Arlington, how the Town is responding to climate change, and things residents can do on their own property to become more resilient. The park is located adjacent to the Grove Street tennis courts. Park in the DPW parking lot across the street.
Photo of Wellington Park's Low Impact Design by Mystic River Watershed Association
Tuesday, May 11
"Outdoors For All"
Parker McMullen Bushman will be our featured speaker for EcoWeek and Community Conversations series
You will receive the link to the event after you register
Diversity, equity, and inclusion have become buzzwords that have been placed strategically in organizational mandates, inspired the formation of DEI committees, and/or simply sparked critical dialogue around organizational culture. But do we know what these words really mean and how do we put this work into action in the environmental field. In this session participants will learn how we incorporate DEI principles into our work and the importance of creating welcoming spaces so that all people may become environmental stewards who will advocate for and protect our most precious public resources – our land, water, trees, open spaces and wildlife.
Wednesday, May 12
Litter clean up with Arlington High School Sustainability Club, 1-2pm, Hill's Hill, 422 Summer Street. Meet at the Hill's Hill soccer field playground. Trash bags, gloves, and trash pickers will be provided.
Hot Topics in Recycling/Q&A, with Charlotte Milan, Recycling Coordinator, 4-5 PM
Art to Awareness to ACTION – Learn How You Can Stop Plastic Pollution, 7-8:30pm
A dynamic panel presents innovative projects in Mexico, Philadelphia and Arlington, and U.S. Congresswoman Katherine Clark shares her work crafting federal legislation to advance systemic change. Learn steps you can take at home and through collective action. Speakers include: artist Alejandro Duran, who transforms global ocean trash into gorgeous installations as part of beach clean-ups in Mexico; Ron Whyte, one of the leaders of Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Trash Academy, a program using the arts to engage youth in achieving environmental justice at grass roots and policy levels; and Ceilidh Yurenka, who built on her personal mission to reduce waste by launching a small business making it easy to go plastic free. Moderators Cecily Miller, Arlington Commission for the Arts and Culture, and Rachel Oliveri, Arlington Public School Green Teams, will briefly discuss Persistence, a public art project crafted from thousands of plastic bags, and the work of youth activists in Arlington. Katherine Clark joins us (via pre-recorded message) to explain the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act she co-sponsored in 2020 and the strategy of Extended Producer Responsibility.
Thursday, May 13
Swap Shed Tour/soft opening, Q&A with DPW Intern Julia Wallace, live at Ryder Street, 3 session options, 5/5:30/6pm, News Story about the Swap Shed on ACMi
Ken Pruitt, Energy Manager, talking about Arlington Community Electricity - drop in Q&A, with a 10 min intro presentation, 5-6 PM
Saturday, May 15
Friends of Spy Pond Park Work Day
9-11 AM (rain date May 16, 1-4 PM)
Liability waivers are required for all participants in the above Work Days. If you are volunteering to work please let us know via the email on our website, download the waiver form, clearly fill it out completely, sign it (parental signature for under 18 yrs.), send a scan or photo of it to the volunteer email link on the FSPP website: fspp@friendsofspypondpark.org by 6 p.m. the Friday before the scheduled Work Day.
Thompson School Plant Sale, corner of Purcell Street and North Union Street, 11am-2pm
Buy seedlings (tomatoes, peppers, basil, zucchini, and more!), seeds, grow bags, and soil, all for prices between $1 - $5. All proceeds go directly to the Thompson School Garden program.
Repair Your Stuff- 2pm Global Fix-it clinic
Intro to fix it clinic--what to expect, share pics of in-person and on-line) Register and learn more All ages can participate.
All Week
** Arlington Community Electricity
An electricity supply program organized by the Town of Arlington.
ace.arlingtonma.gov
**Green Team Activities
Arlington Community Electricity by Hardy School Green Team- Watch Video (30 sec.)
Stratton Green Team Celebrates Earth Month- Watch Video (4 min.)
Full Circle Compost bake sale
Full Circle Compost is a food waste pickup service run by Arlington High School students. During their pilot phase, they have collected around 200 pounds of food waste! All the proceeds from the bake sale will go to supplies they need to expand their service and get more of Arlington composting! Use the order form to select your treats. Pick up days are May 12, 1:30-2:30pm and May 15, 3:00-4:00pm next to the Feed FiDO compost bin at the Ed Burns Arena parking lot, 422 Summer Street.
#ArtofLove from the Thompson School Green Team
The #ArtofLove is the act of imagining, creating, and displaying creative expressions of love for people and planet. Open to the participation of all Arlington students, teachers, community members, and organizations.
Submission Form Here
** Talk of the Town: Net Zero Action Plan
Watch this ACMi program (47 min.) featuring Planning Director Jenny Raitt and Energy Manager Ken Pruitt talking about Arlington's plan to reduce green house gas emissions to zero by 2050.
