Successful Earth Day and Arbor Day Events, Healthy Soils and Sustainable Landscaping Workshops, Regional Sustainability Events, Tax Incentive Calculator

Welcome to the May 4 issue of Winchester Sustainability News. This issue highlights the community working together to clean up the Aberjona River, upcoming webinars and workshops on sustainable landscaping and gardening, a two-day regional sustainability event, a nifty online tool for calculating federal tax incentives to make your home more sustainable and more. Drop me a note with any questions or with topics you’d like to see in a future newsletter at Kpruitt@winchester.us. (Note that replies to this newsletter are routed to an unmonitored mailbox).

Conservation Commissioner Reed Pugh with trash collected along the Aberjona River adjacent to Stop & Shop

Successful Aberjona River Cleanup

On Aberjona River Day, held on Earth Day this year, volunteers of all ages pitched in for a successful clean up along the Aberjona River in Winchester. Volunteers removed invasive plants invading the Aberjona River’s edge as well as the shores of Wedge Pond, Judkins Pond, and Mill Pond all the way from Ginn Field to Washington Park near Woburn. Volunteers also collected piles of trash, some of which was used to fill sculptures by artists Stefanie Timmerman (a heron) and August Westner (a herring). The sculptures will remain up for two months, adjacent to the Aberjona River at the corner of Mystic Valley Parkway and Main Street. Winchester’s Department of Public Works removed the trash and piles of invasive plants collected by volunteers including Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts (some operating by canoe), and other youth and adults. Aberjona River Day was organized by the Conservation Commission and the Winchester Cultural District.

Special Arbor Day Pruning for Winchester’s Signature Red Oak on Town Common

On Arbor Day a volunteer crew from Barrett Tree East made a significant donation to Winchester by pruning Winchester’s unique Red Oak on Town Common. The Red Oak is approximately 120 years old and its trunk is 75 inches in diameter - more than six feet across. The donated labor, valued at $4,000, will help ensure this notable historic tree continues to provide shade, beauty and recreation to Winchester residents for a long time to come.

Arbor Day was first celebrated in the U.S. in 1872 and is celebrated in Massachusetts on the fourth Friday of April. In addition to April activities, Winchester also celebrates Arbor Day during its annual Town Day event, being held this year on Saturday, June 3.

Free Webinar on May 8 for Local Gardeners: Healthy Soil

Want to learn how to enrich and sustain your garden soil? Join Gardens 4 Good, a project of the Winchester Farmers Market, and soil conservationists from the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service for a webinar on May 8, 7-8 p.m. For the webinar link, RSVP to Liz Scott at elizfscott@gmail.com.

Winchester Sustainability Quiz

Question: Which activity causes the most carbon pollution in Winchester?

Answer:
a) Transportation
b) Waste disposal (trash, sewage)
c) Building electricity usage
d) Building heating

The answer is located near the end of this newsletter.

Carbon Countdown Events: May 16 and 20

It’s time for Carbon Countdown, a free annual event organized by Sustainable Middlesex. This year there are TWO sessions, both with important speakers. On Tuesday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. hear from Massachusetts Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer about an equitable and sustainable vision for the Commonwealth. On Saturday, May 20 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. hear from state Senator Mike Barrett about how citizens can help influence state government action on climate change. The May 20 session will include breakout sessions on biodiversity, building electrification, networked geothermal heating and cooling systems, and affordable housing. No prior knowledge necessary. For more information and to register, click here.

Workshop session 1 was attended by over 40 people

Free Sustainable Landscape Training Session Part 2 is May 20, Winchester Public Library

As noted in the last Sustainability News, Winchester received a grant to help homeowners, landscapers, and others learn how to maintain their properties more sustainably: saving water, reducing pesticides, improving wildlife and pollinator habitat, and reducing soil erosion. The project includes both the creation of a Sustainable Landscape Handbook as well as three training sessions on sustainable landscaping practices. The first training session, on Landscape Design, took place on April 11 and was well attended (watch recording here). The second session, on construction / implementation of a sustainable landscape, will be held in Winchester on Saturday, May 20 from 1-3 p.m. at Winchester Public Library. The final session, on maintaining your sustainable landscape, will be held in Arlington on June 8. All three sessions will be recorded and available for later viewing. All training sessions are free of charge. For more information, click here.

No Mow May

Have you heard about No Mow May? One way to make your property more environmentally sustainable is by delaying when you first mow your lawn. An increasing number of residents are participating in No Mow May. Allowing your lawn to grow for this extra month provides food and habitat for bees and other pollinators. Helpful background from Bee City USA is here. Worried what your neighbors might think? Consider mowing a border on the edge of your lawn while allowing the rest to grow, providing a visual cue that your landscape is intentional. This is one of the techniques covered in Winchester’s sustainable landscaping training sessions (see story immediately above).

Online Calculator for Federal Tax Incentives for Heat Pumps and More

The nonprofit Rewiring America has a helpful, simple online calculator you can use to determine federal tax incentives available for sustainable home improvements like heat pumps, solar power, electric vehicles and more. The calculator estimates your incentives based on location, size of household, and income. The Inflation Reduction Act, signed by President Biden on Aug. 16, 2022, dramatically increased tax incentives for climate-friendly home improvements. Check out the calculator here. For more information about heat pumps and other sustainable home solutions, including available state financial incentives, visit Winchester’s Sustainability Department website here.

Winchester Sustainability Quiz Answer

d) The burning of natural gas and fuel oil to heat buildings is the largest source of carbon pollution in Winchester. The major sources are:

- Building heating: 76,547 metric tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (C02e)
- Transportation: (mostly passenger vehicles): 65,544 MT C02e
- Building electricity usage: 27,844 MT CO2e
- Waste disposal: 687 MT C02e

Winchester’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory is based on 2017 data and is available on this page.

Sustainability Resources for Winchester Residents and Businesses

Sustainability Department Website
WinPower - Winchester's Community Electricity Program (sign-up for 100% carbon-free electricity and green your home!)
Climate Action Plan and Greenhouse Gas Inventory
Sign-up for this newsletter (if someone forwarded it to you)

Ken Pruitt
Sustainability Director
781-265-9730
Kpruitt@winchester.us
Town Hall, 71 Mt. Vernon St., Winchester MA 01890

May 4, 2023