April 22, 2020 marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day!
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“On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans — at the time, 10% of the total population of the United States — took to the streets, parks and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies.” ~
earthday.org
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The theme for Earth Day 2020 is Climate Action. Even in these times of social distancing and quarantines we can still take a step back and reflect on the impact of our actions and take action. Climate action can take many forms from simple steps to learn about and reduce waste in your own home to joining a political action campaign, virtually, in your town or the state.
Like so many other organizations canceling events this spring, we missed out on hosting our Zero Waste Faire & Sustainable Living Expo and so we wanted to take an opportunity to still share resources and information from our Exhibitors in this newsletter as many offer ways to participate in Climate Action.
Please take the time to scroll all the way through and know that links to ALL of our Exhibitors still remain active on our
website.
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Celebrate Earth Month With Wilton Go Green
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Participate in our First Earth Month Scavenger Hunt
Complete the Earth Month scavenger hunt as an individual or a family over the month of April and be entered to win a prize!
Deadline: April 30th
Prizes:
- 1st Prize - Two Month Family Membership to the Wilton YMCA or Yearlong Membership to Ambler Farm (winner chooses)
- 2nd Prize - $45 Gift Certificate to Cooks Nook and Reusable Straws
- 3 Runner Ups - A Solar Flashlight
Check out our Webinars for April:
- Join Wilton Go Green and Trinity Solar to learn how solar can have a big impact on our environment and control monthly expenses.
- Tuesday, April 14th at 10am and Thursday, April 16th at 7pm
- See below for more info and registration
- Home Composting and Q&A with State Coordinator, UConn Master Composter Program Gail K. Reynolds, M.F.S
- Tuesday, April 21st 7:00 - 8:00pm
- Register Here
Other ways to celebrate Earth Month
Support Wilton Go Green
Like so many other non-profits who have lost out on revenue during this pandemic canceling our Zero Waste Faire, our main fundraising event for the year, has put us in that group. Wilton Go Green appreciates your consideration in making a donation to continue to support the work we do in our town and beyond.
Click to donate.
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Notes from our Zero Waste Faire & Sustainable Living Expo Exhibitors
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Are you wasting sunlight?
If you haven't looked into solar or want to go solar but haven't found the time or the right "fit", give Trinity the opportunity to make this a win-win-win!
In keeping with safe social distancing practices, Trinity is now providing its customers with consultations over the phone and internet. They are able to determine if a home qualifies for a no-cost solar installation remotely and free of charge
.
If you choose to advance and take advantage of the no-cost installation Trinity between now and May 31st, Wilton Go Green receives a $1500 contribution AND $1500 to the homeowner (see details in flyer).
Wilton Go Green will be hosting two identical webinars with a Trinity Solar Representative to highlight the partnership and program. Attendees will have the opportunity for Q&A at the end of the presentation.
Registered attendees will receive an email two days prior with a webinar link and password to attend.
Tuesday, April 14 10 - 10:30am
Thursday, April 16 7 - 7:30pm
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Live Green Electric School Bus Alliance Virtual Meeting Today!
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During the Electric School Bus Alliance meeting today we will be conducting an Electric School Bus Toolkit orientation for people who want to lead the electric school bus challenge in their community
When: Apr 9, 2020 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Your health and safety are important to us! If you have junk removal needs, we are now offering curbside/outside pickup options so you can get rid of your junk from a distance.
Call us today at 1-800-LUG-JUNK to learn more and use the code
CURBSIDE20
to save 20%.
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Bringing your own bags to the grocery store is still ok! Check out this graphic on staying safe.
Citizens Campaign for the Environment sent a memorandum to all CT municipalities concerning the temporary move away from local bag ordinances.
Read here.
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The Nest Big Thing
: A birdhouse building competition uniting two towns through creativity and comradery, inspiring participants and visitors alike to enjoy our local farms and the great outdoors! We encourage the use of natural, reclaimed or recycled materials found around your home to build a birdhouse and then submit your birdhouse to your local farm later this Spring. We will compile all birdhouses submitted and then display them amongst both Ambler Farm and LaChat Town Farm properties to allow all farm goers to vote on their favorite. Winners will be announced this summer and will receive gift certificates to both farms which can be used for programs and events!