** City Nature Challenge- Find wildlife, Take a picture- Share!
Citizen Science for All, Join the Hardy School Green Team in collecting data from just outside your door! Download the app at City Nature Challenge – City Nature Challenge April 30 to May 9
** Persistence- Public Art on the Bike Path- To see the 36 sculptures of Persistence, travel the Bikeway between Swan Way and Linwood Street and look up! More about the artist and project
Visit Anytime through fall 2021
**The Story of Plastic (Watch this 4 minute animated short)
** Got a Green Ride? Video Submissions sought - Now extended to May 31st!
Do you have an e-bike that lets you shop for groceries, or an electric car for road trips? How about a bicycle that keeps you in shape? Or a favorite walk around town? We all need to shrink our carbon footprints, but who knew it could be this much fun? You did!
Sustainable Arlington, ACMI and EcoWeek are sponsoring a video contest. From now to May 31st, send us a video that’s 30 seconds to one minute long, telling us what you love about your favorite green ride: a bicycle, an electric car, scooter, e-motorcycle, e-bike, or a walk, or something we haven’t thought of!
The first 50 entries will be reviewed for inclusion on the ACMI YouTube channel, website and an ACMI T.V. Broadcast!
** Mystic River Watershed Association Resources
New Audio Tour launching May 15- Sound on Mystic is an outdoor audio installation combining music, spoken word, sound art and ambience into an immersive experience. It is located along a two-mile stretch of the Mystic River in Medford and Arlington, Massachusetts, and is accessed through ECHOES, a free mobile app that uses GPS data to cue different sounds at various sites.
** Environmental Law Institute's People Places Planet Podcasts
Listeners can gain insight on some of the thinking behind ELI's work. Below you will find our most recent episodes. https://www.eli.org/podcasts
EcoWeek 2020
What is Arlington EcoWeek at Home?
Right now we are staying at home and doing everything we can to keep ourselves and our families and neighbors safe and healthy. During Arlington EcoWeek at Home, we invite you to do everything you can (or even do just one thing) to care for and protect our Earth—the beautiful home we all share.
Arlington EcoWeek at Home offers a week of activities you can do from home to inspire connection to and celebration of our natural world. Arlington EcoWeek at Home coincides with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22.
When is Arlington EcoWeek at Home?
Arlington EcoWeek at Home events were posted during the week of Monday, April 20 – Friday, April 25. You can still click on the links below to experience the activities.
Why are we having Arlington EcoWeek at Home during a pandemic?
1. We need to take care of our Earth now more than ever. Did you know that deforestation is one of the causes of humans getting exposed to animal viruses? Read more here or here.
2. At a time when we are feeling socially isolated, EcoWeek gives us the opportunity to connect virtually with each other and get to know some of the key people in Arlington who care deeply about our local and global environment and are working hard to protect it.
3. EcoWeek gives us a sense of purpose and tools to take action during a time of uncertainty. There are oceans to protect, waste and energy to reduce, trees to plant, and environmental injustices to right. Join us!
Recycling and Climate Action
Greeting from Recycling Coordinator Charlotte Milan- 30 second video
Climate Action & Social Justice During COVID19: A Time for Transformation, free webinar from Northeastern University
Where Does Our Recycling Go? Arlington Green Team and Arlington Recycles co-production, 70 second video
Live Q&A WebEx chat with our Recycling Coordinator Charlotte Milan, bring your questions and challenges, 45 minutes
Recycling Volunteer Superstars- in action at the Recycling Center, showing what can be recycled at these monthly events- 2 minute video
Energy and More
Greeting from Energy Manager Ken Pruitt- 30 second video
Live WebEx presentation with our Energy Manager: The New Energy Efficient Arlington High School, Recording coming soon
The Caterpillar Lab YouTube Channel- Awesome footage of metamorphosis and other wonders of the creepy variety. Monkey Slug, Hickory Horned Devil, and Stinging Rose caterpillars are all here to admire...?!
Lesley the Bird Nerd YouTube Channel - great short bird videos, especially on common local birds and their behavior, can you hear them from your window?
Messages from Future Earth Podcast Episode 2
Earth Day Celebration
Greeting from Arlington School Sustainability Coordinator Rachel Oliveri- 30 second video
Earth Day Window Messages: Residents are encouraged to put a plant, a globe, a picture of the Earth, or an Earth Day message in their windows and share on social media #EcoWeek#ArlingtonMA
Town-wide 50th Anniversary Earth Day Video - 4 minutes. This video was conceived by Nora, a 7th grade Ottoson Middle School student. It is an ongoing project for this week. If you would like to participate, please send your 5-10 second video of why you love the Earth to Rachel Oliveri at roliveri@arlington.k12.ma.us.
LiveCam from the Cincinnati Zoo
In videos look for the Brazilian porcupine!
Live Q&A Zoom presentation with our Animal Control Officer Diane Welch and one of her feathered friends, Video Recording Here, 60 minutes
Young Voices for the Planet. These short films are about youth who care about the Earth and are taking action. They are free, under 10 minutes, and appropriate for all ages.
