Think global, act local

LOCAL CLIMATE ADVOCACY GROUPS TAKING ACTION

IT’S GREAT TO BE GREEN, BUT GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

REQUIRE LOCAL ACTION!

Now in its 14th year of operation, Bedford 2030 is established as a prototype for community involvement, legislative change, and ultimate effectiveness in achieving carbon emission reduction and other environmentally-friendly results. And, after only about 3 years of operation, Planet New Canaan has already implemented several significant recycling programs and partnered with other local organizations on a variety of effective initiatives.

BEDFORD 2030

Fourteen years ago, the Bedford 2020 movement was born in the Fox Lane High School gymnasium, formed by a group of concerned community members looking to tackle climate change at the grassroots level. In the first decade, the small but mighty organization, its army of local volunteers and board members, and the Bedford community achieved a 44% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the Bedford area, surpassing their initial goal of 20%!

Now rebranded as Bedford 2030, the organization aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2030, and achieve net zero emissions in Bedford by 2040!

As Executive Director, Midge Iorio, puts it, “There is still a lot of work to be done to ensure clean air and a thriving natural world for our children, grandchildren and their children. Bedford 2030 has connected thousands of community members with programs, resources, and expert guidance to take impactful steps to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and protect our precious natural resources. It’s vital that we exponentially grow the local Climate Action Now movement, and that each of us knows that they have an essential role in working towards a better future.”

With substantial programs established in the 2010s, like the now-mandated single-stream pick-up of recyclables, Bedford 2030 is concentrating its current focus and resources around making concrete shifts in our energy sourcing. Through the implementation of green energy coaching, Bedford 2030 is connecting local homeowners with personalized - and free - coaching, to start the process of taking meaningful steps towards sustainability at home to reduce energy consumption, lower utility bills, and transition to clean energy sources. There have already been over 300 consultations, and there is already a marked shift in conversion to clean heating and cooling systems, energy efficiency upgrades and the adoption of solar. And the coaching is now being expanded to what the group is calling ‘Rooted Solutions’, empowering community members to adopt nature-based climate solutions into landscaping. Plan It Wild is a local company that focuses on rewilding landscapes, and founder, Dave Baker, says, “Bedford 2030 has done so much to do the basic work to educating people about how harmful chemicals and pesticides are to the ecosystem, and about the need for natural, native habitats for pollinators and other biodiversity. We’re working to redefine the perceived need for an expansive manicured lawn, and to build shade gardens, meadows, mini forests, edible gardens, and so much more… and it looks really beautiful, if we do say so ourselves!”

In addition, Bedford 2030 runs community-based programs like Community Compost and the Take It or Leave It Shed, as well as supporting advocacy campaigns to reduce plastics and protect our birds and bees from harmful pesticides. Bedford 2030 provides a broad array of forums and mission-driven gatherings to facilitate community conversation and action, and actively seeks partnerships to share programs and campaigns with other communities.

Bedford 2030 also continues to operate the exciting Greenlight Awards program - which provides tools and guidance to help Westchester high school students become activists, leaders and innovators. As a part of this program, hundreds of students have implemented projects to reduce waste in their communities, advocate for electric school buses, adopt more plant-based school cafeteria meals, and more. One Greenlight student, Sofia Jacobson, who also worked as an Intern with Bedford 2030 this past summer, shares, “My experiences with Bedford2030 allowed me to see the impact that we as individuals and a community can have on the environment. This fueled my future research and studies in both high school and college. Bedford 2030 took the seeding of my interest in the environment and helped it flourish and grow into a true passion.” 

And Bedford 2030 recently spearheaded a Power of Trees Community Forum - to create a place for education and conversation around creating a vibrant ecosystem. “More than one-third of all tree species are endangered, posing a real threat to global biodiversity,” Midge explains. “The Power of Trees was like a conference to inspire action. We had a fantastic lineup of speakers, hands-on activities, and real-world tips to protect our tree canopy. With everything from nature-inspired yoga to mindfulness, delicious catering, and 50+ exhibitors… Regardless of experience or age, we provided ways for everyone to take Climate Action NOW!” Martha Stewart and famed designer Stephen Sills made an appearance…and took away several tips on the care, maintenance, and sustainability of the trees on their own properties!

