Sustainable Arlington

Wrote Arlington's Net Zero Action Plan to guide Arlington to net zero greenhouse gas pollution by 2050 which was approved by the Select Board in August, 2021.

https://www.arlingtonma.gov/town-governance/boards-and-committees/clean-energy-future-committee

Protecting open spaces in Arlington, MA

Resources include Arlington Reservoir Master Plan, aquatic plant survey, birding, wild life habitat garden, maps, annual reports filed with the Town.

Article 16 Tree Protection & Preservation Bylaw

Tree Construction Guidelines and Sample Plan 

See also: http://arlingtontrees.org/ 

The Boston Area Sustainability Group’s mission is to break down the silos of knowledge within sustainability, to assist the perpetual education of ourselves and our peers, and to grow a robust community of subject matter experts equipped to collectively drive sustainability forward. We are an affinity group of 1400+ sustainability practitioners and engaged individuals representing a myriad of industries, academia, government, NGO, and not-for-profit entities in the Boston area and beyond. Participants hail from 264 communities across 24 states and a half dozen countries. Since 2009, we have come together on a regular basis to network, to learn, and to exchange on critical topics of sustainability.

Issues:  Energy, waste, pesticides, and toxics.  Grassroots focus: "environmental threats are big, but the power of well-organized community groups is bigger."

Since 1987, has worked with more than 1,000 communities and trained more than 20,000 individuals to confront polluters and seed solutions across the Northeast. 

Focus: construction and development projects (residential, municipal, and commercial) that may alter any wetlands, floodplains, rivers, streams, ponds and/or lakes are in permitted compliance with state and local wetland regulations; also protects and manages the Town’s Conservation Lands.

Supports affordable housing, accessible to public transportation, in harmony with Arlington's pledge to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. "Buildings with shared walls or floors, like townhouses, triple-deckers and small apartment buildings, conserve energy. Compact neighborhoods make it easier for people to access daily activities without a car, reducing carbon emissions. In Arlington, these kinds of development are prohibited or heavily regulated, but allowing them would bring our zoning into harmony with our environmental goals."  read more: https://equitable-arlington.org/why-act/

A community organization promoting the beautification, restoration, and improvement of the Robbins Farm Park. They sponsor cultural, educational, recreational and other community activities throughout the year; invite active membership; and seek to represent the Robbins Farm Park community.

A nonprofit organization supporting the preservation, enhancement, and enjoyment of Spy Pond Park and Spy Pond as natural and community resources in Arlington.  Join their work days from May to October to help care for park and its shoreline.

The Gas Transition Allies are a coalition of more than 25 organizations, researchers, and advocates focused on reducing methane emissions from the Massachusetts gas distribution system while developing strategies for a just, equitable transition to carbon-free energy sources. 

• Gas impacts [leaks, safety, health, trees]: https://www.gastransitionallies.org/impacts  
• Gas System Enhancement Plan (GSEP): https://www.gastransitionallies.org/gsep
• What's wrong with hydrogen and RNG? https://www.gastransitionallies.org/hydrogen-rng
• Laws & regulations:  https://www.gastransitionallies.org/current-legislation
• Our Energy Future:  
  • Triage and Transition:  https://www.gastransitionallies.org/triage-transition
  • Future of Gas:  https://www.gastransitionallies.org/future-of-gas

A Massachusetts non-profit that harnesses our power as consumers to speed the transition to a low-carbon future. 

• Learn about energy:  https://www.greenenergyconsumers.org/learnabout
  • Saving Energy / Cleaner Electricity / Cleaner Heat / Electric Vehicles
• Programs & services:  https://www.greenenergyconsumers.org/programs  
  • Drive green:  https://www.greenenergyconsumers.org/drivegreen
  • Solar with Energy Sage:  https://www.greenenergyconsumers.org/solar
  • Shave the Peak. Get alerts to reduce energy use when the grid is at its dirtiest, https://www.greenenergyconsumers.org/shavethepeak  
• Energy policy:  https://www.greenenergyconsumers.org/advocacy  
• Events:  https://www.greenenergyconsumers.org/events

"Every garden matters; every landscape counts."

Focus: Inspring people to take action across Massachusetts on behalf of native plants and the diversity of life they support. Excellent resources and programs.

Mission: To cut carbon emissions NOW by driving systems change.

• gas leaks, https://heet.org/gas-leaks/
• Interactive gas leaks maps for Massachusetts by community and utility, https://heet.org/gas-leaks/gas-leak-maps/
• GeoMicroDistrict, https://heet.org/geomicrodistrict/
• and much more

Protects over 40,000 acres of land throughout Massachusetts, saving birds and other wildlife, and making nature accessible to all. Massachusetts’ largest nature conservation nonprofit, with numerous wildlife sanctuaries and 20 nature centers. A nationally recognized environmental education leader, offering thousands of camp, school, and adult programs. Conservation research, education, and advocacy.

a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy sector

Grassroots organization connecting individuals, community groups, organizations, and researchers who are working to protect pollinators across the Commonwealth.  Seeks to expand pollinator habitat and mobilize support for pesticide reduction practices and policy reforms. Integrated with the work of the Community Pesticides Reduction (CPR) Network and the NOFA/Mass Policy Department.

Monthly meetings and guest speakers.

Sustainable Arlington is an MCAN chapter, one of about 60.

Based in Arlington. Founded in 1972 to protect and restore the Mystic River, its tributaries and watershed lands.

"Celebrate native plants from the wild to your back yard."  Conservation, native plant sales, visit, Yard Futures Project, education, and more.