Helpful Birdhouse Building Workshop with Ambler Farm's Program Director, Kevin Meehan:
Building a Birdhouse with Items from Home:
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Wilton Pollinator Pathway
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Our Wilton Pollinator Pathway group wanted to share an exciting webinar series as well as other useful links to care for our pollinators.
- Environmental Landscape Alliance webinar series, A Walk in the Garden. Webinars throughout the month of April and May. Free but registration is required.
- Native Plants - National Audubon Society Enter your 5-digit zip code to use Audubon's native plants database and explore by area.
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So many are talking about the importance of staying hydrated so it’s the perfect time for the
GOpure pod
to be in everyone’s portable bottle. It’s also the smart, environmentally sustainable, answer to water storage. Instead of loading up on single use bottled water, invest in a 2 gallon glass water dispenser and 2 pods for clean, safe drinking water long term. This provides safe water storage, even if stored in a garage or basement, without the plastic leaching that may come from plastic AND you have great tasting water without the “taste of plastic.”
Check out our blog post!
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Environment and Human Health, Inc.
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Check out Environment and Human Health, Inc. resources, articles and information on plastics and human health.
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Sustainable Westport Launches Zero Food Waste Challenge
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Food waste makes up 20% of all solid waste going to landfills. If it were a country, food waste would be the third-largest source of waste, after China and the U.S. Take a quiz to find out how much food you’re wasting; learn how changes in shopping, preparation and storage can reduce the waste; and learn about composting. Click
here
for more information.
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Electric Vehicle Club of CT
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EV Club president, Bruce Becker, will be giving a virtual presentation on the future of EVs on April 13th at 7pm.
Bruce Becker, President of the CT Electric Car Club, LEED architect, and president of Becker + Becker, an architecture and development firm focusing on sustainable projects (with low or net-zero energy use). In his talk he will discuss EV infrastructure needs and how planning at both state and town levels can accelerate EV adoption. He will also answer questions about sustainable options for construction and development. Come hear the discussion about sustainability on our roads and in our towns.
To register, send an email to
hffc@optimum.net
with “EV” as the subject line, and with person’s name in the body.
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Citizens Climate Lobby focuses on fighting climate change. We have been instrumental is starting
bipartisan committees
on climate change in both the House and Senate, and creating the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act,
HR763
, that has been introduced in the House. Click
here
to get involved.
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Westport Farmer's Market Online
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Westport Farmer's Market is taking all safety precautions during pick-up. Vendors will be outside and no lines are permitted. Customers are kept 6 - 8 ft apart with one pick up happening at a time. Only online orders permitted. Support local farmers!! Click image to learn more.
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Florabundance LLC is a local garden coaching and design business based in Bethel, CT and serving all of Fairfield County, CT. We practice and teach sustainable gardening and can provide safe, social-distanced services to home gardeners who need a little help or information. Our website is
www.FlorabundanceLLC.com
and our Instagram handle is
@Florabundance_LLC
. You can also reach out with a good old-fashioned telephone call at (412) 439-6489.
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Bartlett will be hosting a Webinar on Controlling Backyard Invaders on Tuesday April 21, 2020 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm.
Please join us as Advanced Master Gardener and Bartlett’s Board Chairman,
Peter Russell
, defines and discusses the characteristics of invasive plants, the five key invasive plant questions homeowners need to address and how to identify and control some of the most common invasive plants you are likely to find in your backyard. More information on accessing the webinar will be sent to registered participants via e-mail. Admission is $10 for members and $20 for non-members.
Learn More and Sign up now!
On Mondays at 2:00pm we are airing
Facebook
LIVE Tours of the unique gardens and habitats at Bartlett. All videos will be archived.
Follow our stories on
Instagram
and take various Nature Quizzes for kids and adults alike! Each quiz has its own theme, from trees, to flowers, to vegetables, and more. Visit our profile to find all of our quizzes, test your knowledge, and have fun!
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Additional Resources to Check Out
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Environmental Films to Check Out While Binge Watching
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- What the Health
- Before the Flood
- Cowspiracy
- The Game Changers
- Forks over Knives
- A Plastic Ocean
- Sustainable
- How to Change the World
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- Mission Blue
- The True Cost
- Chasing Ice
- A Beautiful Planet
- Plastic Paradise
- Blackfish
- Wings of Life
- Frozen Planet Season 1
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