Arlington Community Media, Inc. Green Teams page. Watch videos about cafeteria composting and climate change rallies and listen to podcasts created by Arlington Green Team students.
Messages from Future Earth Podcast Episode 3
Wellington Park Public Meeting. Learn about the Wellington Park project timeline, design options, and share your input on what you would like to see in your local park located on Grove Street along Mill Brook in Arlington. - Video Recording Here, 1 ½ hrs. Co-hosted by the Town of Arlington and the Mystic River Watershed Association.
Our Oceans and Waterways
Greeting from Mystic River Watershed Association Executive Director Patrick Herron - 30 second video
Help count herring in the Mystic River, from home! Read more about the Herring Video Counter Project.
The Marvelous Musical Report on the Marine National Monuments. Free and appropriate for all ages- 10 minute video
Arlington Storm Drain Awareness Meet the people who keep our storm drains clean and protect our local waterways. 5 minute video.
Making Waves Podcast. Listen to an ocean soundscape, learn how these sounds are important to marine life and how human activity is affecting ocean noise levels. With Leila Hatch, Arlington Resident and Marine Ecologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.- 14 minutes
Messages from Future Earth Podcast Episode 4
Local Environmental Projects
Greeting from Arlington Environmental Planner Emily Sullivan- 60 second video
Greeting from Curator of Public Art for the Arlington Commission of Arts and Culture Cecily Miller- 40 second video
Water, Earth's precious resource. Learn about Arlington's amazing waterbodies, Mystic and Charles watersheds, and what we can all do to keep them resilient. Presented by Arlington resident and Water Resources Engineer Lori Kennedy - Video recording here, 45 minutes
Arlington Public Art Project Raises Awareness about Plastic Pollution. Meet Artist-in-Residence Michelle Lougee and learn how she is teaching Arlington residents how to transform plastic bags into “plarn” to create works of art with an environmental message -30 minute video link
Virtual tours of National Parks. Explore five geological wonders from fjords in Alaska to caverns in New Mexico to coral reefs in Florida. Mesmerizing!
ReUse: Because You Can't Recycle the Planet, a free film by local MA director Alex Eaves, 60 minutes. Last year's EcoFest hit, this film will inspire your planning for a reduced-resource lifestyle!
Messages from Future Earth Podcast Episode 5
Sustainability in Arlington
Greeting from Envision Arlington's Sustainable Arlington Cochair Amos Meeks- 30 second video
Bees at Brackett School, from ACMi News. A swarm of bees. The phrase conjures up the image of a dense cloud of angry, buzzing insects, ready to sting. Well, forget what you think you know. A swarm of bees near Brackett Elementary School recently gave us the chance to learn the benefits of the swarm.
Stratton Green Team parent and local bee keeper Christina Halfpenny shares these great resources for learning more about the importance of pollinators in our ecosystem. Resources: Native Plant Guide, Design Your Own Pollinator Garden, Gardening for Bees
Who Are Mothers Out Front? Watch them in action- 70 second video
The New Energy Efficient Arlington High School- 40 minute video presentation by Ken Pruitt, Arlington's Energy Manager
Take Action Anytime
When you plant the right tree in the right place, it can help improve air and water quality, manage storm water runoff, sequester carbon, attract wildlife, help save you money on utility bills, and make neighborhoods more enjoyable.
It’s a win for you and the town!
Please see the new post at ArlingtonTrees.org for more information about the Arlington Community Tree Canopy Program and sign up to receive your new flowering dogwood or red maple tree. Delivery expected before May 8th.
2. Take back the power of your food scraps by diverting them to a higher use. Whether you compost in your backyard, try the Town's free food scrap drop off program, or subscribe to Curbi and have your scraps picked up at the curb, all of these help reduce Arlington's trash tonnage- Thanks! Details here
Opt Up online https://arlingtoncca.com/opt-up/
EcoWeek 2019
Past EcoFest event themes
EcoFest 2020: Resilience
Arlington Town Hall Auditorium
10 AM to 2 PM
EcoFest 2020 will focus on the community and environmental resilience in the climate change era. Resilience -- the ability to spring back from adversity, to recover from disaster, to overcome disruption and get back to healthy functioning -- applies to all of us individually, to our communities, and our environment. What does resilience look like? How can we support and increase it where it's most needed? What are the benefits to the people and places we care about?
EcoFest 2019: Power Day! This year's ENERGY theme highlighted opportunities for Arlington residents to make energy-conserving and renewable energy decisions relating to home heating/cooling, electricity purchasing, and transportation options, and to start planning for the next steps to take on the path to a clean energy future. Panel Discussion: What YOU Can Do To Save Energy, Money and the Planet
with Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine, Building expert Josy Raycroft (Byggmeister) and Arlington HeatSmart Coach Andy Winslow; ACMi Video link coming soon
EcoFest 2018- Greenward: Land and Water Management, Plants and Pollinators, People and Healthy Ecosystems
EcoFest 2016- Ready for Climate Change? What we need to know, what can we do to mitigate the effects at home and in our community, and how our region preparing
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