This May, Bedford 2030’s Moon Dance Celebration will showcase the strides that the community has made in tackling environmental issues, and raise vital funds for local climate action. Moon Dance will honor two local environmental heroes, Olivia Farr, co-founder of Bedford 2030, and Bedford-local Murray Fisher, co-founder of the Billion Oyster Project and the New York Harbor School. Hosted bi-annually, Bedford 2030’s Moon Dance celebration is a community favorite and sells-out quickly, and this year’s party features exuberant live music from the New Orleans brass band, the Soul Rebels!

PLANET NEW CANAAN

Planet New Canaan was founded in 2017, and has emerged as a strong regional voice for change. Co-Founder and President and New Canaanite, Robin Bates, sets out, “We’re driven by a sense of urgency and a belief in the power of collective action. As the name Planet New Canaan suggests, global environmental issues are our local concerns. We’re committed to achieving a sustainable future for the town and its residents.”

“As education is always first and foremost, the organization offers a range of programs to engage residents of all ages in learning about environmental issues and the resources to participate and take action,” Robin continues. “But we’re all about taking action, and our first course was to develop and implement various forms of recycling.”

Working with the Town, Planet New Canaan has implemented a Food Scrap Recycling program, with bins installed at the New Canaan Transfer Station, in order to divert food scraps to be composted instead of incinerated. The EPA reports that 20% of municipal waste comes from food scraps. In addition to being good for the environment, Planet New Canaan is hoping to yield a cost savings for the town through the initiative.

Similarly, Planet New Canaan has partnered with Food Rescue, an organization that prevents food waste by reallocating commercial surplus and unmarketable products to those in need, and Planet New Canaan is working to involve local grocery stores and restaurants.

As Connecticut this year increases the redemption value from $.05 to $.10 on bottles and cans, Planet New Canaan is working with area organizations and partnering with local schools and student groups to ensure that more recyclable materials are recycled. And Planet New Canaan has even instituted annual programs to recycle pumpkins and Christmas trees. Post-Halloween pumpkins are diverted from the household garbage to five Connecticut farms where the pumpkins are used to feed cattle and pigs. And post-Christmas trees - 900 of them last year! - are dropped-off at the Steve Benko Pool parking lot, then mulched and composted for use at the New Canaan Nature Center.

“Another big Planet New Canaan initiative is our Swap Shop,” Robin declares. “About twenty regular Planet New Canaan volunteers operate the Swap Shop, at the New Canaan Transfer Station, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, from 9am to 1pm, weather permitting. It’s a space that allows transfer station pass holders to drop-off household items and furniture that they no longer want or need... and for anyone else to come take what they want, and as much as they’d like...so long as they promise not to throw it away.” Planet New Canaan estimates that they are saving thousands of pounds of items a week from entering the waste stream.

“To help promote biodiversity amongst plant species,” Robin continues, “Planet New Canaan has joined in the promotion of The Pollinator Pathway - an effort to utilize native plants in public and private spaces.” They’ve partnered with Copia, the garden and landscaping center in Vista, to donate a portion of sales from their annual native plant sale to the further cultivation of the New Canaan Pollinator Pathway, which promotes planting on public and private spaces to enable healthy pollination and expand ecosystem biodiversity through rewilding and planting of native plants.

Planet New Canaan is also involved in various ‘clean- ups’ in the region, including joining with Surf Rider Foundation for River Cleanups in the Five Mile River and the National Charity League Cleanups in train stations and other urban locations.

“We work well partnering with other locally-focused organizations, and wouldn’t have gotten off the ground or come as far as we have without the support and involvement of the New Canaan Nature Center, The New Canaan Community Foundation, and Grace Farms,” Robin says appreciatively. “And we’re always open to new ideas and looking for increased membership and volunteerism! Someone just brought us an idea about tennis ball recycling at the last meeting, so we’re looking into that right now. ...We want people to be encouraged to just get involved - anyone! We’ve even created a youth board that‘s committed to their own set of initiatives!”